Environmental Projects at the Drakensberg Sun

Located in one of South Africa’s most spectacular locations, the staff at the Drakensberg Sun are passionate about the environment and we run and support many environmental programmes.

The Drakensberg Sun Wormery

6 Months ago wormery was established at the Drakensberg Sun for recycling of organic waste from the Restaurant, Timeshare Apartments and Chalets. A special building has been erected to accommodate the worms in troughs. The bottom of the troughs have a filter system, which filters the waste liquid into containers. It is then diluted at a ratio of 1 to 50, and then sprayed onto the plants in the garden. The solid waste is removed every 3 - 4 weeks, and is used as a fertiliser for the roots of our plants.

"Green" Environmentally Friendly Water

The Drakensberg Sun started this project in 2007. All drinking water coming from the Drakensberg Sun Dam goes through a process: The first step was the relocation of our supply pump which was raised to approximately 1 meter under the surface of the dam’s water. The next phase includes flocking out the iron, manganese and water seeping through the sand filters, next step is to activate our carbon filters. The water is then pumped to reservoirs from where it is treated through a series of ultra violet lights for sterilisation before entering the building. After usage it is interesting to note that our used water is put back into nature through a series of filtration dams, however, when our waste water enter these dams it is of better quality then we originally pumped from the dam.

Vulture Restaurant

We even have our very own Vulture Restaurant at the Drakensberg Sun. We are a registered conservancy and as such we are encouraging the endemic birds back into the area. Eco friendly carcases are placed behind the Bergview housing scheme on top of the mountain for the Cape vultures to feed 3 - 4 times per week. We now have between 60 - 80 vultures at any feeding time! We also have a breeding pair of Bearded Vultures that feed at the site. Drakensberg Sun also assists the honouree officers from the KZN Parks Board to tag the vultures which helps with the record keeping of the endangered birds of South Africa.

Alien Plant Eradication

As part of the conservation process, we are in the process of removing the alien vegetation i.e. Black Wattle, Bug Weed, Bramble and Blue Gum Trees. Once the removal is complete we will re-establish the land by using indigenous grass and eventually plant indigenous trees, flowers and shrubs.

Dassie Rehabilitation Programme

In 1991/1992 an epidemic obliterated the dassie population in the Cathkin Valley area. We are in the process of capturing dassies and re-introducing them back into the Drakensberg Sun property, which was part of their original habitat. This will also ensure more birds of prey circling our property.

Environmental Awards

Drakensberg Sun received Gold Status in the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme in June 2008. We are one of only 18 properties in Southern Africa to achieve this status and the only property in the Drakensberg to achieve this.

 

Visit the Drakensberg Sun to find out more about our exciting environmental practices. Book your holiday today.