Impact Matters
Sirikoi works hard to make sure that its presence as a business improves nature, livelihoods and landscapes at the same time. This is why a commitment to conservation and community development are at the heart of the Sirikoi philosophy. In other words, the work done behind the scenes is as important as the one on the stage.
The Land
At the foundation of everything there is the land and the environment. Without protecting the land, you cannot protect the wildlife. All conservation fees received from our guests support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in their efforts to protect the wildlife, build clinics and schools for the surrounding communities.
When Willie and Sue acquired the land in 2003 for wildlife, they directly bolstered the efforts of Lewa by adding 7,500 acres of ideal black rhino habitat to the conservancy.
Satellite image comparison of Sirikoi between 2003 and 2025
We have established 900 Acres of diverse acacia woodland and 41 Acres of crucial wetland surrounding the lodge. We keep planting indigenous trees and shrubs, and many different aloes (drought resistant) which the resident sunbird population love. The transformation has been incredible: Sirikoi airstrip sits on land that used to be maize fields!
The People
It is not possible to protect the land and the wildlife without involving, motivating and rewarding the surrounding communities. Only a partnership with the communities makes conservation possible. Originally the area was dominant with the Lakipiak Maasai, however over the years the area has diversified and at Sirikoi we have 16 out of 47 different tribes working with us.
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The Wildlife
Lewa Conservancy has one of the highest wildlife densities in Kenya including 12% of the country’s black and white rhinos, and the endangered Grevy’s zebra (more than 350 individuals). The Conservancy is also home to herds of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and more than 400 species of birds.
The rhino program began in 1986 when the owners of Lewa set aside 5,000 acres of land. The rhinos prospered and in 1995 the entire ranch became a conservancy (48,000 acres).
Lewa is also home to the Northern specials, which can survive in arid conditions: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and the Somali ostrich.
Our Impact
Sustainability
Sirikoi runs off solar power, all water is gravity fed from the eye of a natural spring, uses natural cleaning products and toiletries, follows a strict recycling policy and grows their own fruits and vegetables. We use organic and food waste for composting. As a result, Sirikoi has been awarded with a Gold level Eco-rating for many years. We work in partnership with the people who live near us and believe in sustainability and community development. For instance, all Proceeds from beauty treatments are donated to local schools and orphanages. We also contribute to education bursary programmes from Lower school to university and provide local school with supplies.
A clear mountain spring, which is gravity fed to the lodge, provides us with all the water we need. All drinking water is filtered and purified on site, no plastic bottles are used.
We recycle all our glass on site; metal is sent to a vocational training centre for reuse and plastic is sent to a local organisation that makes plastic fence posts.
We keep all jars for making our own jams, jellies and preserves.
We purchase sustainably with minimal packaging, using local woven and paper bags. Single use plastic bags are illegal in Kenya.
We run the Lodge on 100% Solar power with a backup generator for those cloudy days.
Water is also heated by Solar power and firewood only used as a backup if necessary.
We educate our staff and guests on conserving energy and water.
Our waste water system is taken care of by a eco friendly bio box system.
How To Contribute
You can contribute by visiting Sirikoi but also donating to our causes. The Sirikoi Trust is a non-profit organisation entirely devoted to funding projects that benefit the people, the land and the wildlife.