The Experience

Singita Grumeti, situated adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, is an integral part of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem, the home of the Great Migration. The reserve was created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 in order to protect the path of the annual wildebeest migration and the indigenous biodiversity of this vast and important ecosystem.

In 2002, the Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit organisation, was granted the right to manage and conserve these 350,000 acres, for the benefit of Tanzania, Africa and the world. Four years later, Singita took over the management of the property, at the request of the concessionaire and began the task of generating, via low impact tourism, the funds necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserve through conservation and community partnerships.

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 neighbouring 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.

Travelwizard.com Guests Receive:

• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• A Virtuoso gift to the value of $100 per couple
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability
• Upgrades are not applicable with this participant