Conservancies sign deal to boost tourism in northern Kenya

  Athletes run wild at the Masai Mara Marathon which was held on October 5, 2013 at Lemek Conservancy in Masai Mara Game Reserve. A fun-loving middle class follows motor racing, rugby, marathons and football around the country. Photo/GERALD ANDERSON

By JAMES KARIUKI

In Summary

• Melako and Sera community conservancies in Marsabit signed the five-year agreement with Mobile Expeditions Limited in a plan that is expected to see communities earn revenue from tourism.
• The concession commits the conservancies to maintain a core conservation area, while giving the firm the rights to set up temporary camp sites of low impact on the ecosystem.

Two community conservancies in northern Kenya have allowed a tourist firm to exclusively manage 110,000 hectares for establishment of tented camps at an annual fee of Sh10 million.

Melako and Sera community conservancies in Marsabit signed the five-year agreement with Mobile Expeditions Limited in a plan that is expected to see communities earn revenue from tourism.

Willie Roberts, who runs Mobile Expeditions and owns Sirikoi Lodge at the world-famous Lewa Conservancy, will also market the region as a safe tourists destination, creating new stream of revenue for the semi-arid area that mainly supports livestock and wildlife.

Northern Rangeland Trust, an NGO that is behind formation of community ranches for conservation purposes in the region, said that the move would boost tourism and benefit the residents.

“Visitors pay a fee each time they enter a conservancy, which provides valuable revenue for the communities,” said Elodie Sampere, an official at the NGO.

“This concession with Sera and Melako represents a great step forward in this mutually beneficial partnership, that will further support communities, wildlife, eco-tourism and habitat conservation for a sustainable future.

The concession commits the conservancies to maintain a core conservation area, while giving the firm the rights to set up temporary camp sites of low impact on the ecosystem.

In the last aerial survey conducted by the Kenya Wildlife Service last year the density of elephants in Sera was one of the highest in the ecosystem, with more than 600 counted.