PROJECTS II: MAASAI Community Project

Ol Donyo Wuas Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya was one of the first examples of a community tourism partnership in Kenya, whereby land is leased from the Maasai members of the Mbirikani Maasai Group Ranch. Its location is unrivaled - full views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and in the path of traditional wildlife migration routes. 

Most of the lodge staff is from the local Maasai community and keen to share its culture with guests. Life Foundation, led by Richard Bonham, continues to push the boundaries of comminity conservation schemes, giving back to the indigenous land-owners and funding wildlife conservation in partnership with local people. 

The lodge is also a haven of contemporary design inspired by the rich Maasai culture.  

The Maasai have a strong oral tradition and their language called ‘Maa’ is spoken but not written down very often. The word Maasai even encompasses this tradition meaning ‘people who speak Maa’.