Top 10 Sustainable Stays in South Africa
Written by Courtney Drysdale
South Africa's myriad of flora and fauna is known the world over. This vibrant and diverse country is home to dramatic mountains, stark deserts, remote coastlines, lush forests, and equally colourful cultures. South Africa also boasts a prolific amount of wildlife, from an abundance of members of the Big 5 to the intricate worlds of marine life on its long coastlines.
As a country, South Africa has always prioritised sustainability. An essential factor in this environmental mindfulness is a select number of sustainable retreats and eco-friendly lodges that champion the vast, diverse natural landscape and all those who inhabit it, big or small. In this list you will see how groups and individuals strive to uplift communities and protect their environment while offering eco-friendly holidays for every explorer.
Thonga Beach Lodge
Tucked away in an indigenous dune forest overlooking the splendid Mabibi beach is Thonga Beach Lodge by Isibindi. The lodge sits in the heart of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO world heritage site home to eight ecosystems and 256 bird species. An untouched wonderland, visitors can take a secluded walk down the beaches and take a dip in the warm cerulean waters of the Indian ocean. One can also explore the colourful reef right in front of the lodge, which holds an abundance of wild marine life, including dolphins and turtles. Only a short trip by car will lead you to Lake Sibaya, the largest freshwater lake in South Africa.
Location: KwaZulu-Natal
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Conservation and creating an eco-friendly retreat are at the centre of Thonga Beach Lodges’ mission. As a part of protecting the pristine wilderness that the lodge sits in, Thonga has been involved in efforts to protect the loggerhead and leatherback turtle. By partnering with the Isibindi Foundation, Thonga Beach Lodge plays an active role in community-minded conservation, such as helping build the Madibi school in 2022.
What to look out for:
Get some Vitamin Sea by visiting the world-class spa
Visit between November and March to see the turtles lay their eggs on the beaches
A testament to sustainable retreats, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve invests mindfully into eco-friendly practices in its 4 lodges. A place of dramatic and contrasting landscapes, the 58 000 ha of Little Karoo in which Sanbona sits has a host of unique and fragile ecosystems that support an incredible amount of life. This is also one of the few places in the Karoo where you can spot the Big 5.
Location: Little Karoo
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Rewilding the little Karoo has been a passion project for Sanbona Wildlife Reserve since its inception. In 2020 they rezoned the area, transforming it from agricultural land to a wildlife conservatory. In doing so, Sanbona has taken an important step in protecting and rehabilitating the endemic fynbos biome, one of the most unique and abundant in the world. Sanbona is a part of the Shamwari Group and has achieved the Green Leaf™ Eco Standard.
What to look out for:
Take a relaxation retreat
Go stargazing in the vast expanse of the plains
Perched up on a mountainside overlooking Simon’s town harbour and False bay is a quaint Villa that is perfect for a holiday getaway. The Mariner Guesthouse & Villa offers spectacular ocean views and access to outstanding restaurants and beaches that are just a stone’s throw away. Adventure seekers can go diving and snorkelling in False Bay and catch a glimpse of the Marine Big 5, along with an intricate underwater world. Visitors can also check out some tremendous scenic hikes or beaches and see the world-famous South African penguin colony at Boulders beach. Whatever you would like to do, Simon’s Town is undoubtedly the place for you.
Location: Simons Town
Budget: Mid-level
Sustainability:
Mariner Guesthouse & Villa strive to do all they can to operate responsibly and be mindful of their environment and community impact. The Mariner has been awarded the 5 Green Hearts for their efforts to protect their environment through recycling, eco-friendly products, eco-architecture, sustainable energy acumen and community upliftment projects through skill development.
What to look out for:
A delicious complimentary breakfast made using ingredients from the onsite garden
Enjoy a coffee looking out over the beautiful Atlantic Ocean
Settled in the quiet and leafy Oranjezicht on the slopes of Table Mountain is Four Rosmead, an exclusive eco-friendly guest house. The building, which dates back to the early 1900s, features a tasteful combination of modern luxury and classical taste. This is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, decorated with works by South African artists and chic interiors. Situated in the heart of Cape Town, visitors can easily explore a wide range of shops and world-class beaches.
Location: Cape Town
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Four Rosmead seeks to operate on sustainability principles through its fair trade policy. This policy includes water-wise practices through recycling and greywater irrigation for the garden. Four Rosmead is also energy efficient with LED lighting and gas whenever possible. The Guest house prides itself in investing in its staff and their skill development and ensuring that they are compensated fairly and above industry standards.
What to look out for:
Continental or full English breakfasts, including vegetarian friendly daily specials
Heated swimming pool with sun lounger
The exclusive Karongwe Portfolio in the scenic and wild Limpopo Province. Karongwe River Lodge is 1 of 5 properties that overlook the pristine bushveld that make this lodge a truly spectacular stay. Each of the properties in the Karongwe Portfolio exude class and a meaningful connection with their natural surroundings. At Karongwe River Lodge enjoy watching the game wander right up to the lodge as you relax on the deck. Alternatively, take a game drive down to the Makhutsi River and see the hidden delights of this secluded place.
Location: Limpopo
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
The 9000 ha Karongwe Private Game Reserve, where the 5 lodges sit, border the Makhutsi, Lourene, and Greater Makalali game reserves in the Limpopo province. This area not only has access to incredible wildlife but also has a sincere mission to conserve these spaces. This includes wildlife conservation and extends into uplifting the surrounding communities through employment and wildlife training and conservation. The lodge is built around the pre-existing trees, ensuring the area for future generations.
What to look out for:
Enjoy their luxurious spa facilities and try the eco-conscious Thera Naka product range
Experience Pan African cuisine for dinner in the rustic outside boma
Perched on the dunes of De Hoop Nature Reserve is a luxury coastal getaway. Natural Selections’ flagship in South Africa, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, is certainly a rare find. Located in a 34.000 hectare marine protected area, Lekkerwater has some of the best whale watching in the world, along with the opportunity to explore the surrounding fynbos and the intertidal ecosystems in the rock pools. At Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, guests can choose between seven secluded suites with ocean views overlooking 6km of untouched beach.
Location: Overberg
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Natural Selection adopts an ethos of environmental conservation at the forefront of their workings. Part of this plan in action is the establishment of wildlife corridors so as to create safe havens for animals. Through financial support to local farmers and education programs, Natural Selection’s involvement in uplifting local communities is pervasive across all of their camps and lodges. Natural Selection also automatically donates a percentage of each traveller’s stay to conservation efforts, and has individual conservation and outreach programs in each camp.
What to look out for:
Go for a private beach picnic
Have your morning coffee at the wrap-around deck at the main lodge and admire the incredible sunrises
The eco-lodge, Addo African Home, is just 10 minutes away from Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape. Addo African Home offers its guests the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation with a host of activities. From hiking to visiting the dune fields to game drives spotting the Big 5, to a world-class yoga retreat, you can find something for everyone at Addo African Home.
Location: Addo
Budget: Basic
Sustainability:
Through their collaboration with the MOLO LOLO Group, Addo African Home upholds its connection between France and South Africa and their shared values of conservation and community upliftment through education. Through apprenticeship and culinary courses, as well as other job creation and training, MOLO LOLO seeks to create a lasting and meaningful impact on local communities. The lodge has many eco-friendly practices, such as having a natural pool with no chemicals and an organic vegetable garden.
What to look out for:
Go horse riding or hiking in the Zuurberg Mountains
Indulge in a massage at the Spa
Under the banner of the environmentally forward-thinking group Singita, Ebony Lodge offers a paradise found in a secluded safari escape settled amongst magnificent trees on the shores of the Sand River. 1 of Singita’s 4 luxury lodges, Ebony Lodge sits in some of the most pristine wilderness that you can find. The 12 exclusive suites speak to a classical safari aesthetic and are made of a mixture of glass and canvas, opening up to the world around and the private decks and plunge pools overlooking the river. Due to conservation efforts, visitors will likely spot leopards and other members of the Big 5.
Location: Kruger
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Singita’s lodges act as sanctuaries for the animals that inhabit them and the people who visit them. The group stands by 3 core principles: biodiversity, sustainability and community. They manage several conservation funds and trusts that are committed to restoring and protecting nearly 1 million acres of land across Africa. The group also offsets its carbon footprint by using Bioregional's One Planet Living framework, upholding its commitment to preserving the earth for contemporary and future generations.
What to look out for:
Book a guided safari walk
Visit the on site boutique and gallery
A small collection of exclusive treetop suites sit in the branches of a wild indigenous forest. Located just outside of Sedgefield, along the Garden Route, these eco-friendly cabins offer the perfect secluded getaway. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful forest walks, visit secluded rock pools or cosy up in the canopy suites.
Location: Garden route
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
The suites at Teniqua Treetops are constructed using sustainable pine and gum. Water is pulled from the river that runs down from the Outeniqua mountains. There is a rainwater tank for laundry, and no harmful chemicals are used during any point of the water purification or disposal process.
What to look out for:
Enjoy a braai on some of the suites’ private deck’s
Have a bath watching the famed Knysna Turacos out your window that looks down onto the forest
Cosy up with a glass of wine during magnificent thunderstorms
Perched overlooking the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is a place like no other. With magnificent views from decks that run into exquisite open plan rooms highlighting vistas of the reserve and a busy waterhole. Unwind at the bar or spa, or go on a game drive in a park where the Big 5 are plentiful and there is a mix of landscapes, from savannah and woodlands to wetlands. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park boasts 86 mammal species, and the park is known worldwide for its conservation of the white rhino, being a crucial member in bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.
Location: KwaZulu-Natal
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
As a member of the Isibindi Foundation, Rhino Ridge Safari lodge shares an approach of community-minded conservation that creates an equal appreciation and importance of a land's people, animals and flora. There is community ownership of the lodge and uplifting the community of Hlabisa. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge partners with the National Empowerment Fund and the local Mpembeni community where most of the lodges’ employees are from. As a part of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the lodge also focuses on rhino conservation, along with preserving species such as elephants and African wild dogs.
What to look out for:
Do a homestay with a Zulu family and learn more about this proud and vibrant nation
Go on a bush walk with an expert guide
Bonus bonafide sustainable property
Tintswalo Lapalala
This family-friendly camp in the biodiverse Lapalala Wilderness Reserve offers 7 luxury tented suites with private plunge pools with views overlooking the rolling mountains and plains of the malaria-free Waterberg region. The Tintswalo Lapalala Wilderness establishment prioritises nature preservation by remaining environmentally conscious and entirely off the grid. Along with the Big 5, the fauna endemic to the area includes eland, impala, waterbuck, wildebeest, roan antelope and many others. Enjoy spa treatments, picnics, game drives and walks, wilderness school, and the opportunity to participate in conservation programs.
Location: Lapalala Wilderness, Waterberg Biosphere Region
Budget: Fancy
Sustainability:
Tintswalo is making several deliberate and impressive strides to lessen the impact of its operations on the environment. Entirely off the grid, Lapalala Lodge runs on solar power, has energy-efficient bulbs, and educates guests on how to conserve energy. Tinstwalo Lapalala has done away with single-use packaging and offers eco-friendly insect repellants and locally produced biodegradable bathroom amenities. Organic kitchen waste is composted and used to fertilise the veggie garden – that features an array of fruits, veggies, and herbs — while seeds that would normally be discarded are saved in a seed bank for planting at a later stage! The lodge also upcycles and recycles waste to reduce the amount going to landfill. To support local communities, the lodge shop sells their beautiful and unique artisanal products to stimulate local economies.
What to look out for:
Marvel at birds, bees and beasts on a bush walk, game drive, or river barge
Indulge in delicious treats at a bush banquet or picnic
Participate in the rhino and elephant conservation programs
Go see bushman paintings and visit iron age sites
Sustainability at Viatu
For us at Viatu, the way we move through our world is non-negotiable. We have built our company and dreamt up our experiences on the foundation of a sustainable model that ensures we leave a lasting positive impact.
South Africa offers visitors a vast array of experiences that help them reconnect with the natural world and learn more about various efforts to protect it and the people that make that possible. Big or small, South Africa is a home for all. Book one of the top sustainable stays in South Africa with Viatu.