Little Governors Camp

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Name of the facility	Little Governors Camp
Certification Achieved	Gold
Year opened	1976
Tourism region	Masai Mara/South Rift
County	Lamu
Address	Masai Mara National Reserve Map It
Telephone/Mobile	+254 722 715306
Email	[email protected]
Website	governorscamp.com
Facility Notes	Little Governors Camp is located in the Northern part of the Masai Mara National Reserve. The camp is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude 36M 0727090 and Longitude UTM 98588154. It has 17 guest tents with a bed capacity of 34visitors and a total work force of 76 employees. The Reserve is famous for hosting the wildebeest migration, which is dubbed as the ‘8th Wonder of the World’. It is home to the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo, and Black Rhinoceros). 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.
Energy management	Generators are the main source of power for the Little Governors Camp. The facility has three generators with power output capacity of 60 KvA, 100 KvA and 150 KvA. The power is connected to inverter power systems which operate when the generators are off. The energy is used for lighting the Camp and running the refrigerators. The generators are rationed and their fuel consumption recorded as an energy monitoring tool. Further they are serviced to enhance their efficiency. As an innovate measure, Little Governors has harvested ‘generator hot exhaust fumes’ to be used in water heating for staff quarters. Energy Saving bulbs and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) have been installed throughout the Camp. The Camp uses Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) both for staff and guests cooking. Chardust and sustainable charcoal briquettes obtained from Chardust Limited and Muhoroni Sugar Company respectively are used for guest warming in the evening. 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.
Environmental management	Little Governors Camp has a working or piece-meal environmental policy with emphasis on environmental conservation, protection and well-being of the local community. The camp has an environmental management plan with monitoring action plans on waste (solid and effluent), water and energy conservation, and health and safety. The camp raises staff awareness on proper environmental management through briefings and posters pinned on the staff notice board. Also, there is an environmental day organized weekly where clean-up activities are carried out.
Chemical use	Biodegradable bathing soaps and solutions are used within the camp. Shower products are supplied by Cinnabar Green. The facility purchases its LPG gas in bulk packaged and distributed by Total Kenya. There are six (6) gas storage tanks each weighing two (2) tones. The gas is shared by Governors Balloon Safaris – sister company to Governors. Petrol and Diesel is stored in underground tanks of 9,500 litres and 13,500 litres respectively. The tanks are fixed with fuelling pumps.
Conservation Criteria
Community Criteria
Solid waste management	Waste separation (paper, plastics, metals glass and organic) is conducted at source and later put in larger waste collection section for disposal via Governors Head office to recycling industries/companies in Nairobi. The waste collection bins are well labelled. Organic food waste is composted in a properly fitted and caged pit within the facility. Water at the restaurant is specifically purified through reverse osmosis system. A measure that has reduced on plastic waste production.
Water management	The Camp obtains its water from a borehole within the facility. The water is pumped and stored in four (4) reservoir tanks with an average capacity of 40,000 litres for distribution throughout the premises. A water meter has been installed at source to monitor usage. The camp has a water extraction permit. Guest tents are equipped with notices or information sheet to request visitors to use water sparingly. In addition, the showers are fixed with low shower filter heads aimed at water conservation. Further, guests are sensitized on water conservation efforts by the management upon arrival. They are also “towel talk” signs in the guest tents encouraging guests to re-use their towels to reduce on water usage
Visitor communication & education	Little Governors Camp has a visitors’ resource area equipped with reading material including environmental publications, wildlife and travel magazines, and nature conservation magazines such as Africa Geographic, Books on Kenya, Birds of Kenya. Guests are briefed upon arrival on the values of the camp and camp operations. Booklets and room information folders are available at the resource information section (restaurant section) and guest rooms respectively.
Pollution	The generators are fixed with mufflers (sound reducing device). Further they are placed in a sound proof room. LPG gas is well stored in a secure cage away from potential interference. Low light bulbs are used to reduce on light pollution.
Environmental conservation	Little Governors is built on a low environmental footprint; and blends well with the surroundings. Little Governor’s camp supports the Mara Predator Project, a conservation initiative working to monitor lion’s ecology and enhance. The initiative involves tour guides and visitors identifying lions and reporting on their sightings. Through the mother company Governors Camp; Little Governors camp supports Mara-Meru cheetah project. A research program aimed at identification of behavioral adaptations and assessment of impact of social structure on reproductive success and survival of the cheetah in the protected areas under human influence. The facility assists in Cheetah monitoring through sightings and gathering information for the researchers. In addition, researchers are given an opportunity to give talks to the clients at the camp. Guests are car pooled (where possible) to a minimum of 6 guests per game drive in order to reduce number of vehicles on game drive. This acts as a way of reducing the visitors’ carbon foot print. Little Governors camp encourages and conducts low impact walking safaris or nature walks, to its visitors.
Waste water management	Grey water from the guest kitchen is managed through a four (4) chamber grease trap. The effluent flows into a manhole and drains in a soak-pit. Grey water from the guest tents, public areas, the laundry, and staff quarters is managed through soak pits. All black water from the guest rooms, staff quarters and public area is managed through three chamber septic tank. The overflow ends up in soak ways connected with radial arms. EM1, (Effective Micro-organism) is added into the septic tanks to facilitate sludge digestion.
Purchasing and supplies	Food for staff and guest is bought in bulk to reduce on packaging. Fruits and vegetables are packed in re-usable crates whereas meat is stored in freezers.
Employment and remuneration/staff welfare	There is a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues to the management. Employees are sensitized and briefed during daily departmental meetings and weekly HOD meetings. Employees have a staff committee which meets on monthly basis. It is ascribed to the workers union and, handles and addresses staff issues
Staff education, communication and awareness training	The camp has in house trainings for its staff. Topics trained on include food preparation, hygiene, food safety, health and safety work skills development, and general knowledge improvement. For instance the staff has been provided with basic first aid and fire-fighting skills training
Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites	Little Governors offers local villages visit. The visitors are sensitized on the local culture, engage in cultural dances, talks and sports activities such as arrows and spears throwing. Each visitor is charged 25 USD and issued with a receipt which they provide at the villages. The monies are later paid directly to the local people who have established village accounts each with four (4) signatories. The guest tents have elaborate information folders with information on Governors camp activities and community initiatives, wildlife information materials, mammals and birdlife list. The facility has a Naturalist who gives talks on environmental conservation, and local Masai culture.
Benefits to local community/community empowerment	The camp provides employment opportunities to the locals- all the casuals are hired from the local community. 80% of the permanent employees are hired locally. The facility purchases locally where possible. Staff milk and meat is bought from the region. The facility operates a curio shop with additional curios and beads obtained from local vendors around Mara Rianta. Through Governors Camps Collection CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), Governors Camp has established education and health initiatives. The camp supports the maintenance of the road network within the Musiara areas and supplies water to Musiara Gate Rangers. Staff welfare benefits include; service charges, health care, uniform, food, accommodation, and transport. The staff is paid a wage above the minimum government requirements.
Cultural Criteria
Health and safety	Firefighting equipment including, fire hydrant, fire extinguishers and fire blanket, are serviced and strategically placed within the facility. Sand buckets are placed to compliment the available firefighting equipment. The facility provides protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as ear muffs, boots, uniform, gloves, and apron to the repairs and maintenance staff. A fire assembly point and fire alarm are fixed in the facility. Little Governors Camp is registered with DOSH (Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety) and certificate of workplace issued. Medical check-ups have been conducted for food and beverage handlers to ascertain their health fitness. A team of staff is well trained on first aid –training and fully replenished first aid kits are well supplied in each department. Medical emergencies for staff are referred to neighboring Governors Camp clinical officer. The guest tents are equipped with night spotlights for use by visitors as a safety precaution.
Child labor, abuse and human rights	the facility has a Human Resource policy that guides against employment of minors. Minimum employment age is 18years.
Business Practises Criteria
Entry Date	9th March 2018

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