| Name of the facility | Kicheche Mara Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Gold |
| Year opened | 2005 |
| Tourism region | Masai Mara/South Rift |
| County | Narok |
| Address | Head Office – Nairobi Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | 020- 2493569/ 020- 2601418 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | kicheche.com |
| Facility Notes | Mara North Conservancy covers an area of approximately 74000 acres (30,000 hectares) of land, bordering Maasai Mara National Reserve to the north therefore forming a critical part of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. The conservancy is a partnership between 12-member camps (tourism operators) and over 800 land owners; where land has been leased from individual Maasai land owners. The lease is for 15 years. |
| Energy management | The main source of power for the camp is solar energy. The solar system is fixed with a power inverter battery system.In addition, the facility has a 16KvA back-up generator that is used for welding Energy consumption records obtained are analyzed based on bed occupancy and used to set clear conservation targets. The information is also shared with staff for continuous improvement. The facility has 12 solar water heaters and one kuni boiler.The camp uses Charcoal briquettes for baking in a fuel-efficient oven. The briquettes are sourced from Nairobi. Guests are briefed on energy conservation on arrival and through information folders in the guest tents while staff is sensitized through staff meetings and departmental briefings. Energy saving bulbs are installed throughout the facility for energy conservation Rechargeable solar torches are used for lighting. The camp has a charcoal fridge for storing fruits and vegetables. |
| Environmental management | Kicheche is guided by -Kicheche Camp – corporate environmental policy outlining commitment to sound environmental management, compliance with relevant regulations, pollution prevention, creating awareness and promoting social responsibility The facility has an Environmental Management System (EMS) with clear management plans in water, energy and waste management.The facility has undertaken an Environmental Audit (EA) as required by EMCA 1999 (Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act.) NEMA reference number 5/2/332 |
| Chemical use | The facility uses biodegradable bathroom amenities from Cinnabar Green in the guest rooms. Material data sheet for the chemical are available. Fuel (Diesel) is stored in two tanks, each tank has a capacity of 2500litres.Gas storage area is caged (picture below) and precautionary signage well fixed. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Kicheche Bush Camp has a waste management policy with emphasis on the three R’s principle of Reduce, Re-use and RecycleWaste is well separated from source using clearly labeled bins. It is further segregated at the waste holding area. The facility also keeps an inventory (weight) of waste (types and quantity) generated for efforts aimed at waste monitoring at source and to create waste reduction targets.Organic waste is managed through a compost pit, which is well sealed to keep off scavengers The guest rooms have water dispensers for refills. In an effort to reduce plastic waste. The camp provides re-usable aluminum bottles for use by the guest while in the camp |
| Water management | Main source of water for the camp is a borehole. Water is solar pumped into a raised two storage reservoir with a total capacity of 10000litres and distributed via gravity to the entire premises. The camp has installed a meter at the main outlet to monitor water consumptions. Water consumption records obtained are analyzed based on bed occupancy and used to set clear conservation targets. The information is also shared with staff for continuous improvement. Rain water harvesting is also conducted to supplement the main source of water. The guests are also sensitized on minimum water use using signage and “towel talks” in the rooms to promote reuse of towels and linen. Low filter shower heads and lift taps fitted in the guest tents to reduce on water consumption. The camp has a charcoal- fridge which is fixed in a water drip system to reduce on water consumption. |
| Visitor communication & education | Booklets and room information folders are available at the public area. Publications such as Big Cat Diary, Books on Birds in Maasai Mara, Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations, and environmental values. The guest tents are equipped with room information folders to brief the visitors on environmental conservation activities and initiatives |
| Pollution | Low light emitting solar lanterns are used for lighting the pathways at night. |
| Environmental conservation | Through charging a conservancy fee to their guests, the facility contributes to the conservation of wildlife and their critical habitats within the Mara North Conservancy. Kicheche Mara charges its guest a conservancy fee of 250 USD per guest.The camp contributes conservancy fee, lease fees and bed night feeThe facility is unfenced thus allowing free movement of wildlife.The camp supports the Mara Predator Conservation, a conservation program that aims to conserve lions and Cheetah in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem. The project involves guides and visitors |
| Waste water management | Grey water from the kitchen flows through a grease trap then to a soak pit. Grease traps are cleaned once a week, this ensures that excess grease; fats and oils are timely removed.Effluent from the laundry and showers is managed through soak pits.Black water throughout the facility is managed through a system of septic tanks and soak pits. EM-1 is added to the septic tanks to facilitate sludge digestion.Water effluent tests are conducted in accordance with Environmental Management Co-ordination (Water Quality) regulations of 2006.Ref No. NEMA/WQ/EDL/2984. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Dry goods are bought in bulk to reduce on the packaging while meat is packaged in cool boxes |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | The staff at Kicheche Mara Camp have a staff committee that handles staff welfare. Employees are provided with, food, uniform, transport and accommodation facilities The staffs are paid in line with the minimum wage. The employees are given letters of appointment, code of conduct and job descriptions upon employment. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | Staff have been trained on firefighting skills and use of firefighting equipment. Also, the staff are regularly trained on basic First Aid Skills. Notice boards are used to facilitate communication to the staff. The staff are regularly trained per department for skills enhancement. The facility has ad hoc in house departmental staff training and sensitization The camp has an IT and English language training program targeted at interested staff. Training conducted at Mara Discovery Centre Staff are sent to Karen Blixen Hospitality School Forestry and Cooking Program to provide them with practical experience. The camp employs guides who are certified under the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association: (KPSGA). |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | – Kicheche Mara Camp promotes the local culture through following ways. Staff members dress in traditional Maasai clothes to promote the local culture. On special occasions the camp hosts local traditional dancers to entertain the visitors. The facility offers local villages visit. The visitors are sensitized on the local culture, engage in cultural dances, talks. The facility has a kid club program whereby kids are taught on how to throw spears, arrows and make fire. Every Sunday, visitors are provided with local cuisine to enhance their cultural experience. Local Elders and chiefs are invited to talks on the Maasai culture While conducting game drives, guides educate the guest on the Maasai culture |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | Benefits to local community/Community empowerment The facility employs staff primarily from the local area. This is in an effort to empower the local community. Approximately 70% of the permanent workers are from the local area. Casual labour is also sourced locally. Kicheche Valley has a Corporate Social Responsibility program which is implemented through Kicheche Community Trust. The Trust is based on four main pillars-health, education, community and conservation. Proceeds from the camp through the Trust are used on projects such as: Health Kicheche has supported Aitong Health clinic, the camp has donated medicines, medical books, maternity and water pump. The Kicheche community Trust also supports the Sponsored Art for Education a theater production group that create awareness on the issues such as HIV/AIDS, FGM and tribal violence. Education The trust gives bursaries to students in both primary and secondary. The trust also sponsors students at the Koiyaki Guiding School and employs several graduates as guides and trainee guides. The course focus on giving local Maasai a solid foundation in guiding disciplines Community empowerment The camp has helped develop the Mara discovery and Empowerment centre which is a community-based initiative whereby several self-help groups around Aitong have joined together to operate income generating activities such as tree nursery, beading groups and paper briquettes projects The camp also has a bee keeping project that is aimed at empowering the community through the provision of alternative income sources. The facility is a member of the pack for purpose an intuitive, where by visitors are encouraged to pack supplies that may be of need in the area they travel. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | Firefighting equipment, fire exits and fire assembly points have been clearly marked and strategically placed within the facility. Firefighting equipment has been inspected and properly serviced by Amintec Solution. Last date of service was 8th March 2018.Food handlers have undergone medical tests in compliance with Food, Drugs, and Chemical Substances Act. Cap 25. The facility has an emergency procedure and emergency contacts in place included in the room information folder within the guest rooms. The facility has a well-equipped first Aid box. All the vehicles are also equipped with first Aid kits. The staff have been trained on basic First aid. Last training was in October 2017 The camp has a health and safety policy committed to compliance with relevant health and safety regulations, minimizing injuries and illness, communication to staff and visitor for continual improvement The camp is linked to (AMREF) Flying Doctors services and charter air services for emergency response. Medical services for the employees are referred to Aitong health Clinic. the facility has a doctor on call for guests and staff from Karen Blixen Camp The camp has conducted a fire safety audit to comply with factories and other places of work. Safety and precautionary signage such as highly flammable are installed in strategic areas within the camp. The facility has conducted a safety and health audit to comply with the Occupational safety and health act 2007. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The camp has a child policy against child labour, abuse and human rights |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 10th November 2017 |
Kicheche Mara Camp
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