The Experience

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is located on the northern banks of the world-renowned Mara River in the Lamai triangle. Lamai, an area celebrated for its annual wildebeest migration crossings, covers 98,000 acres of the northern-most tip of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Wildebeest cross the Mara River at various points and the camp’s unique location provides spectacular opportunities to view the crossings. This area boasts one of the highest year-round concentrations of wildlife in the Serengeti National Park, thanks to its distinctive soil composition. This includes resident plains game, big cats and elephant, in addition to enormous populations of crocodile and hippo in the Mara River.
Singita Mara River Tented Camp was built “off-the-grid”, seeking to eliminate the unnecessary use of energy and non-biodegradable materials. The camp instead relies on a custom designed solar power system and the use of only recycled and natural materials.

ANTI-POACHING UNIT

Prior to 2002, illegal hunting was unfortunately an everyday occurrence in this area, placing the annual wildebeest migration under severe pressure and rapidly diminishing resident game populations. The poaching undermined the tourist potential of the reserves and, in doing so, the ability of neighboring communities to garner sustainable benefits from these natural resources. Since then, Singita Grumeti has implemented, in close collaboration with the Tanzanian Wildlife Division, wildlife management policies and practices which have had unprecedented success in restoring the biodiversity and ecological balance in the area. Integral to this programme is the team of 120 game scouts, most of them ex-poachers, who form the Anti-Poaching Unit. Working together with the Wildlife Division, the Anti-Poaching Unit has virtually eradicated illegal hunting within the concession. The game scouts in the unit are also responsible for documenting wildlife presence and movement, as well as any other data of biological importance. On-going data collection, coordinated and analysed by the organisation’s Research Biologist, has revealed a rapid and steady increase in resident game as a direct result of increased security and improved habitats.

Wildlife Monitoring and Research Programme

All of the data that is collected by the Anti-Poaching Unit is carefully collated and analysed by a dedicated team, helping to gain an understanding on a variety of ecological factors.  These efforts are critical in determining conservation strategies for wildlife management.  The team conducts as annual aerial wildlife census which provides valuable insights into the impact the responsible habitat management programme has had on the game populations of Singita Grumeti.

WANT TO HELP?

 Sustainable tourism is what allows Singita to be able to carry out this important work. Each guest represents a valuable contribution towards conservation measures in the reserve. Not only does the revenue from tourism support conservation initiatives, but just by coming to see this place, putting value on it and sharing the beauty with others, it inherently makes a world of difference.