Eden Lodge’s sustainability efforts

BY DR GODFREY MAKANDWA

Eden Lodge is situated in Vumba, 21 km from Mutare CBD. It is in the heart of thick forests and mountain valleys with a serene and tranquil feel to it. The pristine natural environments accommodate nature lovers- as a result, sustainability practices are a must as a means to safeguard the fragile tourism resources.

Eden Lodge prohibits the cutting down of trees, thereby maintaining a natural habitat that preserves the environment in its most attractive state- being natural. It also has an inland dam where aqua life is preserved by not allowing fishing and also protecting this natural water source in its pristine state.

The protection of natural forests and water sources ensures that animal and bird species not only thrive but are a part of the tourism experiences for every tourist visiting this unique part of the Eastern Highlands.

The protection of the natural environments has been complemented by the use of renewable energy sources like solar for lighting and solar geysers for water heating. In addition, Eden lodge promotes classification of waster- bottles, plastics, paper and organic waste and this helps to ensure correct disposal of waste. Recycling has been widely used to tackle pollution.

Eden Lodge leads community initiatives that include road maintenance, and signage erections. It has also prioritised employing staff from the surrounding areas so as to empower the community. Besides, the locals possess indigenous knowledge that is vital in safeguarding our natural environments and telling stories that make Vumba a living destination.

No wonder, the lodge engages locals with technical skills to provide supportive roles. The lodge has also opened its doors to students who want to learn by providing a hospitality laboratory where students appreciate the dictates of the tourism and hospitality industry through action.

Eden lodge has formulated partnerships with other lodges where clients are referred across for particular services. This also is in place for over-flow business where if one lodge is full, clients can be booked into another hotel/lodge thereby lifting revenue collection in the region.

The lodge has also diversified its product to include; accommodation, events venue, bar, restaurant and outdoor activities. This allows for cash inflow from more than one service which helps the lodge make revenue in a number of different ways.

New products have been introduced over the course of time like a deck at the dam, other lines of activities like zorbing as a way to reinvest into the business and move it into attaining a competitive advantage. Every season presents a unique opportunity tourism taste that awaits you. A viable enterprise helps to finance the sustainability initiatives.

Beyond these initiatives, Eden Lodge adopts a holistic approach in the implementation of sustainability practices. Tourists are invited to actively participate in this initiative aimed at safeguarding our environment. Active participation in sustainability issues is not optional, it is the new norm.