Tintswalo Lapalala is a luxury tented lodge in the Waterberg that operates off the grid. However, in a bid to offset the carbon footprint of its safari vehicles and emergency generators, it has initiated the #SpekboomChallenge. Guests will be given a spekboom seedling at check-out, and encouraged to plant it around the lodge or elsewhere within the 44 500 hectare expanse of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve.
“One hectare of spekboom can sequester between four and ten tonnes of carbon per year.”
Spekboom has gained popularity recently as a powerhouse plant for absorbing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. One hectare of spekboom can sequester between four and ten tonnes of carbon per year. The tree, which grows as highs as five meters, is indigenous to the Eastern Cape but does well throughout the drier parts of South Africa. It can live up to 200 years, is water-wise and has a high nutritional value for wildlife. All of these features make it an ideal choice for offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions.
Tanja Jacobs, the lodge manager, says, “We have had a very good response and our guests just love this conservation initiative where the spekboom is specially packaged and presented to them as a farewell gift from Tintswalo Lapalala. We are a family-friendly lodge and children especially like getting their hands dirty and choosing a spot to plant their own seedling in the reserve. After spending time here in the wilderness they are inspired to leave with a greater understanding of the shared responsibility towards conservation and the small things we can do each day to help make our earth a healthier place.”
