| Name of the facility | Naibor Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Bronze |
| Year opened | 2007 |
| Tourism region | Masai Mara/South Rift |
| County | Narok |
| Address | Talek River within Masai Mara National Reserve Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | +254 (0)729406582 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | naibor.com |
| Facility Notes | Naibor Camp is located along Talek River within Masai Mara National Reserve on GPS coordinates latitude 36M 0730849 and longitude UTM 9842501. The facility has 12 tents with a maximum bed capacity of 24 and a total of 24 permanent staff for its operations. The Maasai Mara National Reserve covers approximately 1,510 km2 under the management of Narok County. The Reserve is in the northern portion of the Mara Serengeti eco-system, which covers 25,000 km2 straddling Tanzania and Kenya. Serengeti Park borders the Reserve to the south, Siria (or Oloololo) Escarpment in the west and community-owned conservancies to the North and East of the reserve. There are about 95 species of mammals and 570 species of birds. The Reserve is famous for hosting the wildebeest migration, which is dubbed as the ‘8th Wonder of the World’. The migration occurs from the months of July to September. The Great Migration involves wildebeests, Thomson’s gazelles, Topi, elands, and zebras. These migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by predators, most notably lions and hyenas. The Mara is home to the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo, and Black Rhinoceros). Large herds of zebra are found through the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai giraffe. The large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely present elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders. The climate of the region is mainly warm and dry; with hot days and cool evenings. The rainy season is in April-May and November. The dry season occurs from July to October. |
| Energy management | The camp mainly relies on solar for power. Each guest tent is fixed with solar rechargeable battery system to provide power for lighting. Solar power is also used for running refrigerants. The facility has a central charging system for all other electrical equipment. Water heating for the camp is conducted through efficient kuni boilers which are insulated for energy efficiency. Liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG) is used for guests cooking. The staff is sensitized on energy conservation through departmental briefings whereas visitors are sensitized on arrival briefings. Also, guest tents are fitted with room information sensitizing visitors on energy conservation. The guest tents are fixed with main switches and the night guards are sensitized to switch off unnecessary lights. Also, Energy saving bulbs is installed throughout for energy conservation |
| Chemical use | The facility uses biodegradable bathroom amenities such as soaps and shampoos in the guest tents. Fuel (diesel, petrol and paraffin) is stored in 200 litre tanks while gas is bought in 25 and 50 kg cylinders. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Waste separation at the facility is conducted at source. The bins are clearly labelled and the staff sensitized on waste separation and management at source. The waste is put in holding area for further sorting before disposal via Nairobi central office for recycling. Organic waste is composted in a compost pit which is well enclosed to keep off scavengers |
| Water management | The main source of water for the camp is obtained from River Talek where it is pumped, treated and stored in reservoirs with a total capacity of 24,000 litres for distribution via gravity to the entire premises. Drinking water is bought in 20 litre bottles. The camp is fitted with safari showers ‘20 litre bucket shower system’ fixed with low shower filter heads to reduce and monitor water use. There is a charcoal fridge for storing perishables such as fruits and vegetables. Drip irrigation is used to cool the fridge – an initiative meant to conserve water. Visitors are sensitized on water conservation through room information folders and staff through sensitization. |
| Visitor communication & education | Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the environmental principles and values of Naibor Camp. Further, room information folders, booklets and magazines are made available at the guest tents with information about Masai Mara National Reserve, wildlife conservation and the Masai community. |
| Pollution | Low light emitting paraffin lanterns are used to light the pathways to reduce on light pollution. |
| Environmental conservation | Naibor camp is built on low impact, with beige canvas tents that blend in with the natural surroundings and gravel pathways to demarcate way while natural vegetation is undisturbed. The camp supports the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project through guides’ volunteers to assist in monitoring cheetah populations within the reserve as well as the Black Rhino Anti-poaching Unit through provisions of 200 litres of diesel on monthly basis to facilitate the program officers in their monitoring work. Visitors are involved more in the camp’s conservation initiatives in order to raise their environmental awareness. This is achieved through information packages which are placed in the room folders within the guest tents. They are also encouraged to engage in low impact activities such as village visits, nature treks, game drives and bird watching. |
| Waste water management | Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through a grease trap to filter out oils and grease before draining into a soak pit. Grey waste water from the laundry, guest rooms and staff quarters is managed via soak pits. Black water within the facility, guest area, public areas and staff quarters is managed through a septic tank which is fixed with access manholes. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Fruits and Vegetables are packed in reusable crates while meat and dairy products are stored in freezers. Dry goods are bought in bulk where possible to reduce on packaging material and packed in re-usable containers. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | employees have a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | Staff briefings are held at departmental level on daily basis for planning activities. Notice boards are also available for staff communication |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | Naibor Camp offer village visits for an authentic cultural experience at the local village. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | Naibor Camp provides employment opportunities to the locals. Approximately 70% of employees are from the local Masai community. Also, the facility pays lease and bed night fees to local individual land owners on a monthly basis. The camp organizes village visits for guests where they buy curios and other cultural artefacts directly from the local community. Charges are $25 per guest. The facility further supports the Naibor community clinic in Talek which serves the local community. Support is through medical supplies and a solar fridge for medicine storage. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | The camp has a Health Clearance Certificate from the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and medical check-ups for all food and beverage handlers are up to date in compliance with the Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. First aid kits are available at the main office and in all game drive vehicles, while guest tents are equipped with radio calls and flash lights for emergency response. Medical emergencies are referred to Naibor clinic in Talek and emergency air evacuations can be provided. Fire-fighting equipment is available within the facility while personal protective equipment (PPE) such as boots, uniform, gloves, apron etc. is provided for staff. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The facility does not employ any person below the legal working age of 18 years. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 13th March 2018 |
