In 2014 Isoitok Camp led the way in becoming one of the first properties to be audited by Responsible Tourism Tanzania. We sailed through with flying colors with certification that we run and operate our camp responsibly and sustainably.

We later won a gold medal during the UN World Tourism Awards (UNTWO) held in Madrid for Innovation in Enterprise. We respect our Maasai neighbors and have worked with them closely for many years achieving great goals straddling hurdles over 16 years of development. We continue working together to improve daily living standards without changing beliefs and traditional values. Cultural preservation is the core of our backbone, and we invite all to help us achieve a greener sustainable future for Tanzania Tourism and the Maasai Community of Esilalei.

For the Esilalei Maasai community and Isoitok Camp, the biggest hurdle we continually face is the absence of a permanent water source or groundwater. This hurdle was bridged in part. We established rain harvesting systems throughout the camp with a storage capacity of around 60,000 liters with plans to increase so that the Isoitok can be independent and self-sustaining with the camp’s water supply.   Through client donations back in 2018, a 20,000-liter rain harvesting system was fabricated for the Maasai close to the community center – this supplies safe drinking water to over ten families. Each year thousands of rain-harvested waters are collected by our Maasai neighbors bringing safe drinking water to one and all. Our rain harvesting projects continue outward, establishing independence for bomas with their own systems and storage facilities.  

We continue to educate through training and assist in establishing systems of becoming more sustainable and protecting and re-generating our fragile environment. 

Grey water systems that utilize the wastewater from our kitchens, laundry, showers, and hand basins have been slowly added throughout the camp and provide so much water that is reutilized in every way possible – one tent build, consumes around 20,000 liters of grey water alone. 

Our purchasing policies are also closely followed. We purchase through local suppliers – this enforces and further supports the local communities not directly involved in tourism or Isoitok Camp who benefit from our existence. You will find true loyalty on a very local scale of business that will ensure the best produce reaches Isoitok Camp kitchens. We let our suppliers know our policies and purchase Tanzanian or East African produce when possible. We also purchase bulk products to reduce no biodegradable waste and the need for multiple supply runs.

The key to Isoitok Camp’s harmonious existence is how we treat and work alongside our Maasai Neighbors. All staff/clientele have access to a short history of how Isoitok Camp came to be, which follows the story over the years to where we have reached.

Our responsible tourism policies are to aid and give back wherever possible to the Esilalei Maasai community. We promote only cultural tourism that does not exploit and take advantage of local communities. Our efforts in giving back are transparent through our project development programs and monitored to ensure that we are making a positive impact without change to cultural traditions and beliefs. Since 2015 Isoitok Camp has covered the salary for the Maasai school teacher who teaches kindergarten lessons bringing the seed of education to the youth of Esilalei – we rely on educational gifts and continue to utilize the community center both for young and old.