Basata means “simplicity” in Arabic, and Egypt’s first eco-lodge, Basata, provides an environment of simple, serene comfort that leaves little or no impact on the environment. Located in the South Sinai between Taba and Nuweiba, the resort is on the Gulf of Aqaba, 46 miles south of the Israeli border. Its chalets and huts are built of indigenous and biodegradeable materials such as bamboo, mud, clay and natural stones. All trash is recycled at Basata, and there is no air conditioning or other artificial cooling. In addition, all planting and landscaping is done with flora endemic to the area. Taba has 167 plant species in this environmentally unique region — it’s a desert –and up to 44 plant species are endemic, according to sunegypt.com.
Sources: TheGuardian, sunegypt.com, Basata.com
This camp in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, has made sustainability second nature. Technology includes solar panels and a hydro generator for power, solar heated water, and composting toilets. Take an eco-tour and learn how the camp is replenishing the rainforest by planting indigenous trees.
Zafara Camp on the southern bank of Zibadianja Lagoon prides itself on its minimal carbon footprint. The airy luxury tents are powered by a noise-free “solar farm” consisting of more than 150 205-watt solar panels. Drinking water is treated through an ultra violet filtration system that eliminates the need for disposable plastic water bottles. Experienced guides lead guests on nature walks and game drives in four-by-four vehicles that operate on a mix of 85-percent vegetable oil and 15-percent diesel. Guides are careful not to disrupt pristine areas of the reserve while observing elephants, lions, and buffalo.
Source: zarafacamp.com
On the island of Nosy Komba — also known as Lemur Island — Tsara Komba’s eight lodges sit in a tropical garden in a private nature reserve. Don’t let the luxurious atmosphere fool you into thinking the resort isn’t committed to the environment. In addition to recycling trash and wastewater, Tsara Komba uses solar water boilers, low-voltage lighting, eco-friendly building materials, and purchases only local foods. They also run a program to plant native baobab trees, and provide micro-loans to local boaters.
This lodge, located at the foot of a fossilized sand dune, recently installed 1,700 rooftop solar panels. The panels generate 200,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year and cover 50 percent of the lodge’s energy needs. Other eco-friendly practices at the lodge — and other lodges owned by Gondwana Lodges in Namibia — include recycling water for use in garden irrigation, and waste recycling.
Located on a long, secluded stretch of beach, Sandele Bay Eco Lodge features 10 guest rooms and four lodges built using compressed earth blocks. Electricity is produced by solar and wind power, and shower water is solar heated. A natural ventilation system and outdoor kitchen using minimal wood both help economize on resources.
All structures at Maji Moto, which is operated by the Masai people, were built Masai-style, using only local materials such as branches, stalks, grass, cow dung and stone. No trees were felled for construction. There is no electricity in the camp, and water for showers is brought in from a nearby hot spring — so no heating is required!
The resorts’s signature treehouses were made completely by hand, using traditional tools and materials sourced only from traders living on Chole. The owners give a portion of profits to back to the community by supporting a local school, adult education center and general fund. Guests can explore Chole Mjini’s 16th-century ruins, then relax in simple comfort back at the lodge, watching the sun set over the mangroves and the ocean beyond.
Consistently named one of the world’s top eco-retreats, the Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco is credited with the best rooftop views in North Africa due to its location in the High Atlas Mountains. The lodge, which employs local Berber people and gives 5 percent of proceeds back to the community, prides itself on its low impact on the environment and has won many eco-tourism awards.
This newer, upscale lodge has won awards for sustainable design. All materials used to build the structure were locally sourced, including the volcanic stone, brick, wood shingles, and eucalyptus poles. Some of the interior items are local too, such as the floor mats and cooking pots.
With a superb location in the Cederberg Mountains — they’re a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Bushman’s Kloof retreat is the guardian of exquisite San cave art on the land it occupies. The company takes its responsibility as custodian seriously. As well as scoring the prestigious Condé Nast award for top hotel, it also won a host of ecological awards. The staff are passionate about conservation and closely monitor all impact on their surroundings. They’ve put in place some incredible waste disposal technology. Over the years the lodge has worked hard to restore the land, removing alien plants and reintroducing indigenous flora and fauna including the rare Cape Mountain Zebra.
Consisting of 10 rondavels (traditional round thatched-roof huts), Bulungula Lodge is co-owned and managed by Xhosa villagers, and powered with renewable energy. It’s a bit rustic, but very welcoming and you can help out the local villages with activities such as making bricks or brewing beer. The lodge provides an important source of income for the community. It’s very popular with backpackers, and has been rated one of the best eco-lodges in the world by both Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. If that’s not enough, its location on the Wild Coast is spectacular. It was one of the first lodges in the world to be given a Fair Trade accreditation.
Aptly named, this eco-lodge will give you an eagle’s-eye view of wildlife as you sit on the observation deck watching the animals below at the Koiyake River water hole. There are nine tents made from sustainably sourced wood, located in a prime position on the escarpment above a valley for wildlife watching. Nature walks are offered by Maasai guides and at night you can go on walks to spot the nocturnal wildlife. In addition, guests can visit the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve.
Damaraland Camp has been a pioneer in successful conservation programs in Namibia, including helping to increase elephant numbers and expand the range of endangered black rhinos. Set on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, this beautiful camp consists of 10 tents. As well as raising awareness among tourists of the struggle for the native fauna, the camp combines conservation with community development. As a bonus, guests can visit the nearby Twyfelfontein rock art sites — among the most important rock art sites in Southern Africa. They date back more than 6,000 years.
Chumbe Island is Tanzania’s first marine national park, and home to an amazing 400 species of coral, 200 species of fish and an eco-resort with seven eco-bungalows. Specially designed, these bungalows collect rainwater. Solar power provides all energy needs. Even the toilets are composting to keep the marine park free from all pollution. There are plenty of activities including yoga classes, hikes with expert rangers where you may see a rare coconut crab (the world’s largest land crab) and snorkeling trips to marvel at the beauty of the healthy reef.
Located on a long, secluded stretch of beach, Sandele Bay Eco Lodge features 10 guest rooms and four lodges built using compressed earth blocks. Electricity is produced by solar and wind power, and shower water is solar heated. A natural ventilation system and outdoor kitchen using minimal wood both help economize on resources.
Africa’s greenest hotel, Hotel Verde showcases some of the most environmentally friendly building technology in the world.
It’s located near the Cape Town International Airport on land that had been a waste dump. Its building team had an advantage because it was starting from scratch. We’re talking recycled bricks, a geothermal field, ground-source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels positioned to provide shade as well as power.
The owners reduced the amount of concrete required 1,284 tonnes by using Cobiax void formers – recycled plastic balls placed strategically inside setting cement slabs. The plastic voids displaced the concrete while maintaining structural integrity, according to the owners.
The hotel has a gray water recycling plant that reduces the use of potable water by 37 percent but one of the coolest things about this hotel is its eco-pool.
The pool uses plants and natural soil filtration to balance bacteria without chlorine. Water is clean and clear, but nothing like the hotel swimming pool international guests are used to, and some find it a bit weird, hotel general manager Samantha Annandale told AFKInsider.
When you check out of Hotel Verde, you have the option to offset your carbon footprint and you can track where and how it was offset. Just knowing that makes for a feel-good hotel experience.
Source: AfricanBusinessReview, AFKInsider.com, HotelVerde.
