Somak puts controversial Mara lodge back on sale and withdraws from Tourism Association

Somak ditch tourism organisation in favour of controversial Masai Mara lodge 

In February we reported on the development of a new lodge that was built in a sensitive corner of the Masai Mara. 

Conservationists started a facebook campaign urging a boycott tour of safari operator Somak after the company started taking bookings for the controversial camp. Various wildlife celebrities came out strongly against the lodge, and subsequently Somak and  AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators, who have a very strong sustainable tourism policy), which Somak was a member of, released the following statements.

AITO's Chairman, Derek Moore, says: "We are delighted that AITO and Somak Holidays have together agreed a way forward. We believe that Somak's collaboration with AITO's Sustainable Tourism Committee will prove of great benefit to the Masai Mara, and we applaud Somak for its positive and ongoing commitment to long-term support for Kenya." 

Ash Sofat, Director of Somak Holidays, says: "We appreciate the opportunity to work with AITO's Sustainable Tourism Committee on issues linked with the jewel in Kenya's crown, the Masai Mara. Somak has been linked with Kenya for many years now - in fact, since my father started the company, in 1968. We are a Kenyan family, and Kenya is a big part of our DNA. It makes good business sense for us to protect our most valuable asset - the wildlife for which Kenya is justly famous - and we are more than happy to work with AITO to this end."

Somak leave AITO and continue to sell controversial lodge
Wildlife Extra has discovered that Somak are no longer members of AITO, an association that they have been members of for many years. Somak claim that this was purely a commercial decision taken in order to save the £5,000 (estimated) cost of membership.