| Name of the facility | Rekero Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Gold |
| Year opened | 1987 |
| Tourism region | Masai Mara/South Rift |
| County | Narok |
| Address | Narok Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | +254 20 232 4904 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | asiliaafrica.com |
| Facility Notes | Rekero Camp is located inside Masai Mara National Reserve close to the confluence of Rivers Mara and Talek. The facility was opened in 1987. It is owned and managed by Asilia Africa and consists of nine (9) guest tents with total bed capacity of 20. The camp has employed 24 permanent staff members for its operations. It is operational for ten (10) months in a year. |
| Energy management | Solar energy is used to heat water for the guest showers as stipulated in the Solar Water Heating Regulation. The camp runs on solar with reinforcement from a generator with 12.5 KvA for all freezers and fridges. The facility has 12 solar panels in total with an output of 250W each. Energy metering and sub-metering has been done to departments such as kitchen and guest tents. Records of energy consumption of both solar and generator is done digitally. The camp also has petroleum fuel (diesel and petrol) for vehicles. Diesel is stored in a five (5) tonne tank which is dispensed using a nozzle Energy saving bulbs and LED’s are installed in all guest tents to conserve energy and reduce light pollution. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking in the entire facility. Guests are briefed on energy conservation upon arrival. Staff are educated on energy conservation and efficiency through regular briefings. The camp uses a charcoal fridge for its fruits and vegetables pump for digital monitoring. Petrol on the other hand is stored in 6 metallic, cylindrical drums of 150 litres each. |
| Environmental management | The facility has the latest Environmental audit report as per NEMA requirements, conducted in November 2016 Rekero Camp is driven by the parent company -Asilia Africa policy which puts emphasis on commitment to responsible tourism, environmental protection, resources conservation, compliance to relevant legislations, support to local communities and sustainability in areas of operations. It also has a detailed environmental management system with management plans in water, energy and waste. |
| Chemical use | Gas is bought in bulk in 6 50kg-cylinders and well secured in cages and precautionary signage well fixed The camp uses Johnson Diversy products in its laundry, kitchen and public areas. They also have hygiene reports from Diversy. Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals are available. Additionally, camp staff are equipped with knowledge on handling and proper use of these chemicals. Biodegradable bathing soaps and shampoos supplied by Cinnabar Green are used in the guest tents. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Waste is separated at source and the bins are well labeled and well distributed throughout the facility. It is afterwards transported to Mara Bush House for collection and transportation to Nairobi for disposal Guests going on game drive are issued will a personal refillable aluminum bottles which they take with them after their stay at the camp while glass wine bottles are taken to Kitengela glass for recycling. Solid waste is weighed daily per bed occupancy with the aim of reducing waste generated per stay. In the effort to reduce plastic use, the facility uses refillable 20 litres water bottles to store water cleansed by reverse osmosis process. The water is later distributed using refillable glass bottles. Organic waste (food waste) is sorted at source and stored in the waste management center. Food waste is stored in a properly sealed compost pit to keep away vermin and scavenging animals; ash is used to contain the oduor. |
| Water management | Water meters have been installed at the major outlet and major water consumption points like the guest tents and kitchen to monitor usage. Daily meter readings and recording is done digitally. Visitors are sensitized on sustainable water consumption on arrival; this includes a well written towel talk within the guest rooms. The camp stores water in tanks with a total capacity of 28000 litres. Alum flocculent is used to settle sediments in the water which is finally treated with chlorine before distribution for use. Borehole construction is underway and the proper paper work has been done to allow for the process to proceed. This is includes an extraction license. They are currently obtaining water from Musiara springs which is transported to the facility by a vehicle. Proper signage on water conservation is placed in all key water consumption points like the kitchen and laundry area. |
| Visitor communication & education | Reading materials on wildlife and community are placed strategically in the sitting area/reception for use by guests at their convenience Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations and environmental values. The guest tents are equipped with information on notice boards on environmental conservation and operations of the camp. |
| Pollution | Wax candles are used to light up dinners and rechargeable torches used for movement around the camp at night. The facility is phasing out generator dependent appliances including usage in the staff quarters which will reduce the amount of carbon emissions. The facility carries out automated diesel usage recording which is then totaled up mid and end moth. From this figure, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is then obtained and corrective measures put in place. Muffler (soundproofing device to prevent noise pollution) has been installed in the generator. |
| Environmental conservation | The facility donates 5USD per bed night to Asilia Giving which is accumulatively shared out to various conservation programs The camp participates in the Mara Managers’ forum where they discuss various challenges facing the ecosystem and the possible -Rekero camp, through Asilia, significantly supports Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) with focus on the Mara Cheetah project. The camp’s guides are trained and actively involved with the cats monitoring. Due to its location inside the reserve, Rekero works closely with neighboring Olare Orok Conservancy. The camp is a major partner in the campaign against poaching with Lupita Nyong’o as the face of the World Aid campaign. The camp contributes both financial and technical assistance through the Asilia giving drive to ensure the success of the campaign against poaching solutions. The facility amid the disturbance by elephants has planted orange leaved crotons and intends on doing so monthly to increase their survival. This is in the effort to replace the trees destroyed by elephants. Apart from Mara cheetahs, the facility also supports the rhino project financially. |
| Waste water management | Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through an improvised grease trap before draining into the soak pits. The grease traps are cleaned on a monthly basis. Black water effluent is managed through septic tanks which then drain into soak pits. The camp has a total of 8 septic tanks each with a soak pit. |
| Purchasing and supplies | The facility also obtains its vegetables from and meat from the local community Meat is bought and packed in cool boxes while fruits and vegetables are packed in re-usable crates during transportation. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | The employees are given letters of appointment, code of conduct and job descriptions upon employment. The facility provides opportunities for staff refresher courses online through the Cape Town staff training system called lobster Inc. This is a video training system which also allows for online certification and examination. Employees are provided with, food, medical cover, uniform, entertainment centre, transport and accommodation facilities. Staff accommodation is well maintained. The staffs are paid in line with the country’s minimum wage regulations. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | Employees have been trained on firefighting skills and use of firefighting equipment by Morrison Engineering. Notice boards are used to facilitate communication to the staff. The camp also conducts in-house trainings – each department has a training schedule, with minimum requirement of one training every month – based on the arising training needs and, environmental awareness and conservation issues. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | The facility has literature on the Maasai community and culture.eg the “Voice of the Mara” and “Broken Spears” these two books praise and shed light on the auspicious Maasai ceremonies for the knowledge of the guests. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | Through participating in the Mara Managers forum, the facility has managed to discuss matters affecting both the community and the conservation area. For example, cleanliness of the park, recycling and road maintenance. The camp through its Asilia management runs “Twende Porini”, where 10-15 year old children are educated on wildlife management through trips to protected areas. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | The facility provides protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as boots, uniform, gloves, apron to the staff. Firefighting equipment including, fire hose rails, automatic fire extinguishers, and fire blanket in the kitchen are strategically placed and duly serviced. The staff is trained on fire fighting and first Aid. 5 members of the staff are trained on advanced First Aid. The fire assembly point is stationed at an accessible point and well labeled. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The camp has well defined Human Resource policy that guides against employment of minors. Minimum employment age is 18 years. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 10th November 2017 |
