We believe true ecotourism should be based on the use of the best available technologies to have the lowest impact on the environment.
That is what is guiding us in the day-to-day running of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. We built everything by employing local Maasai women and men, and teaching them how to build. We used only local materials, and not a single tree was cut for landscaping. State-of-the-art technology is applied for the use of renewable resources. Campi ya Kanzi was the first fully solar lodge, in 1996. Chyulu Club is the first zero-emissions and carbon-negative lodge in Africa. It has a photovoltaic system of 320 kW, supplying all electricity. All kitchens are induction, and vehicles are electric. The carbon negativity is achieved through an afforestation program, where the guests can be directly involved.
Electricity
Both at Campi ya Kanzi and at Chyulu Club, we use photovoltaic panels to transform sunlight into electricity. Both lodges are 100% photovoltaic, meaning the entire electricity demand is covered by solar production. Electricity is stored in a bank of batteries. Interfaced inverters transform the continuous current into alternate current, at 220V and 415V. From the inverters, electricity runs through the lodges, running all our electrical needs: induction kitchens, electric cars, fridges, etc. Nice to know that every electric need we have is generated by the sun, with absolutely no impact on the environment! Zero emissions!
Water
Water is our scarcest resource. At Campi ya Kanzi, we crop our rains with a special water catchment system, of about 12,000 square meters (140,000 square ft.) and through our roof system (1,500 square meters, or 16,000 square ft.). Water is then stored in PVC tanks and bladders, whose combined capacity is 2,500,000 liters (about 650,000 gallons). To our knowledge, Campi ya Kanzi is the only lodge in East Africa whose water needs are entirely covered by rain cropping. Zero emissions!
At Chyulu Club water comes from the spring protected by our conservancy, as well as from the roofs. It is stored in three bladders of 600,000 liters.
In both lodges, we recycle grey water and black water, with special filters imported from Europe. An anaerobic reaction assures the purity of water at the exit of the system. Final stage filtration is assured by a percolator and reed bed. Water is then used in ponds for wildlife. The use of special ecological soaps assures the perfect chemical purity of the water. We utilized special low-energy dishwashers and washing machines, to save on water consumption. Hot water is heated by central solar thermal systems. Zero emissions! A water meter monitors the consumption of each unit.
Food
We avoid buying from unsustainable farming practices. We run our own sustainable organic farm, and guests can go pick the vegetables which we will then use for preparing their meals. We also have a few chickens and a few cows, for the organic production of eggs and milk. Our guests can collect eggs and milk our cows! All kitchens are induction, powered by photovoltaic energy. Carbon footprint zero! We compost our food scraps for use in our organic vegetable garden.
Waste
Our staff is trained to ensure the minimization of garbage production. All organic wastes are transformed into compost. The rest of the wastes are selected for recycling when viable, the remaining get incinerated in a special incinerator built on a UN recommendation.
Electric Vehicles
For our game drives, we have two retrofitted EV Land Rovers. The EV maker Rivian has partnered with MWCT, and created the first ever Rivian Safari Vehicle. We are using their amazing electric pick-ups for the conservation, education, and health programs the Trust provides the community with. We will soon have a second Rivian Safari Vehicle!
Carbon Neutral
We are not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative. All carbon emissions related to running the lodge and transportation to and from the lodge, within Kenya, are offset toward the Chyulu REDD+ Carbon Project, and we encourage our guests to join us in this afforestation program, to more than offset the carbon emissions related to their international flights.