Best Eco Lodges Campi ya kanzi in Kenya “Walk the Talk” – Ecotourism success stories

March 3, 2010

Campi ya Kanzi means “Camp of the Hidden Treasure” in Kiswahili. The Eco Lodge lies within a 400-square-mile Maasai private land in Southern Kenya, dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro, just 35 miles away and only has 8 tented cottages. Campi Ya Kanzi “walk the talk” :  the landlords are the primal benefiters of the operation. Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust with an investment of $800,000 a year shows to the landlords that a wilderness with thriving wildlife is the best way to maintain their land and their culture. Because of the choices to have the minimal impact on the environment, from solar electricity from solar panels, to rain cropping, to water filtration, to cooking with sustainable fuel (charcoal made with coffee husks). Because of the culture and identity of not having a green make up, but in having a green soul, shown in everything they do.

In 2009, Campi Ya Kanzi has acquired 13 solar panels, to guarantee a total independency from the back up generator. They also purchased new solar boilers, to guarantee that even during cloudy days hot water will be guaranteed to both guests as well as the laundry and kitchen.

Campi Ya Kanzi also secured a sanctuary of 5,000 acres, set up as Kanzi Conservancy, where no boma and no grazing is permitted (which means no access by the local Maasai livestock). This is both historical and very meaningful, as not only it has created an area solely dedicated to wild herbivores and carnivores, but it has shown to the Maasai that land treated as pure wilderness can pay dividends to the Maasai landlords, hence creating a viable alternative to cattle ranching, which lately was done unsustainably. The conservancy is paid both in terms of a yearly management fee to the landlords and in direct employment of game scouts, therefore spreading the benefit to the community.

Along the same principles of Kanzi Conservancy, They have set up a Research and Conservation Centre, as headquarter of the foundation, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. The headquarter is a tented camp with an office and it will represent the regional place for both conservation and research. Payment to the landlords is both in a management fee and in direct employment.

Another great story is the success of the consolation program, Simba Project, where livestock preyed by any predator is compensated to the Maasai landlords. While lions are disappearing at a shocking rate everywhere else, the lion population has increased three folds since the inception of the program. In 2009 no predators were killed. The program is fairly easy: all losses are monitored and check by MWCT officers, all genuine losses are covered by a credit note, paid quarterly in arrears if no predators were killed. It costs, but it works brilliantly and it shows to the Maasai landlords it is indeed possible to coexist with wildlife, as long as the costs for it are paid for.

At Campi ya Kanzi: minimum 2 guests, staying 7 nights, discounted rate in luxury cottage is $415, in suite is $560, per person per day. Add $100 conservation fee per person per day. Non-refundable purchase.

At Kanzi house: minimum 4 nights, discounted rate is $5,000 per day for the all Kanzi house, add $200 conservation fee per person per day. Non-refundable purchase.

Learn more on Best Eco Lodges http://www.best-ecolodges.com/kenya.htm