Live the Magic of Africa

March 11, 2010

While I was running the guiding and safari activities for The Malilangwe Trust in South Eastern Zimbabwe, we used to employ trackers to work with us. One of our trackers was an older Shangaan man named Kamondo, Kamondo did not know how old he was but he must have been in his 70s. He was remarkably talented in the bush as most Shangaan people are, they broke away from Chaka Zulu under the leadership of Soshangane settling in the region that today is Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. Their reputation for bush-craft is legendary.

Kamondo had an infectious personality and an always-present smile to go with it. He had an amazing ability to find a use for anyone’s throwaways. He would make shoes out of old car tires or a trumpet from a kudu’s horn. When we left Malilangwe we gave him our mattress, to which he replied that it was the first bed he had ever owned.

We learnt recently that Kamondo had recently passed away, I like to think that he is in the court of Soshangane, but I wonder what he would have thought of all the recycling that Selinda reserves is doing?

Enjoy,

Mark

Selinda Reserve: Pioneering Africa’s Greatest Conservation Movement

Across Africa, there is a growing conflict between Africa’s wildlife and rural communities, over land. If wildlife areas are to survive they must be used in a way that is economically, environmentally and politically sustainable.

The good news is that there are positive changes happening everyday and the conservation models in place are proof that the wildlife and local communities of Africa will thrive alongside each other. And leading the way in effective conservation models is The Great Plains Conservation Group. Comprised of partnering eco-tourism companies, this group is taking phenomenal strides to find and implement new ways to provide visitors to Africa with the luxurious trip of a lifetime, while simultaneously conserving the environment and giving back to the local communities.

One such proud partner of The Great Plains Conservation Group is the Selinda Reserve. In an effort to help protect the wilderness and sustain local economies, a small group of friends leased the private Selinda Reserve. Prior to this, the Selinda Reserve was heavily poached and the wildlife viewed as a menace rather than as an asset. Today, the once-timid wildlife of Selinda now have trust in their environment and are no longer fearful of the people they see. Lion prides are returning, elephants are repopulating, and the wildlife is being brought back to what it once was.

But how is the Selinda Reserve bouncing back from the destruction of wildlife to its, now, pristine state? Through the hope, conviction, and phenomenal efforts put forth by a group of highly motivated individuals who see a glorious future for the people and animals of Africa and its breathtaking land.

Located on the exclusive, 300,000 acre Selinda Reserve are three camps, Selinda Camp, Motswiri Camp and the Zarafa Camp. These camps implement eco-friendly practices to save tremendously on the consumption of fuel, electricity, water, and wasteful materials. As a whole, the concession is taking initiatives to help sustain the environment and local communities without compromising the luxury of the accommodations they pride themselves on.

Zarafa Camp’s eco-friendly efforts . . .

Cut down on fuel and electricity consumption: Run on 150 solar panels, the camp produces very little fuel emissions and is one of the largest, completely solar powered farms in Africa. Not to mention it has every luxury amenity you could need including everyday appliances, cool rooms, ice makers, lights, and more. Selinda Camp is currently going through a transition to be 100% solar-powered and inherit some of Zarafa Camp’s eco-friendly tools and strategies. For now, however, Selinda Camp uses solar water heaters.

Selinda’s Solar Farm

Don’t take away from the forests: Using recycled hardwood African railroad ties, Zarafa Camp’s foundation was built with reusable materials for the floors and walkways. And all the furniture in the camp has been custom-made and designed in South East Asia, using wood retrieved from the Tsunami.

Zarafa's Decks

Cut down on building materials used in construction: The camp only required the use of one bag of cement during its construction. Impressive.

Selinda Reserves eco-friendly efforts . . .

Sustain the local environment while eliminating organic waste: Employing the natural benefits of earthworm farms, camps use these hard working worms to compost organic waste from the kitchen.
Reduce diesel fuel emissions: Using recycled vegetable oil from local fast food restaurants; camps run their vehicles on this environmentally friendlier form of fuel.
Reduce waste and littering: Camps utilize the reverse osmosis filtration system, which allows them to safely filter the water from the Delta and eliminate the need for plastic water bottles.

Direct benefits to the local community:

Local Council & Trust establishments receive 4.5% of Selinda Reserve’s annual turnover.
The Botswana National Park receives an annual fee from Selinda Reserve for regional community development and poverty relief.
Each camp showcases the staff’s traditionally woven baskets for sale and all profits received from these baskets goes directly to that staff member. The camp’s managers even taught staff members how to create a variety of other crafts that they might want to sell at the lodges for an additional income. All profits go to the craftsman who made the works of art.
Safari industry employees in northern Botswana receive enough pay to support an additional five individuals in their community.

Safari industry employees

Hills of Africa Travel Recommends

Trip Name: Kruger Safari and Beaches of Mozambique
Length of travel: 12 days
Countries Visited: South Africa and Mozambique

Highlights:Tintswalo, a charming riverside safari lodge in the private Manyeleti Game Reserve, gives animal lovers plenty of opportunity to enjoy elephants, lions, and buffalo in their native habitat. The Big Five are often spotted during game drives and walking safaris. Relax from your safari and enjoy time alone in a private beach villa with private pool on the white-sanded beaches of Benguerra Island.
Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

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The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com