Guardians of Nature
In the traditional Maasai culture, they believe that they hand down to their children, the earth as God gave it to them i.e. you do not cut the trees, till the earth, or eat the wild animals. They worship their cattle which are a measure of their wealth. They eat the meat, drink the milk daily, and drink the blood of their cattle on occasion. Bulls and oxen are slaughtered on special occasions and for ceremonies. More recently, some of the Maasai have grown dependent on food produced in other areas such as maize meal, rice, potatoes and cabbage, but cattle remain the basis of all trade within Maasai culture. The Maasai are natural custodians of the land and animals; they are a Nilotic group (originally from the lower Nile valley) inhabiting Kenya and northern Tanzania. Known for their colourful dress, pastoral customs and reputation as warriors. They are divided in 22 geographic sectors or subtribes, each one having its own customs, appearance, leadership and dialects
Of Warriors and Boys
The Maasai live in settlements called manyattas, which is a group of huts forming a unit within a common fence. The houses are loaf-shaped and made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and cows’ urine. Maasai society is patriarchal in nature, with elder men deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. A full body of oral law covers many aspects of behaviour. Women oversee the making of the houses, collecting water and firewood, milking the cattle and cooking for the family. The men are in charge of the group’s security, while the boys oversee herding the livestock. During seasons of drought, both the warriors and the boys are responsible for herding the livestock.
Sirikoi's CSR
Culture
Our Staff is made up of a colourful mixture many different tribes! They love to share stories of their history and culture with our guests.
Investment in people
Thanks to our active Sacco our staff have been able to purchase land, houses, vehicles and pay school fee’s, this has given financial freedom. Our training programs are extremely popular and well attended, they learn a variety of subjects from financial management, management training, organic gardening, computer skills etc. They especially love the role playing which usually ends with great hilarity and clapping.
Fair business practices
We are an ethical organisation that will only work with fair business practices.
Fair workplace policies
We foster a fair, transparent work ethic by closely liaising with employees on policies and financially supporting their professional development through specialised training programs including guide certification, massage therapy, organic farming, culinary arts, and first aid.
Supporting local trade
We prioritise local purchasing from farmers, shops, curio sellers, maintenance items etc, at fair, above-average prices, while emphasising sustainability through bulk buying to minimise waste.
Community commitment
We strengthen community ties through local employment, shared training opportunities, essential resource provision to schools, farmer and artisan partnerships, cultural performances, comprehensive internship programs, agricultural education, and support for disadvantaged children
Responsible tourism education
We educate guests on our environmental policies while maintaining an intimate 18-bed capacity and adhering to Lewa's Conservation Code of Conduct, which includes limiting vehicles at animal sightings and prohibiting off-road driving to protect the ecosystem.
Giving Back, making a difference
Our Annual Contributions
- We contribute through conservancy fees and donations to support Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (wildlife, education & health).
- We also assist with the use of our tipper truck for road maintenance, our water Bowser that then acts as a fire engine when necessary
- We contribute to Ngare Ndare Forest and Il Ngwesi Community through guests’ visits.
- All Proceeds from Beauty treatments are donated to a local school that supports children in need.
- We contribute to education Bursary programmes from Lower school to university and school supplies through thoughtful packing.
Make your vacation count
Visit Sirikoi & Make a Difference
- Sirikoi actively participates in education programs related to conservation, finances, computer skills, organic farming, life skills programs, school feeding programs, and income generation initiatives. We place a strong emphasis on creating local employment opportunities, with 75% of employees coming from the local community.
- All proceeds from spa treatments at Sirikoi are donated to the Pepo La Tumaini Jangwani School, a local organisation that seeks to protect and provide education for child-headed households and street-connected children and youth.
- Sirikoi actively engages with local communities through educational and health programmes, fostering strong relationships and mutual support.