5 Best Eco-Friendly Lodges in Africa

Nkwichi Lodge – Lake Niassa, Mozambique

Nkwichi Lodge works with the Manda Wilderness Community Trust to protect the 120,000 hectare reserve. Nkwichi employs locals, fosters sustainable development and provides agricultural education to the community. The solar-powered lodge’s eco-friendly filtration system filters grey water with sand, and the toilets drain into eco-composting pits that eventually serve as the mulch for future trees.

Elsa’s Kopje – Meru, Kenya

As the sole lodge in Meru National Park, Elsa’s Kopje reduced its environmental footprint by running on LED and energy saving bulbs, solar power and dead or renewably sourced wood for timber. Elsa’s Kopje also supports local schools; in the past year alone the camp raised $10,000 to support the 340 children and teachers at Ura Gate primary school through textbooks and school repairs. Due to these projects, Ecotourism Kenya awarded Elsa’s Kopje with a Silver Level.

Leshiba Wilderness – South Africa

Located on a remote mountaintop in the Limpopo Province, this stunning lodge is largely self-sufficient and runs on solar panels and boreholes, and relies on their garden for fresh produce. The Permaculture garden was established to explore new farming techniques and provide staffers with fresh produce.

Serra Cafema – Kunene, Namibia

Located on the banks of the Kunene River, near the sublime Namib Desert, Serra Cafema is one of Africa’s remotest camps. Serra Cafema is owned, operated, and staffed by the indigenous Himba people, one of the last semi-nomadic people on earth. The camp is also involved with the Namibia Sea Turtle Project, which works with the Angolan and Namibian governments to protect the sea turtles that congregate near the mouth of the Kunene River.

Mombo Camp – Okavango Delta, Botswana

Mombo Camp is involved in multi-platform conservation efforts such as the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project that reintroduced the white rhino to the Okavango Delta. Mombo Camp employs different ethnic groups to engage with the local community. The camp has minimized its carbon footprint through solar power, thermodynamic geysers, rainwater harvesting, and passive environmental architecture.