Seedballs Kenya (https://www.seedballskenya.com) is an innovative environmental initiative that’s transforming how reforestation is done across Kenya and East Africa. Founded in 2016 by Teddy Kinyanjui and Elsen Karstad, the project tackles deforestation and land degradation through a simple yet powerful idea: seedballs.

A seedball is a native tree or grass seed encased in a protective ball of charcoal dust and natural nutrients. This coating shields the seed from harsh sunlight, animals, and insects, helping it survive until the right conditions mainly rain allow it to germinate. The method requires no digging, watering, or planting tools. You simply throw the seedballs onto the ground and let nature do the rest.

What makes Seedballs Kenya particularly impactful is its use of indigenous seeds, sourced and certified by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). These species are naturally suited to local environments and are essential for restoring ecosystems and supporting biodiversity. The charcoal dust used in the coating is recycled from urban waste, giving new life to a byproduct that would otherwise go unused.

Since its founding, Seedballs Kenya has distributed over 49 million seedballs across the country, in collaboration with schools, local communities, wildlife organizations, and conservation groups. In the Maasai Mara, for instance, seedballs are even dropped from helicopters to reach remote areas and help reforest lands affected by drought and human activity. In partnership with groups like the Mara Elephant Project, seedballs are being used to restore elephant habitats, showing that environmental restoration and wildlife protection can go hand in hand.

Seedballs Kenya’s approach is low-cost, scalable, and community-driven. It empowers people of all ages to take part in environmental conservation from school children to farmers to tourists.

We have been working with Seedballs Kenya for nearly 10 years. All our safari guests are provided with a package of seedballs to leave their green footprint during their journey and to support Adventure Expeditions in making our safaris carbon-free.