Tsavo, Kenya
Summary
Tsavo Trust is a field-based, action-oriented Kenyan-registered not-for-profit conservation organisation governed by a Kenyan Board of Directors. Established in 2012, Tsavo Trust plays a meaningful role in protecting the wildlife and biodiversity of the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) in southern Kenya. We work in close collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), and specific communities to deliver direct conservation support. Our mission focuses on safeguarding iconic species such as elephants, black rhinos, and predators, while creating tangible benefits for people living alongside wildlife.
The Village Experience is playing an integral role in increasing awareness of these much-needed programs and connecting Tsavo Trust to potential donors throughout the United States.
Social Justice Education
The Tsavo Conservation Area spans a remarkable 42,000 km², nearly the size of Denmark. It includes 22,000 km² of formally protected land — comprising Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Chyulu Hills National Parks — which represents 49% of Kenya’s entire national park estate. The remaining 20,000 km² consists of community lands, conservancies, and ranches critical to wildlife dispersal.
This vast ecosystem is home to Kenya’s largest elephant population (approximately 16,000), 18% of the nation’s black rhinos, the iconic Super Tuskers (one of the last remaining gene pools of such elephants), and many other high-value species including Hirola, wild dogs, cheetahs, and Grevy’s zebras. Tsavo’s sheer scale offers an unparalleled opportunity for wildlife recovery.
Yet threats to this ecosystem are growing: bushmeat and ivory poaching, habitat degradation, infrastructure development, human-wildlife conflict, and too few resources reaching the marginalized communities who share space with wildlife. These pressures demand integrated, long-term approaches to conservation and community resilience.
Tsavo Trust works under a holistic, four-stream program model to address these challenges. In partnership with KWS, WRTI, and community stakeholders, we combine field-based wildlife protection with long-term social and economic investments in marginalized communities.
Past Accomplishments
Community Conservancy Program
Tsavo Trust has pioneered the development of two community conservancies:
- Kamungi Conservancy, with the WaKamba people, bordering Tsavo West National Park
- Shirango Community Conservancy, with the Watha and Giriama people, bordering Tsavo East
These conservancies serve as critical buffers for protected areas while providing education access, solar lighting, clean water, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable beekeeping, and tourism-based income for surrounding communities. Together, they demonstrate a replicable model for linking conservation with poverty reduction
“Before Kamungi Conservancy, we had no water at school. Now, our children can learn without walking long distances for water.”
— Lucy Mutinda, parent and Kamungi community member
“The bees have helped us earn money and protect our farms. We are no longer afraid of losing everything to elephants.”
— Mzee Ali, Shirango Conservancy farmer
“For the first time, we feel seen. The Conservancy has given our youth jobs and a reason to stay.”
— John Wambua, Kamungi youth representative
These success stories reflect a growing sense of ownership and pride among local people, who are becoming champions of conservation in their own right.
Wildlife Conservation Program
Tsavo Trust provides KWS with robust aerial and ground support to protect elephants, rhinos, and carnivores. In the past two years alone, our efforts contributed to:
- A 71% drop in illegal wildlife-related arrests
- A 74% decline in bushmeat recovered
- A 33% reduction in wire snares recovered
- A 20% increase in Super Tuskers and 10% increase in Emerging Tuskers across Tsavo
- The immobilisation and tagging of 28 black rhinos in 2024 to support rhino monitoring in Tsavo West
- Expansion of lion and predator monitoring through SECR-based surveys over 10,000 km²
Encouraging Development of Conservation Partnerships
Tsavo Trust collaborates with trusted conservation organizations including Save the Elephants, Zoological Society of London, Taita Teveta Wildlife Conservancies Association, and Maliasili to enhance field delivery and coordination. We are a trusted implementing partner of KWS and WRTI, and a proud contributor to national conservation objectives. Additionally, Tsavo Trust continues to advocate for responsible tourism operators to return to Tsavo and invest in the region’s protection.
Current Project Needs
- Aerial and Ground Patrols: Support for Tsavo Trust’s aircrafts (3 aeroplanes and one helicopter) and field teams to expand anti-poaching and wildlife monitoring under the Big Tusker Project.
- Black Rhino Recovery Support: Funding for security and monitoring vehicles, salaries for rangers, and resources to facilitate the secure release of rhinos from sanctuary holding to the free-ranging Intensive Protection Zone in Tsavo West NP.
- Water Security Projects: Expansion of boreholes, rainwater harvesting, and pipeline infrastructure in both National Parks and adjacent community lands to alleviate climate pressure.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: Installation of electric fencing, solar lights, and ranger outposts in conflict-prone areas.
- Community Development & Education: Increased support for scholarships, ICT training, school infrastructure, water catchment, income generation streams, and sustainable livelihoods (e.g., honey production, smart agriculture, solar lighting).