The Ecotourism and Environmental Programme at Mara Bushtops

 Introduction

The Masai Mara and Serengeti Ecosystem is one of the few remaining areas in the world where migrating wildlife can be still seen in astonishing abundance. Every year over a million wildebeest, together with hundreds of thousands of zebra, can be seen migrating between the Mara and the Serengeti in Tanzania. Many visitors from all over the world are attracted to this great spectacle. These guests create challenges to the management of resources, such as water, energy and the handling of waste at the lodges and camps in and around the Mara. Consideration must also be given to the local Masai inhabitants and their livestock, which occupy areas adjacent to the Mara Reserve.

 

Environmental friendly energy at Mara Bushtops

 

When planning the luxurious Mara Bushtops Camp consideration was given to both the comfort of guests (maximum 30) and the environmental impact of the development. To minimize the use of fossil fuels, 32 photovoltaic solar panels and a large bank of special batteries were installed. On an average day, with about 12 hours of daylight, these solar panels provide enough power to run thewhole camp for approximately 20 hours. However, when the need arises, a back-up generator starts automatically, ensuring the comfort of our guests and the continuous running of our operation. This greatly reduces the need to use a generator for most of the year.

Hot water through solar

After a long and dusty yet exciting day on safari, there is nothing more pleasurable than to stand under a nice hot shower or soak in a hot tub. To provide sufficient hot water for our guests, eight large solar heater panels have been installed, which warm the water to about 60°C during the day. The twelve tents and the main building are supplied with hot water in a special closed loop system, ensuring an instant supply at a constant temperature. In order to supplement this on cloudy days, a wood-burning heater has also been incorporated. To replace firewood supplied from the area, a wood lot has been planted with indigenous fast-growing trees. This should provide the camp with sufficient firewood in the future.

Waste recycling

Waste from packaging is a major concern for us. To reduce the amount of packaging we buy our supplies in bulk and transport our fresh vegetables from the market in reusable boxes. Sugar, butter, jam and honey are served in small bowls and dishes rather than using individual packs that produce unnecessary waste. A compost pit is used for our biodegradable waste, whilst non-biodegradable but recyclable waste is sent back to Nairobi to be processed.

In the future, a planned conversion of the wood burner to an incinerator/burner, will allow the generation of hot water from waste which cannot be recycled.

Community programme

The natural environmentand the local communities are important to us at Mara Bushtops. The camp islocated on communal land and local inhabitants gain a direct benefit from the rental income. Furthermore, we employ several members from this community andtheir salary contributes directly to the improvement of the living standard oftheir families. Our guests have the opportunity to visit an authentic Masai Manyatta, where some of the staff live. Here the guests and the Masai can enjoy an exchange of cultures and traditions.

To assist the community, Mara Bushtops has already built a dam to provide water for the livestock in the dry season. At present our community program is still developing and we plan to discuss and implement many more projects with the Masai community that will positively benefit the environment and people.