| Name of the facility | Loisaba Tented Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Silver |
| Year opened | 2014 |
| Tourism region | Laikipia/Samburu |
| County | Laikipia |
| Address | N/A Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | +254 730 127 000/ +255 27 250 0630 / 9 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | elewanacollection.com |
| Facility Notes | Loisaba Tented Camp is located in Loisaba Conservancy in Northern Kenya, on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau. The camp is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude: 0.6070892 N and Longitude: 36.833332E. It has 12 guest tents with a bed capacity of 28 visitors and a total work force of 42 employees. Loisaba Conservancy measures approximately 56,000 acres of land set aside for wildlife conservation. The conservancy model incorporates a thriving livestock production system along wildlife conservation and tourism operation. It is characterized by vast grassy plains, plateau, escarpments, and cliffs. It forms part of the Ewaso Laikipia eco-system, an important elephant corridor, joining the Aberdare forest to the NFD (Northern Frontier District). The wilderness is home to over 250 species of birds and many endangered mammals including gravy’s zebra, wild dog, and northern species of greater kudu, caracal and the Laikipia hartebeest. The common wildlife species include giraffes, Burchell’s zebra, antelopes, elephants, the big cats, and buffalo. |
| Energy management | The facility’s main source of power is solar energy fixed with power inverter battery system. The system provides power for lighting and running all electrical equipment. It is fixed with 120 solar panels. The system is metered and recording is done for monitoring purposes. In addition, there is a back-up generator with an output of 65KvA. The generator hours are closely monitored. The guest tents are each fixed with a 200 liter solar water heating system. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking both at the guests and staff quarters. Energy saving LED and energy saving bulbs are fitted for lighting throughout the camp. Guests and staff are briefed on energy conservation and efficiency through guests’ arrival briefings. Additionally, there are master switches in all guest tents for energy efficiency. Solar power rechargeable flash light torches are used by, guests and security officers within the camp. The camp has a charcoal fridge / cooler for storing its vegetables. Drip irrigation is used to water the fridge – an initiative meant to ensure water conservation. |
| Environmental management | Loisaba Tented Camp conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before the facility renovations and re-opening in October 2015 and issued with an EIA license in compliance with Environmental (Impact assessment and Audit) Regulations, of 2003. |
| Chemical use | The guests use biodegradable bathroom amenities from Cinnabar Green such as bathing soaps and shampoos in the guest tents. Diversey chemicals are used for laundry purposes, and the staff well trained on usage. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals are available. Gas is bought in 1 tonne cylinders. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Waste separation is conducted at source and the bins are color coded. Additionally, further sorting is done at the waste management center where waste is weighed and recorded for monitoring purposes. It is then disposed to recycling companies through the head office in Nairobi. Organic waste is managed through a compost pit and the manure later used in the organic garden. On waste reduction, the camp has implemented a ‘no plastic policy’; instead water for consumption purposes is bought in 18 litres re-usable dispensers. Guests are issued with refillable branded bottles for use throughout their stay and as a take-away souvenir. Refillable flasks are also provided in the guest tents. |
| Water management | Main water source for the camp is a spring located within Loisaba Wilderness Conservancy. The water is pumped to the entire premises and stored in reservoirs with an approximate capacity of 60,000 liters. An inlet meter is installed and recording done for monitoring purposes. Rain water harvesting is practiced with reservoirs of approximately 35,000 litres. Visitors are sensitized on water conservation during arrival briefings. Guest tents are fitted with water efficient shower filter heads, lift taps and dual flush toilets. The facility has a regular maintenance and repairs schedule to monitor faults and leakages. |
| Visitor communication & education | Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations, Loisaba conservancy model & code of conduct and environmental values. The guest rooms are equipped with room information folders to brief the visitors on environmental conservation activities and initiatives. The facility has a reading resource area with various publications and magazines for visitors’ information. Guests engage in low impact educational activities which include; game drives, village visits, bird watching and nature walk – walking safaris are also aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the facility. |
| Pollution | The generator is fitted in a sound proof room to reduce on noise pollution. The facility is fitted with low wattage bulbs and LED lights to minimize on light pollution at night. Proper housekeeping is maintained at the workshop area. |
| Environmental conservation | The camp is built on low environmental footprint with minimal interference on natural vegetation. The materials used are sourced locally and colors blend in with the local environment. Guests are encouraged to participate in low impact activities such as guided nature walks, bird watching, horse riding, lion and wild dog tracking, cycling and local community village visits. The camp facilitates payment of conservancy fees which goes into conservation and community development initiatives. The conservancy fee is 90 USD per guest per night or Ksh. 2000 for local residents. Through Loisaba Community Trust, the camp partners with various wildlife research initiatives on monitoring and data collection. These include; • The Elephants Research that is done by Space for giants which mainly involves monitoring wildlife movement to study their ecology. • Mpala Research Centre which monitors the movements of Wild dogs, and Grevy’s zebras within the Laikipia area. |
| Waste water management | Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through a grease trap to filter out grease and oils before draining into a bio box treatment system. Grey and black effluent from the laundry, guest tents and staff quarters is managed through a Biobox treatment system. The system which comprises of nine (9) tanks, ensures the waste water is recycled through treatment. The treated waste water is used for irrigation in the facility lawns. Water effluent sample tests are conducted in compliance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Water Quality) Regulations of 2006. The facility swimming pools are cleaned via vacuuming and back wash system. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Vegetables and fruits are packed in reusable crates while meat and dairy products are stored in freezers. Dry goods such as flour, sugar and rice are bought in bulk to reduce on packaging waste. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | Employees have a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues. It meets on monthly basis |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | A notice board is available for staff communication |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | Loisaba Camp encourages the visitors to purchase products – beadwork – directly from the local women. Village visits are offered to willing guests to sensitize them on the local culture. The guests are sensitized on the local Maasai, Samburu culture and engage in traditional activities. Guests are charged $20 per person for the visits and all the proceeds go to the local villagers. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | The camp is a member of “Pack for a Purpose” initiative where visitors are encouraged to donate items that may be of need in their areas of travel. Approximately 60% of the staff are from the local community. Also, all casual work is allocated to the locals. Loisaba Community Trust runs a community empowerment program. The Trust implements programs in the areas of community enterprise, education and health care. Guests are encouraged to make donations for medicines and books for local schools and health centre. The facility organizes village visits for willing guests to the surrounding villages and supports beading projects done by local women groups. In addition, the camp has set up a warrior dance troupe to entertain guests on demand |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | The camp has documented emergency plan with clear procedures on fire safety, medical emergencies and evacuation. In addition, emergency contacts are also availed in the guest tents. The camp is linked to (AMREF) Flying Doctors services for emergency response. The facility has a health clearance certificate from the County department of health. Medical check-ups are conducted for food and beverage handlers to ascertain their health fitness in compliance with Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. Guest tents are provided with radio calls for use in case of emergency. The camp has an equipped medical first aid kit. Additionally, all the guide vehicles are equipped with first aid boxes. A team of 5 key staff including management have undertaken an AMREF first aid course. Medical emergency for the employees are referred to nearby Ewaso clinic whereas guests are referred to Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. The guest rooms are fixed with smoke detectors for fire safety purposes. Firefighting equipment including, fire extinguishers, fire blanket in the kitchen, hydrants, are and strategically placed within the facility. A fire drill has been conducted to enhance the facility’s fire emergency response. Employees are also trained on fire-fighting skills. The facility provides protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as ear muffs, boots, uniform, gloves, and apron to the staff. A fire assembly point is clearly marked and a fire alarm is also fixed. |
| 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 |
Loisaba Tented Camp
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