Strategic Plan · 2023-2027

Our strategy, in motion.

In 2023 we set out a five-year direction for Tsavo Trust. Now in its fourth year, the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan continues to guide everything we do across the Tsavo Conservation Area, organised around three clear goals.

This page shares where we are and where we are going. We will begin developing our next strategic plan in 2027.

Strategic

Our Vision

Thriving biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and strong partnerships in the greater Tsavo ecosystem.

Our Mission

To safeguard biodiversity and empower communities in the greater Tsavo ecosystem.

The Framework

Three goals for 2023–2027

01

Wildlife Conservation

Effective management and protection of the Tsavo Conservation Area, in support of the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute.

What this looks like

  • Safeguarding the last Big Tuskers — daily monitoring and protection of these iconic elephants and other high-value species, in close partnership with KWS and WRTI
  • Aerial reconnaissance and surveillance across more than 42,000 km² of the Tsavo landscape
  • Ranger-led anti-poaching patrols and systematic snare removal on the ground
  • Black rhino protection and monitoring, supporting Kenya’s national rhino population
  • Endangered species monitoring, including Hirola antelope and African wild dog (painted dog) packs
  • Building and maintaining frontline conservation infrastructure — ranger outposts, watch towers and strategic fencing
  • Securing water for wildlife through sand dams, water pans and dry-season water provision
  • Rapid, coordinated response to wildlife emergencies and human-wildlife conflict across the ecosystem

02

Community Conservation

Establish strong and effective community-led conservation and development initiatives.

What this looks like

  • Kamungi Conservancy — our dedicated community conservation partner, pioneering a model of community-led conservation in the Tsavo ecosystem
  • Strengthening conservancy governance and leadership — building accountable, well-run community institutions
  • Reducing human-wildlife conflict — the 10% Fence Plan, a 33 km elephant-exclusion fence and predator-proof bomas that keep people, livestock and wildlife safe
  • Meaningful community participation — empowering communities to actively shape conservation decisions, planning and management.
  • Education and skills — scholarships, digital literacy support for local schools, and climate-smart agriculture
  • Healthcare, water, energy and livelihood security for conservancy families
  • Community-owned enterprise and eco-tourism through the Kamungi Bandas
  • Securing space for wildlife — working with communities to protect and expand wildlife habitat and ecological connectivity.

03

Partnerships for Tsavo

Bring strong, long-term partnerships to Tsavo, in support of KWS, WRTI and the conservation effort across the TCA.

Long-term financing of the Tsavo Conservation Area sits with the Kenya Wildlife Service as the mandated authority. Our role is to convene and connect the partners, donors and institutions whose support helps KWS, WRTI and the communities of the TCA do their work at landscape scale.

What this looks like

  • Formal partnerships with the Kenya Wildlife Service (under a signed MoU), the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) and the County Government of Makueni
  • Working alongside leading field partners — Save the Elephants, Zoological Society of London, Sand Dams Worldwide, KALRO, Wildlife Works, MWCT, Tsavo Simba Project and the Wildlife Conservation Network
  • Our community partner, Kamungi Conservancy, and active membership of the umbrella bodies — the Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA) and the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA)
  • A member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • A long-term partner in the new Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, opened in 2025
  • USD 5.6M invested in the Tsavo West rhino space alone (2012 to 2026), in support of KWS
  • International support routed through Tusk Trust (UK), Empowers Africa (US), Experience the Village (US) and Wildlife Conservation Network

Since 2023

Progress against the plan

Four years in, a snapshot of what the plan has delivered against each goal. Full figures and sources are on our Reports page.

Wildlife Conservation

3,000 km²

Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, consolidated Dec 2025, now the world’s largest

25%

of Kenya’s black rhino in the landscape we support

0

Super Tuskers lost, sustained year on year

Community Conservation

505

Kamungi households, up from 385 in 2023

82%

reduction in human-elephant conflict

17

active scholarships, up from 9 in 2023

Partnerships for Tsavo

$12M

raised for conservation in the TCA since inception

$5.3M

invested in the Tsavo West rhino space alone, in support of KWS

2

partner-institution seats on our Board, held by KWS and WRTI

What comes next

2023

Strategic Plan launched, setting a five-year direction for Tsavo Trust.

2026

Fourth year of delivery, advancing all three goals across the TCA.

2027

Development of our next strategic plan begins.

Read the full plan.

Read the plan (PDF)
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