Africa Travel WeekOur webinar brings together experts to tackle overtourism, conservation, and sustainable tourism in Africa.
Using the Maasai Mara as a case study, the discussion focuses on finding solutions to challenges like balancing tourism growth with environmental preservation and empowering local communities. Innovative ideas like visitor caps, conservation-based pricing, and biodiversity credits are examined as pathways for a sustainable future.
As Calvin Cottar puts it, “Tourism cannot be the enemy of conservation—it must be the solution.”
This webinar is a must-watch for those invested in shaping a better future for Africa’s tourism landscape.
Interesting reads on this subject recommended by Calvin Cottar:
Meet our panellists:
Calvin Cottar, Director at Cottar’s Safaris
Calvin started photographic guiding at 15 yrs old with his father at Cottars camp camp, Maasai Mara, at 19 yrs old he joined TGTS in Tanzania. At 26 yrs he returned to Kenya and started a wildlife management company to help landowners.
He then joined the Community Service of the KWS to set up the district and national wildlife forums specifically to design how KWS could devolve wildlife user rights to land owners. While at KWS, he Initiated the Problem Animal Control Unit of KWS. After this Calvin started NTSC Ltd (Cottars 1920’s Camp) in Olderkesi community ranch.
At the age of 46, Calvin contributed to the formation of Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and shortly after became board member of Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association. At age 51 yrs, signed the Olderkesi Conservancy agreement and went on assist developing the SULi FLoD Theory of Change process. Calvin contributed to the MMNR, the GMMEMP, and the Greater Mara Monitoring Framework plan.
Calvin continues to mentor and advise on conservation issues, as well as providing Professional Guiding services.
Mohanjeet Brar, Managing Director at Gamewatchers & Porini Camps
Mohanjeet, is a 4th generation Kenyan and married with 2 kids who love going on safari. He is the Managing Director of Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, a leading tour operator and group of tented camps, pioneers of the community conservancy concept, with a focus on protecting biodiversity & habitat in partnership with communities, for the last 30 years.
He is also co-founder of Earthacre, a company connecting technology with communities for climate and biodiversity solutions. He has a Doctorate degree from the US and is a KPSGA (Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association) certified safari guide
Mohanjeet has served in various capacities in supporting the conservation and tourism industry including as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ecotourism Kenya, Board Member of the Kenya Tourism Board, Board Member of Kenya Tourism Federation, Board Member of the East African Wildlife Society, Founding Trustee of the Kijabe Forest Trust, Vice Chair of the KEPSA Environment Sector Board, Board Member of the Maasai Mara Conservancies Association and is currently Atta Fellow, Board Member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Board Member of African Wildlife Foundation Kenya Board, Board Member of Africa Conservation Centre, Board Member of Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Ol Kinyei and Selenkay Conservancies.
Chris Roche, Co-Founder at Wild Expeditions Africa
Chris is a seasoned ecotourism and conservation expert with over 25 years of experience.
Having held executive roles in marketing and business development with leading companies such as Wilderness Safaris and AndBeyond, he has been instrumental in shaping the African ecotourism landscape.
Chris’ journey began in the mid-1990s as a guide and conservation ecologist, later evolving into roles in communications, sustainability, and marketing. Notably, he led Wilderness Safaris’ expansion into Rwanda from 2014 to 2020. With a Master’s degree in springbok ecology, Chris is deeply committed to advancing ecotourism beyond traditional destinations in East and Southern Africa. He has also served as a trustee and advisor for prominent conservation initiatives and as a judge for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
Samson Parsimei Lenjirr, Wildlife Conservation and Management Advisor to the Governor, Narok County based in the Masai Mara
Samson is in charge of a trust land forest-Mau, one of the largest water towers in the country.
Previously he was a senior manager in the leading National Reserves in Kenya namely, Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo & Shaba National Reserves in Northern Kenya, the Mara Triangle, under the Mara Conservancy, and the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
While working in the Masai Mara, he was involved in overseeing one of the last free-ranging Black rhino populations in the country. The program was trans-boundary between the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti in Tanzania.
Samson was also involved in the marketing team of the council under the umbrella of Kenya Tourism Board in the of the marketing Masai Mara as a world class tourism destination in the leading world trade fairs. The flagship of this destination is the world famous wildebest migration. Samson was also involved in a collaboration initiative between Yellowstone National Park and the Mara-Serengeti where several exchange programs presented managers of the two largest leading world conservation areas to visit and exchange knowledgeable experience.
As a nomadic pastoralist by practice and birth, wildlife conservation and livestock raring were not only compatible land uses, but land uses which shape his upbringing. He now works towards changing grazing lands into Community Conservancies that generate income from tourism activities to subsidize pasrtolists sources of income.
Samson earned a Masters of Arts degree from Reading University in the United Kingdom and a diploma and certification in Wildlife Management from the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka in Tanzania. His hobbies include swimming, observing ungulates in the wild, and discussing politics.
