Ecosystem Management

A professional ecosystem management requires a holistic approach to conserve the biological diversity of an ecosystem, restore natural resources while at the same time meeting socioeconomic, political and cultural needs of the current and future generations. Spirit of the Masai Mara – in cooperation with other tourism partners – commits itself to form a management system that will benefit all parties involved: the Masai community, the wildlife in the Siana Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve and the local tourism partners. The delicate balance of the natural and human environments can only be maintained by empowering the local community, establishing controlled grazing and zoning areas for livestock, enforcing anti-poaching and restoring the natural habitat. The fees being paid to the Siana conservancy contribute to the creation of ranger units that ensure adherence to anti-poaching rules and regulations as well as standards set out by the Siana conservancy.

Waste Water Management

Together with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative (MaMaSe), Spirit of the Masai Mara has piloted the construction of a waste water management system to purify the water used at the lodge. We are one of only two lodges in the Masai Mara to use this water purification system in order to reduce our environmental impact.

Constructed wetlands are systems that mimic the wastewater treatment processes that take place in natural wetlands. They provide up to 90% treatment of wastewater and are easy to maintain. There are different types of CWs based on the hydrological flow pattern. The recommended type of wetland in the basin is the horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) system where the water flows in the pore spaces of sand/gravel. Once the water has gone through the system, it can be recycled for secondary purposes such as irrigation or can be fed into a water hole for animals.

Waste Reduction

We are passionate about reducing our environmental impact and have taken various steps to manage the waste produced at the lodge. Plastic bottles are taken from the lodge to a women’s group where they are turned into beads used to make traditional Masai jewellery.

We also have our own composting system that is then used as a fertilizer for our organic vegetable garden. Any waste that cannot be used at the lodge is transported to Nairobi for recycling.