Family horse riding vacation in South Africa

Planet

The partners of this safari company love the bush-veld; it is their home, and as such all are committed to preserving the environment in its pristine condition and transferring disturbed land back to its natural state.

Historically, the farm was used for agriculture; a mixture of crops and cattle. Fortunately most of the intensive agriculture was restricted to small irrigated areas. There are still large tracts of virgin, undisturbed bush and about 2000 hectares of this land has been transferred back to its original wild state. Three of the largest dams on the property are within the reserve area and one sits on the Melk River.

We endeavour to minimise the impact of the lodge on the immediate environment, and are striving to minimise our carbon footprint. Eco-friendly practices adopted at the lodge on the farm include:

All organic waste from the kitchen and manure from the yards are used in the farm’s wormery and the vermi-compost is used as fertiliser for the essential oil crop on the farm.

Dead wood is collected across the entire farm for firewood as a heating source for the main lodge instead of electric or gas fires. The farm is part of the South African Working on Water Project, which is striving to eradicate exotic tree species (that drink precious water resource) from our water systems.

Our water is pumped from underground boreholes and so is restricted to household usage only. The gardens are only irrigated using dam water. Most rooms are equipped with showers and guests are encouraged to shower instead of bath, to prevent excess water wastage.

Where possible our food ingredients are sourced locally. Salad and herbs are grown at the lodge, all meat is locally produced and some dairy products come from neighbouring farms. Occasionally, fish from the dam is included on the menu!
Our waste is recycled: Glass and metal materials are sorted and recycled.

People

The Waterberg has always been a fairly isolated community battling the elements to make a living from the bush. That kind of hardship brings people together in a mutual support system that builds strong loyalty. The Waterberg in the 21st century is no different. Whether on an ecological or social basis the area is still difficult to exist in and is made up of characters who are prepared to face those difficulties proactively. As individuals or corporately the Waterberg community relies on active involvement and participation. The Afrikaans people have a saying " a boer maak a plan" - " a farmer makes a plan"- which suggests a strong self-reliance but not just in an independent sense, more in an inter-dependent sense.

This company engages in and supports the following community initiatives and projects:

WATERBERG BIOPSHERE RESERVE (NPO 074-684). Dedicated to conserving the area and stimulating sustainable economic growth and development. Committed to skills development among the youth of our area.

WATERBERG WELFARE SOCIETY (NPO 019-865). Providing a service to people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.

ST JOHN'S THE BAPTIST CHURCH Soup Kitchen - Feeds 400-900 children a week.

WATERBERG ACADEMY - Community school driven to provide an educated youth for the priveleged and underpriveleged alike.