We fell in love with Il Ngwesi because of its people. ‘Il Ngwesi’ means “people of wildlife” in Laikpiak Maasai and the name couldn’t be more appropriate. It was one of the first community-led conservation initiatives in northern Kenya, set up with a vision to sustainably manage the environment in order to graze livestock and conserve wildlife.
Il Ngwesi wildlife conservancy consists of 9,471 hectares, and is located in Mukogodo Division in Laikipia District, north of Mount Kenya. The main forms of livelihood are livestock keeping and tourism. The area is potentially an important sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino. Other key species include the white rhino, African elephant, African wild dog and Grevy’s zebra.
The conservation effort is being led by the community and the community decided to convert their ancestral land into a wildlife conservation area. Prior to its inception (1995) the area was largely undeveloped and there was little economic activity. Although there was some wildlife in the area, and camel treks operated through the region, the land had been degraded from over-grazing by the livestock upon which the Laikpaik Maasai were dependent.
The wildlife conservancy is both owned and managed by the Laikpaik Maasai people that total approximately 7,000 people. The community owned lodge is one of few managed by a woman.
This is not Just A Bag
We fell in love with Il Ngwesi because of its people. ‘Il Ngwesi’ means “people of wildlife” in Laikpiak Maasai and the name couldn’t be more appropriate. It was one of the first community-led conservation initiatives in northern Kenya, set up with a vision to sustainably manage the environment in order to graze livestock and conserve wildlife.
Il Ngwesi wildlife conservancy consists of 9,471 hectares, and is located in Mukogodo Division in Laikipia District, north of Mount Kenya. The main forms of livelihood are livestock keeping and tourism. The area is potentially an important sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino. Other key species include the white rhino, African elephant, African wild dog and Grevy’s zebra.
The conservation effort is being led by the community and the community decided to convert their ancestral land into a wildlife conservation area. Prior to its inception (1995) the area was largely undeveloped and there was little economic activity. Although there was some wildlife in the area, and camel treks operated through the region, the land had been degraded from over-grazing by the livestock upon which the Laikpaik Maasai were dependent.
The wildlife conservancy is both owned and managed by the Laikpaik Maasai people that total approximately 7,000 people. The community owned lodge is one of few managed by a woman.