The Safari Index’s most eco-friendly lodges

The Safari Index’s most eco-friendly lodges

‘Responsible Tourism’ and ‘Green Accommodation’ have become essential considerations within the travel industry as many environmentally and socially conscious travellers base their accommodation and travel arrangements around responsible and sustainable operations. Many pioneering safari lodges and tour companies have instituted their own policies and procedures to be more green and eco friendly, ushering in a new era of sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism simply means tourism operations that replenish or put back what is taken from the local habitat. A lodge that is fully sustainable requires little in the way of natural resources, recycling much of what is used and leaving a relatively small eco-footprint on the local environment. An eco-friendly lodge does not damage the local habitat and provides a source of income for the local community while also providing funding for conservation initiatives. An eco-friendly lodge that is sustainable and environmentally friendly will usually have measurable statics and percentages relating to how much they have reduced waste, water waste and other consumables. When you are next on safari, ask the management team of the lodge what they have done to help protect the environment, grow the skills in the local community or support a local charity. When booking your next safari, look out for these key characteristics when inquiring with lodge management about any green initiatives.

Benefits the local community

An Eco-friendly lodge will usually aim to hire local people as their staff providing not only income to the community but also increasing their skillsets. The use of locals as guides and staff in the lodges instills a sense of pride and reverence for the property within the community. Guests also benefit from having a local who knows the area intimately as their professional guide, tracker or guest liason, providing greater insight into the country or area they are visiting. Lodges often include a local cultural tour as an optional extra in the itinerary – this involves visiting the nearest local village to explore the local customs and culture.

Local Produce and Fair Trade

The use of local produce is another indication of an eco-friendly lodge and many choose to either grow their edible produce themselves or purchase it from nearby local farmers. Fair Trade in Tourism stands for fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. It also ensures that the people who contribute their land, resources, labour and knowledge to tourism are the ones who reap the benefits. This not only supports the local community but also reduces the carbon footprint of the lodge. The use of local produce can extend beyond edible goods as some lodges have chosen to use locally crafted soaps, blankets and handmade products in their rooms and curio shops.

Sustainability

Eco-friendly safari lodges are usually built to be sustainable either by using recycled materials for the building itself, or by incorporating ‘Green’ design elements into the lodge. These can include but are not limited to: solar powered water heaters, grey water recycling systems for garden water, energy saving bulbs in all the light fittings and minimal structure impact on the immediate environment.

There are various organisations that verify the authenticity of a tourism operators claims of eco-friendly status, but here are two of the most recognised.

Green Leaf – http://www.greenleafecostandard.net/

The Green Leaf™ Eco Standard (GLES) is specifically constructed as a sustainability and certification assessment tool for the performance management of any international organisation or property. In its name, “Green Leaf™” stems from the symbol representing the philosophy of people and place in environmental leadership and conservation of the Wilderness Foundation (the organisation, together with Andrew Phillips, which founded the Green Leaf Environmental Trust, the custodians of GLES). “Eco Standard” is an integrated concept which promotes the synergy of environmental, social and economic systems to facilitate behavioural and material adaptations in a business beyond the triple bottom-line. Certification under GLES demonstrates a firm, authentic and effective commitment to sustainability, both towards the environment and socially, under the globally-recognised symbol of the Wilderness Foundation, the Green Leaf™. The GLES is implemented internationally by accredited agencies which ensure impartiality and quality during the certification process.

Fair Trade in Tourism – http://www.fairtrade.travel/

Fair Trade in Tourism (FTT) is a non-profit organisation that is leading the way forward in the development of sustainable and responsible tourism in southern Africa and beyond. It grows awareness about responsible tourism to travellers, assisting tourism businesses to operate more sustainably and facilitating the FTT certification programme across southern Africa. The FTT label stands for fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. It also ensures that the people who contribute their land, resources, labour and knowledge to tourism are the ones who reap the benefits.

Majete National Park

The Majete National Park, in the Great Rift Valley in Malawi, is committed to maintaining its biodiversity and restoring tracts of land depleted by heavy poaching in the 80s and 90s. Due to the park’s conservation efforts in the past decade, 2,500 species of animals have successfully been reintroduced to this former wasteland. The Park also employs locals, so they become invested in wildlife preservation. For those seeking a luxurious experience in Majete, Robin Pope Safaris’ Mkumuladzi is right on the Zambezi and offers exciting activities.

Serra Cafema 

Located on the banks of the Kunene River in Namibia, near the sublime Namib Desert, Serra Cafema is one of Africa’s remotest camps. Serra Cafema is owned, operated, and staffed by the indigenous Himba people, one of the last semi-nomadic people on earth. The camp is also involved with the Namibia Sea Turtle Project, which works with the Angolan and Namibian governments to protect the sea turtles that congregate near the mouth of the Kunene River.

Mombo Camp 

Mombo Camp is involved in multi-platform conservation efforts such as the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project that reintroduced the white rhino to the Okavango Delta. Mombo Camp employs different ethnic groups to engage with the local community. The camp has minimized its carbon footprint through solar power, thermodynamic geysers, rainwater harvesting, and passive environmental architecture.

Ghona Hills Savuti Lodge

Ghona Hills is found in the Savuti region of Botswana and boasts stunning views over the plains, as well as a busy waterhole. Its eleven en-suite canvas tents are built on elevated platforms, providing further breathtaking viewing opportunities. The wildlife viewing in the reserve is superb all year round. The lodge is an off-the-grid eco-friendly establishment that makes use of solar power and limits its impact on the environment.

Little Makalolo Camp

Little Makalolo is a small, intimate camp in the remote wilderness of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. It has six en-suite safari tents with indoor and outdoor showers. The lodge has a swimming pool, lounge and dining area and log-pile hide for observing the busy waterhole nearby. Game drives and walks allow guests to get up close to reserve’s wildlife, which includes the big 5. The lodge uses solar power and aims to reduce environmental footprint.

Mashovhela Lodge

Mashovhela is found in South Africa‘s scenic Northern Cape and is the proud achiever of the prestigious Gold Leaf green rating.The lodge is furnished and styled with traditional African designs. The ten comfortable rooms are en-suite and have facilities for families. In addition to walking safaris, guests have the option of visiting local villages, ancient ruins, a museum, sacred Venda sites, and a tea estate.

Ndutu Wilderness Camp

Ndutu is a seasonal camp found in the Serengeti. It consists of ten canvas safari tents with en suite facilities, solar lighting and eco-friendly flushing toilet and shower. Game drives allow guests to explore the surrounding wilderness, and guests can also access the Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge and interact with the local Maasai people.

Singita Sweni

Singita Sweni is a small, intimate lodge on a private concession in South Africa‘s renowned Kruger National Park. The camp is cerified “green” and has a minimal impact on the environment. The suites have glass fronts, allowing for fantastic views. A spa, gym, pool and Business centre are just some of the world-class facilities offered at the lodge. Game drives allow guests to experience the famous Kruger wildlife, which includes the Big 5.