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We share the view that some tourism in Kenya is essential for the survival of the areas our clients visit. It provides much needed income to sustain communities and wildlife habitats. It is imperative however that it is channeled to safaris and properties that make a genuine difference. In our view this is hard to define so we personally visit every property on our itineraries and complete a sustainable questionnaire and only those that reach our minimum standard get representation. As a result you can be assured the safaris we sell and lodges we list are at the forefront of sustainable tourism.
Community:
From a community perspective and in varying degrees (please ask to see results for specific lodges) each: employs locally throughout the operation from senior management and guides through to front of house, drivers, cooks and housekeeping; operates a Trust that benefits the local community; charges a conservation fee which goes to the trust; tries to preserve local cultures; supports the development of education within the community; supports the development of health within the community and helps and assists the local community to implement sustainable ways to manage their land and their resources.
Environment:
From an environmental perspective and in varying degrees each lodge is; active in the preservation of the local wilderness; has not purchased land from a community and/or instigated the subdivision of land previously owned by a community; is active in the preservation of wildlife; is active in encouraging the local population to become involved in the conservation of wildlife through self-interest schemes; has measured its environmental footprint for water usage, crops rain water and recycles its water; has measured its environmental footprint for waste and has sought to reduce it; ensures solid waste and sewage is disposed of in a way that doesn’t damage the environment; has measured its environmental footprint for electricity usage and has sought to reduce it; uses renewable energy to cook its food, heat its water and produce its electricity; used sustainable and traditional building materials wherever possible and ensured the construction of the property had a minimal impact on the natural surroundings and is in keeping with the local environment.
Below are some specific details about the lodges on this itinerary:
Rekero Tented Camp - Was one of the first to only employ Maasai guides. It is also a dedicated fundraiser, the proceeds of which are equally divided between education and the environment, including wildlife. Educational support goes towards the local Ngousani Primary School, providing bursaries for more than 20 children. The camp was also integral in the setting up of The Koyiaki Guiding School whose aim was to set guiding standards and to provide the local Maasai with employment opportunities within the tourism industry. Rainwater collection and plastic recycling schemes form part of their other initiatives.
Ol Malo - Has established a reputation for eco-tourism that far exceeds its modest size. It is a world leader. It has set up the Ol Malo Trust, which provides funding and help for the Samburu with their medical needs, education and food. An outlet is also provided to help them sell their arts and crafts.
Campi ya Kanzi - It would be fair to say that Campi ya Kanzi defines what sustainable tourism should be. Everything has been set up to ensure the long-term protection of this land, its communities and cultures while also preserving the wildlife and greater eco system. It stands on community land and is owned by the community. The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which it founded, employs nearly 200 local people; runs conservation, education and health programs and invests US$1,000,000 per year into the community. Their lion population, since the beginning of its Simba Project, has increased more than 300%. Only local materials were used for the building project and not a single tree was cut down.
Photovoltaic panels are installed which generate 100% of the camps electricity needs. The camp crops and stores rain water and recycles both gray and black water with special filters imported from Europe. Each tented cottage has its own dedicated solar boiler, providing hot water in the bathrooms. All organic wastes are transformed into compost. The rest are selected for recycling when viable and, if not, get incinerated in a special incinerator built on a UN recommendation.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
