The Loita Forest, often referred to as the “Forest of the Lost Child,” is one of Kenya’s last remaining intact indigenous forests and an essential part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Spanning approximately 532 km², this ancient Afromontane forest provides critical habitat for wildlife, safeguards water catchments, and supports the livelihoods and traditions of local Maasai communities.
For generations, the Loita Forest has remained protected through traditional stewardship. Today, however, increasing land subdivision, agricultural expansion, and deforestation threaten the long-term survival of this important ecosystem.
Since 2011, the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) has been protecting elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Now, they are actively working to help bridge the gap between forest conservation and community livelihoods to save the Loita Forest.
The Loita Forest forms a vital wildlife corridor within the Greater Mara landscape, allowing elephants and other species to move between ecosystems. More than 600 elephants rely on this habitat as part of their natural migratory routes. The forest also acts as a natural water tower, feeding streams and rivers that sustain surrounding landscapes and communities.
Its dense canopy shelters a rich diversity of flora and fauna, from ancient cedar and podocarpus trees to colobus monkeys, turacos, and countless bird species.
Recent land subdivision has shifted sections of the forest from communal ownership into privately held plots. As economic pressures increase, some parcels are cleared for farming, charcoal production, and timber extraction. Fragmentation of the forest places pressure on wildlife movement, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem health.
Without sustainable alternatives, communities often face difficult choices between conservation and livelihood needs.
In partnership with the Mara Elephant Project, Governors’ Camp Collection supports efforts to protect the Loita Forest through community-led conservation.
A key initiative is the Linda Msitu (“Protect the Forest”) programme, which works directly with landowners to preserve forest parcels. Through voluntary agreements, participating landowners receive support to maintain forest cover rather than clearing land for agriculture. This approach helps create long-term conservation incentives while supporting local livelihoods.
On the ground, ranger teams patrol forest areas, monitor illegal activity, and help protect wildlife corridors through a combination of local knowledge and conservation technology.
Protecting Loita Forest is not only about safeguarding wildlife – it is about supporting people who have lived alongside and cared for this landscape for generations.
By working collaboratively with local communities, conservation organisations, and landowners, long-term protection becomes possible through shared stewardship and sustainable alternatives.
The future of Loita Forest depends on continued conservation partnerships, community engagement, and long-term habitat protection.
Governors’ Camp Collection remains committed to supporting initiatives that help preserve this remarkable landscape for wildlife, local communities, and future generations.
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