community partnerships, conservation and the environment

Local communities within the reserve are the ultimate custodians of this land and sea. There is innate understanding of nature’s rhythms and language and have long lived within natures restorative abilities. These islands and inlets have provided harbour for trade-wind sailors for a thousand years, and though they have seen much change, this area still boasts some of the most intact marine habitat in Kenya. 

We very much depend on the community for our camp crew, our boat captains, suppliers of fish and natural materials and the traditional builders and artisans of our beautiful camp, yet our partnerships extend well beyond tourism and hospitality, as we strongly believe in working together in areas such as education, environment and conservation to enable empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

BAHARI MOJA

Bahari Moja  meaning One Ocean, “a movement envisaged by members of our communities” to do something about the tides of marine litter washing up on Indian Ocean currents; threatening Health, Livelihoods, Ecosystems and Marine-life.

Kiwayu Safaris together with KICOWA, NRT and Safari Doctors launched this initiative in 2018 by formalizing our vital coastal clean ups and starting the campaign to collect, record, sort, sell & recycle plastic waste while sensitizing communities on healthy waste management and creating tangible economic and environmental benefits.

OUR Scholarship Program:

Kiwayu Camp, together with contributions from clients over the years have supported near to 100 students  from Mkokoni Village on to higher education, many of whom went on to be doctors, nurses, work in aviation, communications and conservation.

Of all the projects we have supported over the years, this one has achieved the most. By providing promising students support to go onto higher education enables livlihood diversification, a reduction of dependence on natural resources and affords the community the opportunity to participate and compete in a modernising world.

TURTLE MONITORING AND PROTECTION

Kiunga Turtle Conservation Group comprising of community volunteers, monitor turtle laying’s and hatchings within the reserve.  There’s approximately 50 kilometers of coastline, comprising of bays, inlets, islands, tidal beaches and mangrove channels providing sanctuary to a wealth of marine life. The Kiunga Marine National reserve is a vital turtle laying area, with 4 species using this shore line to ensure the next generation returns. Collaborative efforts on monitoring and data collection serve to gain clearer understanding on the challenges and successes of turtle populations. Together with our conservation partners and KWS we provide nest security and logistical support. We work together with KTCG and Bahari Moja to collect and clear the prime nesting beaches of marine plastic.