Olare Mara Kempinski Tented camp

By Adeli Kenya Safaris Limited

Name of the facility	Olare Mara Kempinski Tented camp
Certification Achieved	Silver
Year opened	2010
Tourism region	Masai Mara/South Rift
County	Narok
Address	14164- 00800 Nairobi Map It
Telephone/Mobile	+254 703 049 000
Email	[email protected]
Website	kempinski.com
Facility Notes	Olare Mara Kempinski Tented camp is situated in an 80 acres piece of land within Olare Motorogi conservancy. The camp is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude: 1.3172849S and Longitude: 35.18918E. It has 12 guest tents with a bed capacity of 24 visitors and a total work force of 33 employees. The Olare Motorogi Conservancy model ensures wildlife conservation through tourism enterprises that offer low impact and exclusive experience to visitors. It is a partnership between the local community (land owners) and the tour operators where the community has leased the land to the tourism investors for specified years; while the tour operators using funds derived from the business supports local development. The majority of employees and rangers in the conservancy are recruited from the local communities.
Energy management	The camp’s main source of power is solar energy fixed with power invertor battery system which provides power for lighting and running electrical equipment. There are 45 solar panels. The solar power inverter system is metered and records kept for consumption monitoring purposes. In addition there are two generators for back-up with power output of 25 and 43 KvA respectively. They run daily for 6 hours respectively. Fuel consumption for the generators is monitored. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is used for guest and staff cooking. Water heating for the camp is conducted through solar heaters. The facility has a total of eighteen (18) solar heaters each with a capacity of 200 liters. Energy saving bulbs and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are installed throughout for energy use efficiency. In addition, visual signage is mounted on key areas to sensitize staff and guests on energy conservation. Staff is sensitized on energy conservation through departmental briefings whereas visitors are sensitized on arrival briefings. Also, guest tents are fitted with room information sensitizing visitors on energy conservation.
Environmental management	Olare Mara Kempinski is guided by its environmental policy which indicates commitment to environmental conservation, sustainable management practices and social responsibility. The facility conducts its annual environmental audit as required by Environmental (Impact assessment and Audit) Regulations, of 2003. It has an environmental management system with clear management plans for resource use and solid & liquid waste management. A health & safety plan is also available at the facility.
Chemical use	The camp uses biodegradable bathroom amenities in the guest rooms, e.g. bathing soaps and shampoos and Diversey detergents for laundry purposes. Staff handling chemicals are trained on usage. Material Safety Data Sheet records for the chemicals used within the facility are available. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum gas) is bought in 50 kg cylinders which are well stored in a cage with fixed precautionary signage. Diesel is stored in a 5000 litres tank fixed with a fuel pump. The storage area is properly reinforced and bunded to contain any spillage.
Conservation Criteria
Community Criteria
Solid waste management	The camp has a waste management policy and plan which lays emphasis on the 3Rs principles of waste management. Waste separation is conducted at source and the bins are clearly labelled. Organic waste is composted in a well-covered compost pit and the manure is later used in the camp’s garden. Plastics, metallic waste (tins), glass (waste bottles) are put in a waste holding area with separation chambers waiting disposal to recycling firms via the head offices in Nairobi. The camp uses rechargeable solar torches as a measure to avoid cell battery waste generation.
Water management	The main source of water for the camp is a borehole located within the premises. The water is pumped and stored in reservoirs with a total capacity of 60,000 liters. It is then treated and supplied to the premises via gravity. Additionally, the camp conducts rain water harvesting from its iron roofed staff quarters and stored in tanks with a total capacity of 15,000 liters. The water is metered at source. A water extraction permit is available. Regular maintenance and inspection of the plumbing system is conducted to rectify any possible leakages. The camp has “towel talks” in the guest tents encouraging visitors on re-use of towels. In addition, visual signage is mounted within the guest areas for sensitization on water conservation. Staff is sensitized during departmental meetings and briefings. The guests’ rooms are fixed with dual flush toilet cisterns, low shower filter heads and taps are fixed with faucets (flow reducers) to enhance water conservation.
Visitor communication & education	Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations, environmental principles. The camp has a visitors’ resource area (located at the main restaurant) and folder in guest tents, equipped with reading information materials including environmental publications, Kempinski hotel chain values, Olare Motorogi conservancy and activities and nature conservation magazines.
Pollution	Lighting at night, within the facility, is done through the use of low light emitting bulbs which reduce on light pollution. The laundry machines are automated in the amount of washing detergents or chemicals used per load which ensures the correct quantities of chemicals are in use. The kitchen is properly ventilated, fixed with air extractors and a kitchen hub. This is aimed at enhancing the working conditions of the staff. Proper housekeeping is maintained at the facility; the store room is clean, dry and organized.
Environmental conservation	Olare Mara Kempinski is built to have a low environmental footprint and designed to blend with the surroundings. The guest tents are made of beige canvas, raised on wooden platforms. The natural vegetation is relatively undisturbed and the premises unfenced allowing free movement of wildlife. The facility has an indigenous tree planting program. For the last two years, approximately 1000 trees have been planted with a success rate of 90%. Guests are encouraged to engage in this initiative and the trees are tagged with their names for monitoring purposes. The camp partners with Olare Motorogi conservancy on wildlife monitoring initiatives; this includes Mara- Meru cheetah project-an initiative aimed at securing habitats for the long-term survival of cheetahs and their ecosystems. The partnership involves data collection for monitoring purposes through the camp guides. A lead researcher from this initiative is also invited occasionally to give talks to guests on conservation matters. The camp participates in environmental clean-ups every month in Talek in collaboration with KWS Mara Research station and Sejelai Environmental Organization
Waste water management	Grey waste water from the kitchen, laundry, staff quarters and guest rooms is managed via soak pits. The facility has a site drainage plan for the camp waste water management which is important to enhance monitoring of the system. The swimming pool is cleaned through sieving, vacuum cleaning and a backwash system. PH levels (i.e. acidity and alkalinity levels) are checked on a daily basis. Water effluent sample tests are conducted in compliance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Water Quality) Regulations of 2006. Black water within the guest area and staff quarters is managed through septic tanks which drain into a soak pit. A biological enzyme solution is added to enhance sludge digestion.
Purchasing and supplies	The camp does bulk purchasing for its dry goods such as sugar, flour and rice hence reducing on packaging waste
Employment and remuneration/staff welfare	Employees have a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues. The staff welfare committee meets on monthly basis.
Staff education, communication and awareness training	The camp has notice boards for staff communication. Various policies such as the environmental policy, emergency procedures and health & safety policies are pinned on the notice boards which enhance staff awareness. Staff briefings are held at departmental level on daily basis for planning activities
Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites	The camp organizes dances for guests by local Masai staff members; which are conducted on arrival and departure days for guests. Cultural experience is also promoted through visits to a local village which are organized on demand. The naming of the guest tents is done in the local language.
Benefits to local community/community empowerment	Employment: approximately 60% of the permanent employees are from the local Masai community. Additionally, all casual labor is sourced from the local community. The facility pays approximately KES. 1.2 Million monthly conservancy fees to Olare Motorogi Conservancy. In addition, a bed night fee of 5USD is charged per guest and remitted to the conservancy. The camp partners with Olare Motorogi Conservancy Trust on a number of community projects in school development support programs, health and community enterprise. For instance, the camp takes guests for village visits to a cultural manyatta set up by the conservancy trust. The charge is 25 USD whereby half goes to the village and the other half to the conservancy trust for community projects. The camp purchases locally where possible. For example, goat meat and vegetables for staff meals are bought locally. Additionally, curios and other cultural artifacts are bought from the local villages i.e. Lepore, Kimere, Ole polos and Ol kiombo villages. The camp buys either directly or through the conservancy trust. With support from the mother company-Kempinski Nairobi-the camp supports the neighbouring schools through donations of equipment such as stationery, clothes, linen, sanitary items and foodstuff annually. This costs approximately KES 80,000 to 100,000.
Cultural Criteria
Health and safety	The camp is spearheaded by a health and safety policy which shows commitment to; compliance with legal requirements, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for staff and guests and hazard awareness and control. In addition, there is a health and safety committee which meets on a monthly basis to monitor safety issues within the camp. Olare Mara Kempinski has an emergency plan with clear spelt out procedures on fire, medical care and evacuation. This information is availed in guest tents. The camp has a Health Inspection Certificate from the Ministry of Public Health. The guest tents are equipped with a telephone and flash lights for emergency response. There is a nurse on call to attend to medical issues for staff and guests. Medical cases are referred to Talek or Aitong while emergency evacuations can also be arranged. The facility has an adequately stocked first aid kit located at the main office and kitchen. Medical supplies are also available and the staff is trained on first aid skills. Medical check-ups are conducted to the food and beverage handlers to comply with Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. Safety signages are put up at various areas such as the swimming pool, workshop and fuel storage area as a measure of promoting safety awareness among guests and staff. Fire safety inspection is conducted by Narok County government department of lands, housing, physical planning and urban development and the facility has a certificate of fire compliance. Firefighting equipment including, fire extinguishers, fire electric alarm, fire blanket in the kitchen, are serviced and strategically placed within the facility. Fire safety risk assessment is conducted at the facility and in addition the facility conducts a health and safety audit in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007. Protective gear/PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as ear muffs, boots, uniform, gloves, and apron is provided to the staff. An adequate team of 20 staff has been trained on firefighting and first aid skills. Fire exits and assembly points are properly marked and displayed within the facility. A fire alarm is also available.
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	9th March 2018