Supporting Communities Through Ecotourism
At Porini Camps and Gamewatchers Safaris, we believe sustainable tourism can transform lives. Through partnerships with local communities, we create jobs, protect wildlife habitats, and invest in health, education, and infrastructure.
Our Impact Beyond the Safari
Direct Benefits to Local People
Scholarships
US$
0
Spent on student scholarships (2024/2025).
Digital Learning
0
Schools per year, supported with Digital Learning Kits (2024/25).
Bee Keeping
0
14 Community Women/Youth Groups per year, provided with Beehives and Beekeeping Equipment(2024/25).
Female Health
0
Reusable Sanitary Pads Distributed in conjunction with PadMad (2024/2025).
Clean Water
0
Families now have access to clean water, as Water Access Project for the Il Turisho Community is completed. (2024/25).
Teacher's House
0
Teachers House built at Enkii ECD School (2024/25).
Field Trips
0
Field trips arranged for students and children from local communities by Maarifa Foundation & Gamewatchers (2024/2025).
Chairs Donated
0
Plastic chairs donated to the Endonyo Narasha Full Gospel Church (2024/25).
Acres Protected
0
Acres of Conservancy land directly and collectively protected per year (2024/2025).
The Maarifa Education for Conservation Program focuses on three core principles: Share, Experience, Action. Its objective is to cultivate conservation-aware citizens and sustainable communities for the future. Planned activities include:
- Mazingira (Environment) Clubs offering expert-led sessions for student engagement.
- A school twinning program connecting students with peers in Australia to exchange stories and experiences.
- Educational trips to Amboseli National Park for Illoirero students and Maasai Mara National Reserve for Kishermoruak students.
- The construction of a library enriched with materials on the environment, wildlife, and conservation for all age groups.
- The establishment of a sustainable kitchen garden and energy-efficient stove, teaching students about sustainability, nutrition, and resource management, while providing healthy daily meals.
Selenkay Conservancy:
Total cash flowing into community from the conservancy project:
2025: $423,178
2024: $351,662
2023: $308,359
Ol Kinyei Conservancy:
Total cash flowing into community from the conservancy project:
2025: $1,086,684
2024: $717,121
2023: $669,780
Olare Motorogi Conservancy:
Our contribution to the conservancy project:
2025: $478,063
2024: $350,231
2023: $426,727
Mara Ripoi Conservancy:
Our contribution to the conservancy project:
2025: $333,326
2024: $274,
2023: $210,924
Selenkay Conservancy:
Total cash flowing into community from the conservancy project:
2025: $423,178
2024: $351,662
2023: $308,359
Ol Kinyei Conservancy:
Total cash flowing into community from the conservancy project:
2025: $1,086,684
2024: $717,121
2023: $669,780
Olare Motorogi Conservancy:
Our contribution to the conservancy project:
2025: $478,063
2024: $350,231
2023: $426,727
Mara Ripoi Conservancy:
Our contribution to the conservancy project:
2025: $333,326
2024: $274,
2023: $210,924
A monthly rental (that increases annually) is paid to the Maasai landowners as a lease for all the land in the conservancies and the company give first priority to family members of the local community for jobs in the camps and conservancies so that over 95% of the staff are drawn from the local people whose parcels of land have been joined together to form the different conservancies. In addition we have this year started payments to the Karamajong at the new Kidepo Lomej Conservancy adjacent to the Kidepo National Park in Uganda.
There are over 5,000 Maasai families who are directly benefiting from the conservancies which we are involved in leasing and managing. Their lives have improved with a guaranteed income from the lease and less reliance on livestock as their sole income source while many have members of their families earning a livelihood in the conservancies in which they have a stake.
Previously, opportunities for jobs were almost non-existent, especially at Selenkay, but Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps now employ over 300 members of staff from the communities. Take-home earnings of individual staff members are over USD150 per month for the most junior staff which is significantly higher than average in rural areas. Thus the conservancies have provided a solution to the problem of the lack of job opportunities by providing additional incomes to housholds and alternative livelihood opportunities to livestock ranching.
Scholarships
US$
0
Spent on student scholarships (2024/2025).
Digital Learning
0
Schools per year, supported with Digital Learning Kits (2024/25).
Bee Keeping
0
14 Community Women/Youth Groups per year, provided with Beehives and Beekeeping Equipment(2024/25).
Female Health
0
Reusable Sanitary Pads Distributed in conjunction with PadMad (2024/2025).
Clean Water
0
Families now have access to clean water, as Water Access Project for the Il Turisho Community is completed. (2024/25).
Teacher's House
0
Teachers House built at Enkii ECD School (2024/25).
Field Trips
0
Field trips arranged for students and children from local communities by Maarifa Foundation & Gamewatchers (2024/2025).
Chairs Donated
0
Plastic chairs donated to the Endonyo Narasha Full Gospel Church (2024/25).
Acres Protected
0
Acres of Conservancy land directly and collectively protected per year (2024/2025).
The Maarifa Education for Conservation Program focuses on three core principles: Share, Experience, Action. Its objective is to cultivate conservation-aware citizens and sustainable communities for the future. Planned activities include:
- Mazingira (Environment) Clubs offering expert-led sessions for student engagement.
- A school twinning program connecting students with peers in Australia to exchange stories and experiences.
- Educational trips to Amboseli National Park for Illoirero students and Maasai Mara National Reserve for Kishermoruak students.
- The construction of a library enriched with materials on the environment, wildlife, and conservation for all age groups.
- The establishment of a sustainable kitchen garden and energy-efficient stove, teaching students about sustainability, nutrition, and resource management, while providing healthy daily meals.
The Maarifa Education for Conservation Program focuses on three core principles: Share, Experience, Action. Its objective is to cultivate conservation-aware citizens and sustainable communities for the future. Planned activities include:
- Mazingira (Environment) Clubs offering expert-led sessions for student engagement.
- A school twinning program connecting students with peers in Australia to exchange stories and experiences.
- Educational trips to Amboseli National Park for Illoirero students and Maasai Mara National Reserve for Kishermoruak students.
- The construction of a library enriched with materials on the environment, wildlife, and conservation for all age groups.
- The establishment of a sustainable kitchen garden and energy-efficient stove, teaching students about sustainability, nutrition, and resource management, while providing healthy daily meals.
Explore the projects you can support
Donations go a long way in assisting the communities surrounding the conservancies and can make a positive difference in their lives.
Every initiative listed below is proudly run by our Wildlife Habitat Trust, with 100% of your donation going directly to the cause — no admin fees, no overheads, just real impact.
Your support matters.
Each contribution helps protect endangered wildlife, empower local communities, and preserve the wild spaces we all care about. Your generosity goes a long way and we post updates on our social media pages (Facebook & Instagram) and our Blog to show how your donations have been utilised in the community.
✅ 100% of donations go directly to the project.
The Maarifa Education for Conservation Program focuses on three core principles: Share, Experience, Action. Its objective is to cultivate conservation-aware citizens and sustainable communities for the future. Planned activities include:
- Mazingira (Environment) Clubs offering expert-led sessions for student engagement.
- A school twinning program connecting students with peers in Australia to exchange stories and experiences.
- Educational trips to Amboseli National Park for Illoirero students and Maasai Mara National Reserve for Kishermoruak students.
- The construction of a library enriched with materials on the environment, wildlife, and conservation for all age groups.
- The establishment of a sustainable kitchen garden and energy-efficient stove, teaching students about sustainability, nutrition, and resource management, while providing healthy daily meals.
Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict
With our Porini Boma Strengthening Programm, we enhance traditional Maasai bomas (enclosures) with chain-link fencing, treated posts, and secure gates to protect livestock from predators, reducing human-wildlife conflicts. This minimizes the likelihood of retaliatory killings and poaching, as predators remain within conservancy areas.
For implementation we work with our partners at Born Free Foundation.
How You Can Help:
● You can either make a contribution toward this valuable programme (minimum donation of US $ 150) or sponsor one or more full fencing units.
● The total cost of building one Predator-Proof Boma – US $1,500.
● You can either make a contribution toward this valuable programme (minimum donation of US $ 150) or sponsor one or more full fencing units.
● The total cost of building one Predator-Proof Boma – US $1,500.
Ol Kinyei & Selenkay Conservancy Education Support
This program focuses on funding school fees and associated educational costs, easing financial burdens on families. The Bursary Fund supports students through various educational stages, promoting gender equality, educational access, and poverty reduction.
How You Can Help:
● Donate towards the Bursary Fund which has a target of US$15,000 per conservancy.
● Donate towards the Bursary Fund which has a target of US$15,000 per conservancy.
Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods for Youth & Women
Our Beekeeping Micro Enterprise project empowers youth and women by fostering conservation awareness and sustainable income through beekeeping. We support the purchase of beehives, beekeeping equipment, provide training, ongoing support and market for all the honey produced as we purchase them for us by guests in our camps.
How You Can Help:
● Beehive: US $75
● Beehive: US $75
● Beekeeping kit: US $85
● Beekeeping Training: US $100
● Complete project (10 hives, stands, training): US $950
Additional Classroom at Ol Kinyei Secondary School Project
Addressing the critical need for an additional classroom at Ol Kinyei secondary school which is the only secondary school on the Ol Kinyei group ranch. Currently there are 570 students enrolled in the school and there are only a total of 7 classrooms. This translates to a ratio of approximately 81 students to each classroom. The school is currently at capacity and students are crammed into the current classrooms, the additional classroom will greatly improve the learning conditions of the students of the school.
How You Can Help:
● Donate towards reaching the goalof US $11,000 for construction of an additional classroom at Ol Kinyei Secondary School.
● Donate towards reaching the goalof US $11,000 for construction of an additional classroom at Ol Kinyei Secondary School.
Adopt An Acre
The “Adopt-an-Acre” initiative allows supporters to adopt a piece of land in our conservancies by contributing to the Wildlife Habitat Trust. These funds are crucial for maintaining staff salaries and land leases, especially during tourism downturns. This program aims to sustain the conservancies and protect the biodiversity they contain by providing alternative income sources to local communities, reducing the need for harmful land practices.
How You Can Help:
● 1 Acre: US $35 (US$15 for Maasai land lease, US$20 for staff wages).
● 1 Acre: US $35 (US$15 for Maasai land lease, US$20 for staff wages).
● 5 Acres: US $175 (US$100 for land lease, US$75 for wages).
● 30 Acres: US $1050 (US$600 for land lease, US$450 for wages).
Donors of 30 acres or more receive a matching credit from Gamewatchers Safaris, applicable to any stay in our Porini Safari Camps in 2026/2027. ie a donation of US $1050 results in a US $1050 travel credit!
Advancing Digital Education Digital Smart Learning Project
Committed to empowering youth with digital skills for better job opportunities and effective living, we aim to sponsor schools with digital learning kits, including a server with the Kenya Primary School syllabus, a projector, tablets, and necessary training.
How You Can Help:
● Contribution for Complete Kit: US $7,500 per school
● Contribution for Complete Kit: US $7,500 per school
Education in Conservation: MAARIFA Collaboration
In partnership with The Maarifa Foundation, an Australian non-profit dedicated to conservation education founded by Kristy Thomson of the Gamewatchers team in Australia, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps are supporting young learners in Kenyan community conservancies.
The foundation’s goal is to foster a deep-rooted interest in conservation and wildlife among the youth, who are the future leaders of their communities. Its objective is to cultivate conservation-aware citizens and sustainable communities for the future.
Visit their website for more information:
The Wildlife Tourism College Scholarship Fund
Established in 2005, the Koiyaki Guiding School, situated in the Naboisho Conservancy, trains 26 students annually in tourism. The Scholarship Fund helps passionate but financially disadvantaged youth afford these courses. Our staff, primarily from local communities, benefits from our growth, as it creates more employment opportunities. Donations support enrollment in a certified Tour Guiding and Operations course, covering tuition, meals, excursions, and accommodation. This enhances employment prospects and fosters long-term conservation in the Maasai Mara and other ecosystems.
How You Can Help:
● US $2,300 for full course sponsorship
● US$500 for partial sponsorship
● US $2,300 for full course sponsorship
● US$500 for partial sponsorship
Empowering Girls In Education
In rural Kenyan schools, it’s common for girls to miss 3-7 days of schooling each month due to their menstrual cycle, leading to educational disparities and stigma.
To combat this, we have partnered with Madhvi Dalal of PadMad, an initiative focused on keeping girls in school and promoting dignity, health, and environmental responsibility through sustainable menstrual solutions.
PadMad’s products are eco- friendly, durable, and affordably priced, with production based in rural Kenyan communities, providing employment for marginalized women.
Our involvement includes several schools in Ol Kinyei and Selenkay, where we also conduct educational sessions for all students to address stigma and foster better understanding. PadMad’s goal is to improve women’s health and end period poverty through education, empowerment, and sustainable practices.
How You Can Help:
● Contribution for Deluxe Menstrual Pad Kit (each kit costs US $7).
● Contribution for Deluxe Menstrual Pad Kit (each kit costs US $7).
Porini Conservancies Rangers
As the conservancies have grown, so has the need for more rangers, who are the backbone in ensuring wildlife, habitat, and community security.
More importantly they are spokes people for the conservancies and play a vital role in limiting human-wildlife conflict.
The company continues to increase the number of rangers as required and as such these rangers need equipment such as; uniforms, two way transceivers, GPS devices, binoculars, smartphones and tablets for wildlife data gathering, motorbikes, and vehicles in order to perform their duties.
The expansion of this program requires your assistance; sufficient well equipped rangers per unit translates into better protection for; wildlife, habitat, and people.
In our conservancies, an expansion of this program means that the community sees a direct rise in their employment opportunities as 100% of rangers are hired from within our partner communities.
How You Can Help:
Your donation/s towards the ranger program will assist us with payments for equipment, wages, uniforms, rations, vehicles, and training. This enables the rangers to be more effective and efficient with their day to day activities.
● Wages: US $115 per month
● 2 x Uniform – US $110
Donations for the equipment below are also greatly appreciated:
● 1 x Two-way radio – US $ 80-290
Your donation/s towards the ranger program will assist us with payments for equipment, wages, uniforms, rations, vehicles, and training. This enables the rangers to be more effective and efficient with their day to day activities.
● Wages: US $115 per month
● 2 x Uniform – US $110
Donations for the equipment below are also greatly appreciated:
● 1 x Two-way radio – US $ 80-290
● 1 x Motorbike – US $ 3,250 for a K160R (160 cc) Kibo motorbike and annual maintenance
● 1 x 4X4 patrol vehicle US $ 30,000 – US $ 45,000 Land cruiser pick up
● 1 x Handheld GPS Unit – US $ 170
● 1 x Binoculars – US $ 150
● 1 x Smartphone – US $ 85 ●
1 x Tablet – US $ 320
● 1 x Comprehensive Rangers Kit for the year US $ 2,000
Porini Conservancies Female Rangers
Currently in the conservancies we don’t hire any female rangers due to the lack of facilities. This is something that we would like to change and therefore we are raising funds to build dedicated female ranger posts as well as raising funds in order for training.
How You Can Help:
Donations for a dedicated all women’s Ranger Post and Trainings can be seen below:
● 1 x Ranger Post for 6 women Rangers – US $ 25,000
● 1 x Ranger Training at the Kenya Wildlife Service’s academy (3 month course) – US $ 3,600 per person so for 6 rangers US $ 21,600
● 1 x In House Ranger Training Either at Ol Kinyei or Selenkay – US $ 5,000 (20 pax for 2 weeks) therefor US $ 250 per Ranger
Donations for a dedicated all women’s Ranger Post and Trainings can be seen below:
● 1 x Ranger Post for 6 women Rangers – US $ 25,000
● 1 x Ranger Training at the Kenya Wildlife Service’s academy (3 month course) – US $ 3,600 per person so for 6 rangers US $ 21,600
● 1 x In House Ranger Training Either at Ol Kinyei or Selenkay – US $ 5,000 (20 pax for 2 weeks) therefor US $ 250 per Ranger
Projects In Focus
Our conservancies thrive when wildlife and communities flourish together. Through these short films, we highlight the initiatives that make a real difference on the ground — from education and healthcare to sustainable livelihoods and conservation solutions. Each story showcases the people, partnerships, and impact behind our projects, offering a closer look at how your support helps protect wildlife while empowering local communities.
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Stories from the Conservancies
Explore our blog articles to learn more about the Gamewatchers Community Conservancy Concept, responsible tourism, and how long-term partnerships are helping protect wildlife, support communities, and safeguard vital ecosystems.
FAQs - Gamewatchers Safaris Community Development Initiatives
The community development initiatives supported by Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps aim to empower local communities through education, sustainable livelihoods, habitat protection and conservation awareness. These include programs for school support, beekeeping enterprises, bursary funds, digital learning and more, all run through the Wildlife Habitat Trust.
Sustainable tourism in the conservancies generates income for local landowners through land leases, employment opportunities, and micro-enterprise support such as beekeeping and classroom projects. These benefits help improve livelihoods while ensuring habitat protection for wildlife.
The Adopt-an-Acre initiative allows supporters to contribute financially to conservation and community support by adopting an acre of conservancy land. Contributions help cover land lease payments and staff wages, sustaining protected wildlife habitat while providing financial support for local Maasai families.
Education support programs include funding school fees, building classrooms, providing resources such as books and uniforms, and digital learning projects that equip schools with tablets and offline education kits. These initiatives are designed to strengthen educational access and opportunity for children in local community conservancies.
Yes. Visitors, donors and supporters can contribute to the community projects through specific contributions such as adopting an acre, sponsoring classrooms, funding beekeeping micro-enterprises, bursary funds, digital learning kits and other targeted programs. Every contribution helps protect wildlife, support communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the conservancies
