| Name of the facility | Satao Elerai Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Silver |
| Year opened | 2007 |
| Tourism region | Tsavo/Amboseli |
| County | Kajiado |
| Address | P.O. Box 90653 – 80100 Mombasa Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | +254 (0)20 2434600/1/2/3 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | sataoelerai.com |
| Facility Notes | Satao Elerai is located on a 5000-acre private conservation area 10 kilometers south east of Amboseli National Park on the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The facility was established in 2007 and is owned by the local community and managed by Satao Elerai Limited. The conservancy was established by the local community through the support of AWF (African Wildlife Foundation), with Southern Cross safaris as the investor. The aim of the initiative is to reduce land degradation, promote conservation and ensure local community benefits. A committee is established from the local people, AWF and the investor to promote the management of the conservancy. |
| Energy management | The facility is mainly powered by generators. There are two (2) generators with a power output of 60 KvA and 35 KvA respectively. They provide power for lighting, refrigeration, water heating and running electrical equipment. Power rationing is conducted by reducing generator running time to less than 10 hours in a day. Energy saving bulbs have been installed throughout the camp for energy efficiency. The facility has invested in renewable energy (solar) in water heating. This is done as stipulated in the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2012 which states that if you are using over 100 liters per day you should invest in solar. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking for guests and staff. The storage area for the guest kitchen cylinders is well secured for safety purposes. Guests are briefed on energy conservation upon arrival whereas staff is sensitized during departmental meetings on monthly basis. The facility uses energy saving jikos for barbeque to reduce on the amount of charcoal fuel used. |
| Environmental management | The camp has undertaken an annual Environmental Audit (EA) as required by EMCA 1999 (Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act. Ref No. NEMA/RVP/EA/0679. The facility is also involved in the management of the Satao Community and Wildlife Trust. The facility as a community enterprise is primarily the manager of the conservancy. Additionally, Satao Elerai is run on a conservation/environmental mission statement which is well displayed at the reception for everyone’s use. |
| Chemical use | The facility uses biodegradable bathroom amenities within the guest tents sourced from Cinnabar Green Ltd. Fuel (Diesel and petrol) is stored in tanks of 200 liters. The storage area is partitioned for diesel and petrol. Precautionary and safety signage is well mounted on the store. Gas is bought in 5 cylinders of 35kg and 2cylinders of 13kg. MSDS are available for all chemicals used in the camp. Swimming pool chemicals consumption records are properly kept to monitor chemical usage. The camp’s pool uses organic chemicals such as algaecide. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | The facility uses well labeled step-on bins within the lodge and waste is separated at source. The waste -Plastics, metallic waste (tins), glass (waste bottles) – is then stored in a waste management area where there is further segregation before disposal. On the other hand, organic waste is given to the local community for rearing pigs. The facility also keeps an inventory of waste (types and quantity) generated for efforts aimed at waste reduction at source and to establish prior disposal points. This led to their decision of replacing plastic bottles with refillable glass bottles in the guest rooms. |
| Water management | Water here is valued therefore conserved with great intensity; the main source of water for Satao Elerai Camp is a borehole located within the premises. The water is pumped and stored in five (5) reservoirs with a total capacity of 45,000 liters. It flows via gravity to the entire premises. A water meter is fixed at the main outlet to monitor usage through monthly record keeping. Low pressure shower heads and dual flush toilet cisterns are fitted in the guest tents. The camp has “towel talk” signs in the guest rooms encouraging visitors to re-use of towels, to enhance water conservation |
| Visitor communication & education | Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations and environmental values. Each tent has an information folder for briefing guests about conservation and facility operations |
| Pollution | Pollution is kept on the minimum. For instance, the guest kitchen is properly ventilated with mesh windows and a hood to allow for proper air circulation. To reduce on noise pollution, the generator is fixed with a muffler system and the room is properly insulated. The camp uses torches with low light emitting bulbs at night to reduce on light pollution. In an effort to reduce emissions, the Camp is introducing a hybrid power system. The system runs primarily on solar energy but also incorporated limited run time on a diesel generator. |
| Environmental conservation | Satao Elerai conducts environmental clean ups every chance it gets in the effort to improve its surrounding as environmental stewards. The facility is also facing out the use of plastic bottles in the guest tents and replacing them with refillable glass bottles. In addition, the facility in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation is involved in elephant monitoring, sensitization and awareness creation to safeguard the conservancy and these species. |
| Waste water management | The facility practices proper waste water management through monitoring the cleaning of the swimming pool and keeping records for chemical use. Environmentally friendly chemicals are used. Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through a grease trap before passing through a sand and charcoal filter after which it drains into an animal watering hole. Black water within the facility is managed through 6 septic tanks connected to soak pits. EM1 (biological enzyme) is added to the septic tanks to enhance sludge digestion. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Vegetables and fruits are packed in reusable crates while where possible dry goods are bought in bulk to reduce on the packaging. These are supplied locally based on booking requirements. The camp also sources fuel and water locally from Kimana. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | Basic Staff benefits at the lodge include food, health insurance, uniform, entertainment, transport and accommodation. The facility has a staff welfare committee that meets regularly to deal with staff issues with the management. The staff is sensitized and briefed during departmental/daily briefing meetings. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | The camp has notice boards fixed within for staff communication. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | The camp conducts village visits for the guests to sample the. Guests buy curios directly from the local women who in the process discuss their culture in the effort to educate them. The artwork and décor within the camp depicts and promotes the local Maasai Culture authentic local culture. The camp also conducts bush dinners in within the conservancy accompanied with local Maasai dances to showcase the culture of the people. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | 85% of the employees in the facility are drawn from the local community. Satao Elerai which is a community owned conservancy is under the management of the facility meaning the successes brought about by it like monetary value is utilized to develop the community. A bed-night fee of USD 8 per guest is paid to the land owners as lease fees by through the Community Wildlife Trust. The facility donates 200 liters of fuel to the community every month which aids in the running of the borehole pump among other things. The facility sponsored the construction and running of Elerai Olkraru Primary School, which currently has 86 pupils and 4 teachers. The facility supports local enterprise of pig rearing through giving out their organic waste to the community. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | Firefighting equipment including fire extinguishers, fire electric alarm, are serviced (servicing conducted on June 2017 by Firefox Kenya Ltd) and strategically placed within the facility. Fire assembly points and fire alarm are clearly marked and respectively installed. First aid kits are available within the lodge. Fire emergency evacuation procedures are well documented in the guest tents and the nearest fire assembly points noted. Medical checkups have been conducted for all kitchen staff (food and beverage handlers) in June 2017 in compliance with the Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. Satao Elerai has conducted a fire audit in compliance with Factories and other places of work (Fire Risk Reduction) Rules 2007. The lodge has conducted a Health and Safety Audit in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. The staff trained on first aid and fire-fighting skills for their own safety. The pool has been marked for safety purposes of both staff and guests. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The facility does not employ any person below the legal working age. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 12th March 2018 |
