Garden Route self drive vacation, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Our ground team in South Africa have responsible travel initiatives at the heart of what they do, and they scrutinise all suppliers (accommodation providers, tour leaders, etc) for their policies and practises. Sustainability initiatives are in place at many properties in South Africa and are a part of many of the day tours and experiences which they offer. These initiatives range from the conservation levies (charged by many lodges) going straight back into conservation efforts and the local communities, to supporting small businesses with specific areas of expertise such as Imonti Tours in the East London area, Uthando in Cape Town and Lithemba and Emzini Tours on the Garden Route. Eco-conscious or Green Tourism options also abound, and many properties are either partially or fully off-the-grid or have initiatives to lower their impact on the environments in which they operate.

An example of how one of the accommodations we use in Cape Town are working to improve the natural environment is by installing 80 solar panels, greywater harvesting, a supply of green energy from the Darling Wind Farm and a 98% waste recycling. The Vineyard is also a certified member of Fair Trade Tourism and is involved in a number of organisations such the Event Greening Forum, BirdLife SA and Eco Atlas. The hotel also supports the Table Mountain National Park in its efforts to clear alien vegetation. The hotel makes use of fair trade, sustainable and ethically produced goods wherever possible.

This itinerary uses many accommodations which are off the beaten track, where tourist numbers are low, and rural communities are often extremely poor, with few opportunities for employment. Many environmental projects are in infancy stage, however, at one accommodation on the Wild coat, much of the refuse is burnt in their own incinerators and as much as possible is reused or recycled. All old cooking oil is removed from site and sold to be recycled into biodiesel. Unfortunately there is currently no recycling plant within the area – but they are working to implement this much-needed facility. They have built and installed a solar farm on the top of the hill that can produce in excess of over a 1000kwH on a sunny day.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
One of the accomodations we use in Cape Town has a variety of sustainability initiatives in place and these include an onsite worm farm to process leftover food and other organic matter into compost which is then used to fertilise the hotel gardens. Eco-friendly gardening practises are followed with the hotel planting indigenous trees, recycling lawn clippings and reducing the amount of chemicals used. All non-aesthetic lighting in the hotel has been replaced with energy-saving bulbs and water-wise natural spring water is used to irrigate the estate. Plastic, glass, paper, tin and cardboard are all recycled, eco- friendly, biodegradable cleaning products are used throughout the hotel and low-sulphur diesel is used to power the electricity generators.

On the Eastern Cape, one of the accommodations we use has kept the garden as indigenous as possible to acknowledge this natural paradise. All new planting is indigenous and only organic compost is used. No harmful chemicals are used in the garden.

Another lodge on the Wild Coast, situated in an area little visited by tourists, has developed a dedicated team of all-women wildlife patrollers from the local community. Currently, 12 women have been selected and are undergoing training to carry out a variety of essential tasks within the expansive 7,000-hectare Mkambati Nature Reserve. Their responsibilities encompass wildlife monitoring, de-snaring, species identification, marine coastal patrols, movement tracking within the park, and surveillance efforts. The primary mission of the team is to serve as the vigilant eyes and ears of the reserve, proactively driving vital anti-poaching initiatives by swiftly reporting any signs of poaching and illegal activities to the relevant authorities, including the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) and local law enforcement. This is providing a vital means of employment income to local women, as well as protecting the environment.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
One of our ground team's core sustainability strategies is the support and development of SMME's (Small, Medium or Micro Enterprises) while also making considerable efforts to support cultural heritage through collaboration with individuals and businesses which promote local customs and traditions. Of particular importance is the fact that they use local, resident guides, people with an integral understanding and real-life experiences on many of our tours. Several of the Specialist Day Tours and Experiences which we offer focus on different cultures and communities as well as some fascinating individuals working in their communities. This all provides vital employment and income to local people.

On the Wild Coast, one of the lodges we work with on this itinerary is actively involved in making a difference to the surrounding community. The lodge offers an area on the opposite of the carpark to the local ladies to sell their baskets and beadworks to the hotel guests. They also provide learning opportunities to people in poorer communities, as well as training and development of staff for future leadership positions. At this lodge, a group of employees has taken it upon themselves to make a difference in the lives of the staff to provide HIV training. The lodge also provides a gilly service (operators are paid a daily or hourly rate by guests) – the gillies help guests explore and fish the river banks, the beach and the rocky outcrops in the area. One such excursion is an overnight stay at a nearby fishing spot called Brazen Head, where car guards, wood gatherers and porters are employed from the village at Brazen Head. Fishing would be a main food provider for local villagers, so this provides a privileged insight into local survival tactics.
The lodge's hikes and walks afford the river-guides much-needed employment in the area. The mangrove swamp hike extends to the next valley, where the river guides from the next valley take over from our guides and paddle guests through the swamp, to a point where they can explore the beautiful beach as they walk back to the lodge.



EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
Our ground team support a local charity in South Africa which serves as an umbrella for a wide range of highly effective community projects across the country. In order to showcase these and also to offer a glimpse into the work being done to uplift the disadvantaged in South Africa, they offer daily scheduled excursions visiting the sprawling townships around Cape Town, with particular emphasis on visiting at least three of the social development projects being funded.
With a huge number of community projects ranging from animal welfare, food gardens and housing through to skills development, empowerment and childcare, the funds that are raised by the charity get distributed far and wide and go a long way to improving the lives of the wider Cape Town community.
By working with our ground team, we have the opportunity to support these well-managed and reputable community development and charitable projects. One hundred percent of contributions are distributed by the charity to a range of wonderful community projects on a monthly basis, thus having an immediate and direct impact on the lives of many people.

The excursions offer a unique and authentic introduction to the social problems confronting so many millions of South Africans, while also illustrating the innovative and inspirational ways in which they are being handled by these marginalised and destitute communities. Very importantly, the projects are not treated as tourist attractions and the tours are designed in such a way as to educate, inform and inspire while also respecting the dignity and privacy of the people concerned. The projects are, after all, places where people live, work and in most cases, just survive.

On Route 62, one of the accommodations we use for this itinerary supports a Foundation which believes in M.A.G.I.C (Music and Arts Growing Inspired Children), and introduces the Arts to Rural communities, providing a platform for integration and unity in diversity, through classes, workshops, carnivals and festivals. Their aim is to get youth off the streets and into a environment where they can learn, grow and achieve manageable goals. They work in collaboration with several other NPOs to ensure reaching all target groups of youth to introduce them to the projects which include: HIV/AIDS awareness, substance abuse, life skills, recycling, nutrition and other relevant local youth issues.

On the Wild Coast, one of the lodges we work with on this itinerary are currently assisting 4 schools in the area with various projects. Two schools are Section 20 and two Section 21 schools – this means that they are only partially funded by the Department of Education and therefore need as much help as they can get to deliver quality education. In the past they have assisted these 4 schools with various building projects, adding store rooms and facilities, as well as hosting sporting events and sponsoring student teachers. They have previously run stationery drives and returning guests are regularly generous with donations of clothing and sports equipment.

Another lodge we use on the Wild Coast in this itinerary launched its first eye testing initiative in the Mkambati community in 2024. Two skilled optometrists were brought in to provide free eye examinations and distribute glasses to those in need. In addition, they introduced a groundbreaking app that employs artificial intelligence to diagnose various health conditions through a simple photograph of the eye. For individuals identified with significant health concerns, the app offers tailored recommendations for further care. Hundreds of community members, both young and old, participated in this initiative and they are looking forward to offering more eye health services in the future.