Lepogo Lodges' Noka Camp, which is one of Africa's few entirely not-for-profit safari lodges, is adding to its eco-credentials by working with local and global charity organisations to offset their guests' carbon footprint.

Lepogo Lodges calculates the carbon emissions resulting from each guest's journey, from the time they leave their home to the moment they return.

The figure is converted into a monetary value which is then donated by Lepogo

Lodges into one of three conservation projects chosen by the guest.

Community Stove Project – A community outreach programme

Lepogo Lodges works with the Lapalala Wilderness School's Outreach Programme to launch the Community Stove Project.

This sees high efficiency stoves donated to the local community, to help the environment and improve health.

The new stoves reduce the wood used in each household by an estimated 2.5 tons per year and during a stove's estimated five-year life span, its usage will save 30 trees and 12 tonnes of CO2.

South Africa Forest Trust – A biodiversity enhancement programme

The South African Reforestation Trust is a not-for-profit organisation and platform bringing landowners, instituteions, companies and individuals together to plant and extend indigenous forest eco-systems.

The trust works with four forest sites which require rehabilitative intervention – the Overberg, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy near Swellendam, Wilderness and the Boland.

Stand for Trees – A global programme

Stand for Trees aims to protect the world's most spectacular forest landscapes, surrounding communities and inhabiting wildlife and runs 16 conservation projects across Northern Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Peru and Brazil.

Other initiatives

Lepogo Lodges also supports local communities by helping them start businesses, which supply products for the lodge and on-site curio shop.

The property is also supporting the conservation of cheetah and is working with Lapalala to establish the reserve as a centre of excellence for the release of wild cheetah.

Lepogo Lodges' Noka Camp

The camp lies within the 50,000-hectare, malaria-free, 'big five', Lapalala Wilderness Reserve and consists of five stilted villas, which are joined by a main lodge, all atop a 100ft cliff overlooking the winding Palala River below and the endless bush ahead.

The camp is entirely off-grid, with all energy self-generated by a 250m solar walkway.

Useful links

​ www.lepogolodges.com