Thanks for a fantastic time out here, fingers crossed I can get back out soon!

(Africamper)

Adventure Alternatives

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Adventures/Africamp

Environmental Impact Assessment for Africamp expedition

Going on an expedition to a developing country carries with it certain responsibilities on the traveller’s part – one of the most important of these is a duty to ensure global, regional and local environments are left unaffected by your visit. In fact, removing ALL environmental impacts of your journey is impossible – but reducing them to acceptable levels can be done with a bit of forethought and planning.

It is not a requirement that you follow all the suggestions outlined below, but we hope you read through this text and think about how YOU can leave the many, varied and remarkable environments of East Africa as you found them ...
International flights to and from Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi
The environmental impact of a long haul passenger jet flights is large – yet often forgotten. The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that 0.11kg of CO2 are produced per passenger per km on a long haul flight. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important ‘greenhouse gases’ and contributes to human-induced climate change.

Africamp

Duration 13,680km (20 hours) in total
Output Jet engine will emit 1,500 kg of CO2 per passenger (as well as smaller amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other compounds). Adventure Alternative is taking total of 75 -100 people to Kenya from UK.
Nature of impact Air pollution
Scope Continental
Persistence Long term
Intensity Medium
Probability High
Mitigation By signing up to tree planting schemes (e.g. www.futureforests.com) you can offset the CO2 produced by your flight. Two trees would need to be planted per passenger to counterbalance CO2 produced by flight to Kenya from London. Replacing two light bulbs in your house with energy efficient ones would have the same effect.
Camping & trekking
Africamp team members will spend most nights under canvas at various campsites in Kenya: These include: Magadi Road, Nairobi; various Mt Kenya campsites; Silversands campsite, Malindi. On Mt Kenya teams will also be trekking along the Naro Moru route. The facilities these campsites provide vary from basic to excellent. The following potential environmental impacts are common to all.
Duration 30 days (duration of expedition)
Outputs

  • Walking
  • Rubbish (including empty fuel canisters & batteries)
  • Human waste
  • Food waste

Nature of impacts

  • Walking can lead to erosion of footpaths.
  • Litter left lying around may pollute or damage wildlife.
  • Human waste can pollute streams and groundwater.
  • Food leftovers can be eaten by wildlife.

Scope Local
Persistence Long term to persistent
Intensity Low-medium
Probability Medium

Mitigation

  • Toilet facilities provided should be used at all times to avoid water contamination. Long drop toilets are common in rural areas.
  • Excess food packaging should be removed and disposed of properly before setting out on Mt Kenya climb.
  • All rubbish should be packaged and disposed of properly – this is especially important in Mt Kenya National Park where teams will need to carry off empty fuel containers.
  • Remove & recycle any excess packaging before leaving UK
  • Try to buy/use as little packaging as possible while in-country.
  • Recycle locally where possible (e.g. glass soda bottles).
  • Consider repatriating group items for recycling.
  • Bring home some items for proper disposal (e.g. torch batteries).
  • In national parks food waste can be disposed of down long drop toilets to prevent wildlife feeding on scraps.
  • On Mt Kenya team should stick to designated routes to limit unnecessary footpath erosion.

In-country transport
Team members will travel in Adventure Alternative and private hire vehicles at various points
during the expedition. The team size limits us from using public transport.

Duration Variable
Outputs

  • Engine emissions
  • Tyre marks

Nature of impacts

  • Air pollution
  • Erosion of dirt roads in safari parks

Scope Regional
Persistence Long term to persistent
Intensity Low-medium
Probability High
Mitigation

  • Vehicles are well maintained by Adventure Alternative mechanics.
  • Number of journeys will be reduced to a minimum.
  • Vehicles will stick to established paths in safari parks.
  • Low fuel consumption vehicles will be used where possible.