Amboseli Porini Camp is located in the Selenkay Conservation Area, a 15,000-acre private game reserve bordering the northern boundary of Amboseli National Park. This is a vast tract of land owned by the Kisonko clan of the Maasai people. The Conservation Area is an important dispersal area for wildlife moving in and out of Amboseli and actually holds a wider diversity of species than is found inside the park.
Amboseli Porini Camp consists of 9 spacious tents, sited among shady Acacia Tortilis trees, in a spot once favoured by big game hunters. The camp is small and exclusive, accommodating a maximum of 18 guests. It is set up along the lines of the traditional safari bush camp, so there are no permanent structures like bar or restaurant or swimming pool - –this is real camping in the bush, but with much more comfortable bathroom arrangements than were available to the hunters of earlier years! The tents are large and comfortably furnished, each with a double and a single bed, solar-powered electric lights, and en suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and flush toilet. Meals are taken under the shade of an acacia tree and after dinner guests can sit around the campfire and listen to the sounds of the African night. The camp is staffed mainly by members of the local Maasai community.
All transport is in specially designed open-sided 4-wheel drive vehicles. As there are no other vehicles in the conservancy, guests here enjoy an exclusive game-viewing experience. Amboseli Porini offers escorted walks with Maasai trackers and guides. Guests can also visit a local Maasai village where they can learn about the traditional way of life.
Fair Trade / Responsible travel:
The local Maasai community has set aside the Selenkay Conservation Area as a reserve for wildlife and in return receives an income from tourism activities. This is used to fund community projects such as schools and water supplies. Employment opportunities are provided for the local Maasai people as game rangers, trackers, and camp staff. Apart from the management couple and head cook, all staff in the camp and Conservation Area are members of the local community. The 70kms of roads in the Conservation Area were constructed using local labour so that members of the community gained employment. As a result of the establishment of the Conservation Area, wildlife numbers have recovered significantly in recent years and elephants are now seen frequently after an absence of nearly 20 years. Selenkay Conservation Area lies in the heart of Maasai land, well off the beaten track, and has not been visited by tourists until very recently. The animals are truly wild and tend to behave more naturally than those in the parks, which are often habituated to the presence of vehicles.
