West Coast nature tour, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This tour takes you away from the crowded Cape Town and guests are encouraged to enjoy their accommodations surrounded by nature. Both accommodations are that of simple and elegant sophistication with nature in mind. The sustainability story of the San people is about a lifestyle of low impact, their minimal need of material possessions and their abilities to live in extremely challenging environments. Wholesome meals are passionately prepared using products grown on the farm (vegan and vegetarian options and ingredients are locally sourced from fair trade suppliers. The tours are immersive experiences about mother nature and heritage preservation and takes place on the farm.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Both properties sits on the West Coast of Cape Town. The tour to the West Coast National Park is inside of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The park is particularly well known for its bird life and for the spring flowers which occur in the months from August to September. The guest house in Paternoster is the first of its kind as a sustainable property. The Swedish style properties are solar-powered, and the guest house water is recycled twice with grey water used for toilets and our indigenous gardens. There is a strong belief in buying local, thinking global. Therefore, all furniture has been crafted locally and upcycled material used wherever possible.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
We intentionally choose small operators within the community where travelers stay. From accommodation, transport, and fresh produce to co-creating travel experiences, to ensure the economic growth of that particular community as far as possible. Using local businesses and produce from the area ensures a circular economy where money stays within the host community. Guests have the option to donate 5% of their fee towards conservation of the West Coast National Park or towards the San Culture center to contribute towards cultural preservation.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

This tour celebrates the incredible sustainability story of the First People of South Africa in more ways than one. Tour guides usher guests into the heart of Bushman culture by their own qualified San people. Guides come from a diverse range of San communities, each with their own language and story. The staff from the guest house are 4 women from disadvantaged backgrounds including the manager and are from the fishing village and within a short distance from their homes.