Bateleur Safari Camp

An Eco-friendly environment

preserving the beauty of Africa for future generations.

Buildings & Structures

Bateleur Safari Camp was designed, built and renovated to have a minimal impact on the surroundings. The camp is hidden amongst the trees within riverine vegetation.

If the camp was dismantled, the area would recover within 12 - 18 months as if it was never there.

The deck overlooking the riverbed

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool makes use of a salt water chlorination system. This method uses a natural means of converting salts into chlorine without the use of any harmful chemicals and with minimal to no impact on the surrounding area.

Water drained from the pool is used to irrigate surrounding plants.

The bateleur pool and guest rest area

Sustainable Electricity

The entire camp and staff village, run on solar power. A series of solar panels harvest energy from the sun, which is stored it in a 24-battery bank. Operation of the system is self-sufficient, with a silent generator automatically kicking in on poor solar absorption days (ie. when it is cloudy/overcast).

All tents are equipped with: Indoor and outside lights, Multiple 220V power plugs including 3-prong, 2-prong & USB points and Ceiling fans.

The solar system has limitations with regards to how much power is drawn. As a result, all kitchen appliances must meet certain specifications and all fridges/freezers are specially sourced, drawing a maximum of 90W each.

Light bulbs throughout the camp and staff village are 4W or less to ensure a low power pull. The pressure pump for the water systems runs only when needed. The swimming pool pump operates on a timer limiting the running time to just 4 hours a day. Camp linen and laundry items are taken to a company in Hoedspruit to be cleaned. This company only uses eco-friendly, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic products to wash and care for guest and staff linen & towels. Unfortunately, no hair dryers can be used as these overload and trip the system.

A view from the sky of the Bateleur Safari Camp

Water

Water supplied in the camp is derived from an underground aquifer. Tests have shown that this water is brilliantly clean, fresh & pathogen free, making it safe for all to drink. Microbes are used in the toilets and grey water to assist in breaking down waste.

The production & recycling of plastic water bottles involves a huge waste of water and adds to increased accumulation of litter. Bateleur Safari Camp does not use bottled water, opting instead to loan guests a stainless steel water bottle, to be used for the duration of their stay. This bottle is cleaned, filled & refreshed twice a day and will keep water cold for up to 24 hours.

All the camp’s water is heated by gas geysers.

Some of the natural resources found in the African bush

Conservation Ethos

Many of the roads on the property have been closed, to create large “wilderness blocks”. This creates undisturbed walking opportunities, through untouched bushveld, without the hum of passing vehicles or the constant crossing of man-made roads. Much rehabilitation and field restoration work has been undertaken on man-induced erosion sites.

Game drives are conducted with minimal impact on the environment. No driving on sensitive soils, erosion areas, fragile riverbanks or sodic areas is permitted – regardless of game viewing opportunities.

In these instances, the vehicle will be stopped and guests will be guided in approaching the animal on foot. Bateleur Safari Camp promotes walking as much as possible, allowing guests the opportunity to track & trail animals. For big cats & other predators, a maximum 100 metre off-road policy is applied.

Baked goodies for the guests at Bateleur

Sustainability

Bateleur Safari Camp has an animal-proof vegetable and herb garden, in which a variety of veggies are grown, including: leafy greens, herbs, berries, lemons and limes, cherry tomatoes. Natural garden compost is mulched on site.

Future plans include an earthworm farm to be used in conjunction with the camp’s compost, to provide organic nutrients from the kitchen’s vegetable cuttings. Microbes are also used in the veggie garden, to prepare soil naturally without the use of chemicals and harsh fertilisers.

A close up of one of the lionesses in the Kruger national park

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products / Soaps

Store-bought, shower gels, dishwashing liquids & ammonia-based cleaning products are no longer used. All cleaning products and shower gel/hand soaps are 100% eco-friendly

These products use ‘beneficial bacteria’ to actively biodegrade dirt in the process of cleaning, thereby eliminating chemical and dirt transfer to the environment. These products are locally produced and not tested on animals.

An eagle perched in the tree surprise guests

Wet Waste & Recycling

An animal-proof rubbish cage stores waste, until it is removed from the property by a recycling company. Plastics, paper, tin & glass are separated as items are used. These are then removed and sent for recycling at a local community based plant.

All kitchen wet-waste is collected and taken to surrounding communities, to assist in feeding their livestock.

A guest room and outside deck
trip-advisor_2022-300x225-landscape

SPECIAL!

Book for 3 consecutive nights

Only pay for 2

Conservation levies are charged every night. Valid for Arrivals 1 May to 31 July.