Transformation and sustainable development are two topical issues that have been highlighted by the South African government as matters of importance.
After many years in the lodge business, The Nature Workshop - a company specialising in lodge development, management and marketing - realised the potential of the industry to bring benefit and economic development to remote areas. It has achieved this through these two five-star lodges, now part of the Madikwe Collection, within the Madikwe Game Reserve.
The concept is unique in South Africa in that the local communities own the lodges, with substantial benefits accruing back to their people.
Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is the first of its kind to be wholly owned by a local community. Known as the Balete, the owners of Buffalo Ridge live in the village of Lekgophung just west of Madikwe. It took five years of hard work, but The Nature Workshop together with Mafisa Consulting, successfully completed negotiations with the local authorities and now the Balete have lease rights to this prime site in Madikwe.
Fashioned along similar lines, Thakadu River Camp is an ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the Molatedi Community and the operator, The Nature Workshop. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the reserve.
These lodges compete with the best, and the partnership with The Nature Workshop as an operating company provides the expertise the local community requires to make their new business work.
Both lodges are staffed by people from the village and the rigorous training programme has been designed to ensure that the local community develop the skills to manage their own lodge within a 15 year time frame. A fair rental from the bookings is given to the community, which is used for investment in the village and its people.
Because the local footprint has been shaped by these communities it makes logical and rightful sense to provide them with lucrative business opportunities.
To further strengthen the responsible tourism theme the Madikwe Reserve in itself is an eco / environmental story:
Madikwe is a 75 000 hectare game reserve which has a unique story since only fifteen years ago it was arid, cattle grazing land. Through the collective effort of government, communities and investors, Operation Phoenix was undertaken, game was reintroduced into the area and Madikwe was created. Now home to the Big Five, the reserve is renowned for the success of its Wild Dog population.
To find out more about the Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge click here and to find out about Thakadu River Camp click here.
