Highlights of Kenya holiday in luxury

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION:
This luxury itinerary has been designed to ensure that it has a positive impact on the planet. We encourage travellers to plan a longer trip farther away and stay longer in one place instead of taking multiple short trips each year. For example Hemingways Ol Seki Mara buy milk and meat from the local herdsman for the camp staff which reduces the miles the food has been transported as well and supporting the local communities livelihoods.
Hemingways Nairobi operates an internal eco-system of water and energy conservation and sustainable waste management whilst all of their produce is locally sourced and supporting local farmers livelihoods.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE:
When in conservation areas, it is vital that we hand-pick lodges that have a positive impact on the environment and actively preserve this for future generations. Hemingways Ol Seki Mara together with Naboisho Conservancy are involved in many conservation projects aiming to conserve the land and wildlife and be able to aid the local Masai communities having a sustainable livelihood. Hemingways Watamu recognises the importance to limit the impact on the environment wherever possible especially given the hotels location within the marine ecosystem. Other areas the hotel has focused on is the waste water treatment systems and rain water harvesting plus many others.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY:
It is very important that we promote small boutique lodges that have a positive impact on their surroundings and give back to the local community by supporting local small businesses and employing from the local area. We make a special effort to recommend lodges that support local businesses by supplying local produce and selling local handicrafts and artwork. Hemingsways Ol Seki Mara support local craftswomen in the local village who sell their creations to the guests. Revenue from the village visits and from the sale of souvenirs have contributed to educating the village children and have enabled the women to buy donkeys to aid their long journey to market. Hemingways Watamu have had important involvement maintaining roads and support local schools and clinics.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY:
All the guides referred to in this itinerary are employed locally and offer incredible knowledge about the history and communities of Kenya. We believe it is essential to have local guides as this provides a more authentic and cultural experience for travellers. Employing local guides ensures money goes back into the local community. We also ensure that the accommodation used in this itineraries also have strong inclusive policies and strict equal opportunities policy. Over 60% of the camp staff at Hemingways Ol Seki Mara are local Maasai, many of whom have never gone to school so they are provided training to them to develop professional skills which helps support their families.