| Phantom Forest Eco Reserve has again been
nominated for an eco award by the World Travel Awards. This year’s
nomination in the category ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’ follows
two previous nominations and an award: in 2007 Phantom Forest won
‘Africa’s Leading Ecotourism Destination’, and in 2008 the lodge was
nominated in the category ‘World’s Leading Green Resort’. |
| This privately-owned five star lodge nestling in
137 hectares of nature reserve on the Knysna River with stunning
views over the tranquil landscape offers a unique biodiversity of
Afromontane forest, Cape coastal fynbos and estuarine wetland. There
are over 165 bird species, bush pig, bushbuck, grysbok, the rare
blue duiker and a variety of smaller game. |
| Owner Kit Stewart says that the lodge first
captured the attention of the eco-conscious traveller in 2001 when
it was awarded Best Eco Experience of the Year by the Western Cape
Premiers Award for Tourism. |
| Says Stewart: “When we built the lodge, we wanted
to ensure that we ‘touched the earth lightly’, with as little
disturbance as possible to the forest and the natural environment,
through employing sustainable methods of construction. These
included utilising alien vegetation, removed in our eco-restoration
programme, in floors, furniture, roofs and boardwalks. With our own
waste and water re-cycling, and many other eco friendly
installations, I believe a harmonious balance between luxury and
nature has been achieved and it is extremely gratifying that our
efforts have been recognised internationally with the prestigious
World Travel Awards.” |
|