Here’s some news about eco-friendly safari camps and ‘green’ safari lodges that go the extra mile take care of the environment:

Garonga Safari Camp

Garonga Safari Camp in the Makalali Reserve (not too far from Kruger National Park) ensures that all rubbish is separated and foodstuffs are used for warthogs and kudu in winter.  They also have a water system whereby all used water is pumped into filtration pits and after 2 years is suitable for release to be drunk by animals.  They have started to grow their own organic vegetable garden (baboon-proof at the moment) which will find their way onto guest’s plates at Garonga Safari Camp and supplement staff rations.

Jaci’s Safari Lodge & Jaci’s Tree Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve

 An exciting indigenous tree nursery project has been initiated by Jaci’s – by teaching the community to collect seeds and germinate indigenous trees for resale both within and outside of the Madikwe Game Reserve. This project has gained significant success and has generated valuable funds to be used within the greater scheme of the community driven waste management solution, including the benefit of planting over 300 trees in the game reserve.

 Ant’s Nest & Ant’s Hill, Waterberg

The objective of the Ant Collection is to create sustainable tourism by means of conserving the environment around us, enriching the lives of our guests and staff alike as well as uplifting the community and providing as much skills development to the locals as possible

 Getting passed as a ‘Fair Trade in Tourism‘  product is tangible evidence of commitment to the land and its people. It’s not an easy process, so any lodge that goes through it really wants to demonstrate fair trade practices. Motswari was particularly commended by Fair Trade in Tourism for their investments in community health and education and the maintenance of a family-friendly staff village, which is a critical strategy for combating HIV/AIDS in the game lodge industry.