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In May 1997, a Kenyan organisation called Porini Ecotourism agreed with the local Maasai community to set aside the areas as a reserve for wildlife so that the habitat could be protected and wildlife conserved. In return is receiving an income from tourism activities. This is used to fund community projects such as schools and water supplies. Employment opportunities have also been provided for the local Maasai people as game rangers, trackers, and camp staff.
Apart from the management couple and Head Cook, all other staff in the camp and Conservation Area are members of the local community. All roads have been constructed using local labour so that the members of the community gain employment from the Conservation area.
In addition to the road maintenance team, Game Scouts have been employed to carry out patrols to see that the wildlife is protected. As a result of the establishment of the Conservation Area, wildlife numbers have recovered significantly in recent years and elephants are now seen frequently after an absence of nearly 20 years. Selenkay Conservation Area lies in the heart of Maasailand, well off the beaten track, and has not been visited by tourists until very recently. The animals are truly wild and tend to behave more naturally than those in the parks, which are often habituated to the presence of vehicles.
The new Ol Kinyei Conservancy in the Mara ecosystem is based on our very successful Porini Selenkay model. The local Maasai communities own the land and earn a direct monetary benefit from tourist visitors visiting the conservancy and staying at the Porini Camp. In addition, the Game Scouts and camp staff are employed from the various Maasai homesteads in the area.
Having grown up in Africa, the founder of this Kenyan safari company realised he could help local families owning plots of land which adjoined the overcrowded National Parks. He asked if they wanted to help create wildlife-rich conservancies and safari camps which would generate them income and offer tourists a real off-the-beaten-track experience. It was a risk but the Maasai people got behind the idea and helped make it a success. As they are private, these conservancies have fewer restrictions than the parks, meaning visitors can do walks and night-game drives and benefit from the first-hand knowledge of the guides.
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