Improved Ecotourism In Lake Naivasha Basin Tourism Essay

Published Date: 23 Mar 2015

Lake Naivasha Basin is located on the floor of Kenya's Eastern (Gregorian) Rift Valley, surrounded by the Kinangop plateau & Aberdares Mountains to the east, and the Mau Escarpment to the west. The lake itself -a Ramsar Site- is the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Kenya after Lake Victoria, positioned at an altitude of 1884m above sea level (Owiti, 2006) covering an area of 150km². It's surrounded by a swamp which covers an area of 64km² (Arusei, 2004), depending on amount of rainfall cover hence has an average depth of 6m (20ft), with the deepest area being at Crescent Island, at a maximum depth of 30m (100ft). Since the basin is situated at the bed of the Rift Valley plains between the two highlands, its ecological stature deems to be fragile and prone to environmental degradation.

However, the Lake Naivasha Basin is rich in biodiversity with three national parks (Mt. Longonot, Hell's Gate and The Aberdares), several privately-owned wildlife sanctuaries (i.e. Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary, Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Kongoni Game Valley, Elsamere Conservation Centre and Crater Lake Game Sanctuary), fertile agro-ecological zones in the upper catchment, protected forests, ecotourism sites and several highland watershed areas. It has three major ecotourism projects in Gilgil (Malewa Trust), Kinangop (FoKP) and in Kongoni (Ndamamo Economic Empowerment Group) as shown in figure . Its watershed areas serve as good areas for small and large scale agriculture, while 50km² of land around the lake is under large scale horticulture and widespread cattle farms. Lake Naivasha sustains major economic activities such as tourism, horticulture, geothermal power generation and local fisheries due to its environment having distinctiveness attached with its natural beauty and mild climate. Its favourable climatic conditions, nearness to Nairobi and the fresh water lake are features that have prompted large-scale flower farming on the lake shore (Becht et al, 2006). These similar features make the area attractive for tourists, with mostly residents from Nairobi and from abroad who regularly visit the area.

Figure Map of Lake Naivasha catchment and positioning of three major ecotourism projects (Source: International Lake Environment Committee website).

River Malewa, arising from the Aberdare Mountains, and Gilgil River -arising from Dundori highlands- are the main sources of water for the lake, while Karati and underground seepage from the Eastern Mau are secondary sources of water for the lake. Its water-catchment areas do characterize varied ecological zones that sustain distinctive habitats and biological resources that supply to the regions' dazzling socio-economic development. The upper catchment areas encompass five forests: Kipipiri, Mau, Eburu, Aberdares and Kinangop.

Naivasha town (100km northwest of Nairobi) is a busy traffic hub of the Nairobi-Kampala highway and a tourist destination.

WWF River Malewa Conservation Project

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Global Conservation organization and NGO. Since 1962, WWF EARPO (Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office) which has its headquarters in Nairobi has been involved in coordination of numerous conservation programmes in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The River Malewa Conservation Project focuses on issues relating to Ecotourism development, Policy enforcement, enhancing rural livelihoods, building a civil society, MFS, Natural Resource Management (NRM), Payment for Environmental Services (PES), Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Environmental conservation awareness and learning. The project initiated on 28th August 2000 and is planned to cease on 31st December 2010. WWF partners with key stakeholders such as tour operators, hoteliers, SNV and KWS so as to assess the possibilities of improving ecotourism in Lake Naivasha Basin, in view of responding to "rural poor poverty" (WWF, 2006).

Improved Ecotourism

Improved ecotourism around Lake Naivasha Basin is rooted by its rich natural biodiversity, support from the Government and NGOs such as WWF, EAWLS, USAID Ecotourism Kenya and Nature Kenya, as well as positive involvement and commitment by the local communities towards ecotourism programmes and/ or projects through their CBOs- majority of whom are the Maasai and Kikuyu tribes.

Ecotourism: A Necessity for Improving Sustainable Livelihoods

Ecotourism is itself a tool for conservation and community development; thus it endows socio-economic benefits towards the local communities as well as sustaining ecological resource integrity through minimal-impact, non-consumptive resource utilization.

Problem Statement

Ecotourism being natural resource-based and capital-intensive, factors for its viability in the Lake Naivasha Basin comprise of: entrepreneurship, infrastructure, hospitality, marketing, security, land ownership, financial capital, security and condition of resources. Nevertheless, regarding local communities who are seldom aware of ecotourism businesses/ initiatives, or to revolutionize subsistent land-use practices into ecotourism, or using their peanut-earned incomes into ecotourism investment without any assurance of returns is still a major challenge for the local communities who rely on small-scale subsistence farming for insufficient incomes.

Thus, there is the need to inspire the local communities and land owners to take up ecotourism initiatives/ projects. Community mobilization, capacity building and awareness is a challenge which requires solid involvement if not assurances.

Moreover, it has been seen that the Lake Naivasha ecosystem is experiencing threats from water pollution: chemical wastes from flower farms; and mostly as a result of soil deposits eroded from the upper catchments where deforestation, cultivation on steep slopes and riparian land continues indebting to weak implementation of government policies with respect to conservation efforts.

Research Objectives

To identify the ecotourism activities and players within the Basin

How ecotourism can be integrated into community development

How ecotourism could have been integrated into the IWRM plans for River Malewa

To investigate the degree of ecotourism awareness

To find out the extent of commitment by local communities towards ecotourism activities

To find out the level of satisfaction by people towards ecotourism in their localities

How people there perceive ecotourism development.

Scope of Research Study

This research explores the status of improved ecotourism in Lake Naivasha Basin. The theoretical framework used in the study is based on findings by Michaelidou et al. (2002): the Interdependence Hypothesis, which implies that there is interdependence between environmental conservation and community survival and that both should be equally intertwined so as to benefit, as well as scrutinizing the potentiality of improved ecotourism in the study areas.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Ecotourism

The mutual dependence of tourism and the physical and social environment is crucial to the future of each. Tourism is a service industry whose primary resource is environments and cultures which differ from those where the tourists usually live (Grabun, 1989 p.21). Tourism is not only a powerful tool for socio-economic development but also an aspect in the physical environment as well (Okech, 2009), hence it has the power to improve the environment, provide funds for conservation, preserve culture and history, to set sustainable use limits and to protect the natural attractions.

Sustainable tourism on the whole strives to complement and bring together issues of intergenerational equity, and the goals of economic growth, environmental protection and social justice. It recognizes the need for fairness between local individuals and groups, and between hosts and guests (Mbaiwa, 2005 p.203). Bramwell and Lane (1993, p.2) came up with four basic elements that are critical to the concept of sustainable tourism, which includes: holistic planning & strategy formulation; preservation of essential ecological processes; protection of human heritage & biodiversity; and sustained productivity over the long term for the future generations. Reacting to the negative environmental impacts that have emerged as a result of mass tourism and undifferentiated marketing, tourism industry players and researchers have began to advocate sustainable tourism. This aspect puts greater emphasis on development that is particularly sensitive to the long-term good of the natural and socio-cultural environments, while still realizing the financial benefits for the host community. In this manner, tourism must be planned and managed in such a manner that is natural and cultural environments are not depleted or degraded, but maintained as viable resources on a permanent basis for continuous use (Butler, 1993 p.27; Murphy, 1998 p.173; Wall, 1997 p.33).

Ecotourism on the other hand is one type of tourism that is rapidly increasing in popularity around the globe, especially in developing nations. Ecotourism is defined by The International Ecotourism Society as "Travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people" (http://www.ecotourism.org/index2.php?what-is-ecotourism). "Ecotourism must contribute to the conservation of natural areas and the sustainable development of adjacent areas and communities, and it should generate further environmental and conservation awareness among resident populations and visitors" (World Tourism Organization, 2000). Newsome, Moore, and Dowling (2002, p.14) state: "the primary goals of ecotourism are to foster sustainable use through resource conservation, cultural revival and economic development and diversification". Newsome, Moore, and Dowling (2002, p.15) further mention five principles of ecotourism, and state: "Ecotourism is nature-based, ecologically sustainable, environmentally educative, locally beneficial and generates tourist satisfaction". Therefore, it potentially provides a sustainable approach to development. The recent rush in popularity of improved ecotourism has much to do with the search for a richer holiday experience by the guest (Okech, 2007) hence Kenya being a good example of one of the pioneers in ecotourism. Kenya gave rise to one of Africa's earliest experiments in community-based conservation using park and tourism revenues and began the first efforts to systematically adopt ecotourism principles and practices in its national park system (Honey, 2008).

However, sustainable tourism should not be confused with ecotourism in that sustainable tourism generally embraces all segments of the industry with guidelines and criteria that seek and reduce environmental impacts, particularly the use of non-renewable sources, using measurable benchmarks, and to improve tourism's contribution to sustainable development and environmental conservation (Global Development Research Centre, 2008). Ecotourism is a sub-category of sustainable tourism, which contains the educational, sustainable and nature-based components, and provides local benefits- environmentally, culturally and economically.

Ecotourism and Conservation

Green Tourism and Ecotourism

Community-Based Ecotourism

According to Marris (2001, p.5), "CBET is tourism that is based on a combination of both cultural and natural attractions. It therefore usually takes place in natural areas and involves local communities which still retain traditional cultures and which actively participate in the development and management of tourism activities". From this definition, we see that the local community has significant involvement in its management and development of ecotourism resources in a way that most of the benefits accrued remain in the community.

Community-based ecotourism in Kenya is still at its development phases, having been initiated by the KWS Community Section.

In many regions, the people who live in or around the national parks in Kenya have formed local community ecotourism projects, which are cultural and resource centres where tourists are allowed into a tribe's village by paying an admission fee (Honey, 1999).

NGO Involvement

According to the WWF Tourism Position Statement (WWF International, 2001 p.3), it mentions that: "WWF and the tourism industry should share a common goal: the long-term preservation of the natural environment. This presents a vision that tourism development and practice should be part of a wider sustainable development strategy; be compatible with effective conservation of natural ecosystems; and involve local people and cultures, ensuring that they have an equitable share in its benefits". From this statement, WWF actually does get involved in CBET projects/ initiatives mainly through facilitation of the CBOs involved. This can be in form of policy formulation and intervention; ecotourism education & environmental conservation awareness programmes; capacity building; IWRM; and tour guide training.

In lake Naivasha Basin, WWF facilitates CBOs engaging in ecotourism projects through Ecotourism development; Policy enforcement; enhancing rural livelihoods; building a civil society; MFS; Natural Resource Management (NRM); Payment for Environmental Services (PES); IWRM; and Environmental conservation awareness and learning for rural communities.

Community Involvement

Normally, those members of the community who have experience and/ or knowledge on ecotourism, community/ rural development and conservation are involved in the project or enterprise. In this case, those community members with no official nor business-related agreements need to be corresponded by their partners (communities) with the needed expertise, and with facilitation from organizations such as KWS, EAWLS, WWF, Ecotourism Kenya, Nature Kenya, USAID among others with similar roles.

With the sufficient facilitation for CBET projects, eventually the local community benefits will intertwine with ecological sustainability. Fennell (1999, p.24) mentions that "Sustainable tourism development is unlikely to occur unless the people from rural communities work together so as to make it happen. There appears to be a certain agreement that if sustainability is to occur at all, it must be done at the local level, and perhaps shaped loosely by a broader national or international policy". Therefore, the local communities will perceive the significance of conservation if they enjoy the benefits accrued from CBET.

The table below shows several levels of community involvement in ecotourism in the basin, as corresponded by HÓ“usler and Strasdas (2003). They include:

Table : Possible Community Involvement in the ecotourism enterprise

No.

Type of Enterprise/ Institution

Nature of local involvement

Examples

1.

Private business run by outsiders

Employment

Supply of good and services

Kitchen staff in a lodge

Sale of food, building materials

2.

Enterprise or informal sector operation run by local individuals

Enterprise ownership

Self-employment

Supply of goods and services

Craft sales, food kiosk

Campsite, home stays

Guiding services

Hawking, sale of fuel wood, food

3.

Community enterprise

Collective ownership

Collective or individual management

Supply of goods and services

Employment or contributed labour

Community campsite

Craft centre

Cultural centre

Guest house

4.

Joint venture between community and private operator

Contractual commitments or shared ownership

Share in revenue

Lease/ investment of resources

Participation in decision-making

Revenue-sharing from lodge and/ or tour operation to local community on agreed terms

Community leases land/ resources/ concession to lodge/ tour operation

Community holds equity in lodge/ tour operation

5.

Tourism planning body

Consultation

Representation

Participation

Local Consultation in regional tourism planning (e.g. FoKP)

Community representatives on tourism board and in planning forums

Source: HÓ“usler and Strasdas, 2003.

Tourism in Kenya

Tourism is increasingly becoming a significant economic tool in most countries in this world. It contributes about 5% of GDP and 4% of total employment in Kenya (World Economic Forum, 2008). In spite of the seemingly low contribution, however, the general tourism economy, which captures the backward and forward linkages, contributes 11.6% of GDP. The sector also contributes to almost 23% in foreign exchange earnings and employs about 253,000 people in the modern wage sector (World Trade and Tourism Council, 2007). Moreover, a large percentage of the world's population is becoming more reliant on this industry and its sustained feasibility. According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), tourism is the largest business sector in the world economy, responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of gross domestic product worldwide.

On a global scale, according to the UNWTO, international tourist arrivals fell by 4% in 2009 to 880 million. This represents a slight improvement as a result of the 2% upswing in the last quarter of 2009. In contrast, international tourist arrivals shrank by 10%, 7% and 2% in the first three quarters of 2009 respectively (UNWTO, 2010). In the first two months of 2010, the international tourist arrivals reached a total of 119 million, marking an increase of 6.25% compared to 2009.

Kenya has become more and more of a popular tourist destination for visitors from Europe, South-east Asia, North America and emerging tourist-generating regions such as South America. By December 2009, tourism revenues had raked in an estimated Sh. 62.46 billion compared to 2007's Sh. 65.4 billion and 2008's Sh. 52.71 (KTB, 2010). In the first two months of 2010, international arrivals to Kenya reported a growth of 18% compared to 2009 (UNWTO, 2010). Visitor arrivals in 2009 increased to 1.8 million compared to 1.2 million in 2008, indicating a 50% recovery rate resulting from the post-election violence which erupted in early 2008 and negatively affected the industry. During the first half of 2010, visitor arrivals rose to 483,000 compared to 477,000 in 2007, with most visitors arriving from the UK, Germany, Italy, France and the United States.

In recent past years, the tourism industry has seen an exceptional growth. Between 2003 and 2006, the average growth rate was 9.8% compared to 5.4% for Africa and 3.2% for global tourism (Ikiara et al, 2007). Tourism revenue grew by 14.9% in 2006 and overtook horticulture to become the leading foreign exchange earner, with earnings of Sh. 56.2 billion (Kenya Economic Report, 2009).

The table below shows the flow of key economic indicators using the latest available information, with tourism contributing to 5% of GDP.

Table : Key Economic Indicators 2003-2009

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Population (millions)

32.17

32.81

33.44

34.05

36.91

38.77

39.68

Population Growth Rate (%)

2.1

2.0

1.9

1.8

6.36

5.04

2.35

GDP per capita (US$ at current prices)

467.50

493.7

560.0

694.2

719.2

803.9

816.6

GDP (US$ bn. at current prices)

15.04

16.19

18.73

23.63

27.12

30.35

32.72

GDP growth at constant prices (%)

2.8

4.6

5.7

5.4

7.1

1.7

2.6

Inflation Rate (%)

9.8

11.6

10.3

7.8

5.1

13.1

9.3

Exchange Rate: Annual average Kenyan shillings to US$

75.94

79.17

75.55

72.10

68.31

68.36

78.04

Sources: KNBS, Oanda.com, World Development Indicators

Vision 2030

The Vision 2030 is a long-term development strategy which was launched by the Government of Kenya in 2008. Known as the government's 'development blueprint', the strategy is being run from 2008 till 2030. It aims to "transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030, making it a globally competitive country.

It aims to have tourism as a leading sector in the economy, hence to be one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the world. It also intends to raise the number of international visitors from 1.8 million in 2009 to 3 million in 2012 whereas increasing average spent per visitor from the present Sh. 45,000 to at least Sh. 70,000 hence increase hotel beds from 40,000 to at least 65,000, merged with stress on top-notch service quality.

Tourism Policies supporting Tourism Improvement

If Kenya is to improve its tourism performance and compete as among the best long-haul destinations on a global scale, then an assortment of policy interventions are to be anticipated (Source: Ministry of Tourism report, 2009):

Domestic tourism should be promoted alongside international tourism through aggressive campaigns and price differentials, among other interventions. More studies are needed so as to understand what kind of tourism products would be preferable to domestic tourists e.g. periodic cultural events and festivals.

Kenya should ensure that demand for accommodation facilities is always higher than supply. This can be executed through boosting marketing while limiting supply. Kenya should also endeavour to promote low density-high value products in key tourist circuits such as Amboseli and the Maasai Mara National Parks. Further investment in tourist facilities should be discouraged while the existing ones should be upgraded and the prices adjusted upwards to discourage high volumes while raising value. In order to facilitate controlled development, carrying capacity studies should be conducted as an issue of perseverance for the major tourist circuits and reserves/ parks. It's essential that ecotourism development areas to be clearly defined and prioritized, with management plans to be formulated and adopted. The proposal for home stays and resort cities as included in the country's long term development strategy: the Vision 2030 are all good proposals, but they should seek to maintain demand ahead of supply.

Necessity for immense capacity building and stipulation of microfinance or concessional capital so as to fuel local participation in tourism ventures. Tax inducements and affirmative action may be beneficial.

Tendency to conclude and sanctify the tourism policy along with the required legislation for effective execution, including pro-active policy involvement, designing an sophisticated incentive package for tourism investments, and embedding competition and technology transfer. These interventions should be in line with the Vision 2030. The incentives should direct investments into new circuits (for instance western Kenya), new ecotourism products for sustainable development and local community participation.

Synchronization of tourism training curricula should be undertaken and implemented promptly so as to facilitate service quality in tourism. There is need to introduce and expand new training courses so as to match the changing needs of the tourism industry.

The country's business environment should be improved. Therefore, infrastructure should be improved (roads, airports, railways, energy etc.) and simplify and reduce licence requirements. Regional incorporation needs to be fast-tracked by marketing of East Africa as a sole destination, hence formulating a regional categorization and regulatory criteria, reforming and harmonizing of regulations on movement of tourist vehicles across borders and within regional background, and launching of a regional tourist visa.

Aggressive promotion of International tourism through increased budgetary allocations. This is to increase tourist arrivals to the desired 3 million by 2012.

Last but not least, security is an important aspect. There is need to increase capacity in the Tourist Police Unit through customer service. Strict measures are required to be taken so as to alleviate drug abuse as well as sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

Even if the policy interventions are being exercised, the UN's Tourism Act of 2002 -which contains a master plan for tourism development-, is still not fully adopted by the Kenyan policy makers hence the industry is regulated by a few scattered mentions in different pieces of legislation (Table ) (Zhaliazniak, 2009).

Table Pieces of legislation that oversee the tourism industry in Kenya (Zhaliazniak, 2009 p.15)

No. in Laws of Kenya

Name of the legal document

Description

CAP 381

Tourist industry Licensing Act

Licensing of tourism enterprises

CAP 494

Hotels and Restaurants Act

Specifies conditions for licensing and regulation

CAP 376

Wildlife Conservation and Management Act

Looks into tourism enterprises within parks and reserves

CAP 8

Environmental Management and Coordination Act

Provides guidelines on where a tourism site is allowed to be set

CAP 382

Kenya Tourist Development Authority

Provides for the setup of Kenya Tourist Development Corporation, which is charged with the task of provision of financial facilities and advisory services to the tourism industry.

Tourism in Lake Naivasha Basin

Ecotourism Products and Activities

The table below outlines the Ecotourism products and activities within L. Naivasha Basin.

Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FoKP) "Gateway to Development"

Murungaru Location, Central Division, Nyandarua District, Central Province

Founded in 2007, FoKP is an SSG, with activities focused on conservation of endemic bird species. It currently has over 10,000 members from 24 self-help groups which are housed by FoKP. They include: Uhuru Women Group, Mwihoti Youth Initiatives, Engineer Broad Vision, Ukweli SHG, Murungaru Water Harvesting Agriculture, Mutaratara SHG, Paphrling-KERS, Machinery Young Farmers, Mumui SHG, Kimrui Volley Team, KAG Church, Kuria Mutego Dam, Aragwai Co-op Society, Waithima, Guphabai SHG, Kimuri, Bidii Dam, Mikaro Bee Keepers, Mazhinda Dam, Faru Dam, Githunguri Dam and Kimuri Dairy Group.

Despite the SHGs and large number of members, there are only 15 community guides involved in ecotourism while 17 are in cultural tourism. However, potentiality of ecotourism development is evident through presence of a mini-museum with historical items of the Kikuyu tribe and colonialists; research tourists mainly from Europe and Kenya; endemic bird species; bird migration to dams; past history of the "white" highlands; good view points for the Rift Valley; accommodation at Kinangop Guest House and Ecotourism Bandas at FoKP Centre. Agro tourism is on the pipeline through beehive and fish farming. Their main facilitators are WWF and Nature Kenya as well as CDTF and USAID. This place is ideal for bird lovers, with visitors mostly from the UK and Holland.

Plate : Ecotourism Bandas at FoKP Murungaru Centre (left) and a section of the Mini Museum displaying some arts & artifacts.

Table 1: Ecotourism Products and Activities within Lake Naivasha Basin

NAME OF ORGANIZATION/ GROUP

REGISTRATION OF GROUP

PRODUCTS

ACTIVITIES

COMMENTS

1.

Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FoKP)

CBO/ SSG

Mini museum

Kinangop Guest House

Bandas/ tented camps

Conserved trees

Important Bird Area (IBA)

Man-made dam

British colonial homes

Caves

Bird watching

Cultural dances/ performances

Beehive farming

Hiking/ excursions

Nature conservation

2.

Hells Gate National Park (KWS)

Parastatal

Wildlife (zebra, buffalo, eland, gazelle, baboons, hartebeest, leopards)

103 bird species

Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide

Fischer's tower

The Lower Gorge

Ol Karia Geothermal Station

Tourist Circuits, nature trails & picnic sites

Naivasha Airstrip (Govt. of Kenya)

Camping

Rock climbing

Cycling

Hiking & trekking

Game driving

Bird watching

Picnicking

3.

Mt. Longonot National Park (KWS)

Parastatal

Mt. Longonot

Volcanic crater

Hot springs

Wildlife (buffalo, Thompsons gazelle, giraffe, guinea fowls, zebras)

400 bird species

Some reptiles (gecko & snakes)

Lodia Safari Airstrip (private)

Hiking

Rock/ mountain climbing

Biking

Bird watching

Game watching

4.

South L. Naivasha Boats Ecotourism Project

Private/ individual

Fisherman's Camp

Lake Naivasha

(Motorized) boats

Bird species

Wildlife (hippopotamus, monkeys)

Olkaria Cultural Centre

Bird watching

Camping

Boat safaris

Fishing

Sun downers

Lake shoreline walk

5.

Geta CFA Ecotourism project

CBO

Aberdare Mountains

Kipipiri Hill

Bandas/ tented camps

Geta Forest Guest House

Protected areas

Wildlife (colobus monkeys)

Caves

Mountain hiking/ excursions

Cave exploration

Cultural/ historical activities

Nature conservation

Camping

6.

Aberdares National Park (KWS)

Parastatal

Wildlife(elephant, lion, jackal, bushbuck, waterbuck, cape buffalo, colobus monkey, forest hog, leopard, bush duiker, eland, bongo, olive baboon, sykes monkey, mountain reedbuck)

Treetops Lodge

Aberdare ranges

Self-help banda sites

Picnic sites

250+ bird species

Airstrips in Nyeri & Mweiga

Mountain hiking

Game driving (4WD)

Picnicking

Camping in moorlands

Bird watching

7.

Upper Turasha Conservation Group

CBO

Bakery

Aberdare ranges

Home stays

Caves

Community centre (Kenyahwe house)

Tree nurseries

Wildlife (elephants from forest)

Agro forestry

Baking and selling of bread, cakes

Cave exploration

Mountain climbing/ hiking

Bird watching

8.

Oloika Women Group

CBO

Manyattas

Maasai Community

Savanna plains

Handicrafts

Bird species

Caves

Home stays

Cultural dances

Agro tourism

Cave exploration

Bird watching

Camping

9.

Malewa Bush Ventures/ Malewa Trust

Trust

River Malewa

Malewa River Lodge

Caanvas cottages

Tents/ camps

Catering

Conference facilities

Wildlife (zebras, giraffe etc.)

Abseiling

Team building & challenge courses

Camping

Rock climbing

Waterfall/ landscape viewing

Picnicking

Schools' outdoor programmes

10.

Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

Trust

Kigio Wildlife Camp

Malewa Wildlife Lodge

Wildlife (warthog, buffalo, impala, grant, Thompsons gazelle, eland, leopard, hyena, hippo)

250+ bird species

River Malewa

Nature walks

Game drives

Biking

Bush breakfast & lunch

Fishing

Camping

Bush excursions

11.

Mt. Longonot Adventures (K) Ltd.

Partnership

Curio Shop[

Mt. Longonot

Volcanic crater

Hot springs

Wildlife (buffalo, Thompsons gazelle, giraffe, guinea fowls, zebras)

400 bird species

Some reptiles (gecko & snakes)

Oloongonot campsite

Hiking

Rock/ mountain climbing

Mountain Biking

Bird watching

Game watching

Camping

12.

Enaiborr Ajijik, Labarak

CBO

3000 acres of natural forest (Olosho Rongai)

Nature trails

Butterfly farms

Wildlife (baboons, monkeys, snakes)

Beehive farms

Bird species

Hiking/ trekking

Traditional dances/ performances

Butterfly and beehive farming (teaching how to harvest honey)

Camping

13.

Elsamere Centre

Trust

Elsamere Lodge

8 cottages

L. Naivasha

Conservation Centre

Wildlife (snakes, hippo, warthog, zebra, giraffe)

Conservation education

Wildlife viewing

Fishing

14.

Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary

Private

Chui Lodge

Kiangazi House

Oserian Flower Farm

23000 acres of wildlife sanctuary (leopard, warthog, giraffe, zebra, Thompsons gazelle, impala, baboon, serval cat, white rhino, cheetah etc.)

320+ bird species

Scenic Rift Valley plains

Access to Mt. Longonot & Hells Gate National Parks

Oserian Airstrip (private)

Wildlife conservation programmes

Community outreach programmes

Game viewing, game driving

Bird watching

15.

Kongoni Game Valley

Private

British colonial farm house

Pili Pili cottages

Wildlife Reserve (private)

Wildlife (impala, zebra, leopard, antelope, buffalo, giraffe, hippo etc.)

Bird species

Horseback riding

Wildlife Conservation

Guided day & night safari walks & drives

Boat rides

Sundowners, picnicking

Mountain biking

Tour of Naivasha flower farm

16.

Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Private

Volcanic crater

L. Naivasha

Wildlife (giraffes, Thompsons gazelle, elands, waterbucks & pythons but no predators)

Bird species

Access by boat & causeway

Nature trails

Boat rides to & from island

Wildlife viewing

Bird watching

Trekking

Hells Gate National Park

Hells Gate Location, Central Division, Naivasha District, Rift Valley Province.

Managed by KWS, it is the 2nd smallest national park, but yet the only park in Kenya where cycling and walking without any official KWS escort is allowed. Of late, KWS is implementing the community outreach through training of local community tour guides, building schools, conservation education and sponsoring well-performing students, therefore bridging the gap between the two stakeholders. This interprets a win-win relationship.

The new ecotourism product packaging includes: cycling, camping, rock climbing, mountain climbing, hiking, picnicking, hotel-linked bush breakfast and sundowners.

On annual basis, they organize the "Hells Gate on a Wheelbarrow" competitions from which money accrued from the event goes to construction of a Conservation Centre within the park. The 2010 event was successful, having earned Sh. 7 million.

Plate : Fischer's Tower & Lower Gorge behind (left), and participants in the annual "Heels Gate on a Wheelbarrow" 2010 event.

According to the Senior Warden, they assist communities in the proposal development and recommending them to potential funding programmes. They also train and integrate them e.g. guides and porters, hence mobilization of the community groups.

KWS in Hells Gate still continues to create awareness on ecotourism & conservation and exchange programmes on what viable projects can be undertaken. They train and capacity build the local communities on management functions- facilitating joint ventures between the communities and ecotourism stakeholders.

Plans to construct an Eco-lodge within the park are on the pipeline.

Rates:

Table : Park entry fees for Hells Gate National Park

Citizens

Kshs.

Residents

Kshs.

Non-residents

US$

Adults

200

500

25

Children

100

250

10

Students

100

250

10

Source: Brochure for Hells Gate N. Park

Mt. Longonot National Park

Longonot Location, Maii Mahiu Division, Naivasha District, Rift Valley Province.

This park, managed by KWS, encircles Mt. Longonot- a dormant volcanic mountain which peaks at 2780m above sea level. Visitors mainly come to see the volcanic crater at the top of the mountain, as well as hiking and cycling.

In 2004, KWS had launched an Ecotourism Youth Community Project which aimed at training the youth from community in tour guiding, rock climbing and bird watching & identification. The project initially had 100 members. Currently, KWS is supporting Mt. Longonot Adventures (K) Ltd. group through training and facilitation programmes.

Plate : Entrance to Mt. Longonot N. Park (left), and view of Mt. Longonot from Naivasha-Nairobi highway.

Rates:

Table : Park entry fees for Mt. Longonot N. Park

Citizens

Kshs.

Residents

Kshs.

Non-residents

US$

Adults

200

500

25

Children

100

250

10

Students

100

250

10

Source: Brochure for Mt. Longonot N. Park

South L. Naivasha Boats Ecotourism Project

Olkaria Location, Kongoni Division, Naivasha District, Rift Valley Province

It is a member of Ecotourism Kenya. Based within vicinity of Fisherman's Camp and privately-owned, it includes a Beach Management (BMU) and Anti-poaching unit. The group advocates protecting and re-establishing riparian access corridors around L. Naivasha.

The group normally offers boat safaris, fishing and nature tours.

Plate : Boats used by South Lake group (left), and Camping & picnic site at Fisherman's Camp Naivasha

According to the owner -Mr. David Kilo- ecotourism is still a new concept to some areas, which need to be given priority for sustainable development as far as tourism around the lake is concerned.

Charges for boating are Sh. 1500 for half an hour maximum of 8 persons, and Sh. 3000 for 1 hour maximum of 8 persons. Bicycles can also be hired for Sh. 500 a day.

Geta CFA Ecotourism Project

Mukungi Location, North Kinangop Constituency, Nyandarua District, Central Province

Geta Community Forest Association (CFA) is a CBO which houses several settlement schemes: Geta, Kitiri, Nandarasi, Wanjohi, Miharati, Mawingu, Mikaro and Gatundu settlement schemes. Ecotourism is still at its development phase. So far, the CBO has developed a Wildlife and Ecotourism Development Programme which aims at improving community livelihoods through sustainable wildlife & forest management and income-generating ecotourism activities while minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. The Wildlife and Ecotourism Programme is shown in Annex 6 (Source: Geta Forest Management Plan 2009-2014).

The Geta Forest and the larger Aberdare Forest are richly endowed with abundant wildlife, caves and scenic beauty which are all major tourist attractions. Diverse fauna evident in the forest gives it a high potential for ecotourism development. The Kenyan Forest Act of 2005 section 47 (2a) specifies that communities can enter into a management agreement with the Director (of KWS) which bestows upon the association forest user rights to embark on ecotourism and recreational activities. Ecotourism products identified include: shrines, waterfalls, view points, filming sites, bird watching sites, caves and hiking forest trails as shown in Table below. Ease of accessibility, connectivity and its strategic geographical position are other factors that contribute to ecotourism development in the region.

Table : Ecotourism Sites and Activities in Geta Forest

FOREST BEAT

AREA NAME

LOCATION

SITE

ALTITUDE (M)

INTEREST

Geta

Kitiri

N. Kinangop

Kenya Pencil

2625

Campsite and Tourist Hotel

Geta

Mutubio

N. Kinangop

Mutubio

3199

Filming, bird watching, picnicking

Mihato

Mihato

Makumbi

Marimu Valley

3234

Ecotourism

Kiambogo

Mihato

Geta

Rua-marimu

3270

Ecotourism

Kipipiri

Ihiga

Kiambogo

Scout Peak

3375

Hiking and camping

Geta

Muthagira

Wanjohi

Melono rock

2666

Rock climbing

Geta

Sofia Griffin

Wanjohi

Sofia Griffin

2491

Lodge

Bush

Gathure

Wanjohi

View Point

3014

View point

Geta

Njangiri

Wanjohi

Janeiro

2700

Waterfall

Geta

Gathima

Wanjohi

Gathima

2938

Caves

Kamirangi

Kamuringa

N. Kinangop

Kamirangi valley

2750

Caves & rock climbing

Mekaro

Kanjuiri

N. Kinangop

Kanjuiri rock

3182

Photo taking, birds & filming

Manunga

Ndorobo

Kipipiri

Ndorobo

2942

Colobus monkey viewing, waterfall & view point, bird watching, education tours

Geta

Kirima

Kipipiri

Kirima

2992

Caves, camping site

Forest One

Kanyotu

Kipipiri

Kanyotu

2640

Lodge

Mikeu

Mikeu

Geta

Getei

2729

Kiere cave

Mikeu

Mikeu

Geta

Lower Mikeu

2903

Wang'ae cave (100m from entry to exit), Kangui Falls

Kagongo

Kagongo

Geta

Kagongo, R. Wanjohi

3498

Kangui Cave, Gatuku Falls, Caves

Source: Geta Forest Management Plan (2009-2014)

Aberdares National Park

Central Highlands, Kinangop Division, Nyandarua District, Central Province

It is a wilderness park managed by KWS. It encircles the Aberdare Ranges which extends from the Laikipia Escarpments (northeast of Naivasha) down to Kinangop Plateau (east of Naivasha), roughly 60km long. Geta Forest is also in Aberdares, interpreting that KWS does support CBET through facilitation by training of community guides & scouts. The park is gifted with a vast array of flora and fauna, as well as attractions such as bamboo thickets, caves, waterfalls, mist-covered moors, thick forest and wildlife (including the Big Five).

Table : Park Entry Fees for Aberdares N. Park

Citizens

Kshs.

Residents

Kshs.

Non-residents

US$

Adults

300

1000

50

Children

100

500

25

Students

100

200

15

Source: Brochure for Aberdares N. Park

On annual basis, KWS in conjunction with Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, organize the Rhino Charge Challenge whereby 4X4 vehicles battle through obstacles, bush tracks and circuits. Funds from the event go to electric fencing of the park so as to avoid human-wildlife conflicts, reforestation programmes as well as improving community livelihoods.

KWS also works with KFS on issues regarding forest and biodiversity protection and conservation.

Plate : Electric fence separating Aberdares Park from community villages (left), and Off-road track leading to the Park from Miharati.

Upper Turasha Conservation Group

Njabini Location, Kinangop Division, Kinangop District, Central Province

This is a CBO currently constituting of 24 members -14 of who are women and youth. Their main role was to grow tree seedlings for agro forestry on the ecologically-sensitive cultivated mountainous landscape which also serves as a water-catchment area for R. Turasha -a tributary to R. Malewa which drains into L. Naivasha. In this case, their role is potentially important for maintaining the water level of the lake.

Their bakery business is bringing good returns.

However, they are considering ecotourism as an alternative. This is evidenced by availability of an old large farm house which can be used as a Community Ecotourism Resource Centre; nearby Aberdare Forest where activities such as hiking and cave exploration can be done; wildlife such as elephants & monkeys which are spotted occasionally; and colonial history/ cultural tourism.

The community are positive towards engaging in ecotourism business.

Plate : Members of Upper Turasha Group at their Bakery (left) and the proposed Community Resource Centre

Oloika Women Group

Ndabibi Location, Eburru Division, Naivasha District, Rift Valley Province

Formed in 1997, this is a CBO housed by Ndamamo Economic Empowerment Group

Malewa Trust

Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

Mt. Longonot Adventures (K) Ltd

Enaiborr Ajijik, Labarak

Elsamere Centre

Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary

Kongoni Game Valley

Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Potential Ecotourism Sites

Attributes of Improved Ecotourism

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

"Water is life. No water, no future. Water is for all." These statements confirm the vital importance of water, in particular fresh water to human life (Fellizar, 2003). Some 2 billion people in the world are facing water shortages (Fellizar, 2003) and it has been noted that water is getting scarcer due to excessive unsustainable use; and that water quality is diminishing due to unsanitary human practices and poor management of household, hotel, industrial and agricultural wastes. It is estimated that by 2025, a number of countries will be too dry to maintain rates of current uses (CSD, 1997).

The generally accepted definition of sustainable development "is development which meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Report, 1987; quoted from the White Paper on Environmental Management for South Africa, 1997). IWRM is also defined as "a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems" (Jonker, 2002). This would imply that natural features such as wind, rainfall among other natural processes cannot or is not possible to be managed; whereas human activities can be managed. For this reason, a proper description of Integrated Water Resources Management would be to "manage people's activities in a manner that promotes sustainable development (improves livelihoods without disrupting the water cycle)" (Alfarra, 2004).

High economic value around the Lake Naivasha basin has been generated by mostly tourism and horticulture, hence it has created clash of interests between the various stakeholders i.e. flower farmers, tourism players, local farmers, upper catchment, urban people etc. hence generating more pressure on the quality and water level of the lake. The IWRM plan for Lake Naivasha Basin which had been implemented between 2002 and 2005 has helped in addressing and solving the problems affecting the area. It targeted the water catchment areas. In this case, the downstream water users within the Basin rely on the upstream communities who are charged with the protection of the watersheds so as to ensure adequate water flow for downstream utility. However, little was touched on the tourism and ecotourism part.

Ecotourism integrated into IWRM Plans

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

Design and Plan of Data Collection

Studies contributing to this dissertation were a combination of both qualitative and quantitative analysis. A holistic methodological approach was used with a view of addressing matters regarding ecotourism and its potentials, the Government's Vision 2030 and relevant ecotourism stakeholders. The research was conducted in line with the programmes organized by the WWF EARPO.

Desk Review

The review of existing literature included descriptions of tourism in Kenya (with the Vision 2030 touching on tourism), tourism policy interventions, aspects of sustainable tourism and ecotourism, community-based ecotourism and IWRM. These secondary data was gathered from reviews of official documents, text books, academic journals (Journals of Sustainable Tourism -JOST), statistics and printed promotional and marketing materials.

Interviews

Face-to-face interviews were conducted to a number of ecotourism stakeholders such as the Government, NGOs, hoteliers and CBOs. The list of interviewees is provides in Annex 1.

Field Work/ Studies

This included organized extensive tours within the lake basin by visiting key areas such as Naivasha, Longonot, Aberdares, Malewa, Moi-ndabi, and Kigio. Data was gathered through the administration of questionnaires which were dispatched to randomly-selected community members and stakeholder groups. These groups were pre-identified by WWF Naivasha. Group discussions with the local communities were undertaken. Photographs were also taken during the field tours.

Table : Places visited within Lake Naivasha Basin

Umbrella Area

Town/ Locality

Organization/ Hospitality Outlet

Date visited

1.

North L. Naivasha

Langalanga, Gilgil

Malewa Bush Ventures

16-07-2010

Karunga, Gilgil

Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

19-07-2010

N. Naivasha

Great Rift Valley Lodge

02-07-2010

2.

Naivasha town

Naivasha

Labelle Inn

26-05-2010

Naivasha

Jaza Guest Resort

02-06-2010

Naivasha

L. Naivasha Panorama

02-06-2010

Naivasha

L. Naivasha Country Club

04-06-2010

Naivasha

L. Naivasha Resort

04-06-2010

3.

South L. Naivasha

Kongoni

Hells Gate National Park

13-07-2010

Longonot

Mt. Longonot National Park

14-07-2010

Longonot

Mt. Longonot Adventures Ltd.

14-07-2010

Moi-ndabi

Oloika Women Group

27th & 28th July

Labarak

Enaiborr Ajijik Community

28-05-2010

Oserian

Chui Lodge

22-07-2010

Oserian

Kiangazi Lodge

22-07-2010

Oserian

Elsamere Lodge & Centre

21-07-2010

Oserian

Fisherman's Camp

15-07-2010

Kongoni

Crayfish Camp

13-07-2010

Karagita

L. Naivasha Simba Lodge

23-07-2010

Karagita

L. Naivasha Sopa Lodge

23-07-2010

Kongoni

Fish Eagle Inn

15-07-2010

4.

The Aberdares

Aberdares

Aberdares National Park

28-07-2010

Engineer, Miharati, Kipipiri

Geta Community Forest Association (CFA)

3rd , 4th , 10th& 11th June; 27th & 28th July

Murungaru

Friends of Kinangop Plateau

06-07-2010

Tulaga

Upper Turasha Conservation Group

08-07-2010

Questionnaires which were filled in were cross-checked on spot so as to ensure accuracy and consistency before departure from the respondents.

Data Entry Processing and Analysis

The data gathered from the field studies was entered into SPSS statistical analysis software version 18. The results of this analysis rooted statistical information which is presented in this dissertation (see Chapter 4) as well as a report submitted to WWF Naivasha.

CHAPTER FOUR

KEY FINDINGS