The Restoration of Amboseli: A Triumph of Justice and Community-Led Conservation
Hello Wayfinders!
We are marking a moment of genuine, profound significance in the history of Kenyan conservation. It’s a moment of justice restored, echoing a victory fought for by ancestral custodians for generations.
The very image of Amboseli—the majestic elephants roaming under the watchful eye of Kilimanjaro—has always carried an unspoken paradox: You might see the lovely ladies, adorned with jewelry and beautiful curios, selling their hard-worked crafts at the park gates. Would you believe that these same individuals are the custodial owners of the land your 5-star camp sits on?
For too long, the people who sacrificed their land for conservation were excluded from its benefits and governance. Now, following in the successful tracks of the Maasai Mara, this is finally changing.
On 8 November 2025, in a historic handover, the management of Amboseli National Park was returned to the people: the County Government of Kajiado.
Correcting a Historical Imbalance
Amboseli National Park, gazetted in 1974, has always been a source of both pride and tension. While the national and global recognition (including its 1991 UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve status) strengthened its protection, it simultaneously excluded the local Maasai communities from crucial decision-making and equitable revenue-sharing.
This transfer addresses that historical imbalance directly. As President Ruto highlighted:
“This transfer represents what Kenya must always stand for: justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity. The people who live closest to wildlife are not enemies of conservation; they are its first defenders.”
The President also paid tribute to community leaders whose tireless efforts paved the way, including the late Francis ole Legis, Lenku ole Mpaa, and Lesinko ole Nkaitole.
What the Handover Entails (The New Model)
This is not a withdrawal of national commitment, but a renewal of trust.
Under the signed agreement, the national government and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) maintain park ownership and will continue to provide security, ecological monitoring, and technical support. However, the true change lies in management and revenue:
Local Governance: Kajiado County now oversees day-to-day operations, tourism services, and critical revenue management.
Phased Revenue Sharing: The revenue generated will be progressively shared over three years:
FY 2026/27: 50% to Kajiado County / 50% to the National Government.
By FY 2028/29: Kajiado County will assume full control of management and revenue, with 5% earmarked for national research and ecological oversight.
This means the community that bears the costs of living alongside the wildlife will finally receive the equitable benefits from its presence.
The Wayfinder's Mandate: Accountability is Key
The success of this devolution now rests squarely on Kajiado County. President Ruto issued a powerful warning that aligns perfectly with the Hippy Safaris ethos: he called on the Maa community to manage the park with professionalism, transparency, and integrity, warning against political interference or greed.
This is the promise of community-led conservation, already proving successful in the neighboring Maasai Mara conservancies.
Your role as a traveler is now more critical than ever. By choosing to visit Amboseli, you are not just funding a park; you are investing in this new model. We must hold this process accountable, expecting that this restoration of justice translates into:
Enhanced conservation standards.
Tangible economic empowerment for the Maasai people.
A transparent system where every park entry fee makes a clear, positive impact.
The handover of Amboseli is more than a change in management—it is the restoration of justice, a celebration of culture, and a promise for a sustainable, community-led future for Kenya's most iconic elephants.
