Antbear Eco Lodge Drakensberg
Lodge in Emhubeni
Estcourt
7.0
Good
From $193
From $193
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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
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Equestre BnB
Bed & Breakfast in Pietermaritzburg
New Hanover
9.5
Excellent
Bed & Breakfast Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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?
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
Windows that block heat/cold (i.e. triple-glazed windows)
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
Toilets flush up to 6 litres per flush
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
Zero-waste hotel/accommodation
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
Property in a Conservation area - anti-poaching checks conducted.
Areas on farm kept wild to sustain wildlife to access and create a corridor to move from one area to another.
Dam with tilapia - for wildlife and wild birds to fish in.
Garden being changes to indigenous plants which draw more birdlife and insects.
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Three Tree Hill Lodge
Lodge in Bergville
Bergville
9.1
Excellent
From $428
From $428
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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
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Nibela Lake Lodge by Dream Resorts
Lodge in Hluhluwe
Hlabisa
8.0
Very Good
From $111
From $111
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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
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JoThams Bed & Breakfast or Self-catering
Guest House in Durban
Durban
9.1
Excellent
From $61
From $61
Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability Questionnaire
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
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
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
Serving organic food at the restaurant
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
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
Recycling bins in guest rooms
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Zero-waste hotel/accommodation
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?
Guest requested to switch off lights in areas not in use,
geysers to be switched on and hour before shower therafter switch off
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Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch
Hotel in Durban
Durban
8.5
Very Good
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel near Golf Courses

Hotel for Honeymoon

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8.3
Very Good
Info Categories
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Lodge with Free Wi-Fi

Lodge with Parking

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Thonga Beach Lodge
Lodge in Mabibi
Ingwavuma
9.1
Excellent
From $580
From $580
Info Categories
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Beachfront Lodge

Lodge with Swimming Pool

Private Pool    Outdoor Pool  

Private Pool    Outdoor Pool  

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Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Lodge in KwaNompondo
Hlabisa
9.5
Excellent
From $249
From $249
Lodge Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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
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Mountain Splendour Eco Resort
Campground in Winterton
Estcourt
9.1
Excellent
Campground Taking Steps Towards Sustainability 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?
Rainwater collection and usage
Use of non-toxic cleaning products
LED lighting throughout the premises
Bicycles provided to guests
Toilets flush up to 6 litres per flush
Waste is separated into at least 3 categories
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Show more
 
Villa Anastasia
Bed & Breakfast in Durban
Durban
9.3
Excellent
From $88
From $88
Bed & Breakfast Taking Steps Towards Sustainability Questionnaire
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
LED lighting throughout the premises
Signs in the rooms informing guests that towels will only be changed upon request
No disposable (single use) cups/glasses, plates and cutlery
Organic waste is composted
Most of the ingredients used to prepare meals are locally produced
Is there anything that you would like to highlight, add or clarify?
We have phased out single use toiletries, as well as single use food and beverage amenities and replaced them with sustainable, reusable alternatives.
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Makongo Hills Lodge
Guest House in Magudu
Ngotshe
9.4
Excellent
From $55
From $55
Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability Questionnaire
Certifications:
Travel Sustainable Level3
Do you utilise any renewable energy sources to produce energy on the hotel/accommodation premises?
Solar radiation
What makes your hotel/accommodation eco-friendly?
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)
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
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
Show more
 
Blue Waters Hotel
Hotel in Durban
Durban
8.2
Very Good
From $50
From $50
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Beachfront Hotel

Hotel near The Beach

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Belaire Suites Hotel
Hotel in Durban
Durban
8.8
Excellent
From $50
From $50
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Beachfront Hotel

Hotel near The Beach

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8.2
Very Good
From $77
From $77
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel near Golf Courses

Hotel for Honeymoon

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aha Gateway Hotel Umhlanga
Hotel in Durban
Durban
8.4
Very Good
From $73
From $73
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel near Golf Courses

Hotel for Honeymoon

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aha Alpine Heath Resort
Resort in Bonjaneni
Bergville
8.5
Very Good
From $84
From $84
Info Categories
Resort Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Luxury Resort

Resort near Golf Courses

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Fordoun Hotel and Spa
Hotel in Nottingham Road
Mooi
9.1
Excellent
From $106
From $106
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel with Swimming Pool

Heated Pool    Pool Lap Lanes    Outdoor Pool  

Heated Pool    Pool Lap Lanes    Outdoor Pool  

Hotel with Gym

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Suncoast Hotel & Towers
Hotel in Durban
Durban
8.3
Very Good
From $105
From $105
Info
Suncoast Towers is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Durban on the iconic Durban Promenade, offering 5-star accommodations with 37 rooms and suites featuring panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and easy beach access. The hotel provides modern amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, mini bars and 24-hour in-room dining. Guests can enjoy the luxurious Suncoast Spa, swimming pool and stunning views. For business travelers, the hotel offers a sophisticated boardroom and a virtual office, as well as proximity to the adjacent Suncoast Casino for entertainment. Dining options include the on-site Jeera Restaurant and The Hotel Bar, with in-room dining service available. Suncoast Towers also provides a range of services and amenities, including a fitness center, free uncapped Wi-Fi, Suncoast Casino access and a visually therapeutic spa experience at the Suncoast Spa. Hotel staff are available to assist with car rentals, transfers, shuttle services, and other guest needs.
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Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Family Friendly Hotel

Hotel near The Beach

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8.1
Very Good
From $62
From $62
Info Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability

Hotel for Honeymoon

Hotel with Spa

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*Additional taxes or fees may apply. Please check the final price before completing your booking.

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