On Saturday 24th March, Kapama Private Game joined the rest of world and made a concerted effort to not only power down and switch off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour 2018 – between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm – but also to do something a little bit extra.

Across our 4 camps, Kapama implemented numerous activities to create excitement and awareness around this vital initiative geared around saving our planet, due to the effects of climate change.

Kapama Karula, our flagship ultra luxurious Lodge & Spa, started Earth day off with a lovely rainstorm as if Mother Nature was reminding us of our precious scarce resources in her own special way. The sky cleared up around breakfast time and our guests set out on their morning drive.

This gave the Karula staff the perfect opportunity to place an Earth Hour note in each room telling guests bit more about Earth Hour, together with a small globe gift.

All guests were invited to join the team in the afternoon before the sunset game drive for an environmental surprise. Not only did we want to reduce our electricity consumption during Earth Hour, but we also wanted to leave our ecological footprint and planted two wild plum trees with our guests. What a fantastic way to mark this great day.

A Native American quote states: “We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children”. As part of the Earth Day activities, all the young children staying as guests at Kapama Karula made 10 promises to earth on how they will help save our planet, counting each one off on a paper hand. We can learn so much from our children and some of the promises were truly touching and inspirational.

The evening was finished off with a wonderful and tasty candlelight Boma Dinner.

At 8:30 pm, under a starlit night, in the middle of the South African bushveld, Buffalo Camp began Earth Hour with a wonderful floating candle board.

Our Buffalo Camp, made some wonderful Earth themed table decorations and Earth inspired desserts to help celebrate the cause.

The rest of the dinner all the guests at camp joined together for a memorable evening of feasting on delicious bush cuisine. This was accompanied by sharing their fantastic evenings game viewing stories intertwined with inspiring discussions around our wonderful planet and how privileged we are to be able to bear witness to its beauty and glory.

By joining in with the rest of the world, South Africa saved 410MW of electricity, which is enough power to supply Port Elizabeth for 1 hour.

Earth Hour began in 2007 when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated in this event by turning off all lights. Since then this annual event was adopted worldwide and now 7001 cities in 161 countries are participating in this huge event. Earth Hour is a global call for the protection of the planet and for people to take a stand against climate change