CONSERVATION

• Saruni Eagle View is based in Naboisho Conservancy, where land is leased from the community. A total of $13500 is paid to the landowners as the bed-night fees from Saruni Eagle View.

• The most prominent wildlife conservation initiative is the Naboisho project. Due to the mutual benefit between the community and wildlife, landowners have handed over pockets of land in return for lease fees to the Naboisho Conservancy for wildlife conservation.

•  Saruni Eagle View understands that the only way to make conservation survive in the long run is to provide people with the means to make a living and coexist with nature. The conservancy approach guarantees monthly income to the landowners and employment to the youth, contributing significantly to local development. Providing a guaranteed income to almost 600 local Maasai households, impacting directly and indirectly over 10,000 people in the region and from every bed night, 80 USD go directly to Naboisho operations. This has a positive impact on wildlife. For example, the number of elephants has increased by 72 per cent between 2014-17. 

•  Other  initiatives include:
  • Biodiversity Restoration through the spread of seed balls during walking safaris.  
  • The camp has low-impact activities like guided walking safaris, sundowners, and bush dinners which the managers promote in place of a game drive 
  • Tree planting by employees and guests – the trees planted are watered with leftover water from guest bottles
  • Low impact, non-permanent accommodation structure. 
  • There is limited vegetation clearance, and the camp is not fenced to allow free movement of wildlife.
  • Adhere to strict wildlife viewing guidelines; only four vehicles are allowed per sighting, and they must be green or earth in colour.
  • The camp is 100% run on solar power.  
  • The camp operates on a shared borehole. 
  • Resource efficiency – water & electricity usage tracked through the camp’s performance tracker and guest sensitisation through welcome letters and guest briefing. 
  • The camp operates on a charcoal chiller for fruits and vegetables.
  • There are solar lanterns to light the pathways.
  • Operate on refillable water bottles at the restaurant that are refilled from a water dispenser; this is to reduce packaging. 
  • Supplier vetting is in place for sustainable and organic produce. 
  • Waste management and separation where waste is separated at source and transported to Nairobi for recycling. Food waste is managed through a compost pit and is used in the organic garden. 
  • The camp has a vegetable and herb garden. 
  • Rainwater harvesting supplements the borehole. 
  • Use of eco-friendly cleaning products.

COMMUNITY

• 90% of employees are from the local community, with 30% female representation. 

• Saruni Basecamp Maasai brand shop promotes the sale of local Masai beaded items. 

• Young Professionals Club – managers mentor trainees and students.

• The camp buys milk and meat for employees from the local mamas. 

• The manager holds regular meetings with community representatives to communicate 4C work and hear any concerns from the community.

CULTURE

• Weekly cultural nights at the camps involve Masai dances, talks, and local cuisine. 

• Uniforms are branded with cultural elements, and on Fridays all employees who would like to wear culturally sensitive and celebratory uniform design.

• Guests visit The Enjoolata Centre, a 4C hub that brings together Conservation, Culture, and community stories. 

• Guest information highlights available 4C experiences. 

COMMERCE

• The Mara Naboisho Conservancy, where Saruni Eagle View is located, provides a guaranteed monthly income to various Masai landowners and employment opportunities to the local Masai people living around Naboisho. This community partnership model has led to establishment of high-ecological and low-impact tourism facilities. As a tourist destination, the region has a low impact due to strictly controlled and limited tourist vehicles, which helps protect the biodiversity.
  

• Other ways that Saruni Eagle View has a sustainable income stream include:
  • Seedball sales at $5 per seed ball.
  • Sales of Basecamp Masai Brand products through the shop at the camp.
  • Promotion of low-impact activities like sundowners, bush dinners, and walking safaris at an additional fee.
  • The economic benefit to the conservancy management is $ 5,000 monthly in bed-night fees.