Sustainability at Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara
At &Beyond we seek to maintain a low impact on the land while deriving high yield for our conservation initiatives by creating very small luxury lodges that support enormous tracts of biodiverse land, which remains untouched. At every lodge we seek out small (and sometimes not so small) but meaningful ways of putting our values into action every day. Each &Beyond lodge supports the conservation of wildlife and contributes to its neighbouring communities in one way or another. In addition, we seek to limit our impact in terms of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy, water and waste management, and recycling.
At Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp water is recycled from the showers and the carwash to irrigate the lawn.
Current Sustainability projects at Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara
Collaboration with the Mara Conservancy and Anti-poaching teams
Kichwa Tembo management and guides work closely with the Mara Conservancy which is responsible for the sensitive utilisation and habitat management of the region west of the Mara River known as the 'Mara Triangle'. Kichwa Tembo provides logistical support for the valuable anti-poaching and animal rescue team set up by Anne K.Taylor.
Environmental Sensitivity
The Kichwa Tembo Green Team is engaged in the control of invasive alien plants within the camp surrounds and at the Oloololo gate. In an effort to reduce the use of fuel wood, the Green Team makes fuel bricks from waste paper and coal dust. A community-owned vegetable garden (shamba) provides fresh salads and vegetables to the lodge. Maasai women from the nearby Kipas and Ndorobo villages are provided with technical and other support for the establishment of bee hives.
Improving Health and Morale of our Staff and Communities
&Beyond is dedicated to providing its staff with as much information as possible to enable them to achieve freedom from poverty, malnutrition, gender inequity, stigma, HIV/AIDS and TB through its Positive Health programme.
Kichwa Tembo Team Educates Street Children on HIV/AIDS
The Kawangware Street Kids and Youth programme supports 60 children from Kawangware's impoverished areas. These children were taken off the streets and taught skills in order to become productive members of society. They are now gainfully employed in making bags of various sizes and creating other crafts. Kichwa Tembo supports the programme through purchasing these bags for use in the lodge. Two members of the Kichwa Tembo team were invited to talk to the children about HIV/AIDS; dispelling myths surrounding the disease as well as educating the youth on ways and means to prevent contracting the virus.
Old pool, new idea!
&Beyond Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp has converted their old swimming pool into a grey water tank. Water from sinks, bathtubs and laundry basins is collected and treated and is then used to water the lawns. No water is wasted and Kichwa remains green and lush.
Re-vegetation of the Sabaringo River
Tree saplings are cultivated in a nursery and then planted on the banks of the Sabaringo River upstream from the lodge. These young trees are protected from browsing goats until they are large enough. Fast growing figs and species which are less attractive to elephant and other browsers are selected. Extra saplings are provided to local villages to provide shade and prevent soil erosion.
Support for the protection of Kakamega forest
&Beyond provides an annual grant to the work of the Kakamega Environmental Education Program (KEEP) in western Kenya. Kakamega is Kenya's only true rainforest with an enormous wealth of biodiversity, but is threatened with encroachment from expanding human settlement.
Downloadable Reserve Info
