Eastern Cape luxury accommodation, South Africa

We realise that we have a responsibility to the environment and need to lead the way in implementing ways of minimizing any impact on it. A recycling program is in place whereby cans and glass are separated from our waste and delivered to Port Elizabeth for recycling. We are also starting a programme of vermicomposting which is the process of decomposing organic waste into fertilizer, through the use of earthworms, which can then be used in gardens. We are in the process of carrying out a carbon emission audit. Once completed, this audit will indicate our "Carbon Footprint" and action will be taken to reduce this footprint through the distribution and management of trees within our local communities. Measures are already being taken to reduce energy and water usage.

We have a Conservation Awareness Programme with local schools currently being developed. We are busy working together with two local schools. We have assisted them with various school excursions to different conservation areas as part of conservation awareness. We have also planned conservation programs for the school children during the low season. This program will stress the importance of conservation and sustainability. We have begun developing a vegetable garden within the school grounds which is being maintained by the children themselves. This produce will then be sold to the reserve and the local community to raise the necessary funding for the development of the school. We believe that conservation awareness must begin at "grass roots" level and we have been fortunate to have been welcomed by the schools and local community in this effort.

We are a contributor to the National Cheetah Breeding Programme and have had a growth rate of over 100%. Due to favourable conditions, our Cheetah have bred extremely well. This has resulted in a good population of Cheetah. We have therefore had the opportunity to translocate some of these Cheetah, through the NCBP, to other reserves throughout the country. In return we have received new Cheetah from other areas of South Africa. This process allows for the genetic strengthening of Cheetah through the process of mixing bloodlines. We have a qualified conservationist employed to monitor the impact of re-introduction of game into the Karoo - a significant part of the guest's experience. The reserve is the first Big Five game reserve in the Great Karoo.

We have a Caracal & Jackal Rescue Programme in co-operation with the local community. Caracal and Jackal are sometimes held responsible for the livestock losses on surrounding agricultural farms. They are therefore often hunted or caught in various styles of traps in a effort to reduce stock loss. The reserve offers the community a service whereby we collect any problem animal which can then be relocated to the safety of the reserve. This program has been very successful and excepted well by the community.

Training opportunities have included: tracking, guiding, catering, housekeeping, fencing, driving, and conservation management. The local choir is regularly contracted to entertain guests. We have reduced unemployment from 90% to 10% in the district. Every family in the district has family members directly involved with the reserve. Wherever possible sub-contractors are required to draw labour from the local community for building, carpentry work etc.