Cape Town homestay holiday, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
South Africa has a conservation culture and from the start, we encourage our guests to join us in our efforts to ensure the preservation of water, save energy and respect our natural environment. We share tips in our Pre-Trip Guide which we send guests before departure. The homestay owners also have clearly marked sustainability guidelines for guests to adhere to. They encourage using water sparingly, use towels more than once, use air conditioners when necessary and switch lights off when leaving their rooms. Recycling bins are placed in homestay to encourage the proper disposal of waste.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Together with our partners, we are conscious of our impact on the environment. The town of Kylemore houses the Banhoek Conservancy which was established by a group of farmers in 2015 in an attempt to protect the environment, to uplift the community and to re-establish a balance between human activities and nature. The conservancy generates an income by providing well designed, permanently marked off-road tracks so that athletes can hone their performance in beautiful surroundings. Parts of these tracks are regularly used for running, hiking and mountain bike races. Income derived from the facility is used to maintain the tracks, to remove alien vegetation, provide work for the local community and to protect the environment in the Banhoek valley. The property is surrounded by the most beautiful mountains and most spectacular views to be explored by foot or cycle.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This tour is in collaboration with the local people of the Kylemore, a previously disadvantaged rural community outside Stellenbosch in South Africa. Although a well-established community, with a remarkable level of generic skills and individual talent, it is still economically vulnerable with 60% of adults unemployed. The village is socially deprived of community facilities. The accommodation is situated in Kylemore, slightly off the beaten track, in the middle of a stunning mountain range. Owned by a local family, activities are planned to support and empower several small suppliers. Transport is provided by a local woman from the area. We carefully select our suppliers to provide locally sourced products. 2-3 of the local women provide the meals and provide an income, much needed in this community.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

The welcome gift to our guests is made from recycled material by two local women. Our accommodation partners on this tour and all our tours are actively making an impact in their communities. To minimise our carbon footprint, we have incorporated walking tours. Guests will learn about the life of local South Africans who have championed their way out of poverty. On this tour, we will give 5% towards the community initiative that provides food and clothing for children.