Travelling in South Africa - Kwazulu Natal

A rare tranquillity insulates South Africa's Lake Sibaya, part of the Greater St. Lucia World Heritage Site. Yet despite its beauty, few investors were interested when the government invited proposals for community tourism in the area.

Land once owned by the Zulu king in KwaZulu Natal had been transferred to general communal ownership, so actual land ownership in terms of title deeds was not possible. Most investors were wary of risking money in such a situation, but Wyatt Ferreira, anticipating the optimism of the new South Africa, detected an opportunity for change and founded Sibaya Lake Lodge.

Transforming his idea into reality took telescopic vision: work began in 1993, but the lodge only opened in 1999. Set on South Africa's largest freshwater lake, twelve en suite chalets, complete with private decks and outdoor showers, gaze across 70km2 of reflective blue. From a central deck outside the bar, lounge and dining area, a pathway leads to a rock pool with sun-loungers beneath large umbrellas. It's a beautiful lodge, but at first glance it's hard to tell why it took quite so long to complete.

Dig deeper and the reason becomes clear: Sibaya started from scratch, right down to teaching staff to read. After an environmental impact assessment, the lodge was built according to strict criteria using renewable local materials. Measures such as solar lighting and the careful sorting, incinerating and recycling of waste ensure minimal impact on the surrounding wetlands. Meanwhile, donor-funded adult education programmes taught the Zulu population of this remote area literacy, numeracy and 'life skills', before a year's departmental job training took place.