Our Mission
Critical Projects
Contribute
The Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem
Over 40% of Africa’s large mammals live in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which is just 1/1000th of the land mass of Africa.
It is home to 70 large mammal species and 500 bird species.
The “Great Migration” is considered one of the 10 natural wonders of the world. It occurs when millions of grazing animals cross the Mara River from Tanzania to spend July through October on the Maasai Mara. This migration includes many of the 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,000 zebra, and 470,000 gazelle living in this region.
The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is one of the last major wildlife refuges on earth, stretching 9,650 square miles from the Ngorongoro Highlands in Tanzania to the Loita Hills of southern Kenya. It is one of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife conservation areas on earth.
Saving the Maasai Mara
Home of the Greatest Animal Migration on Earth
Home to One of the Most Unique Cultures in History: The Maasai
The Maasai Mara in Kenya is being fundamentally transformed. Large developers and agro-businesses are buying traditional Maasai lands for commercial purposes, and fencing off the natural migration routes of millions of wild animals. Many of the Maasai people are being displaced, and losing their historic way of life, which has existed for thousands of years.
As a result of these developments and other environmental changes over the past 20 years, the populations of major species – lions, elephants, giraffes, and more – are threatened and in decline. The Maasai people are unwillingly being forced into a “modern lifestyle” for which they are ill-prepared. If this trend is not reversed, the tragic result will be the loss one of the most unique environments in the world.
The very good news is that Basecamp Explorer Foundation is reversing this tragic trend through a series of local conservation agreements and with the support of the Maasai people.
We believe that the Mara can be saved. It is not too late.
Reversing the Course of Wildlife Decline
The African continent has been losing its iconic animals at an alarming rate: a 40 percent loss on all African species in the last 40 to 50 years; and in this same time span, a 90-95% loss of key species including rhinos, elephants, lions and other iconic predators.
BUT SOME GOOD NEWS! After 20 years of dedication, experimentation, and hard work by Basecamp, locals, and international individuals and organizations, what was once the accelerating loss of wildlife in the Maasai Mara is being reversed. Animal populations have increased dramatically during the years 2014-2017.*
Elephants increased from 1,448 to 2,493
Cape Buffalo increased from 7,542 to 9,466
Giraffes increased from 1,619 to 2,607
The Maasai Mara also contains the highest densities of lions and cheetahs in Africa.
*Statistics provided by the Kenya Wildlife Service
Maasai Advancement
Maasai Advancement
Training, education and employment are key to a better quality of life for the indigenous Maasai.
Sustainable Eco-Tourism
Eco-Tourism
Along with donations, tourist income provides lease payments to Maasai landowners, which in turn preserves historic animal migration corridors.
Regenerative Eco-System
Regenerative Eco-System
Managing water, grazing and migration corridors ensures sustainable biodiversity and a regenerative ecosystem.
Maasai Cultural Experience
Maasai Cultural Experience
Experiences with the unique Maasai culture brings tourists (and with them, vital funds) to the region each year.
Wildlife and Migration Corridor Protection
Wildlife & Migration Corridor Protection
Lease payments to landowners ensure that animal migration corridors remain open and unfenced.