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We’ve Done It! Selenkay Conservancy Wins World’s Leading Conservation Programme 2025
We are proud to announce that Selenkay Conservancy has been named the World’s Leading Conservation Programme 2025 at the 2nd Annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards!
This global recognition celebrates the extraordinary partnership between Gamewatchers Safaris, Porini Camps, and the Eselenkei Maasai community — a partnership built on a shared vision of protecting Kenya’s wildlife while empowering local people.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for us and continues to believe in our mission.
A Milestone Moment for Conservation in Kenya
During the awards ceremony held at Terra, Expo City Dubai, Managing Director, Dr. Mohanjeet Brar, shared a recorded acceptance speech on behalf of the Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps team. In his message, he dedicated the award to the community members, guides, and conservation partners whose dedication makes this work possible every single day.
What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that Selenkay was the first community-owned conservancy in Kenya where a conservation-minded safari company leased a large tract of community land to create a wildlife conservation area outside a national park and used the income from low-impact safari tourism to pay the lease costs and running expenses so that a core wildlife area was set aside to become Selenkay Conservancy. This happened in 1997, years before community conservancies became a national success story and it laid the foundation for a model that now helps protect over 12% of Kenya.
Why Selenkay Stands Out
Nestled within the Amboseli ecosystem, Selenkay is proof that conservation can thrive when communities are at the heart of it.
Empowering Maasai Landowners
By leasing land for wildlife conservation, Selenkay ensures local Maasai families earn a reliable income while also benefiting from employment and tourism revenue.
Restoring Wildlife Corridors
Land once under pressure from overgrazing is now flourishing again. Through rotational grazing and habitat management, the area supports growing lion populations and healthy rangelands.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
At Porini Amboseli Camp, sustainability guides every operation — from solar-powered energy and zero-plastic policies to local sourcing and community involvement.
Investing in Communities
Tourism profits directly support education, health, and clean water projects — creating long-term value for the people who share their land with wildlife.
Inspiring a Nationwide Movement
Selenkay’s success has become a blueprint for conservation across Kenya. Its model — balancing biodiversity protection with tangible community benefits — has inspired the creation of numerous other community conservancies across the country.
This award is more than a recognition; it’s a celebration of collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose. Together, we’re proving that conservation and community development can go hand in hand — protecting Kenya’s wild heritage for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of this journey — for voting, visiting, and believing in our mission to keep Kenya’s wild places truly wild.
Learn more about our community projects and how you can get involved.
