Conservation & Social Responsibility

• Lease payments go directly to the community landowners.
• The majority of the staff come from the local community.
• EPC supports a local school, Ololomei Primary. In 2007 the camp had raised enough funds to build a new classroom. In 2009 they added a kitchen and 2010 they provided the school with desks and chairs.Visits to local Masai villages give clients direct contact with local people and build friendships, which gives tourism a real face.
• EPC achieves environmental best practice combining old fashioned safari camp know-how with latest technology. The camp leaves a minimal footprint and is completely removable leaving a virgin site. It relies entirely on solar power, uses only LED lighting and is almost invisible, nestled under the Elephant Pepper trees.
• Rubbish is responsibly disposed of or recycled. Glass is separated and sold to the recycling plant 'Central Glass' in Nairobi. All funds are donated to the East African Women's League to support a family planning program managed by the North Lake Branch, Naivasha.
• Elephant Pepper Camp has been awarded "Gold Level" by the Ecotourism society, in recognition of its very high level of its environmental responsibility. Elephant Pepper Camp is one of only three camps in Kenya with a Gold Level eco-rating.

The Mara North Conservancy

EPC has been the driving force in creating the Mara North Conservancy (MNC), which covers over 70,000 acres between Musiara and Aitong, a core parcel within the Masai Mara eco-system. The newly formed conservancy provides some of the Masai Mara's prime game viewing, by maintaining the land solely for wildlife conservation. MNC guarantees its 750 Masai landowners stable revenue, transparent financial management and the preservation of the ancient balance between wildlife and traditional pastoralism.

EPC has worked with the local Masai community for nearly 20 years, with the creation of MNC only the latest development in preserving this vital wilderness. EPC works with the community, local government and other stake holders and has participated and/or spearheaded many development initiatives, including "Water from Wildlife" bringing water to schools without damaging the fragile eco-system, and helping homesteads translocate their building materials in order to reduce the need for tree felling.