With only one indigenous forest left in Kenya’s Trans-Mara District, preserving and replenishing this habitat is important to both andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and its nonprofit partner, Wild Impact. The Nyekweri Forest provides value to local species as a water catchment area as well as a refuge for elephants and giant ground pangolins looking for a safe place to give birth. Through the Nyekweri Kimintet Community Forest Conservation Trust, which was created by 26 local landowners, more than 1,300 saplings have been planted as part of a community tree nursery. Altogether, the plan is to introduce 20,000 new trees to the forest in order to secure a life-sustaining ecosystem.

Since its opening, andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp has worked to reduce its use of fossil fuels, relying on advanced technologies to aid in the mission. More than 180 sq. m. of solar panels have been installed at the lodge, and they have had quite an impact. With these solar panels, the camp is able to produce 9,400 liters of hot water each day, translating to a savings of 40,000 liters of diesel fuel every year and 106 tons of carbon dioxide. This small effort has left a great impact, allowing andBeyond to cultivate care for the local environment as well as nearby communities.

Conservation and community go hand in hand throughout Africa, but especially at andBeyond camps and lodges, where shared values create opportunities for mutual satisfaction. In addition to introducing guests to the Maasai culture and people that live near andBeyond Kichwa Tembo, the company partnered with Wild Impact in 2020 to develop a food relief project that supported 90 households in four local homesteads, providing more than 580 locals with rice, sugar, tea leaves, cooking oil, and maize flour.