Il Ngwesi Wildlife Conservancy

Nestled in the Mukogodo Division of Laikipia District, north of Mount Kenya, Il Ngwesi Wildlife Conservancy covers an area of 8,645 hectares of semi-arid and arid savannah. This dramatic landscape, with its proximity to both the Ngare Ndare River and the Mukogodo Hills, stands out as a model of community-led conservation owned and managed by almost 7,000 Laikipiak Maasai pastoralists.

Il Ngwesi is a sanctuary for some of Africa’s most iconic and endangered wildlife. These include the white rhino,  the African elephant, the African wild dog, and Grevy’s zebra. Most especially, it houses the critically endangered black rhino, hence being a key stronghold in biodiversity.

This conservancy applies sustainable conservation by apportioning 80% of its land to wildlife conservation. This has greatly reduced the dependency of the community on livestock, thereby balancing ecological and economic needs. Il Ngwesi, through innovative ecotourism initiatives, provides ways for its members to increase their incomes while protecting their natural heritage; visitors can take in the beauty of the land and its wildlife while benefiting from tourism that is supportive of conservation directly benefiting the Maasai community.

The Ngwesi Wildlife Conservancy is probably the strongest model of how different communities can work together in unison to protect nature while fostering socio-economic development. The Laikipiak Maasai are prioritizing wildlife conservation and ecotourism to secure the future of their cultural and ecological heritage.