Fair Trade Information:

Our projects in this area are run entirely in line with the on-going cooperation and initiatives provided by The Kilimanjaro Conservancy (TKC). TKC was established by Peter & Margot Jones in 2001 as a registered non profit organization devoted to the conservation of nature and the reduction of human wildlife conflict in the West Kilimanjaro eco-system, one of the most biologically diverse habitats in Tanzania. Camp Tanzania’s input into the conservation program is generated from visiting volunteer’s conservation fees as well as their physical contribution in the field. (yes you have to work..)

Poaching Prevention - Many people assume that concern over poaching is exclusive to high profile species such as elephant and rhinoceros. Less visible, though equally important, is the loss of smaller animals like impala, giraffe, and lesser kudu to commercial bush-meat poaching. Sadly, the oryx and hartebeest have already become locally extinct. The large, trusting and slow-moving giraffe (Tanzania’s national symbol) are also easy targets for bush - meat poachers. One of the aims of TKC and Camp Tanzania is to focus on protecting these “smaller” species without which the whole eco-system would suffer.

Tree cutting – mostly old growth acacia trees - for charcoal has led to loss of habitat for much of the area’s wildlife. The ranches rangers patrol not only for poaching, but also look out for charcoal / tree cutting, which is illegal in many parts of Tanzania.

As a volunteer on this project you are very likely to be involved with indigenous tree planting and forest regeneration. Tree planting initiatives are very common throughout Camps International locations worldwide. In addition to the enormous direct benefits for local communities, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure minimal carbon emissions for all clients who travel with us.

Human-Wildlife Conflict – Seventy percent of Tanzania’s wildlife lives outside the parks and human-wildlife conflict is an inevitable and growing problem. The TKC and Camp Tanzania are dedicated to helping communities reduce crop damage and other human-wildlife conflict. This will help change local attitudes towards wildlife as well as increase community income.

Thanks to the ivory ban, elephant are no longer endangered in East Africa. Nonetheless, they’re still being killed, not so much for their ivory, but in retaliation for crop damage parks while they migrate between parks and other bush areas. In their search for food and water, elephants trample ground, snap apart trees, and eat almost any kind of vegetation. They are particularly fond of eating sweet maize, which is planted as a staple crop for local people.

A recent study in the nearby village of Miti Mirefu (Swahili for “Tall Trees”) found that ninety percent of farmers suffered crop loss to elephants. A few reported total destruction of their fields. The estimated revenue loss for the community came to $3500, a significant amount in a country where average annual income is estimated to be $250. Fencing is a simple way to eliminate the impact elephants have on local populations.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre – Local wildlife authorities regularly intercept animals, reptiles, and birds being smuggled out of Tanzania. Veterinary facilities for wildlife are nearly non-existent in Tanzania and without them there is no place to care for these displaced and often wounded animals. For many animals, like cheetah, every individual is critical to the survival of the species. If a car breaks a cheetah’s leg, it will likely die. TKC has future plans to create a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, a place for captured animals to recover and rehabilitate before re-introducing into the wild.

A veterinarian based at Ndarakwai Ranch could work with injured, captured, and problem animals, including those smuggled animals the seized by the government agents & customs. Right now there is no holding facility for such wildlife. Several zoo-based veterinarians have expressed interest, but we’ll need facilities and instruments for their work. TKC and Camps International would like to raise funds to help create The Rafiki Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. When this initiative gets underway Camp Tanzania volunteers will provide valuable funding (through their participation) as well as physical input to develop the centre.

Education/Research Centre – The Maasai in this region depend on livestock. TKC and Camp Tanzania are working on innovative ways that would make the interaction between wildlife and livestock profitable under commercial livestock production, using a system of seasonal rotation that maximizes yield and supports grass banks (stored grass) to cope with droughts.

More research is needed to understand the relationships between wildlife, vegetation, and the needs of local communities. One of the aims of TKC and now Camp Tanzania is to establish an Education/Research Centre. We’d like to develop a curriculum for local and foreign students/volunteers to learn environmental stewardship and gain greater appreciation, understanding & respect for the delicate balance between humans and nature.

In addition the above, volunteer’s can also expect to be involved with the below projects:

Teaching at the local school and initiation of a small school farm.
Establishment of wild life club to enhance environmental awareness of local communities and visitors
Mapping
Game counts, census & species identification
Establishment of a ranch clean up program
De-snaring patrols
Removal from the Conservancy of non-indigenous crops such as the Mexican Poppy