Sustainable design
All new buildings powered by solar | water sourced from own catchment is recycled: no downstream effect |
water purification without chemicals | salt water pool |maximisation of locally sourced building materials |
building done by local builders |wood of invasive alien trees used in buildings.
Sustainable operations
All detergents and soaps are biodegradable | all waste separated and recycled |procurement
of local produce with minimised packaging | local wines produced by members of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative |
food is 80% organic | only fish served on the green list of the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative |
food-remains recycled by poultry | Only local people hired.
Sustainable land management
Continuous clearing of alien invasive vegetation | rehabilitation of streambanks and wetlands | flower
harvesting done in accordance with sustainable harvesting techniques by Flower Valley Trust | reforestation
pilot project |data collection of the est. 1000 species in the reserve | no motorised transport in the reserve |
no interference with wild life | winner Cape Fox Award for best management of land in the Western Cape.
You cannot use a hair-dryer in the solar powered fynbos suites,
but homo sapiens survived for 99% of its time on earth without them
You arrive in your car on a bumpy gravel road,
which is a luxurious way of transport compared with the ox wagons of less than 100 years ago.
The water is very pure,
but yellow, as was all the drinking water in the Cape before they started to add chemicals.
The chef decides what will be on the menu and food is slow food;
if you are in a hurry and do not know how to enjoy, you do not want to come to farm 215
Linen is coffee-latte coloured and towels are grey.
The pre-occupation with white linen and white towels is an environmental sin.
There is no air-conditioning,
and we do not explain anymore why not
The reserve can be explored on foot or on horseback;
Motorised transport in the reserve only allowed for maintenance and emergencies.
If you have a fobia for spiders, other insects, reptiles, toads etc,
don’t come.
There is not a single television in the reserve,
but there is wireless internet and mobile phone reception
The reserve is surrounded by more nature and rural lands,
if you are looking for bars, shops and nightlife, look elsewhere.