- As a lodge we are conscious of the amount of waste that is generated and do everything that we can to minimise that waste. Any waste that is unavoidable is separated into Paper, Tins, Glass, Plastics, Food; and is weighed before disposal allowing us to track our carbon impac
- Any food waste is kept separately and after weighing is transported to a feeding site for warthogs.
- We have switched over to recyclable rubbish bags, to replace plastic bin liners.
our commitment
Conservation & Sustainability
At Garonga, luxury and responsibility are inseparable. Every guest contributes directly to conservation efforts and community development.
Book Your Stay
Garonga Safari Camp is invested in reducing our carbon footprint and
creating an eco friendly safari experience in South Africa. Through the
various green actions listed below, we use our surrounding natural resource
sustainably and with minimal wastage left behind. We continually
seek innovative ways to be kinder to our environment and the wildlife we share it with.
All Camps are on Solar, but backed up by the main grid
and generator when the weather conditions are poor.
Spekbom Tree Carbon Offset
Garonga will be offering Guests to plant a Spekbom Tree to offset some of their Carbon Footprint.
We will plant them in our Boma so the Ellies, Rhinos etc don’t eat them.
A short explanation of Spekbom:
This plant (Portulacaria Africa) holds perhaps one of the greatest secrets in our fight against offsetting carbon Emissions. This evergreen succulent is indigenous to South Africa and can be found towering high in the Arid Karoo or in the E.Cape. This plant can grow to 5m in height and live up to 200 years old.The highest recorded carbon sequestration from a spekbom thicket is 15.4 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per hactre per year, making it a great contender against the Amazon Rainforest. On average though, 1 hactre of Spekbom will sequester 4-10 tonnes of CO2 per year in the right Circumstances. It can easily survive in the harshest on environments with little water.
Green Actions/Initiatives
Environmental Impact
Management
Solar
Plants
- All of our camps and their respective areas are fully powered by state-of-the-art solar systems.
- Garonga functions fully off the power grid, with a generator backup system in place across the entire operation to ensure reliable power when additional support is required.
Water
Treatment Plant
- We keep a careful record of our water usage through the use of water meters.
- Weekly reports are given regarding usage to keep track of any wastage.
- We have an onsite water plant that maintains the quality of our water.
- We have a water filtration plant whereby grey water is treated, cleaned and redistributed back to our water hole in front of the main camp, negating the use of fresh bore hole water.
Water
Management
- All of our guest rooms have hot water supplied by heat pumps and in one room we have installed a thermodynamic geyser. At MCH we use gas geysers.
- By using these pumps we are only using power when hot water is required, unlike electric geysers that use power 24/7.
- In our staff accommodation we provide a donkey boiler, which is a traditional system where water is heated using a wood burning fire. We also use gas powered geysers which provide instant hot water with no electricity required.
Drinking Water and
Reusable Bottles
- We have an onsite bottled water system run by Vivreau which provides instant cold sparkling and still water.
- All of our guests are provided on arrival with a reusable metal water bottle to use throughout their stay and keep as a momento when they leave, hopefully encouraging sustainability off-site as well.
Fire
Wood
- We collect wood for fire wood from dead trees around the reserve, reducing the risk of a wild fire and exercising caution to keep the ecosystem in balance.
Reports
- Weekly reports are compiled on all energy usage including water, gas, diesel and waste. This enables us to keep track of where we can improve.
- Solar usage is also reported on a weekly basis to see how our solar power system is reducing our carbon footprint.
Responsible Tourism
Our approach to wildlife viewing prioritizes animal welfare above all else. We maintain respectful distances, limit time spent at sightings, and never use unethical methods to attract or agitate animals.
Garonga has a max guests of 28 across all three camps, we keep our environmental footprint minimal while ensuring each guest receives exceptional, personalized attention.
We educate our guests about the complex conservation challenges facing Africa's wildlife and empower them to become advocates for protection long after they leave Garonga.
Your Impact
By choosing Garonga, you're not just enjoying a luxury safari—you're directly funding conservation work, supporting local communities, and helping to ensure that Africa's wild places thrive for generations to come. Thank you for being part of our conservation story.