Kwa Zulu Natal family adventure vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

At the safari lodge on this itinerary, the camp is entirely off-grid, all heating elements (which require the most electricity) are run off of natural gas, and they do their best to conserve electricity when and where possible. This significantly reduces their – and by extension visitors'– carbon footprint. Other examples of reducing energy consumption include many of the smaller details around the camp, which have been sourced specifically because of their eco-friendly nature. Towels, for example, are made from locally grown cotton, woven in a design that minimizes the amount of water and electricity it takes to wash them. The toiletries provided in the tents are organic and biodegradable. In order to reduce singe-use plastic in the camp, each guest gets a stainless steel drinking bottle to use throughout their stay. All the printing in camp is done on recycled paper

At all lodges in this itinerary, as far as possible, they use local produce in their kitchens. Some lodges have established a vegetable garden to grow their own salad and vegetable items, as well as cut flowers for decoration, and have a beautiful flock of free-range hens to keep them in steady supply of eggs.

Vegetarian and vegan meals available throughout.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Lodges have removed all single use plastic from their bar and shop and they continue to choose less plastic as far as possible. They have also moved away from single serving toiletries and replaced them with large, non-disposable dispensers. Reusing Paper – all paper used in the administration of the lodge is reused and then recycled.

One of the lodges on this itinerary has made huge efforts in environmental conservation: huge tracts of invasive wattle trees have been removed and the grassland has returned to its natural state, bringing with it eland antelope, as well as aardvark! The lodge is one of the founding members of the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve. Established in April 2024, the nature reserve includes 6500 hectares of privately owned property that links the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve to the Royal Natal National Park. Thus creating a massive grazing corridor for the eland, as well as safe-guarding the irreplaceable grasslands and precious water catchments for future generations. A significant portion of the funds required to establish the nature reserve were provided by the World Wildlife Fund, but going forward there will be a small conservation levy payable by all guests staying at member establishments.
Their dams draw enough water from the local stream and the summer rain to supply their needs and this water is treated before it reaches the lodge. The tap water is perfectly delicious and good for drinking*. Waste water goes into septic tanks and soakaways.
By having all indigenous and water-wise plants in the garden at one lodge, they provide a safe habitat for birds, bees and other important pollinators. These species require very little watering in the winter months. The lawns have also been carefully managed to a level where they retain the lush green hue through the winter without irrigation or artificial fertilisation.
At another lodge, guests are privileged to join guided walks in a special 6000ha reserve where rhino, giraffe & zebra roam wild. The fund helps to support various conservation projects in & adjacent to this reserve.

The safari lodge on this itinerary has a strong conservation ethic which informs every aspect of its management strategy. In conjunction with Wildlife ACT, they have worked tirelessly to manage the endangered cheetah population and introduce new animals for genetic variation as part of the endangered species reintroduction initiative. During the course of this year alone, they have celebrated the birth of several litters of cubs on the reserve, and the population is now estimated to be well over 25 individuals. They highly recommend that guests wanting to experience conservation hands-on book a wildlife monitoring session. They will have the opportunity to learn about the use of telemetry equipment and track down one of the collared animals on the Reserve. Guests will get to know the team as well as gain insight into animal behaviour and wildlife management, and can participate in either elephant, lion or cheetah tracking. An afternoon or morning session can be booked. When visitors stay with at this lodge, they are contributing to wildlife conservation and environmental management on the reserve.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Lodges in this itinerary stock their gift shops with consciously sourced products that include tiny local businesses and larger community-driven projects. Most lodges employ 95% of staff from the local Zulu villages, and adhere to all labour guidelines set out by the government.
Another lodge actively funds small (and large) comunity & conservation projects in their local village through their Community & Conservation Levy. This lodge also facilitates a Teacher Training Programme that empowers both teachers and principals of rural crèches in the region. To date, theyr are training 500 women quarterly. They also provide assistance with learning materials at these Early Childhood Development Centres. Their team gives these women the necessary practical and theoretical training to develop their skills and thus enable them to offer a better, more solid foundation in education in their preschools. UpliftED reaches over 17 000 preschoolers every year, giving them a greater chance at success in formal schooling. They believe that changing a nation means first empowering women and children with education!

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The Lodges in this itinerary are actively involved in local projects: one example is a project one lodge supports to improve the lives for children in their local AmaZizi Village, right from infancy (Baby Boost), into their early education phase.
The safari lodge in this itinerary recognises that the importance of community involvement in game reserves cannot be overstated. Led by the Zululand Conservation Trust, they engage with and supports neighbouring communities through various initiatives. The Trust recognises the fundamental need to involve, empower, educate and support local communities, in order to achieve effective and lasting conservation. The ZCT aims to bridge the major education, skill and poverty gap between these outlying communities and the rest of the province through a series of projects aimed at poverty relief, holistic education and learner support, basic household necessities resourcing, and food security. One example of a project they support is provision of ongoing support to three crèches, two of which the Trust built, in neighbouring communities. Each crèche receives support in the form of monthly food supplies, donations and general maintenance of the facilities. These facilities provide a safe space for local children to play, learn and enjoy a warm, nutritious daily meal. Another Food Security Project is a donor-funded project that provides schools with a 10m x 15m food garden. Hardy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, peppers are planted in each garden. This is to improve diets and provide the necessary nutrients needed by young growing children.