Make a reservation – Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness reserve´s first completed lodge welcomes shareholders
The Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness reserve in Botswana is reaching a pinnacle in its development. The first of six lodges, River Camp, has been completed and will welcome its visitors, a select group of shareholders, in early March 2009.
Combining the concept of outdoor living with a rustic industrial design, River Camp creates a unique environment with stunning views of the Limpopo River. Comprising a selection of 2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished units set around a central facility which includes a kitchen, boma (communal area), dining room and swimming pool River Camp will offer guests the option of privacy or community living. The units will be serviced daily and guests can self cater or make use of one of the reserve´s chefs.
In keeping with the ethos of sustainability at Limpopo-Lipadi the building materials used have been carefully considered. A blend of natural canvas, copper and rusted metals combine to create a camp which is suited to its surroundings. Internally, the markings of the Woodland Kingfisher (blue and black) have been incorporated into the colour scheme of browns, greys and natural creams and the modern approach to the interior has been softened with key pieces of African art created by local craftsmen.
Founded nearly 5 years ago the reserve is the vision of a group passionate about the African bush, ecology and true sustainability. “We are very excited about what this year will mean for the reserve” says Alan Marneweck, founder, director and shareholder of Limpopo-Lipadi. “We have worked very hard to make the reserve a welcoming place for shareholders and their guests and we look forward to the feedback that we get from them as the first lodge is occupied this March.”
And this is what makes the reserve so unique. Individuals from all over the world own these 32,450 hectares of land found in the malaria free Tuli block of eastern Botswana. Entry level investment in this project is $195,000 and all that is required alongside the finance is a real passion about Africa, its people, its animals and making a sustainable reserve a reality.
It’s not just the shareholders who will be enjoying a new home however as alongside River Camp, as part of Limpopo-Lipadi´s corporate social responsibility programme, a new staff village has been constructed on the reserve providing high quality accommodation for the employees, most of whom are from the local communities. The staff village has been constructed using the eco friendly sandbag technique which limits the use of carbon emitting building products and subsequently reduces the reserve´s carbon footprint, a key sustainability factor. Limpopo-Lipadi employees are now enjoying structures that are cool in summer yet warm in the winter unlike the typical corrugated tin dwellings in the surrounding villages as well as new, transferable skills such as the sandbag construction technique.
Marneweck continues: “There are plans in the future for an expansion of the land known as the Limpopo-Lipadi Game & Wilderness reserve, construction of a boutique commercial lodge and more schemes to introduce endangered species but right now we are celebrating this significant stage in the reserve´s story.”
And the story of the people of Botswana is not as far from the UK as one might think as Alexander McCall Smith, the prolific Scottish author of the No.1 Detective Agency is about to release his ninth book of the series, “Tea Time for the Traditionally Built” in April 2009. The first book which has been adapted into a TV film and was aired on UK screens in March 2008 brought the African bush and its people right into the nation´s homes. Due to the success of the film, the BBC has recorded a second series which is due to air in winter 2009.
As Limpopo-Lipadi embarks upon a new chapter, for its local and international employees and shareholders the greatest hope is that this will be the first in a long series of exciting and significant steps for the reserve.
If you would like any further information on Limpopo-Lipadi please call 0871 244 5152 or visit www.limpopo-lipadi.com .