Namunyak

Background of Namunyak
The Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust was established in 1995 and is located in the Mathews Range of northern Kenya. Namunyak (meaning Place of Peace) operates on the Sarara and Sabache Group Ranches which joined together to manage their land as one unit for conservation. The goal of Namunyak is to promote wildlife conservation and the socio-economic development of the Samburu community through sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Namunyak also serves as a critical wildlife refuge and in particular for elephants as they move seasonally between the Mathews Range and the Mt. Kenya and Ngare Ndare Forests. Namunyak is essentially the frontline of protection for elephant in northern Kenya and has intercepted several attempts at poaching for ivory, contributing significantly to the conservation of the species.

The Mathews Range itself is the southern end of a chain of mountains that run in an approximately north-south direction and cross the savannah plains of Samburu District. The highest peak known as Warges, and a favourite for rock climbers, rises to 8,870ft. There are three main forest types found in the Mathews Range: Croton megalocarpus forest, Juniperus/Juniperus-Olea forest, and mixed Podocarpus forest.

The main objectives of Namunyak are to:

• Establish procedures for running the Trust to ensure there is grassroots involvement in decision-making
• Improve levels of environmental awareness amongst children and adults in the Sarara-Sabache area and its surroundings
• Improve the physical security for wildlife, people and livestock in the area
• Develop systems for revenue generation from the natural resources of the area that benefit local people through creation of employment and receipt of funds in a way that does not damage the natural resource base
• Maintain and enhance the natural resources of the area

Namunyak has a very successful luxury tented camp called Sarara. The community is partnered with an external operator who manages the camp and employs 80% of its staff from the local community. All marketing for the camp is the responsibility of the operator.

Now part of the annual revenue from Sarara Tented Camp goes back to the people to support community activities like student scholarships, medical assistance and a wildlife consolation scheme to those injured or killed by wild animals. An endowment fund established for this purpose now sees over $1,000 being put into it each year.

Future of Namunyak
Namunyak is currently looking to diversify its tourism opportunities to increase revenue to both its operating budget and the community. Investment potential for the area is high because all the enabling factors for success are already in place. Development of water at Ndonyo Wasin is planned so that in the long-term a new lodge can be built at this site which offers a unique elephant viewing experience. Namunyak also wishes to revitalise its walking safaris to Ololokwe and is looking to establish a lodge in the forest.

Namunyak will also be developing its Trust by-laws and will move its administrative base from Wamba to Sarara so that the Trust’s presence at the core conservation area is more effective. They will also work with the Northern Rangelands Trust to standardise their research and monitoring activities.