At Governors’ Camp Collection, we know that it is our responsibility to create lasting positive change for both communities and ecosystems. Our impact work is guided by the three core pillars of our parent company, Wilderness: Educate, Empower, and Protect.
A sustainable future depends on the knowledge and passion of young people. Our education initiatives are designed to inspire and equip the next generation to become stewards of their natural heritage.
Through the generous support of our guests, we were able to provide essential resources to local schools this month.
The Fursdon Family at Governors’ Camp – photo credit Dan Palmer
The Fursdon family, who recently stayed with us at Governors’ Camp, donated funds that were used to purchase three desktop computers and two large whiteboards for the TAFA Community Center. These tools are being used to boost the computer literacy classes that are offered for free to children living in the village.
Desktop computer donation to TAFA Community Centre – photo credit TAFA
Similarly, we used funds donated by other kind guests of Governors’ Camp to purchase 75 new desks for Mara Rianda Primary School, providing a better learning environment for students
Governors’ Camp Manager James Ndung’u (centre) with two of our recent interns (Dominic, left, and David, right) receive the desks and chairs at the school on behalf of our guest donors.
75 desks and chairs were donated to the Mara Rianda Primary School – photo credit Dan Palmer
We are always grateful for financial and in-kind donations of any size; guests can contact us (impact@governorscamp.com) for more information on the most pressing needs of the schools, or you can visit our Packing for a Purpose webpage.
Our Children in the Wilderness Eco-Clubs are now well-established in nine schools. Led by dedicated Eco-Mentors, these clubs follow a conservation education curriculum that instils a sense of pride and passion in young learners. The mentors adapt lessons to their local environment, ensuring students stay engaged and excited.
Eco-Club members at Irbaan Primary School in the Masai Mara – photo credit Dan Palmer
The highlight of the month was a four-day Joint Conservation Education Camp at Mugie Primary School, which brought together 70 learners from Eden Thriving and the Mugie Eco-Club. Participants, aged 13 to 22, learned about wildlife monitoring, endangered species, beekeeping, and the role of technology in conservation through interactive sessions and field observations.
Eco-Club Members at Margaret Kenyatta Primary School – photo credits Dan Palmer
The training successfully equipped the young people with both knowledge and practical skills, helping to inspire them to take action to protect the environment. We were pleased to support the cost of the food for the camp.
We are committed to providing real-world experience to college students. Over three months, we offered internship opportunities to nine young adults. Working under the guidance of our experienced management and camp teams, these interns gained hands-on experience across various departments and put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
Dominic Warui assisted in our CITW Eco-club activities – photo credit Dan Palmer
Dominic Warui and Alfred Crinton were two notable interns whose experiences highlight the value of our program. They worked in each department, gaining a deeper understanding of the work involved in the running of high-end tourism establishments.
Dominic, a Tourism Management student, had this to say about the months spent at Governors’ Camp, “My time was spent immersed in the beauty of the Mara and the whole period was profoundly educational”.
Alfred, who worked at Loldia House, on the shores of Lake Naivasha, expressed his gratitude for the “rewarding experience,” noting that it provided him with practical skills and hands-on exposure he would not have gained in class.
Alfred Crinton interned at Loldia House
Celebrating our cultural diversity and providing communities with the tools to shape their own future is essential. We work with our partners to support initiatives that create lasting, positive change.
Kenya is a country with over 40 different tribes, each with its own language and customs. On the last Friday of August, we celebrated Heritage Day with our entire team.
Governors’ Mugie House Heritage Day celebrations
Governors’ Mugie House Heritage Day Celebrations
Our staff, who hail from many of these tribes, brought their unique heritage to the forefront through traditional songs, dances, food, and attire.
Our Regional Finance Officer, Lawrence Hungwe, is from Zimbabwe
Il Moran Heritage Day celebrations – photo credit Dan Palmer
This commitment to cultural celebration is a core part of who we are, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
Governors’ Camp Heritage Day celebrations – photo credit Dan Palmer
Little Governors’ Camp Heritage Day celebrations – photo credit Dan Palmer
Loldia House Heritage Day celebrations
In keeping with the theme of cultural diversity; a visit to a Samburu homestead offers an authentic window into the daily life of vibrant pastoralist communities, for our guests at Governors’ Mugie House.
Visitors are welcomed into a homestead crafted from wattle and daub, where they can learn about the significance of well-used gourds for the traditional blood and milk drink.
Samburu song and dance – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Back outside, Samburu women perform with song and dances, which guests are encouraged to join in on.
A Samburu elder – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Guests can also try their hand at the ancient art of fire-making by friction, gaining a deeper appreciation for the rhythms and routines of Samburu life. A fee is required for this activity which is paid to the Samburu families.
In the Masai Mara, we are proud to have supported The Maa Trust’s Community-Led Alternative Rites of Passage (CLARP) initiative for the third consecutive year. The Maa Trust is a key advocate in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
CLARP ceremony 2025 – photo credit The Maa Trust
78% of young Maasai girls are still being subjected to the practice. This often leads to child marriage and early pregnancy, robbing girls of their education and potential. The CLARP program not only provides a symbolic rite of passage that replaces the harmful cut, empowering girls and building community support to break the cycle of FGM, child marriage, and school dropout, but also raises awareness about the illegality of FGM, teaches life skills, and provides career guidance.
We provide regular financial support to the Maa Trust’s outreach programmes, some of which was used for the six-day CLARP training program for 197 girls and 63 boys. Such support is vital because it not only transforms individual lives but also shifts community norms toward sustainable change.
Our mission to support communities is deeply intertwined with the protection of Kenya’s natural resources. We actively support the conservation efforts that safeguard wildlife and the environments they inhabit.
As part of the World Rangers Day celebrations, the TAFA Community Centre had a special visit from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Ranger Mildred Oduor and Rhino Ark’s Joseph Mutongu. They spoke to the children at the centre about the ecological importance of the Eburru Forest, a vital water source and a sanctuary for wildlife, including the critically endangered Mountain Bongo antelope. They shared interesting information about wildlife and the threats they face, and noted that Eburru is a symbol of biodiversity and a sacred heritage site.
Rangers working in the Eburru Forest – photo credit Fernando Faciole
Mildred’s ranger colleagues shared their personal experiences, discussing the training, daily duties, and challenges of their role, and highlighted the importance of community support in protecting Kenya’s ecosystems.
We are proud to support the forest conservation efforts undertaken by Eburru Rafiki. Though small, this indigenous forest is a biodiversity hotspot, teeming with over 188 bird species and 40 mammal species.
A golden-winged sunbird in the Eburru Forest – photo credit Alisa Karstad
An Ayres’s Hawk Eagle in the Eburru Forest – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Thanks to a perimeter fence erected by Rhino Ark in 2014, the forest is now protected from illegal logging and poaching. This has allowed it to recover beautifully (after decades of destruction), making it a perfect day trip for our guests staying at Loldia House.
Our regular contributions to Eburru Rafiki help fund key projects, including planting native trees such as African Cherry and Pencil Cedar, as well as clearing forest trails to open up new areas for ecotourism.
Tree planting in the Eburru Forest- photo credit Fernando Faciole
Governors’ Camp Collection remains committed to positively impacting communities, educating future generations, and protecting Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts.
By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection. If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at impact@governorscamp.com
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