90 | http://www.nomadafricamag.com | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent| Issue 11
As a leading sustainable and authentic ecotourism company,
it is our duty to ensure that any negative impacts resulting from
our operations are minimised, and any positive impacts are
maximised. Thus, we drive a culture within our organisation
that values and promotes sustainability, not only within our
business, but in all other aspects of day-to-day life.- Kim Nixon, Managing Director, Wilderness Safaris, Botswana.
tem installed at the camp. As part of its
Ethics Charter and Code of Conduct, Du-
maTau purchases fish from the local fish-
ermen for the camp’s traditional meals.
“As a leading sustainable and authentic
ecotourism company, it is our duty to en-
sure that any negative impacts resulting
from our operations are minimised, and
any positive impacts are maximised. Thus,
we drive a culture within our organisation
that values and promotes sustainability,
not only within our business, but in all
other aspects of day-to-day life,” says Kim
Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana Man-
aging Director.
Wilderness Safaris offers 14 reasons why
the eco-conscious traveller should patron-
ise its camps and lodges. Among them are
the company’s protection of 2.5mill ha of
territory across eight biomes, harbouring
36 of the International Union for Conser-
vation of Nature (IUCN) Red List species, as
well as its use of environmentally sensitive
architecture.
Under the Noah’s Ark Project, North Island
in the Seychelles has been transformed
from an ecologically bankrupt tropical is-
land into a haven for endemic species. En-
dangered bird and reptile life have been
saved and indigenous flora restored. A
highlight has been the regeneration of the
Seychelles white-eye. From its founder
population of 25 birds, the island now has
over 100, and the once critically endan-
gered species is now listed as ‘just’ endan-
gered by the IUCN.
In Rwanda, Wilderness Safaris has focused
on reforesting Rwanda’s endemic-rich Al-
bertine Rift. The company believes its
brand of responsible ecotourism will make
a difference to both rural Rwandan people
and endangered species alike, with its new
Bisate Lodge, which opened last year.
Idube Game Lodge, in the Sabi Sand Game
Reserve, comprises 10 chalets, set amongst
an indigenous garden of tall trees and
green lawns, and is watered solely with re-
cycled water.
Sally Kernick, Marketing Director at Idube
Game Reserve and Lukimbi Safari Lodge in
the Kruger National Park, says: “Idube was
one of the first lodges in the Sabi Sand to
introduce the purification of grey water by
natural means.” The lodge also recycles
glass bottles and plastic. Lukimbi, she says,
is audited quarterly by SANParks on the
condition of roads, water usage and condi-
tion of the wetlands. Recycled water isused for the gardens and only plants in-
digenous to the area are used.
Wendy Rutherfoord, Director of Gond-
wana Game Reserve, says eco measures
employed by lodges on the reserve include
recycling, growing vegetables to supply
the kitchen and providing communal
transport to lessen the vehicle footprint.
Low-flow water devices are used and fil-
tered drinking water is supplied in reusable
glass bottles.
“The overall ethos and commercial aspect
of the game reserve is completely focused
around conservation of South Africa’s
fauna and flora. Eco practice is central to
the business and tourism attraction of the
property,” says Rutherfoord.
Evelyn Patrick, Operations Manager for
Snappy Coach Hire in Gauteng, says paper
bags are in use on buses to collect clients’
refuse, as opposed to plastic ones. From
there, all waste is separated for recycling.
In addition, Snappy collects rain water to
wash buses and makes use of a bucket sys-
tem, rather than a hosepipe.
“Our cleaning products are environmentally
low impact. We make substantial use of
available ambient lighting, rather than using
electricity to light our offices,” she says.