Svein Wilhelmsen from Norway founded Basecamp Explorer Maasai Mara (BCMM) in 1998, following a special meeting with Maasai Chief Ole Taek.  In their meeting, Ole Taek discussed the grave environmental, economic, and social threats facing his people.

BCMM was born to prove that tourism could provide direct benefit to the community. The first 17-tent camp was set along the Talek river, just opposite the Maasai Mara National Reserve and bordering Talek village.

Shortly after forming Basecamp Explorer, Svein realized a second leg was needed to improve the lives of the Maasai, the ecosystem and wildlife if this project was going to be sustainable. Basecamp Explorer Foundation was created as a result.

We have completed many projects since then: community water systems, medical clinics, classrooms, migration corridors, guide school, Wildlife Tourism College, 50,000 acre Naboisho Conservancy, and planted 500,000 trees. We also launched the Basecamp Maasai Brand jewelry collection, which employs over 150 women aged 17-60, and a reforestation project, which has restored vital biodiversity to the area. The camps employ over 90% of its staff from the local community, further contributing to economic development and training.