| Name of the facility | Tawi Lodge |
|---|---|
| Certification Achieved | Gold |
| Year opened | 2010 |
| Tourism region | Tsavo/Amboseli |
| County | Kajiado |
| Address | Head Office – Nairobi Map It |
| Telephone/Mobile | +254 20 2081747 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | tawilodge.com |
| Facility Notes | Tawi Lodge is located in Tawi-Kilotome Conservancy, approximately ten kilometers from Kimana Gate – the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park. The facility sits on 6,000 acres of land which forms the Conservancy on a renewable lease period of 35 years. It is specifically located on GPS coordinates S02.43.531 and E037.24.855. The lodge has 13 cottages with a bed capacity of 24 guests, is open all year round and has 25 employees for its operations. Tawi-Kilitome Conservancy is the result of a joint partnership between the local community –100 individual land owners, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and Tawi Lodge. The initiative was established to ensure land and wildlife habitat conservation, retain the migratory corridor between Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Park, reduce land fragmentation and provide income to the local land owners. Bed night fees and conservancy fees are collected from every guest to support the Conservancy and which also directly supports the community. The conservancy borders the Amboseli National Park to the eastern side, and forms a critical wildlife dispersal area. Amboseli National Park is about 392 km2 in size located in the 8,000 km2 Amboseli ecosystem that straddles across the Kenya-Tanzania border. It was gazetted as a National Park in 1974 in order to protect the core of the ecosystem. Amboseli is home to a variety of wildlife and famous for elephant watching. Other common wildlife includes: Cape buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest. It is also a haven for birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Other attractions include opportunities to interact with the local Maasai community and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. |
| Energy management | The main energy source of the lodge is solar which used in the running of the electronic appliances in the facility. Six (6) solar coils are used for heating the pool water and are contained using a metallic cage to secure it from wildlife interference. Solar power is also used for water heating in guest rooms, in compliance with the Solar Water Heating Regulations. The lodge has 17 solar water heaters with 250 litres reservoir capacity. Energy saving bulbs are installed in the guest tents to save on energy. Saw dust is also used as an insulator in order to reduce energy lost through radiation in an energy efficient cook stove. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking for guests. Guests are briefed on energy conservation upon arrival. Staffs on the other hand are also educated on energy conservation and efficiency through regular briefings. To cut down on energy consumption, the facility intends on hoisting its water tank so that supply to the main consumption areas is gravity enabled. |
| Environmental management | Tawi Lodge has an environmental policy which is committed to ensuring social and environmentally sustainable business practices, environmental protection, community involvement and compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. The lodge has a sustainability policy in place with management plans which guides on proper environmental conduct in the consumption of natural resources, waste management and health and safety practices. |
| Chemical use | The camp uses Teepol products in its laundry, the kitchen and cleaning public areas which are biodegradable. Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals are available; staff are equipped with knowledge on handling and proper use of these chemicals. Biodegradable bathing soaps and shampoos are used within the guest tents. Gas is bought in bulk in a five (5) tone cylinder, the storage area is caged, away from human dwellings and precautionary signage well fixed. |
| Conservation Criteria | |
| Community Criteria | |
| Solid waste management | Organic waste – food waste – is sorted at the source and stored at the waste management center. The organic waste is then composted in a wire mesh caged pit Waste is separated at source and the bins are colour coded instead of labling to aid in the process of separation. |
| Water management | The main source of water for the camp is a borehole which uses solar pump to supply the water round the facility. A water meter has been installed at source to monitor usage. Daily meter readings and recording is done. Visitors are sensitized on sustainable water consumption on arrival and towel talk well placed in every room. Proper communication on water conservation is placed in all key water consumption point. The facility maintains a watering hole which is filled daily for the wild animals of the conservancy to take water from when the need arises. |
| Visitor communication & education | Visitors are briefed upon arrival on the lodge’s operations and environmental values. The guest tents are equipped with information on notice boards on environmental conservation and operations of Lodge. The lodge conducts nature talks and game drives for the guest in the effort to enlighten them on major conservation issues. |
| Pollution | The pathways are lit using low wattage bulbs at night to reduce on light pollution. The facility makes use of camels and donkeys for transport around the facility to cut down on emissions. |
| Environmental conservation | Through Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Tawi lodge partnered with 100 local land owners and established Tawi-Kilitome conservancy of 6,000 acres dedicated to conservation. The facility plays a major role in the conservation of elephants through the Amboseli Trust for Elephants which carries out ecological monitoring of the ecosystem, for the benefit of the largest land mammals Tawi Lodge carries out a reforestation project through seed-balls; the project ensures propagation of indigenous tree species by disposing off seeds wrapped in clay and compost. The seeds are dispersed during game drives and are allowed to germinate at their own time when all conditions are favorable. The lodge is part of a community owned conservancy called the Tawi Conservancy. The conservancy is a migratory corridor of wildlife from Chyulu to Tsavo hence making it an area of biological importance. |
| Waste water management | Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through a portable grease trap to filter out oils and grease before draining into a soak pit. The grease trap is cleaned daily for efficiency. Grey waste water from the laundry, guest rooms and staff quarters flows into a closed drainage system which comprises of septic tanks and soak pits. Black water within the facility, guest area, public areas and staff quarters is managed through a three chamber septic tank; which comprises of a sewer line, manholes, and septic tanks and soaks pits. It has three (3) septic tanks. Bio-enzymes are added to enhance in sludge digestion. The swimming pool is cleaned via scrubbing, brushing and the backwash system. PH (alkalinity and acidity) is checked twice a day. The pool water is cleaned through sand filtration and eco-salts added and the surplus water flows to a wetland with aquatic plants and fish. |
| Purchasing and supplies | Meat is bought and packed in cool boxes. Fruits and vegetables are packed in re-usable crates. The facility also obtains its vegetables from the local community. |
| Employment and remuneration/staff welfare | Employees are provided with, food, medical cover, uniform, entertainment center, transport and accommodation facilities. Staff accommodation is well maintained i.e. clean and well kept The staffs are paid in line with the minimum wage, are given letters of appointment, code of conduct and job descriptions upon employment. |
| Staff education, communication and awareness training | Notice boards are used to facilitate communication to the staff. |
| Cultural preservation and promotion/protection of local sites | The facility informs clients on the cultural information within the area using literature material. |
| Benefits to local community/community empowerment | The conservancy is 6,000 acres big with 100 land owners who have gained economically from the lease fees and bed occupancy fees paid by the lodge. 50% of employees at the lodge are from the community and obtains its milk, tomatoes, maize and melons from local vendors.
The facility sponsors intelligent students from humble background to undertake their high school education. This program was started in 2016 and has since benefitted 2 children. |
| Cultural Criteria | |
| Health and safety | Fire-fighting equipment including fire extinguishers, fire hose rails, automatic fire extinguishers, and fire blanket in the kitchen are strategically placed and duly serviced. Servicing is conducted by KK Security company every six months. The facility has an elaborate fire-fighting system consisting of fire stations per tent complete with two portable extinguishers (foam and carbon dioxide), fire alarm and a hose reel. Fire drills are regularly conducted to enhance for emergency. The fire assembly point is stationed at an accessible point and well labeled. The facility provides protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as boots, uniform, gloves, apron to the staff. A health and safety audit has been conducted in accordance with section 11 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007. The facility has conducted 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 camp has well defined Human Resource policy that guides against employment of minors. Minimum employment age is 18years. |
| Business Practises Criteria | |
| Entry Date | 10th November 2017 |
Tawi Lodge
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