Enduata Camps Joins The Long Run: A Global Nonprofit 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 nature-based tourism organisation. By joining this global community of purpose-driven businesses Enduata Camps commits to 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 actively regenerative.
Founded by Tanzanian guide Michael Shayo and British hospitality specialist Matt Wilkey, Enduata Camps is spearheading 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 an independent ten-tent 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 business, we aspire to move beyond simple sustainability and move towards true ecological restoration. Joining The Long Run allows us to move from good intentions to measurable action, from supporting anti-poaching patrols to ensuring that local traditions are shared authentically. With our camp being staffed by people from the surrounding areas, including the Maasai community, we are ensuring that the heritage of this land is at the core of every guest stay.’
Joy Mbatau, Regional Hub Manager for East Africa, added: ‘Matt and Michael are highly enthusiastic and eager to join the community at this early stage in order to learn, engage, and embed the 4Cs correctly from the outset. They have expressed strong interest in engaging with the wider Serengeti ecosystem, including influencing policy and working closely with management and rangers to support conservation efforts. They are already working collaboratively with the local community and ensured community involvement throughout the process of establishing the camp. They are keen to see how their impact evolves over 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.’
Built without a single concrete foundation, the camp is fully removable, ensuring the land can return to its natural state without leaving a trace. Co-founders Michael Shayo and Matt Wilkey commissioned 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 a mere shelter to a piece of functional art. Every element, from the hand-stitched canvas to the bespoke furnishings, was created by local artisans, ensuring the economic benefits of tourism remain 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 aims to protect and enhance the ecosystem by operating with a light footprint. Initial activities include financially supporting anti-poaching patrols, participating in established conservation programmes, and working with local groups on habitat restoration. Guests enjoy rare, exclusive black rhino-viewing experiences near the Moru Kopjes, which directly contribute to TANAPA-regulated conservation efforts managed with the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Community: The brand is committed to building meaningful, long-term employment pathways, with 50% of staff recruited from individuals who have previously faced barriers to entering the tourism sector. This includes a strong focus on skills development and leadership training. Additionally, 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 engage in community-led cultural sharing that avoids tokenism. From the handcrafted blankets featured at the camp to the intricate beadwork of the staff, every detail respects and strengthens local identity.
Commerce: The ultimate goal is to prove that regeneration sits at the heart of commercial success. Enduata reinvests a portion of its profits into local projects, infrastructure, and community partnerships. By utilising state-of-the-art 4×4 vehicles and 24-hour solar power, the business ensures long-term stability and resilience while meeting the growing guest demand for credible, measurable action.
As Enduata Camps enters this new chapter with The Long Run, it is poised to reimagine the Tanzanian safari through a lens of profound respect. Being welcomed into this global community so early in its journey marks a significant milestone for the brand, validating its mission from the very outset. Over the coming months, Enduata will continue to evolve by building in more ambitious initiatives that align deeply with the 4Cs, ensuring that the Serengeti can be explored and cherished responsibly for generations to come.
HOW: Enduata Camps offers full board and game packages for 2026 with prices per person based on sharing 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 the high season (June–September). For more information, please visit https://enduatacamps.com/
