Improving African Community Health
At The Fazendin Portfolio, we recognize what a special gift Africa is to travelers. For centuries, travelers have been mesmerized by this great continent, her people, her landscapes and her wildlife. We also realize that it is our responsibility to help maintain these special areas for future generations. Our partners each contribute to “Community Health” in different ways, from environmentally-friendly waste disposal systems, to cultural interaction programs, to a tree-planting initiative… and much more.
Heritage Hotels :: At each of the eight properties in the Heritage Hotels collection, the company strives to lead the industry in environmentally-friendly and sustainable programs. Recently implemented programs include:
- Voyager Ziwani recently introduced a reforestation program to populate the area with indigenous trees along the dam near the property. Trees have been lost over time due to the elephant population in the area.
- At the Great Rift Valley Lodge, all kitchen waste is made into compost which is them used in the gardens on the property grounds. The property also has plans to create a wetland habitat near the property out of the waste water. Run-off will be treated for this habitat, over time creating another vivid game location.
- Samburu Intrepids is a true pioneer in environmentally-friendly operations. As the camp manager recently reported: ”Our waste disposal begins at the kitchen where bins have been provided for deferent a variety of recyclable materials. Composite sites have been developed within our gardens, the degradable waste is buried and allowed to degenerate into manure that is used in making the grounds nutrient rich. Grease traps have been constructed on the kitchen waste water line which subsequently joins the waste water main line. The camp has adopted the use of bio-degradable detergents and soap.” The property yields water from boreholes that have been sunk along Uaso Nyiro River. This water is then pumped up to our treatment plant then finally to the storage tanks through a meter that enables the manager to record the property’s consumption. Arrangements to introduce pedestal/foot operated sink and push taps are in place. Water is then supplied through pipes and regulated by taps that reduces wastage.
Each Heritage property is committed to conserving the surrounding wilderness and to supporting the local community that holds the key to its future. By combining the latest environmental technologies with traditional local knowledge, Heritage is working to create a model for sustainable ecotourism throughout the East African region. The company is committed to developing and empowering employees, in order to improve the performance, standards and reputation of the local hospitality industry.
Express Travel Group :: The Express Travel Group are members of the Eco Tourism Society of Kenya and have a senior member of staff on the Society’s board. Wherever possible the company uses accommodations who practice eco-friendly operations. The Express Travel Group fosters opportunities for clients to make donations to the East African Wildlife Society and to the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya
On the majority of itineraries the company builds in visits to local schools and villages. At the schools, generous client donations of text books, writing instruments etc have brought a certain prosperity to those schools.
The company also believes that nature conservation is critical. All staff are aware of the importance and receive ongoing training. Safari guides receive rigerous training to ensure the wildlife are not harassed and are treated with the gentle respect they deserve.
African Latitude :: African Latitude is East Africa’s original and premier operator of walking safaris and four wheel-drive camping expeditions. These safaris take travelers into wilderness areas where few venture. These areas are untouched due largely to the complicated logistics in transport and accommodation when accessing these remote regions of undisputed beauty. These trips manage to bring travelers to these carefully-selected, remote areas with a high standard of transport and accommodation. Visits to key areas in East Africa are made principally on foot, with the exception of the Masai Mara Game Reserve where visits are made in vehicles. Overall impact on the environment is very low. Driver guides are encouraged to strictly drive on the designated tracks. Transport of client’s luggage and camp equipment during the trek is made using the local Masai donkeys as porterage. Any access tracks for vehicles are re-used over the years and kept to a strict minimum of few tracks.
On these small-group camping safaris water consumption is minimal (10 liters per person per day). Showers are “bush bucket” type shower allowing minimal consumption and run-off is diverted to water nearby trees and shrubs.
Toilets are temporary “long drop toilets” which are then buried into composting process and use no water. Moving camp daily means that toilets are re-dug on requirement. Safaris are seasonal or monthly giving time for decomposition and camps are always located far from villages and steams and populated areas minimizing any risk of pollution.
We encourage clients to purchase local handicrafts from the source and many small markets are presented for our clients. We also utilize local guides and staff according to areas of operation. Our company contributes a per-person donation in all community areas where we operate camping and walking safaris. Donations are made on an annual basis and are generally donated to the primary schools, but are made to the requested project of the respective communities. For example, African Lattitude currently has requests for equipment for the new boarding school near Morijo which the company will provide and then assist them in the sourcing and purchasing of materials.
African Latitude is dedicated to utilization of Masai Group Ranches & Conservation areas at the Masai Mara. As the Masai are able to reap tourism revenue (visit and camp fees revenue) from their land which is natural wildlife grazing areas, they are encouraged to preserve their land for this specific purpose. The wildlife are left at peace on their natural terrritory, the tourists have the pleasure to visit them and the Masai have income for childrens school fees, local clinics, school improvements etc. In fact, the Masai Mara is just one example, there are many other areas the company uses in Samburuland and other areas of East Africa.
Meaningful cultural interaction is experienced by African Latitude clients on a daily basis through their contacts with the local guides and Masai donkey handlers whilst traveling though this traditional Masai region. Family members of guides are met along the way, and local villages are visited in a manner whereby one visits his family members and not in a set-up tourist manner. Through African Latitude’s positive tourism operations with local communities, our clients are received by the local people in a very sincere and friendly way and often are invited to visit homes and drink tea together with families.
Explanations of cultural & historical issues are made by the guides during discussions, visits, and whilst walking as a group. Ecological issues are discussed during the progression of the trek through varying eco-systems. The Masai have many natural uses of plants and trees (ie. natural medicines, fire sticks, toothbrush bush etc) and these procedures are discussed and demonstrated to the clients during the safari.
The Loitan Masai have always been caretakers of the indigenous Menengio Forest which is a vital water catchment area of the region. The forest is an integral part of their daily life and they share this region with pride and help educate guests along the way.
Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour :: Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour is dedicated to supporting the local communities throughout the country of Ethiopia. The company collaborates with local charities and contributes a great deal to the benefit of these communities by supporting a number of homeless children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, which is a serious problem in Ethiopia.
Most recently Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour has established an annual tree-planting program to help reforestation efforts in areas of Ethiopia hurt by recent years of drought.
The Ethiopian tourism product can be divided into the Northern historical circuit, which mainly includes historical cities, buildings and religious artifacts and the Southern cultural circuit, which features indigenous tribal people and cultures. By bringing tourism to these areas Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour works to preserve these regions for future generations. The company’s focus on education and expert guiding ensure that guests learn something during their travel experience and can help act as ambassadors for these special areas of Africa.
