Community Empowerment
When communities directly benefit from conservation, they become its strongest advocates.
At Naboisho, over 700 Maasai landowners lease their land for conservation. In return, they receive regular lease payments, uphold cultural integrity through sustainable livestock and grazing practices, and gain improved access to education, healthcare, and employment.
This model ensures that conservation doesn’t come at the expense of livelihoods, but strengthens them. By aligning ecological protection with community wellbeing, Naboisho creates a shared, lasting commitment to the land.
Community empowerment at a glance
have dedicated their land to Naboisho and receive a monthly lease rent
offers year-round, carefully managed rotational community livestock grazing
supported through a self-sustaining bursary programme
Around 90% of conservancy jobs are held by people from the surrounding communities
Who are the Communities of Naboisho?
Naboisho’s communities are traditionally pastoralist, having coexisted with wildlife for centuries through a migratory way of life that placed minimal strain on the environment.
Economic Development
Secure Leases & Family Benefits
As a member of Naboisho, each landowner receives a stable monthly income through long-term conservation leases, alongside other income sources such as livestock herding. Families also benefit from a community-managed bursary and health insurance schemes, as well as a livestock predation compensation fund, which is one of the largest in the Mara.
Photo Credit: Saruni Basecamp
Income Diversification
To strengthen economic resilience and reduce pressure on natural resources, the conservancy promotes small-scale enterprises such as beekeeping and the sale of meat, milk, and eggs to tourism partners. It also supports capacity building through financial training, seed capital, and mentorship for youth-led business initiatives.
Employment Opportunties
The conservancy creates employment across tourism, management and support services, with nearly 90% of these roles filled by people from neighbouring communities. In addition to direct employment, it invests in vocational training and community programs that build local capacity, which opens pathways to work within conservancy operations and beyond.
Photo Credit: Great Plains
Photo Credit: Great Plains
Women & Inclusion
We maintain a 30% quota for women in leadership and invest in governance training, build enterprise skills, and collaborate with strategic partners specialising in education and WASH programmes. Naboisho Conservancy now also boasts a brand new female ranger station which is fully immersed in all field work and scientific activities alongside our regular ranger team.
Educational Programmes
Education & Community Investment
Education in Naboisho is rooted in strong community ownership. Over 75 percent of bursary support for more than 2,400 students comes directly from landowners, reflecting their deep commitment to education as a path to empowerment. The conservancy strengthens this effort through the Naboisho Bursary Fund and facilitates vocational training, as well as numerous interest group visits to promote and share the success of the Naboisho model. It also works with strategic partners whose programs in education, health, and water directly support local families.
Photo Credit: Saruni Basecamp
Building Local Conservation Leadership
Many students supported through bursaries go on to complete vocational training in conservation-related fields. A growing number return to Naboisho, using their expertise to serve as rangers, guides, and conservation stewards—strengthening the conservancy with local knowledge and commitment.
Join Us
Naboisho thrives because of those who choose to stand with it.
Whether you partner with us, contribute through a donation, or visit the conservancy yourself, each step helps sustain this living model where wildlife and communities flourish side by side
We welcome research partners to help deepen our understanding of biodiversity and strengthen conservation outcomes across the landscape.
Every guest plays a part in making the model work. Your stay nurtures both the land and the lives it supports. Explore our camps and booking options here.
Your contribution fuels the growth of a self-sustaining model, enabling Naboisho to expand conservation impact and deepen community resilience.
Join Us
Naboisho thrives because of you who choose to stand with us.
Whether you partner with us, contribute through a donation, or visit the conservancy yourself, each step helps sustain our conservation model where wildlife and communities flourish side by side.
Visit Us
Every guest plays a part in making the model work. Your stay nurtures both the land and the lives it supports. Explore our camps and booking options here.
Donate
Your support drives real impact. Every donation equips our team with the tools to protect wildlife and manage the land efficiently. See how your contribution makes a difference here.
