Shulmai and Naibunga Community Conservancies Unveil Tourism Businesses

A tent at the Shulmai Conservancy flying camp.

Shulmai and Naibunga Upper Conservancies have launched tourism experiences, packaging local culture, wildlife and landscapes, to create opportunities to attract visitors, diversify conservancy income.

The launches, held at the respective conservancies late last month marked the culmination of a six-month co-creation process facilitated by Steri Tours, a socially responsible tour company, in collaboration with the two conservancies and community members. The process drew on local knowledge, cultural heritage and the distinctive natural features of each landscape to develop experiences that visitors can enjoy while engaging with the communities and environments that make these destinations unique.

From game drives to sundowner dinners, alongside traditional cuisine, cultural dances and tours of the accommodation facilities, the launch also showcased a flying camp established in Shulmai, where guests were hosted for meals and tourism experiences.

At Naibunga Upper conservancy, the guest offerings also featured a guided tour of the campsite located at Wakumbe Hills and a baboon walk, offering visitors a nature-based experience, alongside local cuisine and cultural performances.

A guest tent at the Wakumbe Hills Camp site in Naibung'a Upper Conservancy

The launches also provided a practical opportunity to connect these community-created products with the tourism market. Approximately 11 travel agents, brought by Steri Tours, attended to sample the experiences first-hand and discuss potential opportunities for marketing, bookings and commercial partnerships. This direct engagement gave the conservancies an opportunity to introduce their products to tourism industry stakeholders, who will now embark on selling the destinations.

“As opposed to just seeking donor funds, today we say, we have a product to sell to the market, we have our culture and landscape experiences to sell in exchange for money”, said LCA CEO Peter Matunge.

“That is why for LCA, it was important for us to support community conservancies restore the land back to productivity, to open up businesses opportunities;’ Matunge said.

Partnerships have been central to advancing this work and we want to acknowledge the support from The Nature Conservancy TNC. For LCA, these launches advance our strategic goal of supporting conservancies to become financially sustainable and contributors to Laikipia’s economy. Tourism continues to create income opportunities beyond traditional funding sources while supporting local enterprises and livelihoods linked to guiding, hospitality, cultural experiences and visitor services.