Enduata Camps Joins the Long Term: A Global Non-Profit Community for Nature-Based Tourism | News
Enduata Camps, Tanzania’s newest luxury safari operator, is proud to join The Long Run, the world’s largest wildlife tourism organization. By joining this global community of purpose-driven companies, Enduata Camps aims to create measurable long-term impact by adopting The Long Run’s ‘4Cs’ framework: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. The Long Run’s Global Ecosphere Retreat (GER) Standard is one of the world’s most rigorous sustainability certifications, and by aligning with this framework, Enduata Camps ensures that its presence in the Serengeti is not only low-impact, but also actively regenerative.
Enduata Camps, founded by Tanzanian guide Michael Shayo and British hospitality specialist Matt Wilkey, is leading the way in a ‘wilderness-first’ approach to safari tourism. Located deep in the central Serengeti, 15km from the nearest road with uninterrupted views stretching across 60km of open wilderness, Wild Wakati Camp opened in January 2026 as a ten-tent self-contained retreat, handcrafted by local artisans in Arusha, staffed by the surrounding community, and built without a single concrete foundation to ensure the land can be returned to its natural state without a trace.
Michael Shayo, co-founder of Enduata Camps, commented: “Biodiversity is the defining foundation of everything we do in the Serengeti. As a new company, we aim to go beyond simple sustainability and towards true ecological restoration. By joining The Long Run we can move from good intentions to measurable action, from supporting anti-poaching patrols to ensuring local traditions are shared authentically. Because our camp is staffed by people from the surrounding areas, including the Maasai community, we ensure that the heritage of this country is at the heart of each guesthouse.”
Joy Mbatau, Regional Hub Manager for East Africa, added: “Matt and Michael are very excited and keen to join the community at this early stage to properly learn, engage and embed the 4Cs from the start. They have shown a keen interest in working with the wider Serengeti ecosystem, including influencing policy and working closely with management and rangers to support conservation efforts. They are already working with the local community and have ensured community involvement throughout the process of setting up the camp. They are eager to see how their impact evolves in the coming years as part of The Long Run, with the ambition to be a force for good while remaining authentic and transparent about their impact.”
The camp was built without any concrete foundations and is completely removable, allowing the land to return to its natural state without leaving a trace. Co-founders Michael Shayo and Matt Wilkey have ordered ten beautifully designed tents, masterfully handcrafted in nearby Arusha by William Kivuyo and his team at the African Tents and Canvas Company. Their artistic approach elevates each structure from just a shelter to a functional work of art. Every element, from the hand-stitched canvas to the custom-made furniture, is made by local artisans, keeping the economic benefits of tourism within the community.
As a member of The Long Run, Enduata Camps has integrated a holistic sustainability strategy based on the following pillars:
Conservation: Enduata strives to protect and enhance the ecosystem by operating with a light footprint. Initial activities include financially supporting anti-poaching patrols, participating in established conservation programs and working with local groups on habitat restoration. Guests can enjoy rare, exclusive black rhino spotting experiences near the Moru Kopjes, directly contributing to TANAPA-regulated conservation efforts managed in partnership with the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Community: The brand is committed to building meaningful, long-term employment pathways, recruiting 50% of its workforce from those who have previously faced barriers to entering the tourism industry. This includes a strong focus on skills development and leadership training. In addition, Enduata is developing a camp farm to produce fresh food, create local jobs and support nearby schools.
Culture: Enduata celebrates the cultural heritage of the Serengeti through authentic partnership. The camp is proudly secured by 24-hour Maasai Askari security, and guests can participate in community-led cultural exchange that avoids tokenism. From the handmade blankets on display at the camp to the intricate beadwork of the staff, every detail respects and reinforces local identity.
Trade: The ultimate goal is to prove that regeneration is at the heart of commercial success. Enduata reinvests part of its profits in local projects, infrastructure and community partnerships. By utilizing state-of-the-art 4×4 vehicles and 24-hour solar energy, the company ensures long-term stability and resilience while meeting growing guest demands for credible, measurable action.
As Enduata Camps enters this new chapter with The Long Run, it is ready to reimagine the Tanzanian safari through a lens of deep respect. Being welcomed into this global community so early marks an important milestone for the brand and reaffirms its mission from the very beginning. In the coming months, Enduata will continue to evolve by incorporating more ambitious initiatives that align deeply with the 4Cs, ensuring that the Serengeti can be responsibly explored and cherished for generations to come.
HOW: Enduata Camps is offering full board and game packages for 2026 with prices per person based on shared or single occupancy ranging from $510 – $630 (£381 – £471) in the green season (April-May), $610 – $730 (£456 – £546) in the shoulder season (January – March) and $810 – $1,395 (£605) – £1,043) in high season (June-September). For more information, please visit https://enduatacamps.com/
