Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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Amakhosi Lodge:
- 74% of our staff is employed locally, and trained in-house. We also try and promote and train from within before new appointments are made
- All our products for consumption is bought through local suppliers;
- We use local Zulu dancers and pay them for performances to our guests / we do cultural visits to another Zulu village in the area and all proceeds go directly to them;
- Donations can be made to our local village that we do cultural visits in. We always urge our guests to stop there, as money for souvenirs goes directly to the crafters;
- We took 12 000 hectares of cattle farming land, and turned it into a Commercial Game Reserve preserving unique fauna and flora of the area. The Reserve is a haven for Africa’s Big Five and 16 species of antelope. Since the establishment of the Reserve, we have seen large raptors like Vultures and Eagles increase dramatically. In fact species like Bateleur, Marshal Eagle and some of the Vultures were absent in this area for close to 50 years, and has since then returned and re-produced very well. We have 15km of Riverfrontage on the Mkuze River, and therefore protect it from utilization practices like farming. We also spend thousands of Rands clearing the river and other parts of the Reserve of alien plant invaders;
- We split all our waste and recycle;
- We are using energy saving globes. We have a dedicated staff member that checks on all unnecessary lights and equipment that are being used daily, and switches these off. We also turn down our thermostats during the summer;
- We recycle laundry water for irrigation purposes, we also urge guests to use water sparingly by not having their towels laundered unnecessarily.
Local Community- Thonga Beach Lodge:
- We protect endangered wildlife found on our property: Samango Monkey and Red Duiker, Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles;
- We protect the natural vegetation – Coastal Milkwood Forest;
- We protect local freshwater sources – Lake Sibaya;
- We ensure that only indigenous flora & fauna are protected within the property and we have an ongoing programme to eradicate exotic species.
- The lodge is situated within a World Heritage Site which is also a Nature reserve. We contribute to the conservation thereof, both financially & through active participation;
- We offer guided walks and talks to emphasise the importance of Responsible Tourism;
- We employ people from the local community. 80% of our staff are from the local community;
- Continuous staff training is implemented;
- We encourage guests to use the same towels for the duration of their stay which cuts down on water and energy usage;
- For all our open fires, we purchase wood harvested by members of the local community from exotic eucalyptus forests;
- It is our policy to use energy saving bulbs where possible;
- All waste is removed and taken to a municipal dump;
- The local community was involved in the development of the lodge;
- We arrange cultural tours that visit schools & local houses etc;
- We sponsor food and a teacher at the local community school;
- We have assisted a member of the community in the set up of a business providing us with transport for our guests & staff;
- We sell locally made crafts in our curio shops;
- We often provide transport for the local community to local clinics & hospital.
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!
