Celebrating Namunyak Conservancy’s 30 years of meaningful milestones!
Nestled within Namunyak Community Conservancy – which was shaped by the bold vision of Samburu Elders three decades ago – Sarara’s unique ecolodges and camps are deeply entrenched in this Indigenous-led success story.
Manifesting the Elders’ vision of conservation and community flourishing together, Namunyak has since become a global blueprint for local stewardship that inspires a brighter future for all. It’s been providing a home to thriving populations of iconic species, and opened the door for life-changing programs, while restoring landscapes and tackling the challenges of climate change.
From highly impactful health, education, and conservation initiatives in partnership with The Sarara Foundation (TSF) – including Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – early successes also entailed the creation of brand-new infrastructure from scratch. Bringing roads, buildings, and tourist operations to the remote Mathews Mountain Range to showcase its unique natural drawcards to guests was pivotal for Namunyak’s growth and development – and created brand-new employment opportunities.
As we reflect on the passion, perseverance, and progress of the past 30 years at Sarara’s ecolodges, these are just some of many highlights inspiring us for the decades ahead:
01 | Turning a community vision into reality
In 1995, the 14 Founding Elders of Namunyak Community Conservancy laid the foundation for a sustainable model that would safeguard the Samburu’s culture and legacy, as well as our precious wilderness and wildlife. Read more.
02 | Watershed moment
Thanks to the community’s unwavering passion and commitment, Namunyak’s ecosystems started rebounding after facing a critical juncture in the early 1990s – and a diversity of wildlife returned in great numbers to the secure and protected the Sarara Valley. Read more.
03 | Pioneering locally-driven ecotourism
Welcoming its first guests in 1997, Sarara Camp laid the foundations of Namunyak’s Journey of Self-Reliance through the creation of job security and by reinvesting revenue into conservation. Marking the start of exponential growth, it was followed by the opening of two more ecolodges – Sarara Treehouses in 2016 and Reteti House in 2021. A fourth property, the tented camp Sarara Wilderness, was opened in the neighbouring Samburu Ecosystem in 2024.
04 | Flagship initiative
Established in 2016 by the Indigenous Samburu to care for orphaned elephant calves and ultimately release them back into the wild, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots conservation movement that’s growing new economies, transforming lives, and conserving natural resources. In 2024, the fourth release of orphans from Reteti onto community-owned land was an unprecedented milestone in locally driven conservation. In the same year, the opening of Reteti’s interactive visitor centre was the culmination of three years of meticulous preparation. Taking guests on a journey of discovery, they’re immersed in the orphans’ entire rewilding journey.
05 | Land ownership secured
In 2022, the Samburu community formally acquired title deeds to Namunyak Community Conservancy – ensuring long-term stewardship. It marked a significant step forward and a critically important recognition of the Samburu’s land rights. Read more.
06 | Storage innovations and flourishing food gardens
The addition of environmentally-friendly charcoal fridges at Sarara’s ecolodges has enabled us to safely store fresh produce as well as medicine. This natural cooling system not only reduces our carbon footprint, but also wastage as it offers a great shelf life for perishables. Our community-run produce gardens are a joy to behold – supplying Sarara’s kitchens with flavourful fare year-round. While further lowering our footprint, they also contribute to menus that are filled to the brim with seasonal and locally-inspired recipes! Read more.
07 | Committed to nurturing Namunyak’s talent
Skills training has become a key focus as we continue to invest in building our capacity to excel in conservation and tourism. This includes on-the-job courses highlighting the challenges and opportunities within Kenya’s fragile ecosystems, as well as building career paths to allow talent to rise through the ranks! Read more.
Sarara’s guides made us proud at a leading Rangeland Training Course, and returned with the following message:
“Even the smallest of beings play a critical role in the larger conservation picture – and simple, community-driven solutions can make a big difference for the future of our planet.”
08 | Global recognition
Highly regarded and respected for their meaningful impact on the conservation of both wildlife and the cultural legacy of the region, leaders like Titus Letaapo, TSF’s Director of Programs, advocate for Indigenous voices globally. Delivering speeches at events like the Group on Earth Observations conference in Cape Town and the Living Planet Symposium in Germany, he has audiences at his feet with his insight about the Samburu community's adaptive strategies to climate change. Read more.
09 | Namunyak’s Samburu community awarded
Receiving the Extraordinary Commitment Award in recognition of its efforts to make a real difference in conservation, sustainability, and community upliftment, the team representing Namunyak’s Samburu Community and Sarara took centre stage at the We Are Africa conference in 2023. Robert Lemaiyan – who has since taken on the role of GM as Lead Development Officer at Sarara Camps and TSF – proudly accepted this well-deserved award on behalf of everyone! Read more.
10 | Introducing emission-free safaris
In a significant step towards low-impact sustainable tourism, Sarara has started to convert vehicles that have been part of Namunyak’s journey for three decades to become fully electric. By repurposing them with modern, planet-friendly technology, while retaining their sturdy frames and the nostalgia of the stories we’ve shared, they continue to be part of who we are – and the values we still stand for today. Read more.
STEADFAST IN OUR SHARED VISION
For the past 30 years, everyone at Namunyak Community Conservancy and Sarara has stood united in our pursuit of a better tomorrow for all. We firmly believe a conservancy is more than just land – it’s the people who protect it, the wildlife that depends on it, and the innovations that will secure a brighter future for generations to come.
As we look forward to more decades of growth, development, and opportunities, we invite you to join us in celebrating these achievements and hope you’ll remain part of Sarara’s family and our meaningful journey of hope!
Photos by Thige Njuguna and Simon Pocock