Luxury hospitality brand Discover Collection has broken ground on its first African property, which it says will be an ultra-luxury lodge blending sustainable tourism with meaningful community impact. Set within the 30 000-acre Kitenden Conservancy in the Greater Amboseli region of Kenya, the lodge is being developed in partnership with Conservation Equity Limited.
During the ground-breaking ceremony, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, described the project as a transformative model for high-end eco-tourism, according to Capital News. “Keeping 100% of the net profits within Kenya for reinvestment in conservation and community development makes this lodge not just a tourism facility but a transformative economic engine,” said Miano.
Capital News also reported that, as part of the initiative, the developers will invest Ksh90 million (€612 000) in securing land title deeds for the 3 000 local community members, ensuring long-term ownership rights and stability. In addition to land ownership security, the partnership is aiming for a favourable lease agreement, conservation charges and a revenue-sharing model. A percentage of the lodge’s earnings will be allocated directly to conservancy members.
Discover Collection’s website also mentions plans for a second Kenyan property: Discover Collection Il Ngwesi, which will be located within the Greater Maasai Mara in a 21 500-acre conservancy.
