Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps : Selenkay Conservancy Now Recognised for Leading Sustainable Tourism, Get the Details Here

Published on November 22, 2025

In the recently concluded WSTHA 2025 Awards held in Dubai among the who’s who of the world’s sustainable tourism, Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps, Selenkay Conservancy, received the prestigious title of World’s Leading Conservation Programme 2025. This award recognizes the tremendous achievements Selenkay Conservancy has made in integrated people and conservation, fostering the spirit of community work and the advocacy of caring for the wildlife heritage of Kenya for the benefit of the local people.

Acknowledging Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) is a global platform that celebrates and honours individuals and organisations dedicated to advancing sustainable tourism practices. The awards ceremony, held at Terra in Expo City Dubai, brought together key figures in the travel and hospitality sectors, all united by a shared commitment to sustainable practices and environmental preservation.

As the winner of the World’s Leading Conservation Programme 2025, Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps – Selenkay Conservancy was recognised for its innovative and impactful approach to conservation. The award highlights how conservation and tourism can coexist in a way that benefits both the environment and the local communities.

Selenkay Conservancy: A Model for Community-Driven Conservation

Selenkay Conservancy is situated within the Amboseli ecosystem in Kenya, an area that is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including elephants, lions, and other iconic African wildlife. What makes the Selenkay Conservancy stand out is its community-driven conservation model, which focuses on collaboration with local Maasai landowners. Through this partnership, the conservancy leases land from the Maasai community, ensuring that wildlife is protected while providing tangible benefits to the landowners in the form of tourism revenue and employment opportunities.

The primary aim of the conservancy is to restore and protect vital wildlife corridors that are crucial for the movement of animals, particularly elephants, across the Amboseli ecosystem. By implementing rotational grazing and other sustainable land management practices, Selenkay has been able to improve the health of the rangelands while simultaneously boosting the local lion population. This success exemplifies the effective combination of environmental preservation and socio-economic benefits for local communities, proving that wildlife conservation can be economically viable and enriching for both people and wildlife.

Empowering Local Communities through Conservation

One of the most remarkable aspects of Selenkay Conservancy’s operations is its commitment to ensuring that the surrounding Maasai communities directly benefit from the tourism activities taking place in the area. The conservancy generates significant revenue, part of which is reinvested in local projects aimed at improving education, healthcare, and water infrastructure in nearby villages. This model of sustainable development empowers the local Maasai population, providing them with the means to improve their quality of life while fostering a sense of stewardship over their natural resources.

Dr. Mohanjeet Brar, Managing Director of Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps, shared his thoughts on the award: “Selenkay was created to protect vital wildlife habitats and to ensure that local communities benefit directly from responsible tourism. By working hand in hand with Maasai landowners, we support conservation, create livelihoods, and help wildlife and people coexist in harmony. This award acknowledges the dedication of our teams, our community partners, and every guest who chooses to travel in a way that protects Kenya’s natural heritage.”

Sustainable Tourism Practices and Eco-Friendly Camps

Another key aspect of the Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps operation is its commitment to low-impact tourism. The eco-camps run by Gamewatchers are entirely solar-powered, use zero plastic, and prioritise local sourcing for food and goods. This sustainable model reduces the environmental footprint of tourism while still providing high-quality, immersive experiences for visitors.

The conservancy’s commitment to environmental sustainability is further reflected in the fact that its operations have been replicated across other conservancies in Kenya. The scalability of the Selenkay model has demonstrated its potential to be adapted to other regions, proving that responsible tourism can be both impactful and profitable. The ability to align biodiversity conservation with community development is a powerful message for the global tourism industry, encouraging other destinations to adopt similar models that prioritise both environmental and social well-being.

The Role of Sustainable Tourism in the Global Industry

As global awareness of the importance of sustainable travel grows, the WSTHA has become an important platform for recognising those who are making significant contributions to the preservation of our planet. Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, commended Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps for its outstanding work. He said, “This achievement reflects an outstanding commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in sustainable hospitality. At the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, we are proud to recognise organisations that are not only redefining excellence in guest experience but also demonstrating that responsible business practices and sustainability are essential to the future of our industry.”

Tourists who choose to visit Selenkay Conservancy and other similar eco-friendly destinations contribute to a growing movement in sustainable tourism. By supporting community-driven conservation projects, they help protect fragile ecosystems and ensure that local communities can continue to thrive. The success of Selenkay proves that eco-tourism is not only good for the planet but also a rewarding experience for tourists seeking to make a positive impact.

Selenkay Conservancy as a Beacon for Future Travel

Current events answer the question of why responsible and sustainable tourism is important. The recognition of Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps’ Selenkay Conservancy at the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards 2025 is the culmination of the work being done at Selenkay Conservancy and the increase in community-focused sustainable tourism. The community-driven eco-conscious tourism and integrated community conservation make Selenkay the perfect candidate to be the first of many to provide active and responsible sustainable tourism efforts at a global level.

Travelers’ sustainable travel conscience focus is on the protected smile and the well-being of the local community. Selenkay Conservancy and Selenkay Conservancy tourists continue to work at the forefront of sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, and community support. Responsible travel sustains the beauty and biodiversity of the Amboseli ecosystem in Kenya and conserves the ecosystem for generations to come.