At We Are Africa 2023, The Sarara Foundation won the Extraordinary Commitment award which recognises the efforts of a company that has made a real difference in the realms of conservation, sustainability and community upliftment. We caught up with The Sarara Foundation to learn more about their incredible initiatives and how they are making a difference in Kenya.
The Sarara Foundation partners with the Indigenous Samburu community to protect the 850,000-acre Matthews Forest Range, which is located in the heart of Northern Kenya, as well as the wildlife and people who call this land home. At the core of The Sarara Foundation’s mission lies the belief that tourism can be a powerful catalyst for conservation and sustainable progress.
● Sustainable Frameworks: Sarara aims to develop sustainable models that are benchmarks for other operators; and that can be replicated not only in Kenya but throughout the continent in future.
● Area Stability and Security: Sarara is committed to creating stability and security in larger regions, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment – not only for themselves but also for tourism partners and operators, as they want to enable them to operate easily and successfully in these areas as well.
● Catalysing Growth Through Stability: By establishing a stable and secure environment, Sarara paves the way for all tour operators, regardless of their scale, to operate in Northern Kenya. This ripple effect translates to a prosperous community benefiting from tourism. Envisioning a multitude of diverse tourism opportunities and experiences unfolding – from charter companies to overland excursions visiting sanctuaries, to the establishment of mobile camps.
● Success Stories (the Sera example): The orphan elephant rewilding success at Sera stands as a testament to Sarara’s efforts. By reintroducing orphans into the conservancy and bolstering security, infrastructure, and community relations, they have laid a robust foundation for tourism. This, in turn, accelerates economic growth, fosters development, and promotes the spread of sustainable travel benefits.
The Sarara Foundation is involved in the following projects and initiatives:
– Nomadic Healthcare Program
– Nomadic Education Program
– Rangeland Management
– Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
– Micro Enterprise Development
Take a look at some of the incredible outcomes that The Sarara Foundation has achieved:
- Since its inception in 2020, The Sarara Foundation’s Nomadic Healthcare Program, which focuses on pediatric and maternal health, has provided care to 7,624 children under the age of five and 2,417 mothers.
- In 2019, The Sarara Foundation pioneered the world’s first Nomadic Montessori Preschool. Designed to move alongside the nomadic Samburu, this initiative ensures that children continue their education regardless of their families’ movements. They currently operate four such preschools across Namunyak Community Conservancy and have celebrated the graduation of more than 700 children to date.
- In 2016, with Sarara’s backing, the community inaugurated Reteti Elephant Sanctuary within Namunyak Conservancy.
- Not only is Reteti Africa’s first sanctuary owned and managed by an indigenous community, but it also made history by hiring the first female elephant keepers.
- The sanctuary currently employs 97 dedicated keepers – all hailing from the Samburu community.
- To date, Reteti has successfully rewilded 10 elephants and earmarked another 13 elephants to be rewilded.
- The sanctuary currently cares for 46 orphaned elephants.
- The innovative Milk to Market Program empowers 748 Samburu women to sell their excess goat milk to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. The program not only offers them a steady income to support their families but also provides training sessions on savings and financial planning. The foundation also helps the women to set up their own bank accounts – a first for many.
- In 2022 alone, The Sarara Foundation stood behind and supported 90 Wildlife Rangers, 4 Eco Rangers, 30 Administrative Staff, and 97 Elephant Keepers at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Moreover, the Sarara Ecolodges channelled a substantial amount of $594,173 directly to the conservancy. That same year, Sarara granted 1,962 bursaries to high school and college students from Namunyak.
- Highlighting a significant milestone in 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the granting of Title Deeds to the Sarara and Sapashe communities within Namunyak Community Conservancy. This monumental gesture is a pivotal recognition of the Samburu’s land rights.
Another great aspect of the Sarara Foundation’s success is proactive guest engagements – involving sincere and immersive experiences with the Indigenous Samburu and their programs.
The Milk to Market initiative is an excellent example: guests can trace the entire journey of the milk – from when the women milk their goats, right through to its delivery at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. The experience also includes the milk’s pasteurisation process, and the bottles being filled in the milk kitchen. It culminates in guests witnessing the elephants enjoying the milk when they are fed by their keepers. This initiative not only highlights the incredible human-wildlife relationship that has existed between the indigenous people and Namunyak’s fauna for thousands of years but also illuminates the intricate interdependence that makes the Samburu culture so exceptional.
Sarara’s three camps are both owned and operated by the Samburu people – the true guardians of the land where the lodges are located. Their ownership gives guests an invaluable opportunity to engage with the Samburu directly – fostering curiosity, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation of indigenous traditions. Guests can also immerse themselves in authentic community encounters. This includes visiting a Samburu manyatta (a group of huts forming a village), where they’re hosted and guided by its residents. During these interactions, guests have the opportunity to partake in beading sessions with Samburu women – gaining insights into the artistry and significance of their craft. They can also learn the art of blacksmithing from the renowned traditional blacksmith – a hands-on experience that underscores the depth and richness of Samburu craftsmanship. Throughout their stay, guests are aware and engaged with Sarara’s overarching commitment to sustainability – and reminded of the importance and immense value of pursuing sustainable practices in tangible ways.
Sarara believes there are several key motivators that guide travellers towards more sustainable travel options, including:
- The Human Element: Sustainable travel isn’t just about preserving landscapes; it’s deeply intertwined with bettering the lives of local communities. Conservation endeavours that encompass both the environment and the livelihoods of indigenous people tend to resonate deeply with travellers. They’re often drawn to destinations where conservation benefits ripple outwards – touching communities and fostering holistic sustainable efforts.
- Authentic Connection: Travellers increasingly seek experiences that allow them to form genuine connections. It’s more than just sightseeing; it’s about engaging authentically with local and indigenous communities, understanding wildlife conservation initiatives, and participating in meaningful programs and projects. This depth of interaction ensures an immersive experience that often leaves an indelible mark on their memories.
- Tangible Impact: A compelling narrative can powerfully influence travellers’ choices. When they can trace a story from before their arrival, experience it woven into their entire stay, and still feel connected after their departure, it adds profound depth to their journey. Seeing the tangible impact of their travel choices and feeling that they’ve contributed to a larger, meaningful narrative makes their experience not just a vacation, but a chapter in a larger story of positive change. In essence, travellers today yearn for transformative experiences. When they perceive that their journeys can make a difference – not just to themselves but also to the world – they’re naturally inclined towards more sustainable travel options.
Sarara has always believed that the journey to sustainability is continuous and collaborative. Drawing from their experiences, Sarara offers the following advice to fellow organisations aspiring to deepen their commitment to sustainability:
- Foster Genuine Connections: Today’s travellers are discerning and seek more than just a destination; they yearn for meaningful experiences. Engage them by
providing a window into the heart of your work and programs. Allow them to witness first-hand the positive changes and the stories behind every initiative.
When travellers truly connect with the ethos of an organisation, they become its ambassadors, amplifying its sustainable message. - Embrace Holistic Impact: Sustainability is multifaceted. Aim to support or initiate programs and projects that address multiple dimensions – ecological, social, and economic. It’s not enough to merely have one single impact point. For example, a conservation program can also empower local communities, offer educational opportunities, and stimulate local economies. By creating a web of positive impacts, your efforts will resonate more deeply with both the local community and guests.
- Engage the Community in Sustainability: The most enduring and successful sustainability initiatives are those that are embraced and sustained by local communities. Ensure that your projects and programs are not just for the community, but also by the community. When local people see the tangible benefits and take ownership, it ensures the longevity…
