Climate Solutions in Tourism: Insights from Rekero Camp

The hospitality industry, particularly accommodations, forms a substantial part of the tourism value chain with a crucial role in the fight against climate change. As accommodations welcome travelers from around the world, they also leave an environmental footprint—through energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and supply chain impacts. However, responsible or eco-friendly accommodations are leading the way in climate action by adopting solutions that reduce carbon emissions. This week we zoom into perspectives from a climate-smart accommodation.

Credit: Andrew Morgan

At the heart of the Maasai Mara, Asilia Africa’s Rekero Camp has long championed responsible tourism, ensuring that our operations not only offer unforgettable guest experiences but also minimize our carbon footprint. Our commitment to sustainability was recently recognized in the 2024 ecorating assessment, where we achieved the highest score among all rated facilities that period, as well as taking the Leading Accommodation Facility in Climate Action in the 2024 Ecowarrior Awards. These achievements reflect our dedication to implementing effective climate solutions, especially on 3 major fronts: energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainable procurement.

At Rekero, clean energy is at the core of our sustainability efforts. We have significantly reduced reliance on fossil fuels by generating about 75% of our power from solar energy—an increase from 59% just two seasons ago. Our solar infrastructure, backed by 18kW of PV and 35.7kWh of lithium-ion battery storage for FOH, has cut generator hours by about 47% in comparison to last season, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero generator hours in camp.

Rekero’s Solar Panels

Beyond energy, we have embraced a circular economy model, ensuring that over 95% of our solid waste is recycled through Taka Taka Solutions, while food waste is composted to enrich our kitchen gardens. Our commitment to sustainability extends to responsible sourcing, partnering with eco-conscious suppliers such as Grounded and Cinnabar Green whose products have a high positive impact, from sourcing their inputs locally to producing eco-friendly products which are 100% biodegradable. Additionally, we source organic vegetables from Forest Foods Kenya, a company that practices sustainable farming while creating employment opportunities for the local community. By collaborating with such suppliers, we not only support the local economy but also enhance our sustainability efforts and significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

Waste Sorting at source

What is measured gets done. On an annual basis, we measure our carbon footprint by tracking fuel, energy, and resource consumption across our operations. This includes emissions from our vehicles, generators, staff travel, waste, and electricity. We use the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, an internationally recognized methodology, to quantify our emissions in CO₂-equivalent units. The total footprint guides our reduction strategies before considering offsetting. However, acknowledging that some emissions are inevitable, we complement our reduction efforts with carbon offset initiatives, ensuring our operations align with global conservation goals. We offset our footprint through Carbon Tanzania, which provides Verra-certified carbon credits from community-led conservation projects in Tanzania. These offsets hold the highest Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards rating, guaranteeing a holistic impact that extends beyond emissions reduction to support local communities and ecosystems.

Rekero’s pathway solar lamps

At Rekero Camp, sustainability is not just a commitment but our way of life. By continuously innovating and implementing responsible tourism practices, we strive to set the benchmark for responsible hospitality in the Maasai Mara and beyond.

Credit: Andrew Morgan

To join responsible tourism players like Rekero Camp, the hospitality sector- accommodations, restaurants, spas, etc. can reduce their carbon footprint by implementing energy-efficient appliances, conserving water through innovative systems, and managing waste responsibly. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and integrating sustainable building designs further strengthens their commitment to a greener future. Climate-resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness plans, and strong collaborations with local communities and businesses ensure the players can withstand climate-related disruptions while supporting broader sustainability efforts.

About Rekero Camp

Rekero Camp, a Gold Ecorated Property is part on Asilia Africa’s collection. It is one of the first camps in the Mara Reserve. The camp provides an intimate and immersive wildlife experience while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism practices. Designed to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings, it operates with Asilia’s ethos of travelling with purpose and preserving natural and cultural heritage.