Eco-tourism Gold Rating 2024

Tawi lodge is proud of its Gold eco-tourism rating, retained now for another two years. The lodge is an eco-friendly operation, we take maximum care of the environment and its people, without compromising the comfort of its guests. We work hard to ensure this little piece of paradise is preserved, to do this we have a number of programmes. Solid waste management, renewable energy solutions, Solar powered principally. We guarantee Maasai landowners revenue through the lease of their land which in turn preserves an essential natural corridor for the abundant wildlife to roam as they please, as they need. The whole community also benefits with schooling and other projects.

Community

The land leased for the lodge, directly benefits the “Land Owners” and their families as well as bed-night fee revenue. The local community are employed and receive valuable training and skills. Tawi Lodge pays for a full sponsorship for 4 students to attend secondary school, and also assists with projects at the local community school. The lodge purchases most of its supplies where possible from the local neighbours in the nearby townships.

Training and Education

Lemong’o school sits on the edge of our conservancy. The school, for young Maasai in the area, accommodates children from 3 to 9 years. To support the school, Tawi has provided water tanks, a fence to protect children from wildlife, notebooks, pencils, blackboards, chairs, etc... Tawi also helps the school by arranging for volunteers to come and teach basic notions on hygiene, respect for the environment, wildlife and with visits or any donations from guests.

Conservation

Amboseli National park (392 km²) is renowned famous for its elephant population of approximately 1,500, yet the existing eco-system (within the park boundaries) is insufficient to support and sustain life for all of them and all the other ungulates in the territory, therefore requiring more land to be sustainable.

The owners of Tawi Lodge partnered with local Maasai landowners and formed the 3000 acres Tawi Conservancy, bordering Amboseli National Park. Until its creation, the land was privately owned and was gradually being sold or rented for farming and other commercial projects, this led to a rise in human wildlife conflict. The community-run conservancy, promotes and maintains a harmonious environment for the wildlife and the Maasai people along the corridor between Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills. 

Wildlife Corridor

The conservancy sits directly within the natural corridor for the elephants, ancient trails and routes which they have used for centuries, to roam freely and migrate as necessary to greener pastures depending on the season, allowing movement between the Amboslei eco-system and the further regions of the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo.

The partnership and establishment of the conservancy continues to help support this vast ecosystem on which they, the elephants and other wildlife rely on.