| Name of the facility | Ol Donyo Lodge |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Silver |
| Year opened | 2008 |
| Tourism region | Tsavo/Amboseli |
| County | Kajiado |
| Address | 28793-00502, Nairobi Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | 0737402044 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | greatplainsconservation.com |
| Facility Notes | Ol Donyo Lodge is located in Mbirikani Group Ranch. The facility lies on 600 acres of land under a lease period of 17 years which is renewable. The Lodge is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude: 02o 20.07’S and Longitude: 37o 16.30’ E. It has 10 guest tents with a bed capacity of 20 visitors and a total work force of 60 employees. The Mbirikani Group Ranch is mainly a conservation area protected as a game corridor by the Big Life Foundation and Great Plains Conservation. This corridor is important for the safe passage of wildlife between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. The Masai in this area use the land for grazing their cattle. Surrounding the group ranch is also conservation areas apart from Kimana which has also been mostly subdivided for farming. |
| Energy management | The facility’s main source of power is solar energy fixed with power inverter battery system. The lodge has solar water heater for heating water in the guest room, kitchen. In addition, there are four back up kuni boilers. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking both at the guests and staff quarters. Energy saving bulbs are installed throughout for energy conservation. Staff are sensitized on energy conservation through departmental briefings. |
| Environmental management | Ol Donyo Lodge is guided by its environmental policy which emphasizes the lodge commitment to environmentally friendly operations, sustainable practices and minimizing impact to the environment as much as possible. It also indicates commitment to legal compliance and community development. The facility has undertaken an annual self-Environmental Audit (EA) as required by EMCA 1999 (Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act.) |
| Chemical use | The lodge uses biodegradable bathroom amenities in the guest rooms, Diesel is stored in a 4500 liters underground tank. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Waste separation is conducted at the source, and the bins are clearly labeled. Plastic, glass and metallic waste are put in a waste holding area waiting for disposal via Great Plains head offices to recycling companies in Nairobi. Drinking water is served to guests in jugs so as to reduce on plastic waste |
| Water management | Main source of water for the lodge is obtained from Kajiado County. It is transported to the facility every day by bowser with a capacity of 16000 liters. It is then stored in a 2000-liter reservoir and supplied throughout the lodge via gravity. The lodge has a reverse osmosis water treatment for purifying drinking water. This has reduced on need to buy bottled water consequently reducing on plastic waste generation. The guest tents are installed with low shower filter heads and lift taps to reduce and monitor water use.The guest tents have dual flush toilet cisterns which reduce on the amount of water consumed per flush. Drip irrigation has been installed on the facility kitchen garden to reduce on water consumption |
| Visitor communication & education | Guests are briefed upon arrival on the lodge’s operations and environmental values. The guest tents are equipped with room information folders to brief the visitors on environmental conservation activities and initiatives. The lodge has a resource area (located at the main lounge) equipped with Publications such as Africa Geographic magazines, Books on Kenya, Birds of Kenya, mammals and Big Life Foundation projects |
| Pollution | Lighting at night, within the facility, is done through the use of low light emitting bulbs which reduce on light pollution. The kitchen is properly ventilated, aimed at enhancing the work conditions of the staff |
| Environmental conservation | The lodge offers low impact activities such as nature walks, bird watching, walking/hiking, biking, horse riding and game drives. Ol Donyo Lodge, through Great Plains Conservation (GPC), significantly supports Big Life Foundation which handles all conservation projects in Mbirikani Group Ranch and Chyulu Hills conservation area. |
| Waste water management | Effluent from the guest and staff 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. Water effluent sample tests are conducted in compliance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Water Quality) Regulations of 2006. |
| Purchasing and supplies | The facility purchases its products in bulk to reduce on packaging; fruits and vegetables are packed in re-usable crates whereas meat is packaged in freezers. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | Approximately 70% of the staff are from the local Masai community. Staff benefits include food, uniform, entertainment center, transport and accommodation. Staff accommodation is well maintained i.e. clean and well kept .There is a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues to the management. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | The lodge has in house trainings for its staff. The lodge has notice boards fixed within for staff communication. Employees are sensitized and briefed during departmental/daily/monthly meetings. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | The lodge contracts a local Masai dance group to perform cultural dance on request.Guests are offered a trip to the village to experience the Masai culture. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | The lodge purchases locally where possible. For instance, goat meat, maize and potatoes for staff meals are bought locally. All community projects are run by Big Life Foundation and the lodge. The lodge organizes village visits for clients to enhance their cultural experience and knowledge on Masai community. $20 is charged per guest and the proceeds go directly to the community. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | The lodge has a healthy and safety policy committed to compliance with relevant health and safety regulations, minimizing injuries and illness, communication to staff and visitors for continual improvement. The lodge has conducted a health and safety audit in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007. The facility has conducted medical check-ups for food and beverage handlers to ascertain their health fitness in compliances with Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254.The facility has a team of staff trained on first aid and fire-fighting skills. The lodge has an equipped medical first aid kit. Additionally, all the guide vehicles are equipped with first aid boxes. The lodge is subscribed to AMREF Flying Doctors Service for emergencies evacuations. Firefighting equipment including, fire extinguishers, fire blanket in the kitchen, are serviced and strategically placed within the facility. The facility provides protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as ear muffs, boots, uniform, gloves, and apron to the repairs and maintenance staff. Fire assembly points are properly marked and displayed within the facility. The lodge has conducted a fire safety audit in compliance with Factories and other places of work (Fire Risk Reduction) Rules 2007. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The camp has well defined Human Resource policy that guides against employment of minors. Minimum employment age is18 years. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 9th March 2018 |