The Ecotourism and Environmental Programme at Serengeti Bushtops

Renewable power

The camp benefits from uninterrupted power, produced as sustainably as possible. This entails using solar electrical panels to generate power, with a generator kicking in to give us a back up supply; the generator can run between 3 and 8 hours a day, but large batteries store its charge when not needed or when the camp is empty. To conserve energy we use the latest low-wattage LED bulbs throughout the camp.

Sustainable water supply

Our water is pumped on demand from a borehole linked to the camp by underground pipes. Each tent’s hot tub is supplied with hot water from its own 300 litre solar heater, sited behind the tent and painted jungle green to ensure it is as unobtrusive as it is effective. On the rare occasions when the sun proves insufficient, electrical systems are used to generate additional heat.

Clean disposal systems

We dispose of spent ‘grey water’ via a specially-designed Tanapa-approved French drainage system in which underground aggregates filter the water before it enters the ground water. Anaerobic bacteria in septic tanks break down solids.

Recycling

Glass, tins and plastics are sorted and returned to Arusha for recycling with the weekly delivery.

Supporting the local economy/fresh food

We buy fresh vegetables from local farmers and plan to create a vegetable garden in the local village (we are not allowed to grow non-indigenous plants in the park itself).