Questions & Advice
Kicheche Camps has provided answers to the following topics in the questions and advice section;
I am planning to take an organised safari tour in Kenya but am concerned about which tour companies contribute to the environment and local culture
- By:
- Moira Rutherford
- On:
- 14 February 2013
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Dear Moira ,
Jambo and warm greetings from East Africa !
Trust this message finds you well and in the best of spirits.
We have cultivated a culture amongst our team members to protect the enviroment hence ensure we pratice the recycle and reuse motto not only in our palce of work but in the field. We have also provide carbage bags in our vehicles to stop clients from throwing any rubbish or items they will not use again.
We also support local communties and offer cultural safari programs to various clientele. We continue to support local vilages in their projects by funding or raising funds in collaboration with our partners.
Thank you.
Taher Adamji.
On: 15 February 2013
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Several companies do this: tourism and conservation are becoming closer than ever before in Kenya and many safari companies (expecially the ones who also own lodges and camps) are deeply involved in the protection of land, wildlife and culture. There is an organization, called Ecotourism Kenya (http://www.ecotourismkenya.org) that groups and ranks them. I would like to add a personal opinion: my company - like other companies - believes in the involvement in private conservancies where the focus is on protection of land, wildlife and culture through the involvement of the communities who own the land. Most of the wildlife in Kenya (and in Africa) still is outside the boundaries of national parks and responsible, high quality low impact tourism is now focused on private land. So, in the Masai Mara we are part of Mara North Conservancy ( http://www.maranorth.com) and in Samburu we are part of Northern Rangeland Trust (http://www.nrt-kenya.org) The future of wildlife and the protection of local communities and local culture lies without any doubt with organizations like these, whose projects are really successful. Conservation is expensive, though, and we need everybody's support to help us and be part of these exciting projects. So please choose carefully your destinations and your tour operators! Thank you, Riccardo
On: 15 February 2013
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Hi Moira, Thanks for your question. Most tour operator's will have a responsible travel section on their website. Acacia Africa offer varied overland expeditions, small group safaris and voluntours (including, the Masai Mara Conservation and Wildlife Safari) covering Kenya. You'll find the tour operator's responsible tourism policy at acacia-africa.com (click on "about us"), and a list of all the specific environmental and cultural organisations they represent. The company was also nominated for a responsible travel award in relation to Kenya.
On: 15 February 2013
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Dear Moira,
Thank you very much for your question - what a coincidence, as we have just sent out a letter from Stefano Cheli, the founder and director of Cheli & Peacock about 'How to choose the right safari operator?' - and I think his viewpoint strongly relates to your question. Please click the following link to read the blog and I hope you find it interesting: http://chelipeacock.com/blog/
We always recommend our clients to book their safari through an Africa Specialist, through consultants who travel to Africa frequently and have been to the places and properties they sell. An African Safari can be a hefty investment and therefore we always encourage clients to do extensive research about their destination, their safari operator, the properties they will be staying at etc.
It is important to ask how long a company has been established, what is the companies mission, how do they operate, have they been awarded any Responsible Tourism Awards and are their properties eco-rated? Do they have solid examples of their community and conservation work, backed up by facts and figures?
Cheli & Peacock is one of the longest established safari operators in Kenya. Starting in 1985 as a small mobile safari company, Cheli & Peacock has grown and expanded over the years to become one of Kenya’s leading safari operators and a frontrunner in Sustainable Tourism. We specialize in personalized high-end safaris and promote off-the-beaten-track destinations that are true wilderness areas; pristine, wild and private!
C&P also represents an award winning collection of 8 boutique safari camps and lodges: “The C&P Portfolio”. Each property has its own character & style, yet a common theme: small, unique & elegant properties in extraordinary destinations and with outstanding environmental credentials.
To read more about our conservation story, please go to: http://chelipeacock.com/conservation/
http://chelipeacock.com/awards/
I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further queries.
All the best,
Cheli & Peacock Safaris
On: 15 February 2013
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Dear Moira,
Thank you for your question, well received.
Kicheche Camps are situated in local Conservancies; as we believe this is the best way not only for future wildlife protection, but also for the local communities. We provide financial security and support for the communities on whose land they have been created through employment, community projects and lease fees.
At Kicheche we have an environment policy known as “the R’s” R ... Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle …. Efficient resource management is critical in remote bush locations. RRRR endeavors to return to nature - as much as possible - that which was taken earlier on in the production chain. All our camps use solar in order to reduce pollutants and carbon footprint.
Kicheche Camps have Silver Certification under Ecotourism Kenya, an organization which promotes and certifies responsible tourism practices within the tourism industry. The certification scheme for tourism accommodation facilities is based on environmental and social criteria. This entails encouraging the adoption of best practices in the use of tourism resources, working with local communities and managing waste and emissions.
Our mission is to encourage the preservation of the environment whilst improving the welfare of the community through improved health and education facilities.
To read more about us, please go to: http://kicheche.com/the-kicheche-community-project
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further queries.
Thank You, the Kicheche Team
On: 15 February 2013