A PUBLICATION OF ECOTOURISM KENYA Linking tourism, conservation and communities ISSUE NO.6 | APRIL 2015 - SEPTEMBER 2015 2015 Ecowarrior Awards & Gala 16th October Dinner 2015 Diani, South Coast SustainableSustainable tourismtourism practicespractices inin KenyaKenya 1 2 Naturals magazine is published biannually by Ecotourism Kenya. The publication targets readers interested in topics addressing linkages between tourism and conservation of nature 6 and cultural values at destinations. The magazine is distributed free of charge to registered, affiliate and associate members of Ecotourism Kenya. The organization permits the use of any information material contained in this publication by any interested party on condition that the user clearly acknowledges Ecotourism Kenya and quotes Contents the specific source edition of the magazine. If in doubt or wish to seek clarification, please write to or call the Editor using the 8 following address and contacts: 4 Message from the CEO/Chair Ecotourism Kenya KATO Place, Longonot Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. 5 About Ecotourism Kenya P.O. Box 10146-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone: +254 (0)20 2574059 Mobile: +254 (0)726366080 6 Replicable Best Practices at Olarro Email: [email protected] Lodge www.ecotourismkenya.org 8 Cottars Strive for Excellence in EK Board Members 2014/2015: Sustainable Tourism Chairman: Dr. Mohanjeet Brar (Commercial Director, 14 Gamewatchers Safaris) 10 Ecotourism Kenya at a Glance Secretary: Elizabeth Kimotho (Director, Exclusive Eco-Travels) Treasurer: George Kamau (Marketing/Reservations Manager, Lake 12 Sustainability for the Adventure Traveler Nakuru Lodge) Members: Dr. Mordecai Ogada, (Managing Partner, Conservation 14 Value Added Heritage Walking Tours Solutions Afrika), Edith Bosire (Principal Associate, EED Advisory), Within the Nairobi Central Business Anu Vohora (Sales & Marketing Director, SafariLink Aviation), District 16 Jacinta Nzioka (Ag. Director of Marketing, Kenya Tourism Board), Herbert Mwachiro (Regional CSR Manager, Institute for 16 Collaborative Partnership at the West Education in Democracy), Grace Nderitu (CEO, Ecotourism Kenya), Gate Conservancy Ali Allport (Community and Conservation Manager, The Safari Collection), Elizabeth Gitari (Legal advisor). 18 Airkenya Stance on Education in the 18 Chair, Finance & Fundraising Sub-committee: Dr. Mohanjeet Brar Masai Mara Chair, Eco-Rating Sub-committee: Jane Kahata Chair, Community Outreach committee: Elizabeth Mumo 22 Being a Lady Tour Guide Chair, PR & Marketing Sub-committee: Fiona Ngesa 24 The 10th Eco-Warriors Awards 2015 Chair, Events and Training Sub- committee: Herbert Mwachiro EK Secretariat: 26 Promoting Sustainability Through Grace Nderitu, Andrew Karanja, Lynnet Kamonde, Terryann Collaborative Efforts in the Tourism 22 Mutindi, Ann W. Mwangi and Joyce Kiruri Sector EK Interns and Volunteers: Paul Mwai and Milka Shabanji 28 Join the Ecotourism Spirit Editorial Team: Grace Nderitu, Terryanne Mutindi and Ann W. Mwangi 30 Ecotourism Kenya Eco-Rated Accomodation Facilities Editor Phoebe Munyoro Advertising accompanying articles, with permissions and Terryanne Mutindi Ecotourism Kenya’s photos credits clearly shown. Use of facts, Contributors: figures, illustrations and examples is greatly Ali Allport, Calvin Cottars, Cheryl D’Souza, Andrew Karanja, Martha Magazine Editorial Policy Mutiso, Felix Kipkoech, Milkah Shabanji, Ancillah Wanja and encouraged. The language used should be Jacinta Nzioka The following editorial policy acts as a guideline for the average reader; highly technical or Cover Photo: Courtesy of Laikipia Wildlife Forum for publishing Naturals magazine primarily for EK academic language, plagiarism and clichés members. Naturals aim is to promote ecotourism must be avoided. The Editorial Committee Design & Layout: has the right to decline and refuse to publish Jacqueline Omutimba knowledge and best practices in support of Sunburst Communications Ltd responsible and sustainable tourism in Kenya. contributions or advertisements deemed [email protected] The editor welcomes editorial submissions on racial, derogatory, defamatory or injurious to interesting and pertinent topics. The articles any person, known or unknown. The editor Disclaimer should not exceed 1,000 words and must also reserves the right to review, edit and/or The opinions and views expressed in articles published in Naturals clearly show the names and postal contacts reject articles for reasons of content, quality, magazine are the respective author’s own and do not necessarily of the author/contributor. Contributors are length or post-deadline submission. All reflect those of Ecotourism Kenya, which seeks to publish a diverse encouraged to write on issues that interest, editorial contributions will be published in range of perspectives on given issues. Authors are fully responsible inform and empower the target audience. English. and are legally liable for their own work. Ecotourism Kenya assumes Writers are welcome to consult Ecotourism Submissions to the EK Magazine should be sent no responsibility or legal liability, express or implied, for the content Kenya at any point during their writing. of any work by authors. Every effort has been made to ensure the to the Editor at [email protected] Appropriate photographs can be included to the accuracy of all the information contained in this magazine. 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & CHAIR Since our inception, Ecotourism a sign that facilities are incorporat- Olarro Lodge - one of the newly Kenya seeks to promote Kenya ing best practices in their facilities. Gold eco-rated facilities, on their as a responsible and sustainable Through KATO with support from best practices in responsible tour- Message tourism destination. Tourism is a CBI Netherlands we are pursuing a ism that has made them an award pillar of Economic growth in Kenya certification scheme for tour opera- winning facility. There are many from the and to ensure the tourism Industry tors in partnerships withTravel life more articles in this edition for in Kenya gains from it, Ecotour- andTourism Regulatory Authority. one to indulge in and learn one or ism Kenya encourages all tourism Such a partnership will strive to two things on what various green establishments to incorporate grow a generation of tour opera- companies are doing to promote CEO responsible tourism practices in tors who incorporate best practices responsible tourism. their businesses. These are the in their day to day business. practices that benefit the enterprise On behalf of the Ecotourism team - the environment - and the local In this 6th edition of the Naturals we do hope you will enjoy this edi- community. Magazine, we focus on Sustainable tion and include best practices in tourism practices in Kenya.The vari- your various tourism endeavors. As Linking tourism, communities and ous articles feature a variety of best we keep saying here at Ecotourism conservation is our mantra and we practices such as perspective from Kenya #Itissmarttoberesponsible continue to do this through the adventure tourism which we see as Eco-rating scheme. During the last an important aspect when it comes three months, three new Gold fa- to tourism sustainability. We have Grace Nderitu, cilities have been certified which is taken the onus of showcasing CEO, Ecotourism Kenya Ecotourism Kenya recognizes the significant the conservancies continue. Losing them conservation work that is achieved by would be a truly tragic and irreversible loss to tourism enterprises in partnership with our country. Message communities. The communities working alongside with tourism businesses, have many The ecotourism 2014 awards were a testament from the opportunities to derive financial and economic that Kenya’s tourism sector is an important benefits through leasing of land to develop contributor to the conservation of natural tourism accommodation facilities, trading, resources, maintenance of biological diversity employment, conservation fees paid by guests, and propagation of healthy eco systems. The donations through travelers’ philanthropy and awards tell a slight portion of the responsible Chair development of transport and communication tourism story. The Eco-rating scheme is infrastructures. growing in popularity and we see more and more establishments being eco-rated. These The conservancy movement in Kenya with its establishments show their best practices in various models from private to community nature conservation through business policy, owned is one of the resounding recent success corporate social responsibility and supply stories. The conservancies are now helping chain management systems. This year we protect hundreds of thousands of acres as a have worked on improving the entire process habitat for wildlife, protecting biodiversity, including the categories, application and providing employment to community judging and look forward to recognizing the members and significant other benefits such eco-warriors of 2015 at a gala event and once as monetary, social programs and grass banks again we’re proud to be partnering with the as well as providing guests with an authentic Kenya Tourist Board. safari experience. However, unfortunately the collapse in tourism has put much of this at I hope you enjoy this edition of the Naturals risk and eco-tourism in Kenya is seeing some Magazine and that it helps to inspire more of its most challenging times ever. Kenya has responsible practices in our industry. visionary leaders that have helped to develop ecotourism