Kenya guided wildlife vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Wherever possible, accommodations used on this itinerary source all the food required for their menus from the rich farmland areas nearby, thus not only allowing us to ensure that it is garden fresh, but also to continue with our traditional support and commitment to our surrounding agricultural communities. This also cuts down on needing to transport food unnecessarily from other areas.

In the Masai Mara, the lodge abides by a code of responsible practice in relation to energy conservation, ( eg at the lodge in Amboseli, inverter systems have recently been installed so as to reduce the lodge's use of diesel-fuelled generators),waste recycling (glass, plastics, ‘wet waste' ), sewage disposal, air emissions, non-CFC use, pesticide-use, noise reduction and visual pollution.

In Amboseli, the lodge has worked in cooperation with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in hosting an ambitious afforestation programme for Amboseli.
The lodges’ procurement strategy thrives through local sourcing. At all costs, they encourage and promote local community based suppliers and eco-friendly products - fresh food stuff is purchased from local farmers and companies that support small scale producers and dis-advantaged groups. Suppliers are informed of the standard of quality and cleanliness expected of them, and if a gap is identified offers training to the local entrepreneurs to the extent on how to strengthen their business skills, record keeping, setting up a bank account and how to acquire working capital to bridge credit periods. Suppliers are also encouraged to reduce packaging or package in recyclable/biodegradable material and comply with international human rights and labor standards. All the entrepreneurial opportunities are geared towards empowering local communities to benefit in sustainable income, food security and improved health and nutrition to more households thus improving the quality of life.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The guides used on these itineraries have many years' experience at guiding in this region, so advise guests on wildlife, keeping a good distance from the animals and also the impact on the park from their visit.

The trip includes fees for conservation charged by the National Parks in Kenya, which go towards conservation of the area, research into wildlife movement and behaviour, and minimising the impact of tourism on the environment.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The properties used in the itinerary focus on providing opportunity to the local community through: purchasing fresh food stuff; selling artifacts and handicrafts from various local community groups in their gift shops; and skills development and employment through work-training opportunities that allows youth to gain marketable skills leading to meaningful work. They enhance guest experience by exposing them to the diverse range of local cultures and ethnic groups through art, dance, song, musical and theatrical displays whilst economically empowering the local people.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Lodges used in this itinerary have established an Employee Wellness Programme, which aims to address the holistic health needs of not only lodge staff, but also of the communities that surround the lodges. In essence, the programme is devoted to reducing the incidence of accident and illness in the workplace, promoting healthy lifestyles, maximizing potential, and promoting optimum quality of life. A wide range of campaigns is currently taking place, each tailored to the specific needs of the area in which it is located. Prevalent campaigns include; health and safety in the work place, HIV/AIDS, sexual harassment, gender equality and drug and alcohol abuse. The lodges offer subsidized medical care to the local community - particularly in relation to maternal care and child-immunization; also in relation to HIV/AIDS sensitization.

These lodges also support local orphanages and hospitals, mostly via the provision of food stuffs, but also by means of voluntary support visits by their staff.