South Africa luxury vacation, 14 days

Environment

As a company: We strive to operate as a paperless company as far as possible, and recycle wherever facilities are available. We use toxic-free fair trade products whenever we can.
Our clients’ requirements are of primary importance to us at all times, as we know that our growth and success depend on their continued support. Having travelled extensively ourselves and witnessed first-hand how tourism can have either positive or negative effects on local communities; we vowed to always endeavor to leave a positive mark on all places we visit and send clients.

On the road: Many of the resorts and operators we work with offer our clients free drinking water refills to minimise wastage of plastic bottles through out the trips; and ask clients if they want items laundered before simply washing towels and linens unnecessarily, to conserve water.
The group will ascend both Table Mountain and Lion’s Head for a fantastic view of the city and an opportunity to learn about the extensive floral kingdom in the Cape, and how to conserve it, and to feel in touch with the natural beauty of the Cape.
At the game reserve all the guides and trackers are local to the area and have been trained by the reserve management, bettering their communities. A portion of the reserve fees go to the Save the Rhino campaign. Guests are told of this campaign and educated about the conservation issues facing rhinos and other species, in an attempt to encourage awareness, and action. The lodge we stay at is focused on responsible travel, 70% of the staff are from the local community and sources products and produce from local suppliers wherever possible. This lodge also donates a sum per person per night to a community trust fund, which is governed by the lodge, the Parks Board and community representatives.

Community

This tour has been designed to both operate in a way that minimises our impact on the environment that we visit and to maximise the benefit that our clients can have on the host community.
We endeavour to follow responsible guidelines, as with all trips. Here the group goes to a local craft market to purchase items directly from the local artisans. A tour through a local township will be led by a township resident who shares stories and insights into living in the squatter camps, and lunch will be taken at a bbq local restaurant, supporting these local initiatives. The tour of the Malay Quarter is guided by a local resident and dinner is prepared by his wife and served in their home – giving guests a rare insight into daily life in the area and supporting the family’s bludgeoning business. The time spent in the winelands includes tastings and meals at locally owned vineyards.