As we celebrate our nomination for the Kenya Tourism Awards 2024 in the Tented Safari Camp category (@kenyatourismawards) , we reflect on what an extraordinary year 2024 has been for Enkopiro. This recognition is a testament not only to our hard work but also to the enduring passion and dedication that have driven us throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful to our team, our guests, and the communities we work with, as each has played a part in making this journey a success.
2024 has been a year of growth and reflection, where our focus has remained on delivering exceptional experiences that resonate with each of our guests. Every detail of the journey we offer is meticulously crafted, ensuring that our guests receive not only an unforgettable stay but one tailored specifically to their needs and desires. At the heart of this effort are our local staff members—mainly from the neighbouring communities—and whose passion for service grows every day. Their continuous learning and dedication help us raise the bar for hospitality and ensure that every guest is treated with warmth, care, and respect. This effort was already recognised with the 2024 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award, which we were honoured to receive.
But our impact extends far beyond the camp itself. We’ve remained committed to be part of our community, especially through our initiatives with the Masai Reto Association developing new projects, empowering women and youth and specially promoting education. With the opening of a new boarding school, more than 110 students now have access to education in an area that previously had no school. The impact of this school has been profound, with more than 70% of the students receiving sponsorship thanks to all of those who are supporting us on this journey. It’s been deeply fulfilling to see these children thrive, and our efforts to engage them in environmental stewardship—through activities like community clean-ups and tree plantings —are helping to shape a generation of conscious, responsible leaders. We are proud to say that our school was the only one present on the 2024 Mara Clean Up day!
As we move forward, we continue to embrace the innovative spirit that defines us looking always for something new and different that can motivate and challenge us. One of the most amazing projects in 2024 has been our participation in the Fashion Frontier project, where Maasai Mara inspired a jewellery collection to support of conservation and five local brands from Singapore joined efforts to promote sustainable fashion while supporting the Conservation efforts in Masai Mara. This gave us the change to be part of a panel discussion with the Honorary Consul of Kenya in Singapore to discuss about Sustainability and Conservation. During the photoshoot of the collection, was great to bring the local community to be part of it, and how cool it was to have our masai school director and teacher collaborating with a professional model in a extravagant combination of the luxury collection in the traditional masai manyattas. A symbolic moment that showcased the power of collaboration between culture, conservation, and fashion.
Throughout this year, we’ve also witnessed the power of unity in the tourism industry. When floods devastated the Mara region, we joined forces with fellow industry colleagues and stakeholders to provide support to those most affected. This collective effort reinforced the importance of collaboration within the tourism community, and we are proud to have played our part. Together, we are committed to ensuring that tourism in the Mara continues to grow in a way that benefits both the local people and the environment and now more than never we are committed and united for sustainable tourism in Masai Mara.
Our commitment to conservation remains as strong as ever. Since the registration of Ololasurai Conservancy with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) our conservation journey started and we keep working to protect and regenerate the environment. This conservancy plays a vital role in revitalizing the Ololosurai Valley, a unique landscape and ecologically rich area in the Mara Ecosystem. We also remain active in global conservation campaigns, including the “One Tourist, One Tree” campaign, through which we continue to contribute to a greener future.
The journey of 2024 has been one of meaningful progress, where every step we’ve taken has been guided by our commitment to the people, the land, and the wildlife of Masai Mara. This nomination is not just recognition of our work, but a reflection of the relationships we’ve built, the innovations we’ve embraced, and the positive impact we’ve had on both our community and the environment.
We are excited about what the future holds and remain deeply committed to our mission of sustainable tourism. Together, with our team, our community, and our guests, we are creating a lasting legacy one that we hope will continue to inspire future generations. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us. Here’s to many more years of shared success and sustainable growth.
