SIBUSISO MKWANAZI

When it comes to bush lodges, there are a few attributes that are to be expected, like a sense of adventure, the feeling of being far away as possible from city life and being surrounded by the abundance of nature.

The Legacy group of hotels has ensured, through their Bakubung and Kwa Maritane lodges, that they rise above the rest through a number of other innovative initiatives.

Bakubung is a place of serenity and breathtaking beauty two hours away from Joburg.

Guests are often greeted by elephants who patrol the fence near the reception area.

However, one surprisingly unknown contribution to the environment has nothing to do with the ease of access to the game park which hosts, as the guides are more than willing to describe, dazzles of zebra, towers of giraffe and everyone’s personal favourite, an irritation of monkeys.

Bakubung also has a biofuel plant that turns used cooking oil and any other fat from chicken, pork and beef into fuel to power the lodge’s diesel vehicles.

What would have ended up in a dump somewhere contaminating the environment is now used to drive shuttles that fetch guests from the airport, as well as game drives and important anti-poaching inspections.

As this is a pilot project, it is envisioned that other lodges and major areas of entertainment, like Sun City, will get involved by either supplying Bakubung with used oil or initiating their own plants.

Not to be outdone by its sister lodge, Kwa Maritane has a water purification system that recycles the water used there, before feeding it into a nearby stream that is a source of hydration for the animals.

However, its real claim to fame is its animal hide.

This is nothing new, except that it has an underground tunnel that leads from the lodge right up to the watering hole.

It is kitted out very much like an alcohol-free bar, complete with stools and corny messages that have been carved out of the concrete ceiling, like “Ruby loves Justin”.

It must have been a slow day at the watering hole that day...

Presumably to eliminate such public shows of affection and hours of waiting for animals that might not even show up at all, a camera has been set up at the watering hole and there is a dedicated in-house channel inside the lodge that screens live footage.

Guests have been so impressed that a website was set up to cater for anyone to be able to enjoy the wildlife at any time they liked, live from the bush.

Just to top it off, they’ve even hired worms on a contract basis to form a part of their vermiculture project.

The terms and conditions of employment are still being negotiated, though.