Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
The entire operation of the lodge and reserve is based on sound environmental conservation practices, which covers a wide spectrum from ongoing monitoring of water quality, rainfall, soil erosion, vegetation cover and wildlife to prevent degradation; to environmentally friendly solid waste disposal and an advanced Biolytix waste water processing system. All management actions are governed by a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan, ratified by our Conservation Trust. Each trustee is an expert in a particular field including wildlife management, botany, archaeology and cultural heritage.
We support the following organisations:
- Cape Leopard Trust (sponsorship of research by means of GPS collars).
- South African Botanical Society and Cape Nature (saving the Clanwilliam Cedar tree).
- Northern Cederberg Conservancy (participation in fire protection, alien vegetation eradication and promotion of eco-friendly farming techniques).
- The Wuppertal Community (German Moravian mission station 40 km from Bushmans Kloof – providing employment and purchasing of products for use at the lodge such as rooibos tea and leather goods).
- Elizabethfontein Primary School (support and contribute towards the upliftment and environmental education of the local children).
- West Coast Municipality (support through improvement of local infrastructure).
We ensure minimal inpact by tourists on the environment through implemention of the following. Strict protocol is adhered to at archaeological and rock art sites and guests are educated in terms of the protection and respect for rock art sites. Particularly sensitive rock art sites are closed to the public, but interpreted through high-quality MS Power Point presentations. Only indigenous wildlife species are introduced on the reserve. Irrigation of the gardens is done through micro-jet irrigation and at judicious times to limit unnecessary evaporation. Treated grey water is used to irrigate the larger grassed areas and only biodegradable detergents are used.
Guests are encouraged to assist in the property’s water saving policies and are made aware of the water shortage in the Western Cape. Lodge sewage is treated in a Biolitix system (raw sewage is broken down by worms). All non-organic waste is transported off the property to the Clanwilliam municipal dump site and organic waste is used as mulch and compost in the gardens. All the swimming pools are salt chlorinated. Vehicles are prohibited from driving off-road and all roads are maintained annually. Hiking trails are carefully marked and maintained. All firewood in the lodge is sourced from alien vegetation such as Port Jackson Willow. All infrastructural development follows strict environmental scoping protocols before submission for final approval from the regional district municipality.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
