| Name of the facility | Porini Lion Camp |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Gold |
| Year opened | 2006 |
| Tourism region | Masai Mara/South Rift |
| County | Narok |
| Address | Ntiakatiak River within Olare Motorogi Conservancy Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | + 254 20 7123129 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | porinisafaricamps.com |
| Facility Notes | Porini Lion Camp is located on the banks of Ntiakatiak River within Olare Motorogi Conservancy. The facility was opened in 2006 owned and managed by Game watchers Safaris. It specifically lies on latitude 36M 0741806 and longitude UTM 9853081. The ten (10) guest tented camp has a bed capacity for twenty (20) guests and a workforce of 26 permanent employees It is operational for ten (10) months in a year, closed during the rainy season. The Olare Orok Conservancy was established in 2006 and later expanded to encompass Motorogi lands, thereby becoming Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It measures approximately 14,164 hectares (approximately 35,000 acres) wildlife conservancy that lies within the Koiyaki Group Ranch, between the Olare Orok River and the Talek – Aitong Road. It shares the Southern boundary with Masai Mara National Reserve; and Naboisho Conservancy to the east. Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a partnership between 277 landowners and five tourism operations, founder members Porini Lion Camp and Kicheche Bush Camp later joined by Mara Plains Camp, Olare Mara Kempinski and Mahali Mzuri. The Conservancy is managed by Ol Purkel Ltd, a not-for-profit company whose shareholders are the operators, controlled by a Board of equal representation from both the landowners and the tourism partners along with representatives from the Olare Motorogi Trust. This ensures that the Conservancy is run in a fashion that maximizes the benefits for all the interested parties. The conservancy model ensures wildlife conservation through tourism enterprises that offer, low impact, exclusive experience to visitors. The landowners lease their land and derive income through payment of lease fees by the tourism operators. The majority of employees and rangers in the conservancy are recruited from the local communities. The conservancy is a part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, providing critical wildlife dispersal area for migratory wildlife, including the wildebeest and other herbivores. It has significant populations of a wide variety of wildlife, wildebeest, Zebras, Thompson’s Gazelle, Impala, elephants, giraffes, spotted Hyena, jackals, warthogs, leopards, cheetah and lion. |
| Energy management | Porini Lion Camp is powered by solar energy fixed with portable battery systems. Each tent has its own solar panel and battery. The staff quartiers and restaurant areas are served by one major solar power inverter system (solar panels). The facility has one kuni booster for guest water heating where water is fetched via buckets and used to refill ‘18litre safari showers’ for clients. Charcoal briquettes are used to run the kuni boiler. The camp has an energy management plan in place with Low wattage energy saving bulbs and LED fixed throughout the facility. Main switches are easily accessible in all the guest tents to save on power. The camp, in addition, has a centralized charging system which helps to regulate power usage. Solar lamps are used to light pathways at night. Guests are briefed on energy conservation on arrival and through information folders in the guest tents while staff is sensitized during departmental briefings |
| Environmental management | Porini Lion Camp has an elaborate Environmental policy formulated through a consultative process involving stakeholders, management and staff. Emphasis is put on responsible and sustainable tourism, local community benefits and environmental management of resources such as land, water, energy and waste. The facility has a clear environmental management system with monitoring action plans in resource use (water, and waste). The records are analyzed based on bed occupancy. |
| Chemical use | LPG is well secured in a contained structure for safety reasons. Gas is bought in 50 kg and 12kg cylinders. Fuel (diesel) storage area is properly contained to prevent accidental spillage to the environment. The fuel is stored in 250 liters reservoirs fixed with a fueling pump. The camp uses biodegradable bathroom amenities in the guest tents. The chemicals are accompanied by Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) records and usage demonstrated by supplier. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | The camp has waste management policy with emphasis on 3Rs re-use, reduce, and recycle. Notably, the camp issues guests with an aluminum bottle which they are supposed to refill while on holiday and carry as a souvenir.
Waste separation (paper, plastics, metals and glass) is conducted at source. The waste is later put in larger waste collection bins for further segregation before final disposal to recyclers through Game watchers in Nairobi. Organic waste is managed through compost system. The section is well enclosed to keep off scavengers. In addition, re-usable 18litre dispensers are used to supply water within the facility. Water for drinking in the guest tents is put in re-used wine bottles decorated with beads. |
| Water management | The camp has two main water sources, rain water harvesting and borehole. The rainwater is collected from iron roofed structure and stored in a reservoir of 4,600 liters. Water from borehole is stored in two (2) reservoirs with an average capacity of 92,000 liters. It is metered for monitoring purposes.
Guests are sensitized on arrival on water conservation. In addition, guests are encouraged to re-use their towels through “towel-talks” as a means of conserve water. Staff is sensitized during regular briefings. The guest toilets are fitted with water efficient dual cisterns to reduce on water usage. Guest tents have no running water; rather they are fitted with limited water holding containers. 18 liter ‘safari showers’ are fitted in the guest tents as a water conservation measur |
| Visitor communication & education | Booklets and room information folders are available at guest tents respectively. Publications such as Africa Geographic magazines, Books on Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve and its ecosystem, Birds of Kenya, Mammals and bird list are availed at the tents and restaurant section. Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the camp’s operations, and environmental values. Sensitization is also emphasized during meals times both by the management and staff. The guest tents are equipped with room information folders to brief the visitors on environmental conservation activities and initiatives |
| Pollution | The camp uses low light emitting solar lamps– to minimize light pollution at night. |
| Environmental conservation | The facility is built on low environmental footprint. The tents are semi-permanent erected on sand and gravel. The staff quarters are made of similar style though smaller in size. Natural vegetation is relatively undisturbed and the camp has retained indigenous species within the facility while the footpaths are demarcated using sand. Porini Lion Camp is one of the founders of Olare Motorogi Conservancy established to promote wildlife conservation and provide economic gain to the landowners and plays a critical role in the management of the conservancy. The facility supports Living with Lions – Mara Predator project – established to monitor lions. Support is done through creating awareness in the guest tents information sheets and with the help of camps guides. Information obtained allows the researchers to map lion habitat, monitor reproduction and identify long term population trends for conservation efforts |
| Waste water management | Grey water from the guest kitchen and staff kitchen is managed through a two compartment grease trap to filter fats and oils before draining into a soak pit. The grease traps are cleaned every two weeks. Grey waste water for the staff quarters, guest tents and public areas is managed through soak-pits. Black water from the guests’ tents and public areas is managed through septic tanks. EM1 bio-enzyme is added in every four days to enhance efficiency. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Vegetables and fruits are packed in reusable crates while meat and dairy products are stored in freezers. Where possible, dry goods are bought in bulk to reduce on the packaging |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | The facility has staff committee which represents staff issues to the management. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | The staff is sensitized and briefed during departmental/daily meetings. Notice boards are also used to facilitate communication to the staff. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | The camp has detailed room information folders with materials concerning the Masai Mara national Reserve, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, local people and culture. The guests are sensitized on the local Maasai culture and engage in traditional activities such as arrow and spear throwing. Visitors are taken to the local villages for a cultural experience. Curios are bought / purchased at the villages. The staff engages the guests and share information about the local people and culture |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | The camp purchases locally where possible, these include, fuel, meat (goat meat for staff meals) and sources curios locally. Most Significant, the camp makes the required entry fee, remittance to Masai Mara National Reserve at 80 USD per guest per night. In addition, pays lease fee, and bed night fee. Porini Safari Camp engages the local people through the parent company – Gamewatchers. In addition the company has established the Porini Trust through which donations are streamlined to the local community. Below are some of the initiatives that have been implemented; • Fees; approximately 33.4 Million is paid annually to Olare Motorogi in form of lease fees, bed night fee and staff salaries • Employment: The camp has approximately 80% of the permanent employees from the local area who mostly comprise of the Maasai people. Casual labor is also sourced locally • Trust; The facility supports Olare Orok Trust in community engagement projects. For instance, the trust has set ups a beadwork program for local women and bee keeping project • Education / Sensitization; Partnered with KOEE (Kenya Organization for Environmental Education) for conservation education in schools in the Mara. Some of the schools are Talek, Leigero, and Nkoilale. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | Porini Lion Camp has a health and safety policy committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for staff and guests and compliance with legal requirements. The camp has undergone Health Inspection and issued with a Health Inspection Certificate while medical check-ups for food and beverage handlers are up to date in compliance with Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. In addition, there are documented emergency procedures to enhance safety preparedness. The facility is linked to Flying Doctors service for emergency evacuations. Staffs are referred to nearby CMC (Talek) Clinic for medical care. A team of staff has been trained on fire safety and first aid training and well equipped first aid kits are available at the main office and game drive vehicles Fire-fighting equipment including fire extinguishers and fire blankets at the kitchen are serviced and strategically placed within the facility. Fire assembly point is clearly and conspicuously marked within the facility and a fire alarm is also available. The facility has conducted an initial health and safety and risk assessment audit in accordance with section 11 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 and a fire safety audit to comply with Factories and other places of work (Fire Risk Reduction) Rules 2007. |
| Child labor, abuse and human rights | The facility does not employ any person below the legal working age of 18 years. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 13th March 2018 |
Porini Lion Camp
Book best Africa Luxury Safaris in Kenya & East Africa explore best wildlife parks,, wildebeest migration, big five, big cats, cultures, beaches & natural wonders
Table of Contents
Why Go with Adeli Kenya Safaris
- Born, raised & based in Africa. Let u show you the Africa we know well and cherish so much
- Africa sustainable travel is our passion
- Great Value for Money. Best price guaranteed
- Experienced team of travel experts
- Knowledgeable & multi-lingual safari guides
- Safety conscious
- Fleet of well maintained vehicles
Your dream safari / holiday is just a call or email away. Contact Adeli Kenya Safaris today. Tel: +254720564538 | WhatsApp: +254720564538 | Email: [email protected]
