Special Achievements:
Member of Responsible Travel
Member of Tribes - Social & Environmental Responsibility.
One of 3 lodges in Mozambique selected to be part of the South African-based AFRICAN SAFARI LODGE PROGRAM, an example to the rest of the industry of how a private sector-led tourism initiative can uplift the whole community. Some of the initial implementation was carried out in partnership with SINDISA FOUNDATION.
Extensive work with TechnoServe Inc. (TNS) – a major not-for-profit US company which provides “business solutions to areas of rural poverty”. TNS has 19,000 investors and has the responsibility of managing the Mozambique ASL project.

Energy Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - Electricity – we use energy efficient generators with capacity variation depending on occupancy. Power is only available during certain hours daily. Staff encourage guests to keep their rooms comfortable using natural sea breezes. The energy is switched off at midnight and we operate the lodge on minimal requirements to reduce our carbon footprint. The installation of a smaller capacity fuel efficient generator for off peak times and in low occupancy has reduced fuel consumption by 280 litres per month.

Water Rating: ★★ (2)
Staff Comment - The lodge is committed to management and recycling of non sewage and sewage waste water (grey water). Run off from showers and drains is directed to a collection area where water is reused for irrigation. Permanent collection measures (gutters) capture runoff from all structures. All collected rainwater held in bulk storage tanks (250,000 litre capacity) Gravity fed water systems have been used throughout the lodge All lodge drinking water is filtered rain water. Sound watering practises with most garden watering taking place at night with recycled water. Indigenous plants have been used that are water hardy in our lodge gardens

Disposal Rating: ★★★ (3)
Staff Comment - All our paper and glass are taken by boat or road to Pemba for recycling. Biodegradable fruit and vegetable waste from the kitchen is used as compost in the lodge's community run vegetable garden. Sewerage makes use of a 3 stage septic tank system with all waste water being then transported to a biolytic recycling plant. All recycled water is used on vegetable and lodge gardens.

Eco-Active Rating: ★★★ (3)
Staff Comment - - Guests receive an education in minimizing their impact. Our guest check in procedure details the guidelines on responsible tourism on Ibo and acceptable behaviors based on our communities culture. - Geezers per room set to less than 50 per room and staff trained to shut down all unoccupied rooms. - Design makes most of natural free energy sources such as cross flow ventilation, shading from vegetation and natural light. - Roof insulated. - No TV, radio or fridge appliances in rooms. -

Power only available during certain hours daily, encouraging guests to keep rooms comfortable using natural sea breeze. - Active lodge policy to not re-supply guest or pool towels with guests appreciative of the water and energy restrictions. - Ibo Island Lodge uses traditional dhows under sail where ever possible for sea activities for guests, and the use of dhows for transfer of all materials and supplies from mainland is our preference. - Tourism awareness training is an essential component of our community training initiatives in order to reduce impact of tourism.

Protection Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Positive Impact of employment at Ibo Island Lodge: Ibo Island Lodge currently employs 30 permanent staff. A further 20 people made up of extended family rely on each of these individual permanent staff members for their livelihood, therefore Ibo Island Lodge will directly effect approx 600 peoples lives on Ibo. In addition, many third party services, fresh food supplies are sourced from Ibo Island itself, directly affecting approximately 20 to 30 individuals. Again they support extended families of up to 20 people.

With this in mind the operation of Ibo Island Lodge will positively affect as much as 50% of the entire islands population. Throughout its construction and development phases the lodge has provided training, mentorship and employment to 130 contracted staff members sourced from within the communities. English Literacy and Tourism Ambassador Training: Tourism is the primary economic engine for conservation in northern Mozambique and is a relatively new industry. Therefore skills needed to be developed within the local communities. The lodge is committed to tourism education and training with real employment opportunities available at Ibo Island Lodge. A long-term programme teaching the English language to the communities on Ibo is well established with an English teacher working out of the conservation centre. Within this project a programme of environmental education is also underway and aims to establish links between natural resources and the islands economic future. Further aims also are to build future lodge staff and other community members (including the local administration) English-speaking ability to enable them to benefit from the growing tourism industry on the island.

Silversmiths Project: One of the key approaches of Ibo Island Lodge has been that of supporting initiatives on Ibo that will serve to create income and livelihoods for other members of the communities not directly employed in the lodge. The intricate, beautiful silver jewellery on Ibo is fast becoming sought after. Silversmiths already make this ancient hand crafted jewellery on the island and this forms a key part of the tourism experience on Ibo. This project aims to stimulate a fairer and more equitable distribution of the benefits, and to provide high quality raw materials so that the quality of the jewellery and therefore its value can increase. To set up a distribution network to provide a far greater return for the crafters and to ensure that the craft is taught to younger members of the Ibo community ensuring it continues.

Agricultural Project: Through the start of agriculture on Ibo Island, the reliance of fishing in terms of providing the necessary nutritional needs for the community can be reduced. This project also intends to focus on women who will be trained and employed to provide coffee, vegetables and fruits for Ibo Island lodge and in later stages for other lodges in the greater region. The core staff will also provide training to the greater community, who will then be able to develop a model that can be applied to other agricultural areas on the island.

Origin Labelled Products: A number of alternative enterprise projects aimed at providing employment opportunities and business advice to the community members on the island have been initiated and include: To establish viable and ecologically sustainable coffee, and honey/wax product enterprises on Ibo Island, creating premium Ibo Island brands to increase the value and export potential of products produced. With all of the above mentioned projects the intention is to include and train the community in all aspects of the process, from initial production through to packaging and marketing, and to ensure community ownership of the projects. Further projects planned include turtle monitoring programmes, including the establishment of community based monitoring (to maintain the turtle population), and the establishing of a network of guides providing turtle and hatching viewing opportunities to guests to the island. An additional on-going project is also to record from oral and other sources the fascinating history of Ibo Island itself, which will contribute to Ibo’s diverse offerings to guests.

Contact Details

Name:
Ibo Island Lodge, Quirimbas Archipelago
Address:
Suite C6,
Westlake Square,
7966 Cape Town,
South Africa
Telephone:
+27 21 702 0285
Fax: +27 21 702 0692
Website:
www.iboisland.com
E-mail:
Click Here