Have you travelled the world and seen everything, done everything?
Well, maybe you have, but you haven’t done everything until you have experienced Bulungula Lodge, in South Africa. This Fair Trade backpackers lodge has won numerous awards for its civic actions and responsible conservation. It was voted “One of the World's Top 25 Ultimate Ethical Travel Experiences” in the Rough Guide 2007 awards The lodge is situated in the most beautiful location of any lodge in South Africa on the Wild Coast.
It has beach, forest, lagoon, rolling hills, dolphins, whales, you name it. With no big city anywhere near, the sky is so clear you can see a multitude of celestial stars. The lodge is so proud of their clear skies they say that they can guarantee seeing shooting stars! If you look at the night’s sky for half an hour without seeing one, they will let you stay that night for free! Built to be totally eco friendly, the lodge runs on solar power. The 10 huts have been positioned for great sea and forest views and each hut has been theme painted by a resident artist. Being a backpacker’s lodge the accommodation is basic, but clean and comfortable. The odourless compost toilets are brilliant and the “rocket showers” are legendry! Because this is a fair trade backpacker’s lodge, the local Nqileni village owns 40% of the lodge and they are an integral part of daily life here. No fences, no crime, no beggars, no hassles, just friendly smiles. Guests staying at the backpackers are invited to take a walk around the village at any time of the day and night and it is sure that you’ll be invited into the mud huts for a drink and a chat. Bulungula has invested much time and effort into the local community and has taught the people many skills which they reinvest back into the lodge. They have all become local ambassadors for the area and there are plenty of activities available that will ensure guests not only have a great time but learn about the local people and their fascinating culture.
- During the day you can wander around the village – horses are available - or you can chill out in our hammocks or on the beach.
- Head off with the village women for a crazy day of face painting, brick making, maize stamping, traditional food preparation, beer
brewing and firewood collecting.
- Local fishermen will show you how to catch fish with throw nets, catch crayfish and octopus by hand and to make your own
fishing rod from wood and wire.
- Lindile (who is the main man from the village) will lead you on your journeys through the village and their local culture. Take time
to explore and talk to the people, there are lots of wise elders in the village who have seen it all and have amazing stories to tell.
- Visit Nozolile the sangoma who will tell your future… (maybe!), he is always the first to laugh, and will beat the drum into oblivion
after a few jugs of Umngqombothi beer.
- There are canoe trips up the beautiful Xhora River where kamikaze fish may jump into your boat and Malachite kingfishers hunt in
the forested cliffs.
- Tiered after all the activity? Well, why not relax while two women from the village who have been professionally trained as
masseuses offer luxurious full body and Indian head massages for those needing some pampering.
So, it all sounds wonderful – well, now you have to get here! Paradise is by definition hard to get to, but it can all be part of the adventure!
The easiest way is to take a bus to the Mthatha Shell Ultra City (Baz`Bus, DMJ Transport bus, Translux and Greyhound bus stop). You musty be here by 3pm. Then you can take the Bulungula Shuttle to the lodge. You MUST call at least the day before to book your seat and thus ensure that the shuttle is sent to fetch you! Trust me, it is well worth it!
The Bulungula Lodge is also heavily involved in community work and to date they have helped the community start a number of 100% community-owned and run businesses including horseriding, canoeing, fishing, guiding, baking, sewing, cooking, wood-carving and environmental protection projects. With the tourists that the lodge brings in, these skills have created jobs and income for 33 families over and above those employed directly at the lodge.
The lodge has also run a range of fantastic HIV awareness programs and voluntary counselling and testing days in partnership with the local Madwaleni Hospital.
The community are undergoing intensive training on permaculture and organic farming in order to improve nutrition and create surpluses that can be sold to the lodge restaurant which will again help the lodge become totally self sufficient while providing the community with additional money. As part of this initiative, there is a seedling nursery that is owned and run by members of the community selling vegetable seedlings to the surrounding communities. The community now also has an irrigated, organic vegetable farm which supplies the lodge with much of its fresh veggies which makes the meals at the lodge taste even better!
Bulungula Lodge has helped some women in the village start the now legendary iLanga Fire Restaurant with the best sweet and savoury pancakes in Africa.
But, here is where you can get involved!
Bulungula Lodge is about to embark on its most ambitious project - Rehabilitating the local mud school which recently collapsed. This rewarding project is being managed by the Non-Profit organisation: the Bulungula Incubator. You can visit the Incubator's website at www.bulungulaincubator.org There is still much to do and help is desperately required! The lodge is offering free accommodation to anyone who has skills identified by the community as being in need. At the moment they are looking for a qualified nurse and a maths and science teacher who can stay for a minimum of 1 year.
However, if you feel you would like to be involved in something as auspicious as this project, then why not send them an e-mail and check how you can help! So, experience a slice of paradise and feel great doing it by helping the local community!
For any more information contact African Sands