about us

the heart of the chem chem association

THE JOURNEY SO FAR

2008

A lease agreement is signed between Chem Chem and the Burunge WMA, for an area to the west of Lake Manyara that had been lost to illegal settlements and decades of overgrazing, poaching, and deforestation. Devoid of wildlife and overrun with domestic animals and invasive plant species, the area’s ecosystem is on the brink of collapse. During this time the Association is founded and the first anti-poaching unit is formed.

2009

CCA’s anti-poaching units combine forces with WMA rangers to promote the relocation of illegal settlers off of the protected wildlife area. And, although Tanzania officially declares the Kwakuchinja Corridor extinct, zebras are spotted at the lake’s shore for the first time. In the meantime, construction begins on Chem Chem Lodge, creating over 300 jobs for people from nearby communities in the process.

2010

Educational meetings take place between the WMA team and leadership from 10 surrounding villages. The goal is to raise awareness of the ecological importance of the corridor and highlight the benefits a new investor will have on their communities. CCA builds three boreholes for nearby communities. And, for the first time in over 10 years, a herd of wildebeest crosses to Burunge West to graze on the plains in front of Lake Manyara.

2011

The first of Chem Chem’s safari properties, Chem Chem Lodge, opens its doors to the public, allowing international guests exclusive access to this protected wilderness area between Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara. 75 residents get trained in hospitality and the anti-poaching unit is expanded to 40 rangers.

2012

The Chem Chem Association builds its first classrooms at Mdori Primary School for over 300 children. The first of many projects committed to making a meaningful and sustainable difference to the local communities surrounding the lodge.

2013

In 2013, Chem Chem is awarded the final piece in the Burunge Wildlife Corridor puzzle: a 16,000 ha former hunting concession. This begins the road to rehabilitation for the mismanaged land and diminished wildlife populations. Little Chem Chem opens and enables the company to create 50 more jobs. The hospitality group now employs 120 people.

2014

One year after its establishment, the Chem Chem Soccer League is now a fully-fledged tournament involving 20 local football teams from 10 different villages. Promoting social involvement and community interaction within a much-loved sporting framework, the 6-week-long tournament draws approximately 1,000 people from nearby villages and regions.

2015

The first Women's Club is founded at Mdori, where a marketplace literacy course is introduced to teach the fundamentals of business and how to start a small entrepreneurial enterprise.

2016

Our dedicated conservation efforts begin to yield success, with the first returning elephants seen in the corridor, followed by herds of giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. The scars begin to heal.

2017

Research projects begin with rangers continuously collecting data on the movements of the last big tuskers of Tanzania. A lion is collared to properly monitor its movements and prove that the Tarangire-Manyara corridor is working. During this time, 3 more Women's Clubs are founded.

2018

As the ecosystem continues to flourish under our guardianship, elephants are seen near the lodge for the first time in 30 years, and a joint anti-poaching patrol team consisting of 38 male and female members is formed. Forest Chem Chem opens its doors to guests, pushing the total number of staff to over 200.

2019

As our partnerships with local communities continue to strengthen, the second Mdori Primary School is built to provide environmental education in villages to encourage local people to become ambassadors for their environment. One of the local football players from the Mdori village team, Rajabu Athumani, is selected to play for the Tanzanian national football team.

2020

Despite the global pandemic, Chem Chem manages to keep its doors open, albeit in a reduced capacity, supporting the livelihoods of our staff and their families in times of need. With the sudden loss of tourism leading to a significant reduction in the number of joint anti-poaching patrols from partner agencies, only those supported by the CCA remain operating on the ground.

2021

As a result of persistent anti-poaching efforts and continued advocacy among key stakeholders and local communities, elephants use the corridor for the first time in 40 years, travelling from Tarangire National Park to bathe in Lake Manyara.

2022

15 years of commitment towards rehabilitating, restoring, and preserving the Kwakuchinja Corridor finally results in national recognition. The Corridor is ranked third of out twenty prioritised corridors in Tanzania – a testament to the resounding success in the work we’ve done so far.

2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

OUR STORY

It began with a deep love, respect, and passion for the Tanzanian wilderness.

When co-founders Fabia and Nicolas first began their search for a place where they could make a difference in Tanzania in 2008, they found land decimated by illegal logging, poaching, and overgrazing. Human settlements and agricultural activities had overtaken natural wildlife corridors, leaving animals stranded in pockets and cut off from their ancient migratory routes.

As Fabia and Nicolas followed the call of a wounded wilderness, they discovered the Kwakuchinja Corridor — a once-thriving migratory route for thousands of animals circling between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks.

Increasing human-wildlife confrontations threatened the survival of both. The decimation of the Kwakuchinja Corridor was so severe that it was declared to be on the brink of extinction.

01/03
Chem Chem Assoociation In Tanzania Elephant Male In the Foliage
And so began the mission of the Chem Chem Association — to take bold and invaluable strides toward a balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife in the Kwakuchinja Corridor.

Securing crucial alignments with integral partners, the Chem Chem Association entered into a concession lease agreement with the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This put us in the unique position to be able to protect, uplift, and build a meaningful connection to this land.

We work with local communities and government agencies to ensure they reach their full potential in becoming conservation custodians of this land. We do this with the aim of creating a considered balance that sustains all its inhabitants — animals and humans alike.

02/03
Striving for a future where people live in harmony with nature is only sustainable in the long term when impacted communities can support themselves without the need to exploit the land or rely on financial aid. Rather, it is up to us to ensure these communities reap the benefits of conservation.

Empowering the corridor’s 10 neighbouring villages through a range of educational, conservation, and community engagement projects, our efforts have slowly and steadily gained ground.

Over the last decade and a half, the sensitive management and persistent dedication towards restoring the corridor to its former glory have shown incredible results — wildlife is once again thriving in the corridor.

03/03
Chem Chem Community Team Member Talking To The Local Children 









Chem Chem Community Learning New Skills And Development In Tanzania

When co-founders Fabia and Nicolas first set foot in Tanzania in 2008 looking for a special place where they could make a difference, they found a land decimated by illegal logging, poaching, and overgrazing.

Human settlements and agricultural activities had overtaken natural wildlife corridors, leaving animals stranded in pockets cut off from their ancient migratory routes

01/05
Chem Chem Assoociation In Tanzania Elephant Male In the Foliage

As Fabia and Nicolas followed the call of a wounded wilderness – they discovered the Kwakuchinja Corridor. A once thriving migratory route for thousands of animals circulating between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, via Lake Burunge. Now increasing human-wildlife confrontations threaten the survival of both. The decimation of the Kwakuchinja Corridor was so severe that it was declared to be on the edge of extinction.

02/05

And so began the mission of the Chem Chem Association–to take bold and invaluable strides toward a balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife in the Kwakuchinja Corridor.

Securing crucial alignments with integral partners, the Chem Chem Association entered into a concession lease agreement with the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA),taking on a unique position to be able protect, uplift, and build a meaningful connection to this land.

03/05

Working with local communities and government agencies to reach their full potential in becoming conservation custodians of this land in a considered balance that sustains all its inhabitants–animal and humans alike.

Striving for a future where people live in harmony with nature is only sustainable in the long term when impacted communities can support themselves without the need to exploit the land or rely on financial aid, but rather ensuring that local communities can reap the benefits of conservation.

04/05
Chem Chem Assoociation In Tanzania Elephant Male In the Foliage

Empowering the corridor’s 10 neighbouring villages through a range of educational, conservation and community engagement projects, the Association’s tireless efforts have slowly and steadily gained ground.

Over the last decade and a half, the sensitive management and persistent dedication towards restoring the corridor to its former glory has shown flourishing results – wildlife is once again thriving in the corridor.

05/05
Chem Chem Assoociation In Tanzania Elephant Male In the Foliage

OUR MISSION

Promoting values of love and respect for Tanzania’s delicate ecosystem is a passion we share with our donors, community, family, and friends. We hope that, in the future, the communities we work to protect will build an ever-stronger connection to the land and continue the meaningful work of the Chem Chem Association.

Join us as we continue to foster a commitment to a sustainable future for the Kwakuchinja Corridor’s ecosystem, its wildlife, and the communities that share this area with them.

OUR PEOPLE

Nicolas Negre

Co-founder & Chairman

learn more
Chem Chem Association Team Member And Owner Nicolas Negre
Fabia Bausch

Co-founder & Board Member

learn more
Chem Chem Association Team Member And Owner Fabia Bausch
Clever Zulu

Executive Manager

learn more
Andrea Frey

Senior Strategy Advisor

learn more
Chem Chem Association Team Member Andrea
Charles Sylvester

Advocacy Manager & Board Member

learn more
Martin Mung'ong'o

Wildlife Conservation Project Manager

learn more
Chem Chem Association Team Member Martin
Napendaeli Wazoeli Nyarila

Community Project Manager

learn more
Ernest Mwashitete

Office Administrator

learn more

our partners

The people who believe in our vision
Burunge Wildlife Management Area (Burunge WMA)

Managing wildlife and natural resources in the Burunge area within the Kwakuchinja corridor.

Chem Chem Safari (CCS)

Working with our private partner Chem Chem Safaris in seeking to establish a coexistence between tourism and conservation, and invest heavily in the community through the Chem Chem Association.

Hand in Hand International

Helping grassroots entrepreneurs to turn their skills and potential into jobs and in doing so helping them find a way up and out of poverty.

Hilti Foundation

Empowering people to lead an independent and self-determined life.

Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA)

Conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage for recreation, knowledge, life support and prosperity.

Tanzania Wildlife Management Authorities (TAWA)

Conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage for recreation, knowledge, life support and prosperity.

Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI)

Conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage for recreation, knowledge, life support and prosperity.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Advancing economic prosperity, demonstrating American generosity, and promoting a path to self-reliance and resilience.

contribute