Eco-Friendly Accommodation - Durban Hotels

In today’s world there is an increasing awareness of climate change and people’s contribution to it, leading to a global effort to cut back on our carbon footprint and harmful environmental impact. By choosing to stay in an eco-friendly hotel, you can contribute towards a greener, more sustainable future, while enjoying luxurious, beautiful accommodation and a healthier lifestyle.

An eco-hotel is defined as a hotel or accommodation which prioritises implementing environmental improvements to its structure and the way that it operates, in order to decrease its carbon footprint and effect on the environment.

The environmentally friendly establishment encourages ‘green living’ by practising key lifestyle choices, such as using non-toxic cleaning agents, actively using renewable energy sources, using energy-saving lighting, serving organic and locally produced cuisine and collecting storm water for use around the establishment, etc.

Durban is one of South Africa’s most beautiful holiday destinations, renowned for its golden beaches, water sports, warm climate and gorgeous scenery. Luscious, vivid green sugar cane fields meander up the mountains and hills, while the pristine beaches stretch on for miles, under the sunny blue sky. This is a place where a considerable effort is being made to preserve the exquisite natural surroundings and there are numerous eco-friendly Durban hotels to choose from.

Karkloof Spa-Wellness and Wildlife Retreat hosts the most expansive eco-friendly spa in Africa and lies within a 3,500 hectare game reserve, boasting picturesque scenery. The area is home to a variety of terrains housing an abundance of wildlife, including buffalo, black and white rhino, hippo and wildlife. The 5-star boutique lodge incorporates 16 stylishly-appointed villas, while the spa offers 17 tranquil treatment rooms to choose from.

Local communities were employed in the lodge’s construction and the establishment was built using only natural, eco-friendly, locally produced materials, including quarried stone and non-toxic paint. Grey water is recycled through the wetlands, back into the eco-system and all the toilets have a dual flush system in place to save water. All the establishment’s products are bio-degradable and the abundance of indigenous trees shading the lodge helps to lessen the amount of energy used for air-conditioning.

Mackaya Bella Guest House boasts a superb indigenous garden offering a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The spacious rooms are well-equipped and elegant, with décor which continues the delightful garden theme. Named after an indigenous shrub found in the wetter parts of Kwa-Zulu Natal, this is a guest house which prioritises environmentally responsible tourism. All organic and inorganic waste is recycled, while water is conserved and energy saving lighting and appliances are utilised.

Durban is a magnificent setting which plays host to a number of superior, eco-friendly establishments, which offer world-class facilities and luxury while also focusing on green living and supporting a sustainable future.

Original Source: The Green Life

Winter Road Tripping

Road tripping through South Africa during winter can be amazing. While the rain doesn’t always make for favourable conditions, the scenery is breathtaking as mountainsides are filled with waterfalls and grass plains are deep green and filled with life. However, while it may make for optimal sightseeing, driving in winter can be a difficult task and it’s important to consider a few things before embarking in your South Africa car rental with unlimited mileage.

It’s important to remember the rules of the road in unfavourable weather – something that should be done all year round. Pay special attention to speed limits and following distance. Often it may be difficult to see on a typical winter day and it’s important to drive with your headlights on and be on the constant look out for brake lights ahead of you. Ensure that you’re break lights are working before hitting the road – just one of the many checks you should carry out before leaving.

Ensure you can see optimally at all times. Replace your windscreen wipers before you leave if need be and top up the wiper fluid to make sure your vision really is crystal clear. Concentrate on the road ahead of you at all times and if you find yourself getting tired or your vision blurry then ask someone else to drive for a while.

It’s important to keep stimulated during a road trip, especially during winter. However, often the line between stimulated and distracted can be blurred when making use of long term car hire in Cape Town and surrounds. Ensure that there is a constant flow of music or a radio channel that you like – it’s especially useful to tune into a channel that provides up to date traffic reports.

Traffic during winter is particularly hectic and this is when having music in the background is useful. Avoid the traffic all together and pull over in a safe and preferably dry spot to enjoy the contents of that flask or to study the map for the duration of the journey. If you do plan to stop off on the side of the road then don’t stop on a shoulder, especially in bad weather. Ensure that your car is completely off the road and remember that a yellow line should only be used for emergencies.

When it’s cold we expend more energy and so do our cars which is why you need to keep supplies for both people and the car itself in the event of an emergency or just to hold both over on a long trip. At least if you make use of reputable car hire in South Africa you can rest assured that your car will be in good condition from the moment you embark on your winter road trip.

Original Source: I Need A Car