To demonstrate that Nkwichi Lodge can comfortably claim to be a responsible tourism project we have answered 10 questions which clearly define what an Eco-lodge should be.
Yes - The Manda Wilderness Conservation project has 3 aims:
Tourism investment to build and run an eco-friendly lodge with minimal impact to the environment and built in such a way that if the lodge were to be removed the area would return to its natural condition within 2 years.
Conservation in partnership with local communities to set up a conservation area of 250,000 hectares and a lake reserve of 4 hectares.
Sustainable Development with communities that form this conservation partnership to help build a more secure future and better living conditions for local people.
The Manda Wilderness Project has managed to get the local communities to set aside some of their land for conservation, to make a wildlife reserve and to use their natural resources in a sustainable manner. For example they appreciate their trees have a value. They control who comes to cut firewood in their local areas and regulate their harvesting.
The Manda Wilderness Project regularly checks the reserve for snares. A local NGO calculated that the salaries from the lodge filtered through to approximately 11,000 people living in the vicinity.
Nkwichi Lodge employs: 33 permanent local staff - 9 women and 6 managers 14 contracted local staff - 6 women 2 expatriate managers 1 expatriate director
Setting up of the Manda Wilderness Community owned Conservation area. The Agriculture Project has encouraged sustainable farming practices.
By the end of 2005 20% will be sourced within 25kms of the lodge. Nkwichi has started a 3-year agricultural project working with 58 farmers in 6 different communities to produce vegetables and other crops.
'Grey water' from sinks drains into a pit that filters through extra fine sand. Toilets drain into 'eco-composting pits'. Once they are full they are closed and a tree is planted on top. Only dead wood is collected from a large area around the lodge. The lodge is entirely solar powered. All lighting, office computers, all refrigaration and freezers (including an ice-machine) and 5 solar ovens are run on solar energy.
All Nkwichi staff come from local communities. They are friendly, open and chat with guests on a regular basis. Guests often visit some of the 14 villages that Nkwichi is involved with. Guests are told to respect local customs, ask permission before taking photos and not give money. Nkwichi also explains to the locals the benefits of tourism.
Yes they are and all of them are proud of taking visitors to their villages to meet local dignitaries and their own families.
By staying at Nkwichi guests help to pay the wages of up to 50 local staff. Each salary supports approximately 15 family members. This means that by staying at the lodge guests have positive impacts on 750 lives. On a longer term basis guests can volunteer to stay and work on Manda Wilderness's Community Conservation Projects.
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