Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp, Tanzania
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are turning the land from previous use as farm land back to forest through a treeplanting programme using only indigenous saplings obtained from TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks). We aim to reforest our land fully. To date we have planted 400 indigenous tree saplings and are planning on planting more. We are working with local youth action group Mangula Forest Conservation Group who this January started planting trees at Hondo Hondo.
We minimise the use of chemical cleaning products, buying concentrated,
environmentally-friendly and health-friendly products where possible.
We are developing habitats which encourage butterfly and bird life through selection of plant species and provision of water bodies (flowing and standing)
We educate guests and staff with bird lists, a “bug lamp”, and (to be implemented) plant identification tags.
We use refillable/reusable products instead of disposable wherever possible, including the use of tupperware instead of plastic bags or wrappers for packed lunches
We buy in bulk to minimise packaging waste
In the office we try to minimise printing, using email in preference; we use two-sided paper within the office when we do have to print, and recycled paper as scrap paper
We reuse containers and packaging as much as possible – glass and plastic bottles etc
We buy local products and cook with seasonal vegetables to reduce fuel costs of transport, and if products are needed from Dar we use the Tazara train in preference to car.
All our water is solar heated using a simple energy-efficient black pipe system.
We use exclusively energy-efficient LED lighting or Compact Fluorescent lighting (CFL)
We are currently installing a mini hydro-power generator, after which time we will be entirely powered by sustainable energy sources.
Minimal electrical equipment is used in the kitchen; fridges/freezers used are top-opening to reduce escape of cold air and maximise efficiency.
Community
We support two local children, orphaned and left without family, and are paying for their secondary education. This is being done with the support of the village chief and the elders.
We are working with the local primary school, developing a traditional arts and crafts programme to encourage recycling and to develop skills they can use to generate income.
We are recycling glass bottles to make saleable glasses, and plastic bottles and tin cans as various arts and crafts products.
We support the local Ifakara Womens Weavers group, using their products for our bed linen and selling some products in our shop.
Much of our décor comes from local artisans in the Mikumi area and the tailoring,carpentry, signs and other such work has as far as possible been completed in Mang'ula village by local craftsmen.
We use local tradesmen for construction of our mud and thatched buildings, and all local unskilled labour to provide employment and a source of income for the local community.
We support the local drummers (Ngoma) group, arranging for them to play for guests and supporting the recording of some of their songs for distribution.
We also have a plan to work witha womens group in the village to make shampoo and soap from locally sourced materials, organic and natural, that we will then help them to seel in the city.
We work with tour operators and guests to ensure visitors engage with the communitya dn contribute as much as possible. Some of our guests visit the schools, some bring equipment for them through the Pack for a Purpose or Stuff Your Rucksack schemes. We also linked in to bring a group of PE teachers from the UK to work with local schools and provide the children with some unqiue sports training experience as well as equipment.
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