Going green and saving our planet from the ever-threatening climate change and unconducive weather patterns especially in wildlife habitats and tourism is a solemn goal that all and sundry in the industry should move with haste to implement. The government of Kenya has continuously promoted these efforts which saw the ministry of environment ban the use of plastics that were becoming an eyesore due to non-degrading attributes.
These sustained efforts have seen the Kenyan government take the lead in managing and providing environmentally friendly guidelines across the spectrum to safeguard our ecosystem. For instance, it is now official that all vehicles and operations across the Maasai Mara and other natural areas have to rely on renewable energy by 2030.
In a circular to Tourism industry players and partners, the ministry is targeting 2030 as the complete turnaround period for relying on renewable energy in the tourism sector. The minister for tourism Hon Najib Balala vowed to restrict all national reserves to use vehicular transportation that only use non-fossil renewable energy. He also stipulated that all hospitality and tourism facilities should gear and prepare to adopt the use of renewable energy by 2030.
Emboo River Camp, a Safari lodge in the Maasai Mara is already fully aligned to using renewable energy. This is an example of a successful and sustainable lodge saving the environment while showcasing our natural treasures to the world. The camp has electric vehicles and motorcycles to support its operations as well as a farm on the outskirts of the National Reserve where they plant food for their visitors to avoid packaging and transporting food from long distances. Emboo is also implementing green building technologies through renewable shipping container conversations.
As the first lodge in Kenya to have its entire fleet of 4WD vehicles powered by solar energy, Emboo River Camp has been committed to making a difference since its inception in 2019.
In addition Emboo River camp has added container based off grid accommodation units, supplied by ISM Containers, a company based in Nairobi that converts shipping containers into affordable or luxury residences. These are made at their yard in Thika and transported to site and installed with minimal noise or disturbance to the natural life of the wild animals.
Container-based structures provide reliable housing options because of the flexibility in design, short duration of construction as well as mobility among other benefits.
Emboo River’s Containers accommodation units arrived plug and play, powered by solar energy, in line with their goal to use. green technology, renewable energy and to safeguard the ecosystem.
Thanks to Emboo River’s unique sustainable setup, you can enjoy the beauty of the Maasai Mara and protect it for generations to come. As the Maasai say, “Mataramat enkop pee eramat iyook.” This translates to “If you take care of nature, nature will take care of you.” Source: Emboo River Camp.
