Maa Bees

Maa Bees, a flagship social enterprise of The Maa Trust supported by Saruni Basecamp Foundation (SBFK) and Tusk, is transforming livelihoods and conservation in the Maasai Mara. In 2024, 219 beekeepers (181 women and 38 men) were trained in sustainable honey production, leading to a 46% increase in sales and KES 384,600 in household income. By empowering women, diversifying livelihoods, and protecting pollinator habitats, Maa Bees proves that economic growth and biodiversity conservation can thrive together.

Sustainable Livelihoods Through Beekeeping

Maa Bees is a flagship social enterprise of The Maa Trust, supported by the Saruni Basecamp Foundation (SBFK) and Tusk, that demonstrates how conservation and livelihoods can grow hand in hand. In 2024, the initiative supported 219 beekeepers (181 women and 38 men) across 10 groups in the Maasai Mara, building their capacity through 49 tailored training sessions. These trainings covered floral calendar tracking, honey production techniques, and value addition, ensuring that community members not only keep bees but do so in ways that are sustainable and market-ready.

The results speak volumes. Honey sales rose by 46% from 389.5 kg in 2023 to 568 kg in 2024, generating KES 384,600 in household income. For many families, this represents a critical diversification of livelihoods away from over-reliance on livestock, which is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and resource conflicts. Women in particular are gaining economic independence, as the majority of Maa Bees participants are women who now actively contribute to family income and decision-making.

Conservation & Ecosystem Protection

Beyond income, Maa Bees contributes directly to conservation by protecting the pollinators that sustain biodiversity in the Maasai Mara. Healthy bee populations are essential for regenerating natural habitats, ensuring that the ecosystem remains resilient for both wildlife and people.

This connection was underscored during the first-ever Maasai Mara Beekeeping Symposium, held on World Bee Day 2024, which brought together local beekeepers, associations, and conservationists to celebrate bees’ critical role in sustaining ecosystems.

By blending traditional practices with modern knowledge, Maa Bees is positioning beekeeping as both a cultural and economic strength in the region — while safeguarding pollinators that keep the Mara thriving.

Innovation & Future Growth

The project’s success has sparked growing demand for its high-quality honey, with camps and guests showing strong interest in purchasing Maa Bees products. To meet this demand, The Maa Trust is investing in infrastructure, including the planned construction of a bee product processing room at the Wildlife Tourism College in 2025. This will open new opportunities for value addition, market expansion, and consistent product quality.

Maa Bees represents more than honey production; it’s a model for how communities can thrive when livelihoods are tied to conservation outcomes. By supporting local households, empowering women, and protecting pollinator habitats, Maa Bees ensures that economic growth reinforces environmental stewardship — creating a sustainable cycle of prosperity and biodiversity protection in the Maasai Mara.