Women's vacation in Cape Town, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We encourage our guests to join us in our efforts to ensure the preservation of water, save energy, and respect our natural environment. We share tips in our Pre-Trip Guide which we send guests before departure. They encourage using water sparingly, using towels more than once, using air conditioners when necessary, and switching lights off when leaving their rooms. The trip includes the use of public transport in the city and walking tours in the other locations. The private game reserve is a solar farm, while all properties make sure that geysers are switched off when not in use. Light bulbs have been replaced by LED energy-saving bulbs. Food is sourced from small local suppliers with both vegan and vegetarian options.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We are conscious of our footprint on the environment and the accommodations we have chosen are implementing sustainable policies. We start the tour in a tranquil area surrounded by a forest of leafy trees and sweet-smelling Fynbos. The nature-infused experiences like foraging indigenous plants for cooking a meal, will bring greater understanding not only about the area's unique biodiversity but also the connection between nature and humans.

The on-site restaurant in the Winelands estate uses glass water bottles and biodegradable straws. Compostable cardboard for takeaway containers in the restaurant while they also make their own compost on-site for the gardens. Their commitment to sustainability is put into practice when the entire estate and homeowners endeavor to recycle and have a dedicated service that only collects recyclable items. Management also regularly communicates educational information to encourage recycling. Eco-friendly pesticides are used to control rodents which do not harm other animals. The estate also partners with Cape Nature for the rehabilitation of tortoises to be released on the wine estate.

People

Local Economy

All four properties are locally owned and are fully committed to community development in their respective area. Apart from the city, all other establishments are away from the normal tourist attractions with the Fairtrade certification. This unique tour has been especially and intentionally designed to empower women from marginalized backgrounds working within the tourism industry. The supply chain is made up of women-owned small businesses that will directly benefit from this women's expedition, which in turn will benefit their families. Most of the tour guides are female and from the local areas. We stay in small towns like Kleinmond, Wellington, and Oudtshoorn and visit markets, have a cooking experience in a local women's home, and a community center.

Employment, Inclusivity, and Diversity

We have chosen small operators within the communities where travelers stay. From accommodation, transport, and fresh produce to co-creating travel experiences, a diverse group of women ensures 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. This tour celebrates the incredible sustainability story of the Indigenous People of South Africa. Local female guides will usher guests into the heart of a diverse range of communities, each with its own language and story. Staying over at the non-profit women's center ensures that their work of empowering communities can continue.

This transformational tour is in collaboration with the Women in Travel CIC, a social enterprise that exists to empower women, in particular from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.