ECO FEATURES & SUSTAINABILITY AT KIZINGO
Solar.
With abundant sunshine on the island, Kizingo relies on solar power for its energy. Each banda is fitted with its own solar unit ensuring sufficient hot water and electricity 24/7.
Traditional craftsmanship.
All our structures were built by local craftsmen using traditional materials. Palm, coconut, and mangrove wood are used for building and furniture; palm fronds known as mkeke, woven by women from our local village, serve as interior wall coverings and headboards. Traditional thatched makuti roofs are made of strung coconut leaves.
Resident Goats & Chickens.
From time to time, you may encounter our resident herd of handsome goats out foraging for food on dune vegetation. Their delicious milk, along with fresh eggs from our chickens are used daily in the kitchen.
No Air-Con, no TV.
Who needs artificial air-conditioning when soft cross-breezes blowing through your banda create the perfect temperature and atmosphere? And if the thought of a TV never crosses your mind, well you’re likely in very good company.
Water.
Our corner of the island is blessed to have its own sweet water source, accessed by well only a few meters from the ground. All water at Kizingo is clean and safe to drink straight from the tap.
Sustainable Menu.
As is tradition here on the coast, our chefs cook over coconut charcoal fire using only fresh local ingredients. We are proud of our unique Swahili-inspired menu, designed to delight your taste buds while being healthy, balanced, satisfying and sustainable. The kitchen is more than happy to accommodate any special dietary needs or restrictions. Learn more about our menu here.
Recycle/upcycle.
We strive to minimize packaging and waste at all points across our operations, from sourcing food to waste disposal. When possible, we recycle or upcycle waste. We are pleased to showcase one local example in our decorative floor lamps, made by hand in Kipungani village from upcycled coconut husk.
Paperless Systems.
Eliminating any need for paper, Kizingo has tailored a full digital customer experience from booking to check-out designed to make your guest experience smooth and hassle-free. For convenience, each banda comes with its own cell phone loaded with contacts to our bar & restaurant, Information Desk and Guest Relations specialist.
Low visitor footprint.
Nestled in sand dunes, the lodge has no roads or artificial paths – only soft sand walkways we navigate barefoot unless the midday sun requires a shoe. Visitor impact on the environment is minimal with guests arriving by boat and, after being greeted, walk the short distance along our shoreline to the lodge.
Composting.
Organic waste from the main and staff kitchens are composted to feed our growing vegetable and herb garden, managed by our head gardener Alex.
Zero plastic.
Here at Kizingo we strive for a zero-plastic policy, and you can count on never seeing a plastic water bottle on offer. Through our community organization KBCD (Kizingo Beach Cleanup Drive) we actively work 2-3 times per week to collect and recycle plastic we find washed up on the beach.
Eco cosmetics.
In keeping with our sustainability ethos, we provide biodegradable hair and skin products, shower gel, toothpaste, and bamboo toothbrushes. Hand-crafted organic sunscreen and mosquito repellent is on hand along with aloe vera gel for after sun skin care.