Eco Rated Facilities

Kilima Camp is located on the edge of the Siria escarpment (also called Oloololo escarpment) at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level hence the name kilima which means "mountain or little hill in Swahili". The camp is specifically located on Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates, Latitude: -1.23696 (1°14′13.069″S) and Longitude: 35.01702 (35°01′1.254″E) on the western border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is uniquely located on the hill with fantastic and phenomenal view over the Masai Mara plains and the river Mara. It was opened in 2007 owned and operated by Escapades Limited. It has 15 guest tents with a bed capacity of 30 visitors and a total work force of 25 employees.
The facility is built on a private concession area of 119 hectares bordering the official perimeter of the Mara Triangle Wilderness Area within the Masai Mara National Reserve. The concession area is an integral part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem providing critical wildlife dispersal area for migratory wildlife. It is frequented by wildlife species including lions, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, rock hyrax amongst other species. It is also a haven for bird species.

Kilima camp is steered by its general policy which puts emphasis on universal principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability. Further it is guided by a mission which indicates commitment to providing safe, comfortable and hospitable services to clients. This is envisioned by need to develop, own and manage a community based business that provides mutual respect and benefits to the local people. The facility has an environmental management system with operational guidelines on general management , environmental management, purchasing, resources use including water, energy and waste, community involvement, guests integration and staff development. The facility conducts its annual self-environmental audit as required by Environmental (Impact assessment and Audit) Regulations, of 2003.

The camp is built on a low environmental footprint; the guest tents are raised on wooden platforms whereas the canvas is green and beige that blends well with the natural surroundings. The footpaths are aligned with stones, sand and gravel are used to demarcate the way. The facility is also unfenced allowing wildlife to move freely. The facility encourages guests to engage in low environmental impact activities such as village visits, bird watching, horse riding and nature walks. The camp partners with the Mara Triangle conservancy on collating information through wildlife monitoring initiatives. In addition it has established a linkage with Mara Cheetah Project aimed at research data collection and guests’ sensitization. The camp guides have been recognized by Mara Cheetah project for their continued support on wildlife conservation. In promoting conservation, the facility is in the process of developing a conservancy in its surrounding and has already leased 320 acres and sets aside 5 USD per guest per night to be used in the startup stages.

Effluent from the guest kitchen flows through a grease trap to filter out oils and grease before draining into a soak pit. Grey waste water from the laundry, guest rooms and staff quarters is managed via soak pits. Quarterly effluent tests are conducted at the facility in compliance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Water Quality) Regulations of 2006. Black water within the facility; guest area, public areas and staff quarters and public areas is managed through septic tanks; the facility has a total of twelve (12) septic tanks.

Waste separation at the camp is conducted at source. The bins are clearly labeled and color coded. The waste is put in holding area for further sorting before disposal via Nairobi central office for recycling. In addition the camp keeps an inventory (types and quantity) of the waste produced for monitoring purposes. The camp has a waste tracking form to ensure waste is delivered to the intended destination in Nairobi. Organic waste is composted in a properly designed pit. The pit is fitted with a cover to keep off scavengers. On waste reduction, the camp has implemented a ‘no plastic policy’; instead water for consumption purposes is bought in 18 litres re-usable dispensers and put in refillable branded glass bottles.

The generator has a soundproof body to reduce on noise pollution. Low light emitting paraffin Lanterns are used to light the pathways at night.

Main source of water for Kilima camp is obtained from the facility’s artificial dam. The water is solar pumped on a high elevated reservoir of 7,500 litres for treatment. It flows via gravity to two (2) reservoirs of 10,000 litres each (float switches are fixed to avert spillage). It is metered at the main inlet and main outlet and sub-metered at main consumption points. Recording is done daily to monitor usage. The facility has a water extraction Permit from (WRMA) Water Resources Management Authority.
To complement its water supply, the facility practices rain water harvesting. It has an approximate capacity of collecting 34,500 liters when full. The camp has “towel talks” in the guest tents encouraging visitors on re-use of towels. Staff is sensitized during departmental meetings and briefings. The facility has a regular maintenance and repairs schedule to monitor faults or water leakages. Approximately 50% of the guest tents toilets are fixed with water efficient dual flush cisterns.

Solar and wind power connected to an inverter battery system are the main sources of energy for the camp. The energy is used for lighting and running the electrical appliances. In addition, the camp has two– 12 KvA and 15KvA - diesel powered generators normally used as backup or charging the power inverter batteries. They are also used for operating air compressors or welding works. Diesel consumption is monitored whereas the power output is metered. Water heating for the camp is conducted through solar water heaters. The camp has (8) eight solar heaters with a capacity of 300 litres each. The heaters are connected to (3) three, back- up efficient kuni-boilers that use charcoal briquettes. The boilers are insulated for energy efficiency.
The guest tents are fixed with main switches and the night guards are sensitized to switch off unnecessary lights. Solar flash lights are provided at the guest tents for use at night. Energy saving bulbs is installed throughout for energy conservation. Liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG) is used for guests and staff cooking. In addition, the camp also uses energy saving jikos within the staff quarters for preparing high heat consuming foods. Staff is sensitized on energy conservation through departmental briefings whereas visitors are sensitized on arrival briefings. Also, guest tents are fitted with room information sensitizing visitors on energy conservation. The facility has innovatively designed a vegetable solar dryer. It has a charcoal cooler normally used for storing perishables such vegetables and fruits. The cooler assists to reduce on power dependency which could have been used to store the food in refrigerants.

Visitor communication and education
The Camp has a visitors’ resource area equipped with reading information materials including environmental publications, wildlife and travel magazines, and nature conservation magazines such as Africa Geographic, Books on Kenya, Birds of Kenya. In addition, the facility has well detailed room information folders outlining facility policies, surrounding ecosystem and activities offered. Further, visitors are briefed upon arrival on the environmental principles and values of the camp. Guests engage in learning and sensitization activities which include; game drives, village visits, bird watching and nature walk safaris – walking safaris are also aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the camp. Information on wildlife conservation projects such as Mara Cheetah is shared with the guests. Booklets information sheets are available at the resource information section.

Diesel is stored in two reservoirs of 200 liters each. The camp uses biodegradable bathroom amenities in the guest tents, e.g. bathing soaps and shampoos supplied by Cinnabar Green. Biodegradable laundry chemicals used include Bio-clean and Snowflakes. Material Safety Data Sheet records for the chemicals used within the facility are available at the facility. Gas is bought in 50kg and 12kg cylinders and stored in a properly contained structure.

The camp has employed approximately 60% of the staff from the local area. In addition, all casual work is allocated to the local people. The camp purchases from the local Mara Rianta town and local village where possible. Some of these products include milk, manure for camp garden, and curios.
The facility has a community engagement plan implemented through various initiatives and visitor donations. The camp projects are mainly in education, and community empowerment. Some of the main initiatives include;
• Education: the camp supports the local Iltolish primary school through visitors’ donations of books and stationery. Additionally, it pays a monthly salary to one teacher at the School. Also, the facility supports the school through offering transport on special functions such as sports, music and drama festivals. Approximately KSh 120,000 on annual basis is spent.
• Community empowerment: the camp has established an organized local village visit initiative. Approximately KSh. 130,000 is paid per year on village visits. In addition a goat (for staff meat) is bought from the local community on a weekly basis.
• The camp has hired Masai Morans to entertain visitors on special occasions.
• The facility pays quarterly lease payments to the landlords, and monthly bed fees to the local community.
• The facility two dams also serve the local community with water for wildlife and domestic use.
Individually, the camp is a member of the “Pack for a Purpose” where visitors are encouraged to donate items needed by the communities. Donations made include learning materials - blackboards, and stationery Iltolish primary school. Employees are provided with health care, uniform, food, accommodation facilities and basic amenities such as soaps.

The camp offers village visits for an authentic cultural experience at Iltolish village. Visitors are offered cultural lectures by the village elders. Guests are charged $20 per person for the visit. The system is established in such a way that there is no direct exchange of money. The fee is paid at the camp and the guest issued with a ticket. The proceeds are later channeled to the local village chairperson for distribution. The camp has a curio shop; most of the products sold are sourced from the local villages.

The camp purchases fruits and vegetables packed in reusable crates while meat and dairy products are stored in cool boxes. Other products like sugar is bought in bulk.

The camp has an emergency plan with clear spelt out procedures on fire, medical care and evacuation.
The facility has a fire marshals team of 10 employees trained on fire safety awareness and fighting. The camp issued has a Health Inspection Certificate from the Ministry of Public Health. Medical checkups are conducted every six months to the food and beverage handlers to comply with Food, Drugs, and Chemical substances Act. Cap 254. The guest tents are equipped with flash lights, radio calls and whistle, for emergency response.
The facility is linked to (AMREF) Flying Doctors services and charter air services can be provided for emergency response. The camp has an adequately stocked first aid kit located at the main office (kits available). Medical supplies are also available and a team of three in management is trained on first aid skills. Medical health care for the employees is referred to nearby CHP - Mara Rianda Clinic. In addition the facility has a Doctor on call for guest’s emergency response.
Fire-fighting equipment including, fire extinguishers, fire blanket in the kitchen are promptly serviced and strategically fixed within the facility. A fire assembly point is clearly and conspicuously marked within the camp. Sand buckets are also provided to compliment the fire extinguishers. The facility carries out fire safety audit to comply with Factories and other places of work (Fire Risk Reduction) Rules 2007.
A health and safety audit of the facility in accordance with section 11 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 has been conducted. In addition the facility has constituted a health and safety committee comprising of workers and management as per requirements of the Legal Notice No. 31 of 2004 - Factories and Other Places of work (Safety and Health Committees) Rules, 2004. The team is also trained on Safety and Health Awareness. Protective gear / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as boots, uniform, gloves, and aprons are provided to the staff.

Employees have a staff welfare committee which handles and addresses staff issues. It meets on monthly basis. The employees are registered under KUDHEIHA (Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Education Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers).

The facility adheres to the legal employment age.

The facility has two (2) guides who are certified under the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association: (KPSGA) silver and Bronze. The camp offers its employees refresher course training at Kenya Utalii College. Further in house trainings are conducted on work skills / professional development, and health and safety.
The camp has notice boards for staff communication. Staff briefings are held at departmental level on daily basis for planning activities.