South AfricaSouth Africa > Western Cape > Hermanus
9.1
Excellent
From $1,151
From $1,151
$
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Grootbos is a leader in sustainable tourism, certified as a Global Ecosphere Retreat®. It actively conserves the Cape Floral Kingdom and has been carbon-negative since 2018. The reserve utilizes a 250kW solar plant, a greywater system, and rainwater harvesting, and offsets each guest stay. They also have a strong focus on community upliftment.
Umlani Bushcamp operates entirely off-grid, utilizing solar power for its electricity needs and offering no electricity in the rooms, promoting a minimal environmental impact. The lodge focuses on a traditional safari experience with limited modern conveniences, aligning with a low-impact approach to tourism. It also uses gas for hot water and cooking, and recycles waste, further reducing its footprint.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
Fair Trade Tourism (Southern Africa)
Rainforest Alliance
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Green roof
Building materials from sustainable resources
Written environmental policy statement in place
The structure maximizes air flow to reduce the need for air-conditioning
The structure maximizes natural light to reduce the need for lighting and heating
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
Serving organic food at the restaurant
LED lighting throughout the premises
Environmental manager appointed
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Carbon footprint is measured by recognised CO2 measurement tool
Toilets flush up to 6 litres per flush
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Toilet paper made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Zero-energy building (zero net energy consumption on an annual basis)
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
An energy audit is carried out at least once every five years
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify? -100% off the grid electricity supply solar panels . -only indigenous water wise plants in garden
South AfricaSouth Africa > KwaZulu Natal > Hlabisa
9.5
Excellent
From $557
From $557
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is a pioneer in sustainable practices and the first Fair Trade Tourism certified lodge in KwaZulu-Natal. They utilize a solar farm for 60% of their energy needs and have implemented a spekboom plantation to offset carbon emissions. The lodge also has a strong commitment to community upliftment, including a unique local community recycling program and partnerships that provide employment and skills development.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
Fair Trade Tourism (Southern Africa)
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Written environmental policy statement in place
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
LED lighting throughout the premises
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Automatic system or key card that turns off the light and electrical appliances when guests leave their room
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
An energy audit is carried out at least once every five years
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify? We have a firm commitment to both environment and our neighbouring communities, with projects in place to uplift these things. We have also done away with all single use plastics
KenyaKenya > Coast > Taita Taveta > Tsavo National Park
9.3
Excellent
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is Kenya's first fully solar-powered lodge, utilizing a comprehensive solar power plant to meet its energy needs. They have implemented eco-friendly practices in their operations, including energy-efficient laundry services.
TanzaniaTanzania > Zanzibar South and Central > Kusini > Paje
9.5
Excellent
From $675
From $675
$
Resort Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This resort is powered entirely by renewable energy, utilizing both wind and solar power for its operations, with seven villas being 100% off-the-grid. It features an on-site desalination plant that produces high-quality drinking water, bottled in-house in glass to eliminate plastic bottles. The resort also implements an organic waste diversion program for composting and prioritizes biodegradable materials throughout the property.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
Wind
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Windows that block heat/cold (i.e. triple-glazed windows)
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Serving organic food at the restaurant
Bicycles provided to guests
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
South AfricaSouth Africa > KwaZulu Natal > Bergville
9.5
Excellent
From $529
From $529
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Three Tree Hill Lodge is Fair Trade certified and committed to eco-friendly practices and supporting local communities. They focus on water conservation, waste reduction, utilizing solar power, and sourcing local, farm-fresh cuisine.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
Fair Trade Tourism (Southern Africa)
Green Leaf Environmental Standard Certificate
Certificate of Ethical Excellence Eco Star
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Written environmental policy statement in place
The structure maximizes natural light to reduce the need for lighting and heating
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
Serving organic food at the restaurant
LED lighting throughout the premises
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Toilet paper made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
Organic waste is composted
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
South AfricaSouth Africa > Mpumalanga > Pelgrimsrus
9.5
Excellent
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is built using natural materials to minimize environmental impact. It features raised walkways and uses battery power for lighting overnight. The lodge employs a reedbed system to process bathroom water and sorts and recycles waste. It is also Fair Trade certified, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable tourism.
South AfricaSouth Africa > Western Cape > Oudtshoorn
8.9
Excellent
From $56
From $56
$
Farm Stay Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
De Zeekoe Guest Farm is Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) certified, indicating a strong focus on environmental conservation and ethical business practices. They practice sustainable conservation and are located on a private game reserve. They are also building new eco-friendly cottages using natural materials like clay, reeds, wood, and stones, and incorporating solar panels and gas geysers.
Leshiba Wilderness is situated within a protected wilderness area, emphasizing conservation and responsible tourism. It is actively involved in preserving the natural environment and local culture, promoting a sustainable approach to its operations. The lodge's focus on maintaining the integrity of its unique ecological setting underscores its commitment to green practices.
South AfricaSouth Africa > KwaZulu Natal > Estcourt
6.8
Rated
From $101
From $101
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This off-grid eco-lodge runs on solar energy and was built using low-impact alternative methods like straw bale and sun-dried bricks. It prioritizes self-sufficiency with its own chickens, cows, and organic vegetable garden, and produces its own bread, cheese, and yogurt. The lodge has a minimum waste policy and supports local community and conservation efforts.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
Biomass
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Green roof
Building materials from sustainable resources
Written environmental policy statement in place
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
Serving organic food at the restaurant
LED lighting throughout the premises
Environmental manager appointed
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Toilets flush up to 6 litres per flush
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Toilet paper made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Zero-waste hotel/accommodation
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
An energy audit is carried out at least once every five years
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify? Responsible tourism is the ethos of Antbear Lodge and is the basis of just about everything we do. We have realized our dream of a self sufficient lifestyle which has resulted in the development of our loved Antbear Lodge. It all started some 22 years ago where we left our corporate lifestyle in Germany and started our attempt of living differently. The first step resulted in the construction of a straw bale building, an alternative building method that uses local resources with low impact on the world. Even the thatch for the roof was cut on the farm and the main costs of this construction type are labor keeping our money in the local economy. Since then we have built from sun dried bricks, rammed earth, cob and locally sourced stone from the farm. From there we have move to creating a reed bed filter to clean grey water before returning it to the environment. And slowly our vision at Antbear Lodge has developed into our concept of responsible tourism that includes fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.
Antbear Eco Lodge has tracked the local economic benefit created by the Lodge and reported a regional economic benefit of R45m over the past 22 years. 50% of the value, results from local procurement policies and practices and the balance is made up of wages.
A buy-local policy is in place. Where the services do not exist, support is also provided to upskill and capacitate local businesses. As a result training has been facilitated for crafters, weaving, spinning and knitting. The economic benefit of construction of the lodge as well as ongoing maintenance and refurbishment the entrepreneurs who have been skilled up during this process had the resources to continue their businesses.
With 100% of the staff employed from the local area, this money goes directly into the local economy, where it generates another cycle of economic activity. The average salary at Antbear Eco Lodge supports 11 persons in a household.
We have our own chickens for eggs, our own cows for milk and an organic vegetable garden. We bake our own bread and even make our own yogurt and cheese. We are strong believers in permaculture, have developed an earth worm farm and compost with a minimum waste policy and what we do produce as waste we try our utmost to recycle. Polystyrene is our last issue for which we have not found a recycle solution yet. We are also a haven for rescued animals and have taken on abused donkeys, horses, pigs and more. Few of these animals will ever be work animals and we are basically just offering them a loved environment to retire in.
We make an effort in conservation too and take our responsibility as stewards looking after this farm seriously. We try to remove alien invader species like wattle, hawthorn and American bramble. We keep poaching to a minimum and that is mostly due to our relationship with our community. Our latest project in partnership with a neighbor farm is establishing a vulture restaurant together with a vulture hide. The hope is that the vulture hide will be taken on by tourists wanting to photograph vultures and the funding can be put back into new vulture conservation efforts.
Along the way we have had our failures too. We started a program supporting a local school which worked well in the beginning but after too much money became available for the school so to did the abuse of that money begin. In fact lessons took a secondary role while the kids would sing for tourists at every opportunity and the teachers cashed in. We redeveloped the program by creating an NGO and letting the NGO manage the money working with a different school and no longer interrupt schooling with tourism. In short there have been lots of lessons.
Skills development is important and we have put in huge effort here. Antbear Drakensberg Lodge employs people from the local area. Most have little previous work experience or formal training. We provide continues training and skills development with workshops and practical training. Not only hospitality training and what is required to run our lodge but skills like wood working, refrigeration, electricity, plumbing, alternative building, up-cycling, permaculture and so much more. Its inspiring to see how these skills are slowly being introduced in the local community and our very alternative way of seeing things is becoming the new normal. We also operate a volunteer program where we take on people for shortish periods in an exchange of labor for accommodation and meals. We mostly teach woodworking and alternative construction but we have also done natural horsemanship.
Our latest program is to attempt to uplift the local economy by developing entrepreneurial opportunities for people from our local communities. We are using our already established customer base as a market source The fist of these programs is up an running with a local villager who has built a star gazing hammock camp where he tell his folklore tales that came from is grandmother. Its loved by tourists and is a real authentic experience. We paid for the development costs and Mlendeni contributed his own labor to build it. The idea is that Mlendeni is responsible for running his own business. Already we can see that some business mentorship interventions are are needed and are now starting to work on that. This has resulted in the partnership with an NGO called Indalo Inclusive who support developing smmes that have a green and inclusive basis. I am sure this is a long term program as we are working with general education levels that are pathetically minimal.
Sustainability is a journey and it does not have an end. We can all do more and we should all do more and if you asked me to write about this in a years time I will talk about new projects and new ideas of where we can practically make a difference. And on top of everything sustainability practices make sound business sense which is why I dont understand why people consider our lifestyle to be so different
This accommodation is deeply committed to eco-conscious living, utilizing off-grid solar energy and a chemical-free natural water filtration system. The treetop suites are built on stilts to minimize environmental impact on the indigenous forest. They also practice rainwater harvesting, use biodegradable detergents, and manage waste with septic tanks and soakaway pits that nourish the forest.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
Green Tourism Active (GTA Global) - Certification level: Green Champion (80% pass rate)
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Building materials from sustainable resources
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
LED lighting throughout the premises
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Carbon footprint is measured by recognised CO2 measurement tool
Toilets flush up to 6 litres per flush
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Toilet paper made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
Recycling bins in guest rooms
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
An energy audit is carried out at least once every five years
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify? Waste water goes to a septic tank and then runs through a soak away and feeds the forest, We use harvested rain water and filtered river water, all byproduct water is directed to a small dam which has reed filtration. All audry water is also directed to the dam
Kings Camp, located in the Timbavati Game Reserve, emphasizes responsible tourism and conservation efforts within a prime wildlife area. Their practices align with maintaining the biodiversity of the reserve.
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Questionnaire
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Building materials from sustainable resources
Written environmental policy statement in place
The structure maximizes natural light to reduce the need for lighting and heating
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
Serving organic food at the restaurant
Environmental manager appointed
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Wastewater is reused after treatment
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify? One of our managers is Africa's only certified vegan hospitality consultant.
We provide guests with water bottles so they can refill and there are water points in the rooms and around the lodge.
We use bio fuels for our fire pits.
We have eco friendly initiatives such as rubbish pick ups in the reserve.
We work with conservation and community projects within the local areas.
South AfricaSouth Africa > KwaZulu Natal > Hlabisa
8.4
Very Good
From $91
From $91
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Situated in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Nibela Lake Lodge operates with an awareness of its ecologically sensitive location and implements practices to minimize its environmental footprint within this protected area.
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Questionnaire
Certifications:
SEMP
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
Written environmental policy statement in place
The structure maximizes air flow to reduce the need for air-conditioning
Engaged in eco-friendly initiatives (i.e. reforestation, wildlife conservation)
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
LED lighting throughout the premises
Environmental manager appointed
Employees are trained to follow environmental policies
Bicycles provided to guests
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
Recycling bins in guest rooms
Organic waste is composted
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
A vegetarian alternative menu is proposed in the restaurant
An energy audit is carried out at least once every five years
Iketla Lodge is presented as an eco-lodge, suggesting a focus on sustainable practices and a connection with its natural surroundings, likely incorporating elements of responsible tourism.
South AfricaSouth Africa > Mpumalanga > Pelgrimsrus
9.0
Excellent
From $861
From $861
$
Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
As a sister camp to Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Rhino Walking Safaris is also located in a wilderness concession and emphasizes low-impact tourism through walking safaris, allowing for an intimate and environmentally conscious wildlife experience.
KenyaKenya > Rift Valley > Narok County > Maasai Mara
10
Excellent
From $860
From $860
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This lodge has received a Gold Eco-rating Certification by Ecotourism Kenya. It is primarily powered by solar and wind energy. The lodge utilizes a Biobox wastewater treatment system for irrigation, meters energy and water consumption, and uses LPG for cooking. It maintains a kitchen garden for fresh produce, uses biodegradable soaps, and contributes conservancy fees to the Olarro Conservancy for wildlife protection and land management.
This resort demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation, working closely with local communities. It incorporates local materials in its construction, strives for zero waste, uses homegrown botanicals in its spa, and sources food and cocktail ingredients organically and seasonally from local farmers.
South AfricaSouth Africa > Eastern Cape > Mqanduli
8.5
Very Good
$
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
While specific eco-friendly practices are not detailed in the provided information, Coffee Shack Adventure Backpackers & Self-Catering is mentioned in the initial list as tagged accordingly, suggesting some level of commitment to sustainability.
South AfricaSouth Africa > Free State > Witsieshoek
8.1
Very Good
From $76
From $76
$
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge is situated in a natural area and is likely to incorporate eco-friendly practices to minimize its impact on the mountain environment and support sustainable tourism in the region.
South AfricaSouth Africa > Eastern Cape > Humansdorp
8.9
Excellent
From $114
From $114
$
Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
While specific eco-friendly practices are not detailed in the provided information, Oyster Bay Lodge is mentioned in the initial list as tagged accordingly, suggesting some level of commitment to sustainability.
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