2018 Sustainability and Conservation Report by Basecamp Explorer Kenya
Since starting its operations 20 years ago, Basecamp Explorer has positioned itself as a long-term, sustainable conservation brand, whose top priority has been to have a positive impact on Africa’s wild places, translating as benefits to the environment and local people alike. All our operations are run in a sustainable manner with minimal environmental and social risks to create lasting conservation economies through responsible tourism in the areas where we have a presence, benefiting the local Maasai communities and wildlife.
As a company, our aim is to become an inspiring role model with a portfolio of great examples of how responsible tourism and local community development can go hand in hand with changing vulnerable nature areas for the better. Currently, we operate four permanent high-end camps plus one mobile camp which by end of 2018 we had 86 beds in operation. The camps form a circuit without pure transport distances and have different but complementary designs offering unique safari experiences. Our objectives focus on transforming the lives of the local people and particularly in addressing key areas such as poverty reduction, gender equality, environment, health and local capacity building/education.
Our Milestones
Tree planting: We have planted a large number of indigenous trees that have helped establish the only typical forest in Talek where we currently operate at a carbon positive level. Over 140,000 indigenous trees have been planted to date.
Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB): We empower the local Maasai women in Masai Mara by providing a source of employment to 158 Maasai enabling them to support their households and educate their children through a certified fair trade brand that provides the women with 55% of the production price.
The Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA): Our camps are located within the 1,400 square KM land under conservation benefitting more than 100,000 people by bringing together over 40 accredited tour operators and the local community.
Mara Naboisho Conservancy: Established in March 2010, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is currently providing a guaranteed income to almost 600 local Maasai households and impacting directly and indirectly over 10,000 people in the locality.
Koiyaki Guiding School (KGS): We support a capacity building institution that trains young Maasai men and women in guiding and nature management courses. 80% of all employed guides in Masai Mara and Amboseli graduated from KGS.
Waste Management: This is a pilot waste management program that includes the local Maasai community, Talek town, and neighboring camps. Our ambition is to manage waste for about 15 neighboring camps.
Water Catchment and storage: We have managed to install a borehole that has increased the provision of up to 50,000 liters of safe drinking water daily, to guests, staff and the local community.
Enjoolata Awareness and Training Centre: This will be a culturally themed center, to showcase, protect and enhance Maasai culture and serve as a research center for threatened species, birds, plants, and wildlife.
Despite the various achievements that we have undertaken to date we feel that there is more as a company we can do when it comes to making a positive impact, and in our second Annual Report we have an analysis to help us understand where our greatest impacts are being felt and where we want to move our positive impact to the next level.
The key outcome of this report is a group-wide framework within which all our positive impact initiatives can be placed, measured and monitored. Ultimately, our goal is to create an in-depth and lasting impact for the community by engaging in projects that ensure positive development for the local Maasai people and it’s incredible nature & wildlife, the guest, and the organization. Our strong commitment, investment, and leadership steer us towards achieving sustainable development as we drive real change in the community and in Masai Mara as a whole. We endeavor to create an environment where guests have a better understanding of the world – and of themselves.
Basecamp Explorer Kenya 2018 Sustainability Report- Read More
Basecamp Explorer Kenya 2017 Sustainability Report – Read More