Il Ngwesi Group Ranch

Background
Il Ngwesi (meaning People of Wildlife) was one of the first community-led conservation initiatives to be established in northern Kenya. Although there was wildlife in the area, and camel trek safaris were operated through the region, there was little economic activity and the area remained largely undeveloped.  In 1995, the Il Ngwesi Lodge was established with the assistance of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The lodge is run by Il Ngwesi Company Ltd. and has generated other conservation-based enterprises such as the cultural boma (or village), camel safaris and camp sites. Each of these initiatives generates substantial income which supports projects that are prioritised by the community at their Annual General Meeting. Thus far, the income has paid for the construction of cattle dips, water projects, schools, education scholarships and health services.

The overall aims of Il Ngwesi Group Ranch are to promote conservation and to generate socio-economic opportunities for the Group Ranch members. These aims have been achieved through a reduction in the over-dependence on livestock (thus reducing environmental degradation in the area) and through the promotion of conservation-friendly tourism. Il Ngwesi is now viewed as a model for community-led conservation in Africa.

Endangered Species Conservation
Il Ngwesi was historically home to numerous black rhinos, but the rhino population was severely depleted during the 1970s poaching epidemic. Il Ngwesi’s current land use system makes the re-introduction of black rhinos a real possibility. The first milestone in the establishment of a rhino sanctuary took place in 2002, when the orphaned black rhino Omni was relocated from Lewa to Il Ngwesi. Such an increase in the potential carrying capacity for black rhino in the area makes a direct contribution to the Kenya Wildlife Service’s national goal of improving the conservation of this species in Kenya.

Il Ngwesi also provides critical security support to the “no-man’s land” directly north of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. This security has significant implications for the survival of the endangered Grevy’s zebra, which migrate between Lewa and the government-run National Reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba.

Donate Now!

Join our growing online community on facebook to keep up-to-date with our news

Latest Tusk Video