We are proud to be one of Kenya’s leading conservation tourism brands, having pioneered this space for over half a century. We work alongside our community neighbours and provide regular financial support to our partner conservation organisations to advance and strengthen various impact initiatives across our three core pillars: Protect, Educate, and Empower.
The Greater Mara ecosystem is a complex region where life hangs in a delicate balance. It is therefore essential that we support the dedicated field teams working to protect wildlife habitats and ease human-wildlife conflict.
MEP and Kenya Wildlife Rangers in the Nyekweri Forest- photo credit Felix Rome
We have long supported the Mara Elephant Project (MEP), which has spent 15 years on the frontline of conservation, deploying Rapid Response Units, tracking over a thousand elephants, and cracking down on illegal logging and bushmeat poaching.
We recently visited MEP’s fascinating five-acre “coexistence farm” which is situated on the edge of the Mara River. Abigale Pertet, a local Maasai lady, has worked hard to develop the concept since 2021; creating a model farm for her community neighbours to replicate on their own land.
Abigale hosts a discussion with ladies from the area- photo credit Charlie Gould
The plot is located adjacent to the Enonkishu, Lemek, Mara North, and Ol Chorro wildlife conservancies. This rural area has historically experienced high rates of human-wildlife conflict.
Human-Wildlife Conflict is the leading cause of elephant fatalities in the Mara- photo credit MEP
Because wildlife crossing back and forth between community land and conservancies raid crops at night, desperate farmers face losing their entire livelihood in a single night, leading to tragic retaliations which often result in injured people and elephants.
Photo credit Charlie Gould
To test a solution, MEP set up this experimental farm without any fences right on the river’s edge, using camera traps to see what different species of animals were actually eating.
Exploring the experimental farm- photo credit Charlie Gould
It soon emerged that five crops were completely unpalatable to wildlife: lavender, rosemary, chilli, tea tree, and eucalyptus. Animals meander along the pathways without ever entering the farmed areas.
Dried chillies- photo credit Charlie Gould
With high market demand for quality essential oils—and a second-hand still generously donated by Cinnabar Green—this project offers a brilliant way to produce and sell extracted oils and generate local revenue.
Tea tree- photo credit Charlie Gould
We’re excited to support this wildlife-friendly farming initiative, with hopes of eventually offering our guests a homegrown “scent of the Mara” in our camp bathrooms while keeping farming communities safe and conflict-free.
I also recently headed to London for the “From Pangolins to People” event at the House of Lords, hosted by Tusk Trust and The Pangolin Project (TPP).
An evening in The House of Lords- photo credit Will Burrard-Lucas
Hearing Dr Claire Okell, the Founder and Director of TPP, speak about their race against time to protect the last known population of giant ground pangolins in the Nyekweri Forest was deeply moving.
Dr Claire Okell presents on the work of TPP- photo credit Will Burrard-Lucas
TPP is now monitoring seven tagged pangolins with two dedicated protection units out every night, and we are proud to help cover ranger salaries alongside the Wilderness Trust’s recent funding for a new ranger base in Tumpelian.
Closer to other landscapes, we supported a wildlife movement survey across the Loldia-Eburru region earlier in the year that recorded 20 large mammal species, noting impalas as the most common.
A team from The Wildlife Research and Training Units conducts the survey- photo credit Felix Rome
We recently connected with the Mara Hyena Project team. Based across two areas (Talek and the Triangle) in the Masai Mara, their small team spends countless hours out in the field monitoring spotted hyenas and recording their behaviour.
In the field monitoring a hyena clan- photo credit Alisa Karstad
After spending time in the field with them, I was interested to learn how they collect and record data, and their incredible, in-depth knowledge of each hyena in the clans they follow.
A presentation on spotted hyena at Governors’ Camp- photo credit Charlie Gould
Hyenas are fascinating creatures, with complex family relationships. Humans often misunderstand them, and we enjoyed learning more from the team during a evening talk at Governors’ Camp for our guiding team and guests, where we played a game of Hyena “Whoop Wager”.
Education is considered by many of us as the foundation of sustainable change. By creating safe learning spaces and practical opportunities, we want to give the next generation the tools they need to protect their incredible natural heritage.
A new roof installed on the boys dormitory- photo credit Charlie Gould
At Mara Rianda Primary School, a recent fire unfortunately destroyed the entire roof and damaged the boys’ dormitory interior.
Thankfully, no students or staff were injured, and we were glad to both fund and facilitate the complete roof rebuild, fresh interior painting, and a full rewire of the electrics.
Painting the boys dormitory- photo credit Charlie Gould
We also supported The Maa Trust’s fifth annual Community-led Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony on August 14th.
Community-led Alternative Rite of Passage Ceremony- photo credit Charlie Gould
This inspiring programme offers a safe, culturally supported alternative to Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C).
This year saw the graduation of 300 children (225 girls and 75 boys). It is a powerful way to strengthen child protection systems and bring the wider community and elders together around positive social norms.
Further west close to the Nyekweri Forest, a brand-new indigenous tree nursery and kitchen garden is officially up and running at Enkereri School.
The new Indigenous Tree Nursery and Kitchen Garden at Enkereri School- photo credit Charlie Gould
Fully funded by the Wilderness Trust for USD 31,615, this project supports local reforestation efforts of Nyekweri Forest, while providing fresh vegetables like managu (African nightshade), kales, spinach and tomatoes to boost school meals.
Kantai Soit, a local Maasai who underwent intensive training with our partners at the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya and Living Machines, runs the nursery and involves Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Club students in everything from watering and weeding to learning about soil health and pollinators.
In Nairobi, we also supported Levitika’s Sports Centre in the Kibera Slum with a donation of football jerseys, balls, hurdles, socks, a first-aid kit, tactical boards, cooking equipment, and tournament entry fees.
Recent donations by Governors’ Camps to Levitika’s- photo credits Dennis Ochieng
Conservation cannot succeed unless local communities are resilient, supported, and have reliable access to the resources they need.
In Kasarani, we sponsored the third edition of the Tusara Noma Football Tournament between August 21st and 23rd.
Football in Kasarani- photo credit Sam Whitton
It is a lively event that gives young people a positive outlet, helps build friendships, and tackles challenges around unemployment, drugs, and early pregnancies in the area.
The winning team of the 2026 Tusara Noma Football Tournament- photo credit Joseph Alunyei
Back out in the Mara, we also provided replacement batteries worth USD 2,250 for the solar power system at the Mara Rianda Health Clinic. Even in such a remote location, this ensures the clinic keeps running smoothly—keeping vaccines safely refrigerated and providing reliable electricity for the maternity ward and daily care.
New solar batteries installed at the clinic- photo credit Charlie Gould
We remain committed to making a positive impact on communities, educating future generations, and conserving Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts.
If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at [email protected]. If you’d like to support our work, you can do so via our secure online payment platform:
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Words and photographs by Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection.
