Great Migration in Kenya with Zanzibar extension

Planet

We understand the importance of tourism impact on environment. Therefore it is important to us to ensure ethical framework, in-depth risk and environmental analyses and a policy of constant innovation. It has contributed towards economic growth, development of tourism and a range of ancillary services, development of local human resources, as well as conservation of cultural and natural heritage, while reducing the ecological foot print of its properties to the minimum possible.
There are few properties in this itinerary that are doing an excellent work in terms of environment and communities and this has to be highlighted. Serena hotel group with Sweetwaters Serena Camp have retained GOLD Eco-Rating Certificationby Eco TourismSociety of Kenya since 2013 respectively. A ‘Gold Eco-rating’ is awarded to facilities that have shown innovation in responsible resource use, environmental conservation, community empowerment, cultural preservation and promotion and holistic business practices.

Some of the notable projects Serena Camps were commended for but not limited to includes:

Trees planted by our guests, staff and the local community school children. Both camps have their own seedling nursery with efforts focused on reforestation while in the recent past, on agroforestry which includes the planting of fruit and herb trees. Whilst contributing towards reducing our carbon footprint, it is hoped that this will enhance food security in the long run.

Has made conscious efforts to reduce ‘single-use plastic’ through initiatives such as: transitioning to a replenishable large format of guest amenities that replaces the traditional single-use miniature bottled shampoo, shower gel and lotion; elimination of plastic straws; and transitioning to the use of glass mineral water bottles from single-use plastic mineral water bottles.

Lake Elmenteita Serena and Sweetwaters Serena both run on a grid-tied solar system and have solar water heating systems.
Water conservation is achieved through efficient laundry and kitchen washing process formulations and wastewater recycling. Treated effluent water is re-used for irrigation and the excess effluent is let back into the environment.
Serena Hotels continues to play its part by aligning its programs towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These help to direct the Company’s sustainable development agenda by aiming to inspire its various stakeholders take a wider consideration encompassing a long-term view when making business decisions.
Sarova Hotel Group: Sarova won Energy Management Awards (EMA) 2014
Energy Management Awards (EMA) is an annual award that promotes excellence in energy management & recognizes enterprises that have achieved significant reduction in their energy consumption through implementation of energy efficient measures and technologies.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort: With Sopa’s traditional and conscientious care for the environment, we carefully positioned all the buildings on our property so we did not have to fell any of the many trees there. As a result of this, we had to come up with a radically innovative and artistic design for the main public area building which now snakes its way between the trees with long and graceful curves.

People

Our specialist team designs each and every vacations with responsible vacations and ethical tourism approach.
We always ensure that our clients contributes to local communities directly or often indirectly.
During our tours we recommend small and locally own businesses and places that contribute to make the difference to people.

There are few lodges and hotels that deserves attention during this tour, as they are doing excellent job for local communities.
Sweetwaters Serena Camp is doing excellent work to support local communities . Serena Hotel Group supports and empowers the local community through the provision of employment, training, internships, priority towards sourcing of fresh food produce, sale of artefacts and handicrafts from the local community groups at the gift shops amongst others.

It strived to bring best practices in social, cultural, environmental and economic development to some of the most deprived, remotest and yet alluring but most fragile areas in the world. Whilst developing its properties in areas relatively excluded from globalization, Serena Hotels relies on an ethical framework, in-depth risk and environmental analyses and a policy of constant innovation. It has contributed towards economic growth, development of tourism and a range of ancillary services, development of local human resources, as well as conservation of cultural and natural heritage, while reducing the ecological foot print of its properties to the minimum possible.


Serena Hotels has integrated its initiatives under three key focus areas namely, Responsible Business, Environment and Community Engagement under the definition of “Sustainability.” Sarova hotels aims to impact surrounding communities and build a sustainable future.

Lake Nivasha Sopa Lodge: Sopa Lodges: achieving a Silver Eco-Rating, bringing the total to four properties with this level of certification.

Ecotourism Kenya, defines Ecotourism as ‘the involvement of tourists in environmental conservation activities directly linked to addressing human development needs, and promotes equitable sharing of benefits accrued from tourism with local communities while supporting their nature conservation values’. Their vision is to bring together conservation, communities and tourism in a responsible manner and the principles governing ecotourism include;

Encourage travel to natural areas
Minimize impact of tourism activities on natural attractions
Recognize and build awareness about local conservation values and their importance to society
Provide direct benefits and empowerment for local people at destinations without retrogression on environmental, cultural or local living standards.
Respect local people, their customs and culture
Support sustainable development of local economies through direct involvement and participatory decision-making
Ecotourism Kenya conducted an on-site eco-rating assessment audit of the resort, for the purpose of certifying the tourist accommodation facility’s compliance to ecotourism principles and best practices. Sopa Lodges continue to support and develop the local community and strive to ensure our carbon footprint is kept at a minimum.
Marasa Hotel Group with The Ark Hotel is making difference to the communities too: Marasa Africa is delighted to affiliate itself with an outstanding initiative called Pack For a Purpose.
The idea behind this is that those fortunate to travel to other countries have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the communities they visit. It is easy for the guests that would like to make a small, easy, but meaningful contribution to the local community. They can view their needs list at the Pack For a Purpose website. The project supported by The Ark, is Ikumari Primary School.