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CHEM CHEM'S STORY IS A LOVE LETTER...

...to the wide-open skies of Africa’s wild spaces. It’s a tale of hope, adventure and finding the courage to seek a new path, while changing the world for the better.

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fabia & nicolas' story

The tale of Chem Chem begins with a chance meeting between Fabia Bausch and Nicolas Negre at a time when both were reviewing their lives: she as an investment banker in Switzerland, he as a French-born hunting guide.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION
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The beginning

After years in the corporate jungle, Fabia had grown to appreciate what was truly important to her: time, privacy and freedom, and was seeking to step away from the world of finance and pursue a more fulfilling life. While, as a passionate guide with extensive knowledge of the African wilderness, Nicolas had seen first-hand the damage caused by ruthless poaching and dreamed of doing more to protect the increasingly vulnerable wildlife.

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Although they came from different worlds, they discovered a mutual passion for Africa and a shared dream to protect its wild spaces. Together, they began their search for a place where their dream to restore and safeguard the wilderness for wildlife could take root.

Building the dream

Their journey led them to northern Tanzania, where their dream became a reality with the formation of the Chem Chem Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This tract of land, a vital migratory corridor linking the Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks, had been declared abandoned — rendered barren by years of encroachment, illegal logging and poaching.

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So, to restore its wild beauty and create a haven where animals could once more migrate across this ancient pathway, they co-founded and launched the Chem Chem Association in 2008. Thus, Chem Chem’s journey to restoring the balance of nature in the Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor began.

Passion & Purpose

The merging of Fabia and Nicholas’ different paths has created a wild sanctuary that is both beautiful and purposeful. Today, Chem Chem’s 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) exclusive-use protected wildlife area is home to a trio of intimate and design-led safari properties, where a limited number of visitors enjoy unparalleled access and privacy within this remarkable slice of wilderness. Here, tourism directly supports the ongoing restoration and protection of this land, its wildlife, and the communities that share the land with us.

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Chem Chem is home to all that fuels Fabia and Nicolas’ passion — a harmonious blend of abundant wildlife sightings with the chance to connect with the region’s rich cultural heritage. This is a place where you can slow down and truly connect with nature in an experience rooted in tranquillity and awe.

There is no point in trying to protect wild animals and their habitat if we don't take care of the people who surround wildlife areas.

— Nicolas
The elephants' return

Celebrating the power of restoration.

After just a decade and a half of tireless conservation, the restoration of the Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor has transformed the landscape. A true testament to the success of this transformation is the return of elephants, who regularly journey through the Corridor to bathe in the waters of Lake Manyara — a sight not seen in over 40 years.

our impact

Tourism plays a crucial role in uplifting and benefiting our local communities. Each guest staying with us makes a positive contribution to not only the Chem Chem Association, but also the thousands of people we help to support, the countless animals we help protect and to securing the invaluable legacy of the land.

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Across Chem Chem's three properties, more than 230 people from the surrounding communities have been given opportunities and training, benefiting their families and extended community.

Chem Chem Association
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