Masai Mara safari and beach vacation, Kenya

Planet

In terms of its own ecological ‘foot' print, the Kenyan camps abide by a code of responsible practice in relation to: energy conservation (inverter systems have recently been installed so as to reduce the camp's use of diesel-fuelled generators), waste recycling (glass, plastics, ‘wet waste' and the distribution of food-waste to local pig-farmers), sewage disposal, air emissions, non-CFC use, pesticide-use, noise reduction and visual pollution.

Wherever possible, local produce is featured on the menus. A tree-nursery is run, supplying over 30,000 seedlings to the local community. Working with local schools and other bodies to encourage tree-planting within the area, we also arrange tree-planting activities amongst our own staff and guests.Tents are thatched using sustainably harvested local grass and using traditional methods and local workers.

The company that owns the camps takes pro-active steps to ensure the properties and tourism activities are run in an environmentally responsible manner. This is important in protecting the fragile ecosystems in which they operate and that wildlife and local people rely upon for their survival.

Guests are informed about the various conservation projects that occur in this region and the impact on wildlife is assisted by limiting the number of vehicles around a sighting in the private conservancies.

People

The camps we use all Implement corporate social responsibility initiatives to benefit local communities.

This includes strengthening the local community through training and employment of its members in the tourism sector and facilitating the sale of their hand craft products. This gives the community prospects, training and self-improvement options. This includes working with IT systems, learning about lodge management, ranger and guiding skills and also activities at every level within the camps.

Local community members are employed in the camps, with good working conditions, training opportunities, prospects for the future and a fair wage.

To this end, a dedicated environmental team - made up of members of the local community - manage the day-to-day running of the reserve, ensuring its long-term biological diversity and sustainability.

Cultural Sensitivity
They have in partnership with the local community developed a Responsible Code of Visitor Behaviour that is shared with guests before they go into the community for village visits so as to protect traditional cultures and minimize the impacts of tourism on living culture. They also provide guests with an Insider's Guide to Responsible Safaris which includes important cultural aspects.