Hospitality Corner
Guardians Of The Coast: Serena Beach Resort’ s Sea Turtle And Butterfly Legacy
By Maureen Okore
Just before sunrise on Kenya’ s Indian Ocean coast, a small group of guests gathers in silence. Dozens of sea turtle hatchlings emerge under the softened glow of eco-sensitive lighting, instinctively drawn to the tide. As they crawl, they imprint a magnetic memory of the beach, ensuring they return to the same shores to lay their eggs when they mature.
For over 30 years, Serena Beach Resort & Spa has served not just as a coastal retreat, but as a working model of what responsible tourism can look like in Africa: regenerative, community-led, and locally rooted.
Guardians of the Sea Turtle
Since 1993, the resort has led one of East Africa’ s most enduring sea turtle conservation programmes. Marine ecology reports warn that turtle populations could
face extinction within 50 years due to threats including tidal flooding, predators, human activity, and climate change.
In response, the programme focuses on three sea turtle species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature( IUCN): the Hawksbill Turtle( critically endangered), the Green Turtle( endangered), and the Olive Ridley Turtle( vulnerable). Protective cages within the resort allow at-risk eggs to incubate safely. To reduce disorientation, beachfront and lawn lighting are dimmed, guiding hatchlings instinctively toward the ocean, a crucial step in their survival.
Since the programme began, the resort has safeguarded 593 nests and released more than 65,000 hatchlings into the ocean. Guests often describe witnessing a turtle hatchling release as a remarkable experience that leaves a lasting impression.
One that deepens their connection to nature and the purpose of their stay.
The Butterfly Effect
Beyond the shoreline, another vital programme is quietly restoring balance. The resort is home to one of only two butterfly sanctuaries in Kenya, nurturing 67 native species. The sanctuary includes dedicated enclosures for pupae, eggs, caterpillars, and mature butterflies, ensuring full lifecycle care before controlled release.
Elegant yet essential, butterflies support the delicate balance of biodiversity by pollinating wild plants and signalling the health of surrounding ecosystems. The sanctuary also functions as an educational hub, welcoming school groups and guests to explore the importance of conservation and ecological harmony.
Preserving Swahili Heritage
18
For Kenya to become a global leader in sustainable tourism, it must present tangible, working models that show measurable impact. Serena Beach Resort & Spa exemplifies this through its approach to community-led conservation, cultural integration, waste management innovation, and guest engagement.
MAL67 / 25 ISSUE
At the heart of Serena Beach Resort & Spa’ s sustainability pillars is its architecture, modelled to evoke the allure of a 13th-century Swahili village. The design features coral-stone structures, hand-plastered domes, and intricately carved doors crafted by local artisans.
Guests engage with Swahili culture through dhow-building workshops, traditional cuisine, and Taarab music performances. These immersive experiences support local craftsmen and help preserve cultural continuity, not just drive economic gain.