NOMADIC ENCOUNTERS CONSERVATION

The areas in which the houses are located are important animal corridors and combined with the surrounding lands making up the Masai Mara Conservation Area. This extended eco system is vital to the preservation of the wildlife within Masai Mara National Reserve itself and indeed of the whole Mara/Serengeti eco system. We are clear that the welfare of the Masai communities with whom we are partnered and the conservation of the regions flaura and fauna are inextricably linked.  Based on a shared philosophy we have over three decades embarked on a mission to play an active role in protecting the game reserve and empowering its immediate community while at the same time delivering a tourism experience unlike any other – Nomadic Encounters is the result of that collective vision.

Nomadic Encounters actively challenges the historical way of delivering cultural tourism. All the guides are exclusively Masai or Il Dorobo and we encourage all employees to retain and practice the traditional Masai values such as traditional dress. In line with this the Nomadic Encounters team have helped build up and continue to support the Koiyaki guiding school.

All village visits are to exclusively non-commercial Masai villages on a strict rotational basis to help foster a positive approach to the local community which sometimes means travelling considerable distances to ensure we are accessing the most genuine and unreachable communities. These visits are in depth explorations of a way of life not a simple activity. They are designed to not just contribute to the prevention of western ways of life eroding local customs but to maximise the visitors understanding of the local values and traditions. All waste is removed by and returned to Nairobi for recycling or destroyed as required. Last year we recycled 14 tonnes of waste and through improved solar technology we reduced the amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels. All our campfires are built using sustainable gum firewood which we bring in from outside the region. As part of our commitment to water conservation, the Trust have installed a 50,000-litre water tank and guttering system to provide clean drinking water for the children at Ngousani School, as well as a 6,000 litre tank on the Trust Computer classroom.

Our strategy continues to moves with the times but above all we know that collectively the next generation of Masai and Il Dorobo will be the custodians of the Masai Mara. They will be responsible for the protection of the unique flora, fauna, and wildlife of this unique region and they must have a strong voice in how it is delivered today. For further information on current activities please contact us.