Male Conservancy – A New Model for African Conservation
Male Conservancy represents a bold new chapter in African conservation—one led by Africans, for Africans. Rather than relying on foreign land acquisitions in the name of conservation, this initiative is driven by the Lekorere family, who are proving that it’s possible to build a thriving nature-based economy while restoring and valuing the environment.
Located north of Mount Kenya, the 2,000-hectare landscape has been in the Lekorere family for generations. Once a productive cattle ranch, it has faced years of drought, soil degradation, and declining productivity due to climate change. Now, under the leadership of Daniel, Duncan, Hassan, and Morris Lekorere, the family is transforming their ancestral land into one of the first fully African-owned and African-led conservancies in Laikipia—a living model of ecological renewal and sustainable enterprise.
Restoring Nature, African-led
Male Conservancy is more than just a wildlife sanctuary. It’s a nature-based economy in action—one that supports local livelihoods, celebrates Maasai cultural heritage, and leverages innovation to achieve long-term ecological and economic success.
This initiative is guided by a simple belief: conservation in Kenya must be both managed and owned by Africans. Through equitable partnerships and transparent management, the conservancy demonstrates that restoration and prosperity can go hand in hand.
Smart Stewardship for a Shared Future
To bring this vision to life, the family established Male Conservancy Management Ltd (MCM) to oversee daily operations. MCM’s management plan was co-developed with The Safari Series and the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation (SWC)—a partnership that blends entrepreneurial tourism, community empowerment, and large-scale restoration.
With SWC’s involvement, Male Conservancy now hosts a research and education center, where PhD and Master’s students collaborate on real-world conservation challenges. Their research fuels innovative strategies for sustainable land management and helps reimagine how African landscapes can be developed and restored.
Phase 1: Building the Foundation
Together with Earthly Treasure and The Landbanking Group, the Male Conservancy team has completed the groundwork for a long-term restoration program. Key achievements include:
- Conducting a remote sensing baseline assessment to evaluate land conditions and track improvements over time.
- Recruiting and training four local rangers to install and manage field equipment.
- Installing 12 camera traps and 12 bio-acoustic recorders across the 2,000-hectare area.
Next Steps
Over the next two months, rangers will collect and analyze ecological data from the monitoring devices. This information will help identify indicator species and assess ecosystem balance, providing essential insights for the next phase of restoration and biodiversity management.
Male Conservancy is redefining what conservation looks like in Africa—locally led, scientifically grounded, and economically sustainable. It’s a story of renewal, resilience, and pride—where nature and people rise together.
