South Africa holiday, Cape Town, Winelands & Kruger safari
How South Africa holiday, Cape Town, Winelands & Kruger safari makes a difference
Environment
The hotels and lodges on this trip have been chosen for their work to ensure their operations have a positive impact on both their environment and their society:
WINCHESTER MANSIONS
The hotel is committed to raising environmental awareness among staff, customers and suppliers and is continually looking at ways of reducing the environmental impact of their operations
GROOTBOS
Originally over-grazed farm land, the biodiversity of the Grootbos reserve has been restored and it is now a fine example of ‘Fynbos’ the unique vegetation of the Cape, with more than 650 indigenous plant types identified.
HOG HOLLOW
Hog Hollow have been awarded the Wilderness Foundation Green Leaf accreditation by South Africa’s independent conservation and environmental non-profit organisation. Assessment looks at water, energy, waste, product and innovation and targets are set for the following year, so that the process in on going.
UMLANI BUSHCAMP
Umlani is committed to minimising its footprint on the natural environment, and the practices it has put in place include operating with the minimum amount of electricity, using bio-degradable cleaning products, buying fresh produce from local providers, using organic practices in its own gardens, recycling as much waste as is possible and using lead-free paint.
Community
Each of the properties you stay at on this trip make a unique and impressive contribution to their local communities:
WINCHESTER MANSIONS
This Cape Town hotel have put their sustainability policies into practice through partnering an impressive range of local organisations including StreetSmart South Africa, a non-profit organisation working with street children and Ons Plek which works exclusively with female street children. They provide high standard in-service training to their own trainees and are also initial members of the Cape Town Responsible Tourism Reporting Pilot which aims to develop best practice standards across the industry.
GROOTBOS GAME RESERVE
The Grootbos Foundation, established in 2004, manages the conservation and social development work for the reserve. One of the most inspirational and important projects is the Green Futures Horticultural and Life Skills College. This scheme aims to create sustainable livelihoods for people living in the local community.
HOG HOLLOW COUNTRY LODGE
Hog Hollow has led the way on the Garden Route with their forward thinking training programmes. Most of the lodge staff hails from the nearby village and they undergo rigorous training as part of becoming a member of the Hog Hollow team. Meeting international standards for hospitality and service has been core to their success and they have been so effective that staff members have been able to move on to excellent positions elsewhere in the hospitality industry.
UMLANI BUSHCAMP
Most of the staff at Umlani come from the local village and the lodge has Umlani is committed to minimising its footprint on the natural environment, and measures developed an exemplary youth leadership programme. The programme is linked to the Wildlife College where participants gain knowledge of environmental issues as well as eco-tourism career opportunities. The lodge provides staff with medical care, access to traditional healers and has a staff HIV / Aids programme which includes awareness workshops and counselling.
In addition, Grootbos Nature Reserve, Hog Hollow and Umlani Bushcamp are all Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa accredited. This stringent accreditation is annually reassessed and issues monitored include fair wages, working conditions, respect for human rights, culture and the environment.
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South Africa holiday, Cape Town, Winelands & Kruger safari
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