Eco Rated Facilities – Silver Rated

Leopard Hill is Basecamp Explorer’s newest camp in Masai Mara. Its located next to a series of watering holes in Mara Naboisho Conservancy Leopard Hill offers guests a chance to observe the African wildlife from a prime spot while enjoying the modern luxury of the camp. Its strategic location makes it easy to access the Masai Mara National Reserve providing an opportunity for guests to witness the world-renowned wildebeest migration then return to an evening of intimacy and seclusion.

- The camp is guided by an environmental policy in which it recognizes its responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. It aims to reduce its environmental impact, and continually improve its environmental performance, as an integral part of its business strategy, and operating methods with regular review points.
- The facility has undertaken its annual self-Environmental Audit (EA) as required by Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA 1999).

- Through the Basecamp Explorer Foundation, the camp initiated a waste management project in 2018 aimed at addressing the single-use plastic and glass waste management problem. Waste is collected from the camps along Talek River and Talek trading centre, and then disposed at a designated waste collection point prior to transportation to Nairobi. In the last quarter, approximately 1 tonne of plastics were collected.
- The camp’s guides support the Masai Mara National Reserve rangers through wildlife monitoring.
- The foundation has also constructed water pans for use by wildlife.
- The camp is not fenced, thereby ensuring the ecosystem integrity is maintained by allowing free movement of wildlife.

- Black water from the guest tents and staff quarters flows into the septic tanks. The septic tanks are to be emptied by an exhauster when full.
- Grey water from the kitchen and laundry sections is managed through soak pits.

- Solid waste is segregated at source (in the guest kitchen) into these categories: paper, plastic, organic and metal.
- Solid waste is also separated at the staff kitchen along the following categories: organic and non-organic.
- Refillable water bottles are provided in each guest room
- Shampoo and shower gel used in the guest bathrooms are contained in large sized dispenser bottles, to minimise waste soaps disposal.
- As a measure of reducing generation of single-use plastic, the facility has provided water dispensers in the guest restaurant area.

- The camp uses LED’s for the tents and paraffin lanterns to show path ways – to minimize light pollution at night.

- The main source of water is a borehole located near the facility.
- The abstracted water is pumped into main tanks of 20,000 liters capacity before being supplied throughout the facility by gravity.
- Water is added into the charcoal fridge in the morning and evening through drip pipes.
- The camp has a dual flush toilet system to minimize water usage on each toilet flush.

- The main source of energy for Leopard Hill Camp is solar energy.
- 32 solar panels have been installed and connected to a battery-inverter system. The energy generated is used to power operations such as lighting, running the freezers and other electrical appliances.
- The facility has a diesel-powered generator with output capacity of 2.5 kVA. These are mainly used as backup.
- Solar water heating systems have been installed for heating water for each guest rooms and guest kitchen.
- An energy efficient kuni booster has been installed for heating water at the laundry and the female staff quarters.
- Energy saving bulbs and LED lights have been installed throughout the facility.
- An energy efficient charcoal fridge has been installed for storing vegetables and fruits.
- As a measure of conserving energy, all laundry is sun-dried.
- Solar powered pump is used in pumping water at the borehole.

- Guests are briefed about the facility’s operations upon arrival.
- Portraits of some wildlife species found in Naboisho ecosystem such as lions, have been displayed on the walls at the lounge area
- The lounging area is furnished with magazines/books detailing the history, ecosystems and flora and fauna within East Africa.

- The facility uses biodegradable chemicals (Diversey products) in laundry section.
- The LPG used in the guest and staff kitchens is bought in bulk 50kg cylinders.
- Cinnabar Green products are bought for use in the guest bathrooms.

- The foundation pays full school fees for 20 girls whose parents are part of the Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB). The girls are currently in form one in the following schools: Talek Girls High School, St. Mary’s Girls Secondary School Narok and St. Mary’s Girls Secondary School Bomet among others. The initiative began in the years 2019.
- In addition to payment of school fees, the foundation also provides school shopping for the girls.
- Basecamp Explorer Kenya has sponsored 4 local students to undertake a Diploma cooking course at Karen Blixen Hospitality School. The course takes a duration of 18 months to complete. Part of the funds is raised by Benson (who pioneered the programme) through sale of his cook book, which describes his personal journey and cooking recipes.
- The camp has employed approximately 85% of the staff from the local area.
- 13 members of the local community have been employed at the tree nursery.
- During the Coronavirus pandemic, the foundation provided monetary support to Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA). Other camps also provided monetary support.
- The staffs at the camp that perform Masai dances are given a token of appreciation which is placed in the tip box.

- Various pieces of decor within the camp reflect the local culture of the Masai.
- During village visits to Elekasoi village, guests get an opportunity to experience the way of life of the Maasai.
- Occasionally, local Masai dances are performed by the local staff at the camp.
- Events such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries are celebrated in local culture upon request by guests.
- Cultural talks are provided for guests. This is usually done by the guides for instance during game drives.
- During the African night local cuisines are served for guests.
- Guests are informed about the Enjoolata Awareness Centre and encouraged to visit, where they learn about the Masai way of life.
- Guests are taken at the local market at Talek upon request, where they get an opportunity to experience the Masai way of life.
- Guests are provided with a code of conduct by guides. This is to be followed when interacting with the locals during the village visits, as a way of respecting the local customs.
- Guides and staff dress in Masai attire which reflects the local culture.

- Leopard Hill Camp purchases goods in bulk to reduce on packaging.
- Vegetables, eggs and staff meat is sourced locally from Narok and around the conservancy.

- Health and Safety Audit of the facility has been conducted in compliance with OSHA 2007 legal requirements.
- Fire Audit of the camp has been carried out in compliance with Fire Risk Reduction Rules of 2007.
- Food handlers have been medically tested in compliance with Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act CAP 254.
- Firefighting equipment within the facility such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets have been inspected and duly serviced by Nat Fire Company Limited.
- Members of staff drawn from various departments have undergone refresher First Aid training.
- Members of staff drawn from various departments have undergone refresher Fire Safety Awareness training.
- The camp has a Health and Safety Committee, comprising of 8 staff from each department. The committee provides a forum for the management and staff to resolve health and safety issues.
- Fire assembly point has been clearly marked within the camp.
- Fire drills are conducted in each quarter, so as to familiarize and reinforce proper evacuation practices and routes.
- Fully stocked First Aid kit has been provided for use at the facility. This is currently kept at the office.
- Effective PPE such as gloves have been provided for use by staff in various areas of operation such as laundry.

- Staff are unionized and affiliated to KUDHEHIA, which negotiates terms of service and working conditions for its members.
- For the unionized staff, their salaries are paid according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- All employees are entitled to paid annual leave of 26 days in line with statutory requirements.
- Female employees are entitled to maternity leave of 3 months.
- Male employees are entitled to paternity leave of 14 days.
- Employees are entitled to up to 6 off-days per month, and in case of work done on a public holiday, they are provided with 2 off-days.
- Staffs are provided with a medical cover-First Assurance.
- The company has arrangements with Koiyaki Community Clinic, whereby all medical expenses for staff who seek treatment at the facility are paid for by the company.
- Employees are provided with free meals and accommodation.
- Staffs are provided with tips. Further, a staff committee has been established to ensure equal distribution.

- Leopard Hill Camp adheres to the minimum legal age requirement for employment (18 years).
- Basecamp Explorer Kenya has a Child Protection Policy, which describes the company’s commitment to protecting children against forced labour, abuse and violation of human rights.

- Effective communication channels between the management and staff are in place, for instance through the notice boards.
- On-job trainings are provided for staff. For example, locals with basic education can be employed by the company in departments such as housekeeping, and learn through the job.
- Staffs undergo refresher trainings every year at Utalii College.
- In-house trainings are conducted for various departments.