We are planting a tree for every guest who stays at our hotels, not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but we are also leaving a meaningful gift for the future and doing our part to make the world a better place.
We are thrilled to announce our latest initiative aimed at making a positive impact on the environment and leaving a meaningful gift for future generations. For every guest who stays at our hotels, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa & Salt Lick Safari Lodge we will be planting a tree, not only to reduce our carbon footprint but also to contribute to the overall well-being of our planet. The trees we plant will be carefully selected indigenous species that have existed in the reforestation area. Participation in this endeavor is voluntary and free of charge for our guests.
Guests visiting either of our Hotels (Taita Hills Safari Resort & SPA , and SaltLick Safari Lodge) will Check in at Taita Hills Safari Resort & SPA, after which they will receive a tree to plant on their way to a game drive in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, with guidance provided by our team at the designated reforestation site. In return, guests will receive an e-certificate, regular updates on the growth of their tree, and an annual estimate of the carbon offset achieved by their trees.
To ensure transparency, guests can enter a unique code in our portal to track the progress of their trees, where daily and cumulative statistics on planted trees will also be available. The initial planting site will be the Salt Lick reforestation site in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, and we will update additional sites in the future.
Join us in this meaningful endeavor and together let’s make the world a greener and better place.
Why we are Doing This?
The reforestation project at Taita Hills Safari aims to address the critical environmental challenges faced by the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Spanning 28,000 acres (110 sq. km), the sanctuary is threatened by desertification, biodiversity loss, and habitat fragmentation partly resulting from climate change, including delayed rainfall and prolonged drought.
Over the past two decades, the sanctuary has experienced a devastating loss of 60% to 70% of its woody plants and vegetation. This decline in tree cover severely impacts wildlife, limiting forage, shade, and nesting sites within the sanctuary. To counter these issues, the project focuses on planting trees, which offers a multitude of benefits:
The reforestation project is intended to help guests visiting Taita Hills Safari Resort & SPA, Salt Lick Safari Lodge, and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary; staff; local communities; government agencies; and corporate to partake in the Sanctuary’s reforestation effort.
Responsible organizations already champion environmental improvement through waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation, renewable energy adoption, and carbon credits. The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary reforestation program provides an opportunity for these organizations to contribute further by offsetting carbon emissions through the regeneration of natural woodlands in Kenya.
The reforestation project’s goal is to increase the woody plant cover in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary by a minimum of 10% (11.3 sq. km). The project is divided into five phases, with the first phase already completed. Approximately 10,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted across a reforestation site of 32.5 acres (131,523 sq.m) during this initial phase. Many of these trees have now reached maturity.
To support this endeavour, TTWCA is currently implementing the TUI Forest Kenya project funded by the TUI Care Foundation. The primary objective of this project is to grow 40,000 indigenous trees across 242,812 M2, a crucial riparian zone within the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
By undertaking this reforestation effort, the project envisions a rejuvenated sanctuary that supports thriving wildlife, preserves biodiversity, and contributes to the global fight against climate change.
You can bring your own seedlings but they will comprise of specific tree/shrub species listed. The listed trees are indigenous species known to exist or pre-existed in this site, and are environmentally acceptable for planting at the SaltLick reforestation site.
Native Species
Acacia elatior
Acacia xanthophloea
Albizia anthelmintica
Berchemia discolor
Salvadora persica
Acacia mellifera
Acacia tortilis
Craibia brownee
Ficus sycomorus
Commiphora africana
Any person willing to plant a tree(s) at the demarcated sites in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. In the past, we have had participants from the local communities, guests visiting our Lodges/Resort (Taita Hills Safari Resort & SPA and Salt Lick Safari Lodge), Corporates, Staff, Government Agencies, Rotary clubs, organized groups, and Walk-ins. The planting exercise is well organized and the Sanctuary rangers are always on standby to guide you through. You can register for the reforestation exercise by filling in the registration form online, or by registering physically at Taita Hills Safari Resort and SPA. Tree planting is done at 1600hrs in your convenient day.
