It's not easy being green...

1/1/2009

Life on Earth is based on carbon - it is a key element of all living matter and is released and re-absorbed in a continual process known as the "carbon cycle." Given the concerns that man-made carbon emissions may be overwhelming natural carbon cycles and contributing to "global warming", some forward-thinking safari camps have responded by striving to reduce their carbon "footprint". They are doing so through greater efficiencies, constant measurement, and the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar, that are renewable and environmentally friendly.

Safari camps located in remote wilderness areas generally produce energy by burning diesel fuel in generator systems during set periods every day. In order to limit the amount of diesel burned (and thus carbon emitted) many camps utilize inverter systems that power battery banks and minimize the number of hours required to run the generators. Not only does this reduce diesel consumption, but it also reduces the ambient noise associated with these machines.

Savuti Camp - Linyanti Reserve, Botswana, has recently taken steps to further reduce their carbon footprint by employing solar water heaters throughout the camp. The new technology consists of evacuated tube solar geysers which are highly effective - even after two consecutive days of cloud and very little direct sunshine, staff reported that "the water was still so hot one could have made tea from it!" By installing these geysers Savuti has already taken 15kva off the power draw from the generator and expects that their diesel consumption will be reduced by a further 40%. Ongava Game Lodge in the Etosha region of Namibia is also saving an average of 2,000 kwh every month by investing in solar water heating for guest rooms.

Zarafa Camp (formerly Zibadianja Camp) - Selinda Reserve, Botswana, has gone even further and is now using a 136-panel solar farm to provide power; the diesel generator has become a "museum piece" that will be retained only for emergencies. This solar farm, via a system of batteries and inverters, generates 220v electricity that covers the camp's requirements 24 hours a day. The output provides adequate energy for all guest and staff requirements, including power-hungry machinery and equipment such as ice machines, cold storage rooms, and sewerage systems.

These flagship projects will hopefully pave the way for future energy production in remote, eco-friendly safari camps and help us to mitigate our carbon footprint in some of our world's most sensitive areas.

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