The Maasai have not fared well in modern Africa. Until the
British settlers arrived, fierce Maasai tribes occupied the
most fertile lands. The Maasai struggled to preserve their
territory, but their spears were no match for armed British
troops, and their lawyers never had a fair chance in British
courtrooms. In 1911 a small group of Maasai gave up to British
settlers their land, surely not fully understanding what the
consequences of such a treaty were.
The Maasai lost about two-thirds of their lands and were
relocated to less fertile parts of Kenya and Tanzania. Other
tribes of Kenya have adapted more readily to the
"progress" of modern times. In contrast, the Maasai
have persisted in their traditional ways, so as Kenya takes
more land for growing tribes and agriculture, they suffer.
One positive trend for the Maasai in recent years has been
the development of a specific form of eco-tourism. Although
other tribes in Kenya regard wildlife as food or a menace to
their crops, the Maasai co-exist with wildlife.
Occasionally, a lion will take a cow or some goats and have to
be killed or caught and released in a National Park. The
retaliatory killing was rare, but it is more and more the case.
Lions get killed too frequently and they could soon disappear.
We have a project to reimburse livestock killed by lions, Simba Project, and to employ warriors as
lions scout (more lions = more employment). To learn more about
these projects contact us at lucasaf@africaonline.co.ke.
In the past the Maasai and the wildlife simply live together
peacefully. If this could be re-established, by showing to the
Maasai the economic value of the presence of wildlife in their
land, the future of the land, of the wildlife and of the Maasai
people will be assured.
This peaceful co-existence is the base for a form of low-impact tourism, like Campi ya Kanzi. Kuku Group Ranch where the camp is located has 400 square miles of land, and is occupied by only few thousands Maasai. The land is rich in wildlife since it adjoins Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu National Park and Amboseli National Park. Animals are fully protected in these National Parks, and they use the property as a corridor connecting the Parks.
Ecotourism is exactly what Campi ya Kanzi will mean for you
and means for the Maasai: the lodge is owned by the Maasai
community, was built by the Maasai community and it is run with
and for the Maasai community. We simply made it happen, with
them, through them and for them.
We need you as a visitor to make the project successful and
sustainable.
All the conservation fee of $30 per day each visitor pays to
Campi ya Kanzi, is spent in favor of the Maasai of the reserve.
In employing teachers at the schools, game scouts to protect
wildlife, nurses at the dispensaries, in helping sick
people.
Thus, by sharing their vast lands with a maximum of 14 visitors
from Campi ya Kanzi, the Maasai of Kuku Group Ranch benefit in
several ways:
They maintain their lands in a natural state.
They generate income to improve their life conditions and their
children's education.
They preserve their traditional ways and dignity.
Your visit to the camp helps the Maasai retain their heritage. You will not leave by having taking something away or by having left something behind; you will leave Campi ya Kanzi enriched by a human experience that, hopefully, will accompany you for the years to come.
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and the Maasai
Wilderness Conservation Fund: informations, web sites and
newsletters.
» Know more about the
foundations
