About

El Karama was officially registered as a substantive Wildlife Conservancy by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on 5th January 2023. As such, El Karama Wildlife Conservancy (EKWC) is the first fully registered private Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. 

 

This comes as a culmination of 60 years of hard work during which protection of nature has been a management priority. Nevertheless, survival is dependent upon income from several businesses which coexist within the conservancy. It is the interrelationship of these priorities that gives EKWC its unique character.

 

EKWC is governed by a 10 year Management Plan, approved and registered by KWS which reflects the reality of mixed land use conservation. Important components of EKWC include: 

 

CONSERVATION

EKWC supports an exceptional diversity of animals including over 80 mammal species and 432 bird species. Amongst these are endangered lion, cheetah, elephant, Grévy's zebra, Laikipia hartebeest, wild dog and reticulated giraffe. EKWC flora is also rich and varied from savanna grassland, woodland, and rocky escarpments to riverine forest. Continous effort is made to limit disturbance and disruption to nature, to protect it from damage, harm and invasive species, and to maintain access to water and suitable habitat.

 

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 

The 15,000 acre land area under EKWC allows for sustainable production of valuable livestock and agricultual products. Using methods compatible with wildlife, EKWC produces and sells regionally important livestock: Sahiwal and Fleckvieh cattle and Dorper sheep, along with milk, meat and fodder for the local market.

 

TOURISM

Tourism brings in vital Conservation Fees to sustain EKWC's conservation effort. El Karama Lodge and Kiota House provide beautiful accomodation within EKWC, delivering high quality, low impact experiences to visitors who are encouraged to appreciate and learn about nature during their stay.

 

COMMUNITY

EKWC engages with the wider community mainly through a business model. The various enterprises and households within EKWC employ over 100 Kenyans, including many young people and women from the neighbouring settlement of Endana. Transport and procurement services are locally sourced. Milk is sold to local entrepreneurs. To help improve local livestock EKWC loans out quality breeding bulls, leases grazing and sells hay to its neighbours. EKWC also contributes to education through the sale and donation of numerous professionally and richly illustrated nature books produced within the conservancy.

 

SECURITY

Security at EKWC is provided by a diverse team that includes rangers and National Police Reservists, most of whom have completed courses with KWS at Manyani, amongst other training. They prevent illegal grazing, tree cutting and snaring, facilitate veterinary interventions for wildlife, and mitigate human/wildlife conflict, in addition to providing security for the people and businesses upon whom EKWC depends.