At the heart of the project are the Kamba people living alongside Tsavo, whose deep connection to the land stretches back generations. Farmers, artisans, traders, and beekeepers, the Kamba are people of the land. Women play a central role in these communities, nurturing families, cultivating crops, and sustaining households. Sheldrick Botanicals draws on their talents and ties to Tsavo, providing meaningful employment and producing a stunning, sustainable product for the global market.

Upriver from our Kaluku Field Headquarters, on the border of Tsavo East National Park, lies Tsavo Farm — a hub of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust conservation projects encompassing flowers, vegetables, beekeeping, and small-scale farming. Within it, over 13,000 bougainvillea plants bloom in vibrant cascades of pinks, coral, ivory, apricot, and deep burgundy. This is the home of Sheldrick Botanicals.

Bougainvillea thrives naturally in Tsavo's climate, needing little beyond sunshine and seasonal rain. At harvest, the flowers are carefully handpicked and naturally dried, retaining their vibrant colour and creating the soft, floating effect that makes them so distinctive when thrown — almost like butterflies fluttering through the air. Each petal is individually separated, graded, and packed at the farm by a growing team of local women. The result is real flower petal confetti, hand-prepared in Kenya, now finding its way to weddings, graduations, and celebrations around the world.

The challenges facing people and wildlife in and around Tsavo are profound and interconnected. Supporting the communities who live alongside these wild spaces is as much a part of our work as protecting the animals themselves. Building sustainable livelihoods tied directly to the land is not a secondary concern — it is how successful, long-term conservation works.

Every Sheldrick Botanicals order supports our conservation mission, benefits local families, and builds economic resilience in an area where communities and wildlife exist side by side. Our petals are available through our UK and US charity shops, with international and wholesale orders available directly from Kenya. For collaborations, events, or trade enquiries: [email protected].