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Offering a living forest experience to nature-lovers, the South
African Animal Sanctuary Alliance, along the Garden Route in the
Western Cape, consists of Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and the Jukani
Wildlife Sanctuary. These are the only three Fair Trade-accredited
wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa – the only Fair Trade-accredited
primate sanctuary, the only Fairtrade-accredited apex cat sanctuary
and the only Fair Trade-accredited bird sanctuary.
They are totally against cub petting, posing for selfies with
wildlife (and this includes monkeys and birds), riding elephants,
riding ostriches, walking with lions, walking with other apex cats
(such as cheetahs), and swimming with captive dolphins, sharks and
other cetaceans.
As part of the learning experience and giving back to the
community, more than 5 000 children annually have been hosted at
these sanctuaries.
Monkeyland is the world’s first free-roaming multi-specie
primate sanctuary and is home to the largest group of free-roaming
ringtail lemurs outside of Madagascar, while Birds of Eden is the
world’s largest single-dome aviary.
CONTACT: Lara Mostert 082 979 5683, lara@saasa.org.za
www.saasa.org.za
THE SOUTH AFRICAN ANIMAL
SANCTUARY ALLIANCE
Uthando is a unique model for linking tourism
and community development, offering travellers a
chance to experience reliable and trustworthy social
investment programmes. It has won numerous awards
for its efforts, including Best Charitable Organisation
in Africa (The Good Safari Guide 2015 and 2014); Certificate of
Excellence (Trip Advisor 2014, 2013 and 2012); and Winner of
the Cape Town Tourism Responsible Tourism Award 2013.
Uthando currently supports and/or is developing a
programme of support for more than 25 community projects
in Cape Town, with additional projects having been identified
in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Travellers can book a tour
with the organisation to experience these projects and see the
difference their tourist rand can make.
Projects are focused on a diverse range of social issues,
ranging from female prisoner rehabilitation and refugee
education to urban agriculture, youth development, care for
the elderly, care for children and orphans, HIV/AIDS, care
and education for disabled people, arts and culture, and rural
development, among others.
CONTACT: 021 683 8523, jamesfernie@uthandosa.org
www.uthandosa.org
UTHANdO SOUTH AFRICA
Located in Limpopo, Morning Sun is an eco-lodge that is
totally off the grid, generating its own energy through
solar panels. The rural feel gives guests a glimpse into
the Venda culture, reinforced by the fact that locals from
the village sell their beautiful arts and crafts at the curio
shop, and showcase dances for visitors, a service for
which they are paid.
Morning Sun believes tours comprising small groups
have less impact on the flora and fauna in the area; as
such, tours usually accommodate eight guests at a time.
CONTACT: 012 993 6930, marketing@morningsun.co.za
www.morningsun.co.za
MORNINg SUN NATURE RESERVE
Lonely Planet’s Pick of the Wild Coast (2012) described Bulungula Lodge as “something special” and a must-add
to the to-do list. Lonely Planet and the UK’s Guardian newspaper ranked it as the Second Best Eco-Lodge in the
World in 2014. The Rough Guide calls it: “One of the world’s ultimate ethical travel experiences.”
It’s not difficult to see why. The lodge runs on solar power, its rocket showers are legendary, while its 10
huts have been positioned for great sea and forest views.
Owned by the Nqileni community in the Eastern Cape, the lodge is an integral part of daily life, with
no fences separating the lodge from the local community. Therefore, the lodge has created an inviting
environment in which to interact over a drink in one of the mud huts. Guests can also enjoy canoe trips
up the Xhora River.
CONTACT: 047 577 8900, paradise@bulungula.com, www.bulungula.com
BULUNgULA LOdgE
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