Bonham Safaris is a small, bespoke and family owned and managed safari operator that has been tailoring safaris to our guests individual needs since 1978 when Patricia and Richard Bonham, brother and sister, first started walking safaris in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania.Responsible Tourism is tourism that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit
 
The 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations defines Responsible Tourism as follows:
""Responsible Tourism""is tourism which:
• minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities
• improves working conditions and access to the industry
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
• provides access for physically challenged people
• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence"
 
Bonham Safari's tries, whenever possible, while putting a safari together, to only use camps and lodges that practice Responsible Tourism. Camps and lodges that we use are involved in conservation and have community involvement. As a family, we have set up the Maasailand Preservation Trust. The Maasailand Preservation Trust Maasai Man & Woman
 
We formed the Maasailand Preservation Trust in 1992 and the Conservation fees that guests pay for staying in the beautiful and untouched area that is Ol Donyo Wuas go towards the initiatives to conserve the area and to benefit the local Maasai community. Our Trust's prime task is to deliver a significant and effective outreach programme to the Maasai community on the Group Ranch on which Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is based. We have built a girls school, started a health clinic, set up anti-poaching patrols, a Rhino Conservation project and Predator Compensation scheme to name a few initiatives.
 
The Trust is chaired and run by Richard Bonham who ensures that there is effective delivery within these communities. The Trust is one of the longest serving and most successful trusts in East Africa and delivers significant benefits to our local communities so that their lives are enriched and that the linkage between community upliftment and a prospering wildlife population is maintained.
 
The Predator Compensation Scheme
Predators and lions in particular are regularly killed throughout the whole of southern Kenya, yet at Ol Donyo Wuas the predator numbers are increasing because of the good work of the lodge and the Trust. We include our Maasai neighbours in community outreach programs that pay compensation for cattle and stock losses due to predators.
 
Amboseli/Tsavo Game Scout Association: Scouts are involved, primarily, with the prevention of poaching in the area, working in tandem with our bloodhounds. The scouts help protect small-scale farmers from crop raiding wildlife. The human/wildlife conflict has become a primary issue in Kenya. This project is a success when combined with the overall impact of the Trust and the area free of poachers increases year after year.
 
Chyulu Rhino Project: The Maasailand Preservation Trust, and KWS rangers, together with other organizations, is responsible for enhancing security and monitoring the endangered Chyulu rhino for their protection, probably the last remaining population of wild black rhino in Kenya today. Re-forestation Project: There is a tree nursery in Mbirikani Village concentrating on the replanting of indigenous trees in the area.
 
Education: As a priority the Trust has already constructed six classrooms all with teaching aids. We plan to start an environmental education program dealing with land degradation and problems associated with pastoralism in marginal areas.
Mbirikani Group Ranch Mobile Clinic and Health Centre was established by the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases and to help uplift the general health of the community. This is funded by a private United States foundation and is based in Mbirikani village but also visits communities living further afield.