Communities and tourism investment have joined together to restore habitat for wildlife, and improve economic opportunity for local people.  Yet, access to safe water is still unavailable to almost 90 percent of Maasai families living near the Maasai Mara and the 15 conservancies surrounding it.

The small but important Talek village sits along the Talek River.  Adjacent to Basecamp Explorer, the settlement is badly overgrazed and the river is contaminated by humans, livestock and wildlife and subject to rampant sand harvesting.  Water for the local community is badly compromised.  Often the river runs dry and women and girls must walk long distances to access water.

This situation in Talek is a difficult reality for villagers all throughout the 15 conservation districts surrounding the Mara.

With tourism funds, Basecamp Explorer is supporting holistic solutions to water challenges in this vital area.  Among the projects:

• Community Rainwater Catchment – for a minimal investment, one structure can provide 1,200 people with 7.2 liters of water daily for a year
• Sand Dams – a simple low-cost way to create a self-perpetuating cycle of water and soil conservation along rivers
• Community Enterprises – Under the roof of the rainwater harvesting system there is ample space for micro-business development, which in turn will contribute to annual maintenance of the water facility

Learn more about this important project here.