The Safari Collection 2023 Footprint Impact Report
INTRODUCTION
The Safari Collection was born out of one family’s passion for the African wilderness, their desire to share it with the world and their commitment to safeguard it for future generations. Each of our properties celebrates and supports a unique Kenyan ecosystem, full of biodiversity too precious to lose. It is The Safari Collection’s belief that through responsible tourism, these pockets of wilderness can be protected in perpetuity. This is done through their commitment to achieving a working balance of The Long Run’s 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce.
If high-end tourism can support local development and livelihoods in a way that celebrates local cultures and has a positive impact, then people become invested in protecting their environment. With communities on board, conservation efforts can be successful. In each location that we operate, The Safari Collection, through our Footprint Trust, supports a range of community initiatives and conservation efforts for endangered and threatened species. Making a positive impact on people, wildlife and the environment is at the heart and soul of what we do.
A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTORS
Growing up in East Africa surrounded by vast open spaces where wildlife roamed freely instilled a deep respect for wilderness, wildlife and conservation in both of us. As human populations and tourism grew, we noticed many changes happening and became determined to help protect these incredible Kenyan landscapes.
In 2009 when we set up The Safari Collection with Michiel, we were committed to working together with local communities to understand and share the benefits of conservation. Our goal was to help protect large tracts of land, primarily for the wildlife, but also so visitors and communities
could experience the awe of wildlife thriving in its natural habitat for generations to come.
This conservation-minded approach to tourism has always been part The Safari Collection’s DNA and we are proud that through our Footprint Trust we are able to support a diverse range of projects across Kenya that benefit its wildlife, wilderness and local communities.
We also wanted to focus on 'the underdog' species that get overlooked, like wild dogs, pangolins, giraffes and Grevy's zebras — partly because our camps are in areas they inhabit, but
mainly because they're the unsung endangered heroes.
Each of our properties benefit the surrounding communities financially and help to protect and conserve their wildlife through employment, conservation fees and the Footprint Trust's many projects, and we are proud that our partnerships have dramatically reduced human-wildlife conflict and work to ensure that people value wildlife.
The Safari Collection Directors
Mikey & Tanya Carr-Hartley & Michiel Hoogerwerf
A WORD FROM OUR FOOTPRINT TEAM
Our ethos is to be community and conservation oriented and to have a significant positive influence on the people and the world around us. From giving the gift of education, to pain relief through dental care and supporting giraffe and pangolin conservation initiatives, we have been delighted by The Safari Collection’s far-reaching impact in 2023.
Every guest who stayed with us made an impact through the conservation fees they paid, which combined with donations made to our Footprint Trust, contributed a total of $1,449,890 towards community and conservation initiatives in Kenya. This year our conservation highlights were focused
on giraffes, although other threatened species were not forgotten. Highlights from our community work were many, but top of the list must be that we provided 40 scholarships to disadvantaged Kenyan students. We also held two dental clinics this year and were able to treat over 2,000 patients free of charge.
We would like to thank our wonderful supporters and donors whose generosity makes this all possible. We would also like to thank our dedicated partners, with whom we collaborate; their devotion, commitment and support is what drives and inspires us.
As a company with almost 500 employees, we care about the future and want to have a positive impact. We have adopted The Long Run’s 4Cs, a framework that helps us to be more sustainable. Finding a balance between Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce has helped guide us towards a more sustainable future. We hope that you enjoy reading more about the 4C impacts that The Safari Collection made in 2023.
The Safari Collection Footprint Team
Natasha Parsimei, Oli Dreike & Ceclia Mueni
OUR YEAR IN REVIEW
to Kenyan conservation programmes
$68,000 $19,000 for protecting giraffes across Africa 75% of the Gifted Hands School budget supported; 17 teachers and support staff salaries paid Masai giraffe translocated to safety
1 perimeter wall and 2 latrines constructed; 1,144 textbooks and 90 desks provided SCHOOLS
meals for 395 students for 1 school in Nairobi 39,500
to support reserve management and community development
$387,565 $10,000 towards African Painted Dog rabies vaccination progammes in Samburu & Laikipia
OVER 1,200
people have access to clean drinking water due to the new community solar borehole
26,940 37 students on full scholarships in schools, colleges and universities across Kenya
meals for 1,347 students in 8 schools around Westgate Conservancy
LONG RUN
Sasaab hosted The Long Run's East Africa Regional Hub meeting
Mt Kilimanjaro
Masai Mara National Reserve Lake Natron
Serengeti National Park
Our Footprint in 2023 and the community and conservation impact at each of our properties.
to support reserve management and communities development $447,850 $11,500 for Mara Rhino Rangers salaries and uniforms $6,000 donated to The Pangolin Project and use of conservation vehicle
students taken on educational safaris
agreement to introduce new conservation technology reserve management EARTHRANGER patients received free dental treatment
to rhino conservation and reserve management
students on full scholarships in secondary school
1 school administration block and 2 tanks donated. 50 textbooks provided SCHOOLS meals for 998 students in 4 schools around Solio
patients received free general medical treatment patients received free dental treatment
Healthy ecosystems and species diversity are essential for people and our planet. Conservation protects this biodiversity to meet global needs.
With a focus on ‘underdog' species, our conservation efforts this year have centred around giraffe, painted dogs, pangolins and Grevy's zebras.
GIRAFFE RESCUE: A TALL ORDER
When the world’s tallest mammals are living amongst farmers on community land, it becomes a race against time to save them from human-wildlife conflict. Therefore, The Safari Collection embarked on a mission to save a group of Masai giraffes in Lake Naivasha from poaching and habitat loss. A campaign, dubbed ‘Race Against Time’, was held at Giraffe Manor inviting guests to contribute towards the mission. This successful translocation was carried out by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), with assistance from our Footprint Trust and Save Giraffes Now (SGN) and support from our guests and agents.
Giraffes are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.
Twelve giraffes were translocated to a protected area and nine were moved to a neighbouring conservation area. A KWS scientist monitored the giraffes to ensure relocation was needed. It took one tractor, a specially designed trolley and truck, 25 wildlife handlers, four veterinarians, weeks of planning, imported drugs, community talks and a support team to do this noble but huge task.
The move rescued giraffes that were facing habitat loss, water scarcity and poaching, enabling them to now thrive in a place with water, food and protection.
Masai giraffe translocated to safety
PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION
Studies suggest that painted dogs and people should easily be able to coexist in Kenya’s Ewaso ecosystem. However, painted dogs are endangered due to habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and disease. As part of our conservation efforts, we supported the Samburu-Laikipia Wild Dog Project and Mpala Research Centre’s monitoring of painted dogs, as well as a rabies eradication exercise in Laikipia through a vaccination campaign for domestic dogs.
Mpala work to locally eliminate rabies by vaccinating domestic dogs, protecting both human health and painted dogs. Their outreach programme uses theatre to promote vaccination and reduce painted doglivestock conflict. In 2017, a canine distemper epidemic devastated Laikipia’s painted dog population, leaving only two survivors from 20 packs.
As well as conducting research and monitoring painted dogs, the Samburu-Laikipia Wild Dog Project aims to boost population growth by tackling infectious disease and deliberate killing. Since the distemper epidemic, rabies is the most immediate threat. There have been zero rabies cases in Laikipia in three years, and no painted dog deaths from infectious diseases, demonstrating successful conservation efforts.
Successes:
From two individuals in 2017, the population has grown to 7-8 packs, totaling around 80 dogs. There have been zero rabies cases in Laikipia in three years, and no wild dog deaths from infectious diseases, demonstrating successful conservation efforts.
TWIGA TRACKER
A team from Giraffe Manor and the Footprint Trust travelled to Kenya’s Amboseli National Park to conduct a giraffe tagging exercise in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). The exercise was a crucial effort to protect one of East Africa’s largest Masai giraffe populations from human development threats.
Tagging a giraffe takes months of planning, permits and community meetings.
- Dr. Arthur Muneza, East African coordinator for GCF
Twiga Tracker is Africa's biggest GPS satellite tracking study on giraffes, led by the GCF with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and local partners like WRTI and KWS. In Kenya it tracks giraffe movements across the Athi-Kapiti and Amboseli ecosystems, as well as in the Masai Mara. The Safari Collection Footprint Trust supported part of the cost of the exercise, and team members from The Safari Collection participated in the tagging exercise, learning about giraffe conservation, the immobilization of giraffes and the collection of field data.
Anna Ndolo from The Retreat at Giraffe Manor admired the courage of the KWS team. The experience provided a deeper understanding to the team of conservation efforts.
for protecting giraffes across Africa
$19,000
WORLD GIRAFFE DAY
June 21st is World Giraffe Day, established by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in 2014 to highlight giraffes, the tallest animals, on the longest day of the year. Surprisingly, there are fewer giraffes in the wild than elephants. Thanks to efforts by organisations like the GCF, conservation initiatives across 19 African countries, especially translocation projects, are making strides.
In 2022 we celebrated the birth of four Nubian/Rothschild's giraffes, a great addition to the current herd at the Manor.
Renowned artist Adrian Nduma helped raise funds by painting live giraffe portraits as guests interacted with the giraffes. Part of the proceeds went to the GCF, who gave an evening talk to guests present. Other achievements celebrated on this years’ World Giraffe Day included a successful fundraising tea event in April.
Raise awareness using hashtags like #WorldGiraffeDay, #StandTallForGiraffe, and #StickYourNeckOutForGiraffe. Let's work together to secure a future for giraffes in the wild.
giraffes left in the wild
117,000
Giraffe Manor and Footprint Trust teams in Amboseli, supporting the ‘Twiga Tracker’ giraffe tagging
People matter; improving community well-being is a collective responsibility, as a thriving community is essential for a sustainable and healthy environment.
We believe that education plays a vital part in successful conservation. We also strive to improve the health and welfare of the communities around us.
PURSUING DREAMS
17-year-old Yvonne Lekuraiyo from Westgate Community is one of the Samburu girls who has benefitted from our Conservation Scholarship Programme. Sponsored at aged 13 by one of our Sasaab guests, she has now taken a step closer to her dream of becoming a wildlife vet as our first student to receive a scholarship from the Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) Conservation Leadership Programme.
Our Footprint Trust recommended several past scholars to this programme, which offers a college-level education in tropical ecology and conservation. Yvonne did amazingly and was selected to study for a Diploma in Wildlife Management at the Wildlife Training & Research Institute in Naivasha. The scholarship she received covers tuition and accommodation and targets youth from Kenya's Greater Mara, Samburu, Laikipia, Tsavo and Amboseli regions. Collaborations like this greatly enhance our community and conservation efforts.
Growing up surrounded by nature and Samburu culture, Yvonne developed a deep appreciation for wildlife, especially elephants and rhinos. She has settled well into college life and is already the class representative in the weekly bird-watching club. She stands in great stead to becoming a conservation ambassador in her community.
college & university students on scholarships
CONSERVATION SCHOLARS CAMP
Once again, we took a group of our conservation scholars on an annual camping trip, bringing together most of our high school and college students for peer learning, mentorship and a fun time. 2023 saw 27 excited scholars head off to the Masai Mara, the first time to the Mara for most. The theme for the camp was centered on the role of conservation in community development. The scholars, most of them from the Samburu area, got to experience a different way of community involvement in conservation.
Among the visits they made was to Siana Conservancy, which is at the edge of the Mara and is one of 29 other community-led conservancies. They met the warden and his team who demonstrated the technology used for wildlife
monitoring and explained the community benefits that have come with embracing conservation.
The camp was hosted at Ol’ Malaika Trust, which extended free counselling and dental checks for everyone. Games, inspirational talks and drives in the park were enjoyed by all.
The Conservation Scholarship Programme enables young students in need to complete their education. Sponsoring a student through high school makes a lifelong impact.
primary & secondary school students on scholarships
DENTAL CLINICS
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the teams at Solio Lodge and Sala’s Camp for their invaluable assistance in facilitating two free dental clinics for the surrounding communities. Organized by our Footprint Trust team in collaboration with the UK charity SmileStar, the clinics were held in April and November.
In April, our outreach provided essential services to communities in Oloolaimutia, Talek, Nkoilale and Ngoswani treating a total of 406 patients around the Masai Mara. At Solio Lodge, we served communities in Solio Village 5, Solio Ranch and Kihato area, treating a total of 967 patients.
The dedication and support of the lodge staff were instrumental in mobilizing the community and garnering goodwill from local authorities. During the clinics, they acted as drivers, translators and even dental nurses! The Footprint team takes great pride in our association with these remarkable individuals, whose efforts contribute significantly to the success of our mission.
2,000
NEW SPACES TO LEARN
It was a great achievement when Laburra Primary School in Nyeri near Solio Lodge unveiled a newly constructed classroom for the beginning of a new academic year. Funded through our Footprint Trust from generous donations made by Solio Lodge guests and The Rotary Foundation, the bright, spacious new building has significantly enhanced student learning, with new desks also provided through guest contributions.
Through education, the new classroom will positively impact our environment for future generations.
‘ ‘
- John Githinji Nduru, Head Teacher
Timely completion allowed the classroom to welcome a whole new grade at the start of the school year, aligned with Kenya's introduction of Junior Secondary School (JSS), offering post-primary education below School Certificate level.
The Safari Collection's Footprint Trust has transformed Laburra Primary School with additional facilities like a library, dining hall and water harvesting system. As well as the new classroom, a new teachers’ administration block was also constructed this year. These enhancements promise better grades, increased enrollment and a revitalised learning environment, reinforcing The Safari Collection’s commitment to education as vital for both individual lives and global conservation.
Celebrating cultural diversity builds understanding and connections.
Respecting cultural differences is essential for our future.
We celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Kenya across our properties.
CELEBRATING LOCAL ARTISTS
Promoting contemporary Kenyan artists is something we love to do at The Safari Collection. In 2023, we hosted renowned Kenyan artist Adiran Nduma at Sala’s Camp for a weeklong residency, in which guests were able to witness his wonderful wildlife creations come to life. We also hosted him at Giraffe Manor on World Giraffe Day, where his live giraffe portraits raised funds for our Footprint Trust. Many of his paintings adorn the walls of our camps and lodges, celebrating Kenyan culture and wildlife.
2023 also saw us promote internationally renowned Kenyan sculptor and artistic visionary, Cyrus Kabiru. His futuristic and fantastical creations were exhibited at The Retreat, delighting guests with their social commentary. Part of the proceeds from sales of Cyrus’ work went towards sponsoring one of our Conservation Scholars, who himself wants to become an artist.
IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN
We were honored to host The Long Run’s 15th East African Member's Meeting at Sasaab. As a certified Global Ecosphere Retreat® (GER ®), Sasaab provided an ideal backdrop for 28 leaders to convene and support each other in sustainability efforts. Discussions focused on the '4Cs' (Culture, Community, Conservation and Commerce) and our achievements in maintaining balance in these areas.
Our Kenyan members explored our Footprint Trust's community initiatives, engaged with conservation partners, experienced Samburu culture and visited our new 4C Centre. Presentations included insights from the Westgate Community Conservancy, NRT Carbon Project and Brown’s Food Co. on our ‘FOODprint’. Weeva also demonstrated improved methods for measuring and reporting sustainability efforts.
BLOOD DONATION
At The Safari Collection, fostering kindness and sustainability is integral, both within and beyond our workplace. We believe in nurturing compassion and environmental stewardship to drive positive change in our communities.
To reinforce these values, acts of kindness and sustainability initiatives are integrated into our performance reviews. This motivates our team and underscores our commitment to community and conservation.
In 2023, our headquarters collaborated with the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority for a blood donation drive. Employees across departments donated 37 units of blood, marking the largest corporate donation received by the authority. This initiative not only supported patients in hospitals but also raised awareness about the critical need for blood donations in Kenya, where someone requires blood every 10 minutes and a just small amount can save a premature baby's life.
Participants received identification cards with their blood types, affirming their role as donors and fostering camaraderie through friendly departmental competition.
CELEBRATING SAMBURU
2023 saw the completion of our Samburu cultural hub at Sasaab, named the ‘4C Centre’. Like the Samburu wisdom in the proverb below, we wanted to give guests an opportunity to slow down, take notice and go deeper in their understanding of Sasaab’s context and relationship with the surrounding Samburu community.
Memanyai meleeno.
Don’t just move from one place to another without seeing.
- Samburu proverb
The 4C Centre is a celebration of what Sasaab is and why we created it in its incredible location. Through two interactive exhibition rooms with stunning imagery, numerous artefacts, colourful beads and informative displays, it tells the story of the northern Kenyan landscape, geology, history and unique culture of the region.
Guests can visit at any time to learn more about the Samburu region as well as our Footprint Trust projects and the amazing work of our conservation partners in Westgate Community Conservancy. Our guides love to visit with guests as a way of complementing their wildlife and cultural activities, linking the experiences together to tell a deeper story.
The new 4C Centre at Sasaab, where guests can learn more about Samburu culture and
Commerce and trade have driven human progress for millennia. That’s why businesses must prioritise sustainability. Every guest who stays with us makes an impact through paying conservation fees and providing employment.
TWIGA TEATIME TRIUMPH
When Giraffe Manor took a brief maintenance break, we once again threw open our doors for our annual three-day fundraising event to celebrate and ‘Stand Tall’ for the tower of twigas. We welcomed 98 guests for fundraising afternoon teas with the giraffes, each enchanted by close encounters with our soulful residents. This year’s teas raised over 800,000 Kenyan Shillings for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and The Safari Collection Footprint Trust.
GCF, the only NGO focused solely on wild giraffe conservation, operates across 19 African countries, impacting over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat. Our Footprint Trust supports diverse conservation and community projects across Kenya. The Nubian giraffe conservation success story, from near extinction to a healthy, growing population, is very inspiring. This event was a meaningful celebration of community, conservation and our majestic giraffes. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this towering triumph!
FROM SCHOLARS TO CHEFS
Milani, Jecinta and Anthony are three of our former Conservation Scholars who have gone from strength to strength and are now fully employed in our lodges. We first met all three at age 13 when they entered our high school Conservation Scholarship Programme. They have since all graduated from kitchen internships at Giraffe Manor and are now excelling in The Safari Collection kitchens. From timid students to determined professionals, we celebrate their hard work and success.
Anthony Njogu, a former conservation scholar grew up near Solio Lodge, and began his chef career after high school. Thriving in the Giraffe Manor kitchen, he now works at Solio Lodge, impressing Head Chef Elvis with his work ethic and eagerness to learn.
Jecinta Lelenkima and Milani Lenamunyi completed a six-month kitchen internship at Giraffe Manor. Coming from rural villages in Samburu, they mastered various culinary skills, from basic techniques to high-tea pastries. Despite the challenges, their commitment shone through.
Milani now works at Sala’s Camp and Jecinta assists in both the hot kitchen and pastry at Solio Lodge.
These two extraordinary young women have truly embraced the opportunities that came their way, proving that a single step can lead to a transformative journey.
Their journeys exemplify the transformative power of opportunity.
LOCAL FOOD LOVE
We source premium ingredients from regional producers who prioritise the environment. Our Thoughtful Food policy ensures our ingredients are low mileage, low impact and nutritious. Therefore, when we can’t grow it ourselves, we source from sustainably minded local producers who share our food philosophy.
In 2023, we recognised and celebrated the brilliant Kenyan farmers who supply our camps and lodges. These included:
Highland Castle Farms: Free-range pork from pigs fed on sustainable scraps and high-protein nutrients.
Safari Lounge: Aromatic coffee and compostable tea bags, supporting smallholder farming and conservation.
Alvin’s Heritage Honey Company: Raw honey empowering small-scale beekeepers.
Laki Laki: Greek yogurt supporting a local orphanage.
Grove and Meadow: Vegan cheese from locally grown fruits, nuts and grains.
Ecoscapes: a family-owned organic market garden that grows over 100 different vegetables, fruits and herbs.
IMPACT MEASURED
This year, across all our properties, we have been embracing the use of innovative digital systems to revolutionise our approach to sustainability by making it easy to track our efforts.
At a recent sustainable tourism workshop, we acknowledged the critical role of science and data in practicing sustainability. Understanding our current standing is fundamental for progress. Measuring our impact champions transparency and enables us to set targets and address areas that require improvement.
We now input data on resource usage, waste production, carbon emissions and more, while at the same time recording community and cultural impact. This information guides our sustainability journey, providing inspiration, knowledge and data to empower positive changes.
Guest Participation in Cultural Activities at Sasaab
2023 COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION
$68,000 to Kenyan conservation programmes AFRICAN FUND FOR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE
AFRICAN PAINTED DOGS
$10,000 towards rabies vaccination progammes n Samburu & Laikipia
$11,500 for salaries and unifor ms MARA RHINO RANGERS
$447,850 to support reserve management and commun ty development MAASAI COMMUNITIES
$387,565 to support reserve management and community development
75% of the school budget supported; 17 teachers and support staff salaries paid GIFTED HANDS SCHOOL
$19,000 for protecting giraffes across Africa GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$6,000 donated and use of conservation vehicle THE PANGOLIN PROJECT
$1,449,890
40 students on full scholarships in schools, colleges and universities across Kenya CONSERVATION SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE
1 school administration block and 2 latrines constructed. 3,000 textbooks, 130 desks and 280 unifor ms provided
21 Masai giraffe translocated to safety GIRAFFE TRANSLOCATION
over 400 patients received free general medical consultations MEDICAL TREATMENT
2,000 patients rece ved free dental treatment DENTAL CLINIC
FRESHWATER
new commun ty solar borehole providing clean drink ng water to over 1,200 people
95% of collected waste recycled by a social enterprise in Nairobi WASTE SAMBURU COMMUNITIES
54 students taken on educational safaris SAFARI KIDS
496 employees worked for the company EMPLOYMENT
$211,335 to rhino conservation and reserve management SOLIO GAME RESERVE
106,000 meals for 2,740 students at 12 schools FEEDING YOUNG M INDS PROGRAMME
Sasaab hosted The Long Run's East Africa Regional Hub meeting THE LONG RUN
