| Name of the facility | Olarro Lodge |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Gold |
| Year opened | 2007 |
| Tourism region | Masai Mara/South Rift |
| County | Narok |
| Address | Narok Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | : +254721921966 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | olarrokenya.com |
| Facility Notes | Olarro Lodge is located within Olarro Conservancy and sits on a 7,500 acre piece of land. The camp is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude -1.439552|| Longitude 35.58918100000005.It was opened in 2012. It has nine (9) guest tents with a bed capacity of 18 visitors and a total work force of 63 employees. The lodge is perched on a high vantage point overlooking 20,000 acres of its own private conservancy. The land has been leased from local land owners from the Maji Moto and Siana group ranches. The conservancy provides a critical wildlife dispersal corridor and plays a significant role in the greater Loita, Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystem. The conservancy was formed to optimize land use therefore providing mutual benefit for both conservation and the local community. Common wildlife within the conservancy include Burch ell’s Zebra, Thompson’s gazelle, Impala, elephants, Giraffes, spotted Hyenas, Jackals, Wild Dogs, Africa Civet, Genet, Banded Mongoose, Warthog, Tree Hyrax and Porcupine. Big cats can also be seen including Lions, Cheetah and Leopards. |
| Energy management | The lodge is powered primarily by solar energy. The facility has invested in a total of 150 solar panels fixed with power inverters systems. This energy is harnessed, stored and used to supply the requirements of electricity, water heating and maintenance of the swimming pool. The energy is supplemented by a backup generator with an output capacity of 80KvA each. The facility uses solar rechargeable torches in the guest rooms. Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the need to conserve energy through switching off unnecessary lights. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is used for guest and staff cooking. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) and energy saving bulbs are fixed throughout the facility for energy use efficiency. The lodge collects deadwood or off-cuts used from its premises / conservancy for warming or lighting a lodge fire and for some cooking in the staff area. |
| Environmental management | Olarro has a clear environmental policy to guide in its operation. The policy is committed to best management of the environmental, health and safety aspects as an integrated part of their business. The facility has a clear environmental management system with elaborate management plans on water, energy, waste and health and safety. The monitoring plans are clearly analyzed based on bed occupancy.
The camp has an environmental management system illustrated through clearly spelt out operational guidelines on general management , environmental management, purchasing, resources use including water, energy and waste, community involvement, guests integration and staff development. |
| Chemical use | The lodge issues biodegradable bathing soaps to the guests for use in the guest rooms from Thera Vine made in South Africa. Ecolab laundry detergents and powders are used for washing in the laundry section. The staff handling chemicals has been trained and is sensitized on proper food handling. Fuel (Diesel and petrol) is stored in two reservoir tanks of 5000 litres each whereas paraffin is put in 230 litres. The fuel area is fixed with precautionary signage and kept under lock. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Waste including, organic, plastics, glass and metallic tins, is separated at the waste holding area. The waste is collected by NEMA approved waste collectors -Nigel Archer Safaris – and transported to Nairobi for recycling and disposal. Organic waste is composted in shallow pits within the kitchen garden and later used as manure. Records of waste generation (types and quantity) are taken on a regular basis to monitor waste production for the facility. Drinking water within the staff quarters is served using water dispensers which has to some extent reduced generation of plastic waste. Waste fuel oil is stored in 200 litre drums. The Used oil is given to farmers to treat their wooden fencing. |
| Water management | The main source of water for the facility is a spring located within the conservancy. The water is solar pumped and stored in three reservoirs of 8,000 litres each. It is later pumped to the lodge and stored in six (6) tanks of 6,000 litres each, and a main tank of an average capacity of 100,000 litres. The water is metered at source and sub metering done at the main consumption points such as laundry and staff quarters. Water meter readings are taken on daily to monitor usage. The usage is also analyzed on bed occupancy and number of staff. The facility also practices rain water harvesting from its iron roofed structures such as the staff quarters and management housing. The water is stored in three (3) main underground reservoirs of 100,000 litres each. Staff is sensitized on water usage during brief meetings and guests during arrival briefings. Guests are also encouraged and sensitized through cards – ‘towel talks’ to re-use their towels. The guests’ rooms are fixed with dual flush toilet cisterns, and low shower filter heads for water use efficiency. Taps are fixed with faucets (flow reducers) to enhance water conservation. Laundry machines water uptake is automated and are run at their optimum weight for efficient water and energy use. |
| Visitor communication & education | Visitors are briefed upon arrival. Room information sheets are provided in the guest rooms with detailed information on Olarro Lodge environmental conservation and activities. Room information packs also contain information on the Olarro Conservancy. The lodge has a reading resource area located at the restaurant with information materials on Birds, mammals, Olarro Conservancy and the larger Masai Mara Ecosystem. Nature walks and Game drives are offered as awareness creation /education platforms to the guests with the help of the guides. Guests are offered interactive presentations about the conservancy operations. A resource learning centre for guest and interested students from the local community has been designated specifically for research. |
| Pollution | Low light emitting paraffin Lanterns are used to light the pathways at night which greatly reduces light pollution while the generator has a sound proof body to reduce on the noise pollution. Generator operation hours are closely monitored for servicing purposes. The room is insulated and a muffler system fixed on the generator system to reduce on sound pollution. The facility has a designate car wash area fixed with an oil interceptor to filter out oils. |
| Environmental conservation | The lodge has managed to set aside 7,500 acre Olarro conservancy in a partnership with the local Masai land owners. Lease payments are made by Olarro Lodge per acre, to the individual land owners. The conservancy is managed by a team of professionals assisted by community game scouts / rangers. The lodge aims at ensuring its operations are as close to carbon neutral as possible by employing renewable forms of energy and eco-friendly activities. The exclusivity of Olarro Lodge contributes to environmental conservation by limiting the number of guest within hence reducing impact on the environment. Presently, the conservancy has acquired an additional 13 Acres named Olarro South to further enhance their conservation efforts. The lodge contributes conservancy fees of US$40 per guest per night to Olarro Conservancy for conservancy management and wildlife protection. Through Olarro conservancy, the lodge works to enhance Wildlife conservation by maintaining the critical habitats for wildlife migration. The conservancy provides KWS with logistical and material support specifically for tracking and anti-poaching measures. The facility supports the “Mara cheetah Project” collecting data for identification and monitoring of the cats. The project’s goal is to identify behavioural adaptations and assessment of impact of social structure on reproductive success and survival of the cheetah in the protected areas |
| Waste water management | Waste water from the lodge is treated through a Bio box system. Bio box offers a tailored solution for on-site waste water treatment and disposal. Water from the kitchen first flows through a grease trap before it is treated through the bio box system. This waste water treatment system is cleaned on a weekly basis and serviced annually. The lodge also has an effluent discharge license from NEMA. Swimming pool water is cleaned through sieving, vacuum cleaning and a backwash system. PH levels are checked on a daily basis. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Purchasing of supplies is done in an environmentally friendly way – re-usable packaging material is utilized and bulk purchase done where possible. Some fresh vegetables are picked from the kitchen garden reducing the need for packaging. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | More than 75% of the permanent employees are from the local community. Additionally, all casual labour is sourced from the local community. The facility has a staff welfare committee that meets regularly to deal with staff issues with the management. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | The employees have daily briefing meetings on business operations. Notice boards are used to facilitate communication to the staff. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | Visitors are taken to the local villages to experience their culture and purchase curios, cultural talks and entertainment dances are also held during the village visits at the visitors’ discretion. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | Olarro Lodge purchases from the local community where possible. At least two (2) cows are bought on a monthly basis from the local community. Others include tomatoes and vegetables bought from the local Ngonswani center.The community land owners benefit from lease fees from the conservancy at the rate of KES 2000 per acre per year. The land owners also get bed night fees from the lodge. The lodge has a corporate social responsibility program for community wellbeing. There are several targets that have been set up. Currently, achievements for the facility include:- • Borehole(s): Refurbishment of two community water boreholes for Ngoswani and OLoriri Villages. This was achieved by purchasing and installing a 10,000 water storage tanks, installation of cattle grids, chlorine filters and solar pumps. • Bee-keeping: in partnership with African Bee Keepers Limited (ABL), the lodge supports a group of youth in bee-keeping. It has managed to train the group, and procure bee-keeping items such as beehives. In addition, it purchases the honey for the lodge use. • Beadwork: Purchase of approximately 85% of the facility Curio shop stock, from the local the community. • Employment: More than 75% of the permanent employees are from the local community. Additionally, all casual labour is sourced from the local community. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | The lodge has a detailed and clearly communicated Health and Safety Policy and manual in place which acts as a comprehensive guide on safety procedures at the facility. In addition, the facility has an environment, health and safety Committee that spearheads environmental, health and safety issues. The policy also addresses staff welfare and work instructions. Olarro lodge has also conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of the facility. Fire assembly points and fire alarm/bell are marked and respectively installed. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The facility adheres to the legal employment age. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 10th November 2017 |
Olarro Lodge
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