In April 2011 the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) allocated R1 500 000 to Wildlands to build an 8 bed rustic camp in the Tembe Tribal area. Known as, Bhekula Lodge, it is situated in the sand forests adjacent to Tembe Elephant Park. The project got underway in October 2011 and is starting to take shape. Despite the soaring summer temperatures, trenches have been dug and foundations have been laid.
Men and women living in the surrounding area have been employed by the Wildlands Conservation Trust to work on this exciting project in Northern Zululand, which will eventually be run by the same local community.
Bhekula consists of 4 sleeper units, a kitchen, lounge and a store-room. “Ecosystems” a local construction company, that specialises in bush camps and lodges in wilderness areas, have designed and are responsible for the building of the camp that will be hidden amongst the greenery of the sand forest. It promises to be a popular hide-out for people seeking accommodation in natural surroundings, plus those who might be visiting Ndumu, Tembe or the coastal reserves.
Wildlands are aiming to have the lodge up and running by June 2012. The lodge will be handed over in full to the Tembe community and will be run in conjunction with the Butterfly Dome and the soon to be proclaimed community game reserve.
The Tembe Butterfly Dome is a project developed by African Conservation Trust (ACT), with funding also received from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and is the best opportunity to have a close encounter with South African species of butterflies. This project is being implemented with the purpose of uplifting the local community of the area and promoting the conservation of butterfly habitat and biological diversity by improving butterfly tourism in the region.
Bhekula Lodge, the Tembe Butterfly Dome and the imminent proclamation of a community game reserve in this area, are all developments set to benefit the local community by supplying them with employment while improving tourism and infrastructure.
“The community have a renewed energy and excitement around this project. It is awesome to be part of something that is growing every day and benefiting the very community that has made it possible. We are very grateful to the Lotto Fund for backing this project. The lodge is truly amazing and the surroundings are aesthetically appealing – I hope to be one of the first guests to experience the Bhekula Lodge and all its beauty,” commented David Gilroy of Wildlands, Bhekula Lodge Project Manager.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)