Kenya’s andBeyond Bateleur Camp partners with Africa Foundation, andBeyond’s long-standing community and conservation development partner. The foundation works with villages neighboring the reserve on a range of community-led education, healthcare, small business development and conservation programs.

Meaningful interactions with Maasai staff, along with interactive visits to a nearby “manyatta” (traditional village) educate guests on the daily rituals and cultural heritage of the Maasai. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts, including the Maasai’s renowned beaded jewelry, in good conscience, with proceeds directly supporting the community. The camp’s WILDChild program, for families traveling with children, teaches kids Maasai traditional skills, such as tracking and fire-making.

A farm-to-table culinary program includes sourcing fresh vegetables and produce from local farmers and andBeyond Kichwa Tembo’s shamba (vegetable garden), along with honey that directly supports a Maasai women’s group. Works purchased from local artisans and suppliers also feature prominently throughout andBeyond Bateleur Camp.

To help protect the precious Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp’s on-site water-bottling plant eliminates the equivalent of more than 20,000 single plastic water bottles every year. In addition, this translates into a 60,000-liter water saving, as it takes 3 liters of water to make a 1 liter plastic water bottle. Furthermore, the elimination of plastic – a fossil fuel derived product – plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions at the camp.

In addition to a 24-hour solar-powered electric fence, energy-saving bulbs are used throughout the camp, LED lights are used in guest tents, LPG gas is used for cooking in the guest kitchen, energy-efficient stoves power the staff kitchen, and solar water geysers for water heating provide hot water in guest tents. As a result, andBeyond Bateleur Camp received Ecotourism Kenya’s Gold Rated Facilities award.

In a collaboration between andBeyond Bateleur Camp and Africa Foundation, 90 Maasai households (584 people) were supported during the pandemic with a total of 270 food relief parcels in 2020; four primary schools, 99 staff, and 931 school pupils were provided with stable food supplies, and Emurutoto Clinic, built by Africa Foundation in partnership with andBeyond, and nominated by the Kenya government as a COVID-19 support center, has provided medical, PPE, and sanitizing supplies.

Stays at andBeyond Bateleur Camp not only help support andBeyond’s broader philanthropic and eco-efforts in Africa, but guests can also give back by donating to Africa Foundation, andBeyond’s long-standing community and conservation partner, directly. Bonus: Guests can specify a project of their choosing from a selection of land, wildlife and people impact initiatives.