Svein Wilhelmsen from Norway founded Basecamp Explorer Maasai Mara (BCMM) in 1998, following a special meeting with Maasai Chief Ole Taek. In their meeting, Ole Taek discussed the grave environmental, economic, and social threats facing his people.
BCMM was born to prove that tourism could provide direct benefit to the community. The first 17 tent camp was set along the Talek river, just opposite the Maasai Mara National Reserve and bordering Talek village.
Since its founding, Basecamp Explorer has championed livelihood and environmental improvement projects, including the Basecamp Maasai Brand jewelry collection, which employs over 150 women aged 17-60, and the reforestation project, which has returned vital biodiversity to the area. The camp employs over 90% of its staff from the local community, further contributing to economic development and training.
In 2010, Svein Wilhelmsen was a founding member of Naboisho Conservancy, a 50,000 acre joint partnership between 609 Maasai landowners and five tourism operators. The Naboisho is about four miles northeast of Talek village.
Today, Basecamp Explorer is the largest tourism operator in the Conservancy, with its camps Eagle View, Wilderness Camp, Leopard Hill, and the Dorobo Mobile Camp.
Naboisho Conservancy is a success story of tourism benefitting both conservation and communities, for which it was recognized by the African Responsible Tourism Awards as overall winner in 2016.
