President William Ruto has revealed plans to build five luxury hotels inside the newly expanded Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, marking a major shift toward high-end tourism aimed at increasing national revenue.
Speaking during the commissioning of the sanctuary in Ngulia, Taita Taveta County, President Ruto said the hotels will target premium international tourists. He noted that accommodation charges will range between $500 and $1,000 per night, similar to the rates charged in top-tier Maasai Mara lodges.
“All tourists will now pay top dollar, which will be at an additional rate from the current rates. I have been briefed by the KWS that there will be five new hotels that will be built within this park,” Ruto said.
He stated that the government will no longer allow low-cost lodges within the sanctuary, insisting that upscale tourism is the strategy needed to maximize earnings that can support conservation and uplift communities living around Tsavo.
“Those will be high-end hotels that would mandate visitors to pay between USD 500 and USD 1000 per day. That is what will be paid and is also currently being paid in the Maasai Mara,” he said.
Ruto added: “We have agreed in my directives to the KWS that there will be no hotels here charging Ksh.2,000 or Ksh.3,000. We want to raise our revenue so that it can reach the local community.”
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Ministry of Tourism will oversee the rollout of the high-end lodges and ensure they meet global standards.
Government to Create Carbon Trading Zone Covering Tsavo East, West, and Galana Kulalu
President Ruto also directed KWS and the Ministry of Tourism to develop a carbon credits trading framework that merges Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Galana Kulalu into a single conservation and carbon-trading block.
“I also direct that the necessary team develop a carbon credits trading plan covering Tsavo East and West, Galana Kulalu to be made into a single zone so that we can have a harmonised zone to get carbon credits so that the locals can benefit,” he said.
The initiative is expected to generate additional income that will support conservation, community development, and climate resilience efforts.
The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, now expanded to more than 3,200 square kilometres, plays a crucial role in protecting Kenya’s black rhinos. The expansion aims to ease overcrowding, which has long limited breeding and increased the risk of territorial clashes.
“We have in our custody nearly 78% of the global population of Eastern Black Rhino; this is not simply our conservation achievement; it is a sovereign responsibility of global significance,” President Ruto said.
Authorities plan to channel new revenue from hotels and carbon credits into strengthening wildlife security and improving infrastructure. Ongoing and future works include wildlife corridors, dams to help animals during droughts, upgraded roads, and enhanced ranger operations.
Over 18,000 Jobs and Ksh. 6 Billion in Revenue Expected
The expanded sanctuary is already creating hundreds of jobs in security, surveillance, logistics, construction, and roadworks. By 2030, officials project the project will create more than 18,000 jobs and generate over $45 million (Ksh. 6 billion) annually from conservancy and tourism-related activities.
The government believes the combination of high-end tourism, enhanced conservation, and carbon trading will transform the Tsavo ecosystem into one of Africa’s most sustainable wildlife and economic zones.
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