With awe-inspiring landscapes, golden beaches, and breathtaking views, Cape Town has always been a must-visit paradise for thrill-seekers, culinary travellers and nature enthusiasts alike.
But did you know the Mother City is one of the greenest cities in Africa, prioritising nature, outdoor activities, and an active lifestyle?
The hotel and tourism industry has also embraced eco-friendly practices, offering stunning sustainable stays for eco-conscious travellers.
Escape to sustainable bliss, with our list of 8 unforgettable experiences both you and mother nature will love.
Hotel Verde Cape Town International Airport
A mere 3 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde is a multi-award-winning establishment, with eco-consciousness at its core. Retaining the title of Africa’s Greenest Hotel. It was the first hotel on the continent to offer 100% offset carbon-neutral accommodation and conferencing on the continent. Visitors can relax and enjoy stylish guestrooms surrounded by a natural green setting.
What makes Hotel Verde sustainable:
- Eco pool
- Indoor Gym equipment generates energy
- Living walls
- Energy efficiency fittings
- Environmental awareness campaigns
- Carbon offsetting
- Water efficiency systems
- Renewable energy processes
- Geothermal Ground loop
- Sustainable procedures for operations
- Recycling and effective waste management
Visit: https://hotelverde.com/
The Tree House Boutique Hotel
Nestled among lush foliage in Sea Point, overlooking the Atlantic Seaboard, The Treehouse Boutique Hotel is a peaceful haven boasting breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Drawing inspiration from nature’s rich enchantment, the hotel’s remarkable design offers guests an extraordinary escape into a wonderful world of relaxation and rejuvenation.
What makes The Tree House Boutique Hotel sustainable:
- Part of the Travel Sustainability Program.
- Renewable energy sources
- Waste management
Visit: https://www.thelivingjourneycollection.co.za/the-tree-house-boutique-hotel/
Vida Nova Retreat
An elegant sanctuary, majestically seated in the shadows of towering Hout Bay Mountains, discover the eco-luxury oasis of Vida Nova Retreat. Found on the southern slopes of Table Mountain, this secluded green getaway is a meticulously cared-for gem ready to pamper and please all sustainable wanders.
What makes Vida Nova Retreat sustainable
- Travel Sustainable Programme
- Reduced food waste
- Water-efficient measures
- LED lightbulbs throughout the property
- Locally sourced and organic meals
Visit: https://www.vidanovaretreat.com/
The Vineyard
Regally resting on the banks of the Liesbeek River, in the leafy suburb of Newlands, The Vineyard offers a picturesque perspective over the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Merging contemporary luxury, delicious cuisine and outstanding service, this hotel has also proudly evolved into one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in the city.
What makes Vineyard Hotel sustainable:
- FTT Certificate (Fair Trade Tourism)
- Part of Event Greening Forum and Friends of the Liesbeek
- Uses sustainable and ethically produced goods
- Reduced waste initiatives
- Water and energy-saving measures
Website: https://www.vineyard.co.za/
Camissa Farm
About 50km just outside Cape Town, tucked away in the rolling hills of the Banhoek Valley in Stellenbosch, Camissa meaning “place of sweet water”, is a sought-after paradise for all ethical explorers. Featuring a selection of Scandi-style lodgings with 360-degree views of the farmlands and mountains, this remote retreat will definitely have you lingering longer.
What makes Camissa Farm sustainable:
- Completely off grid
- Solar power
- Harvesting rainwater
- Composting organic waste
- Using natural pest control methods
- Planting trees to help offset carbon emissions
- Member of the Sustainable Winegrowing South Africa (SWSA)
Visit: https://www.camissafarm.com/
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Located 2 hours from the CBD of Cape Town, close to the Southern tip of Africa, Grootbos is set within hectares upon hectares of indigenous fynbos and ancient milkwood forests. Perfectly blending luxury eco-accommodation with sustainable tourism, Grootbos offers earth-friendly voyagers spacious rooms, cosy fireplaces, and private decks with mesmerising views of mountains, sea and forests.
What makes Grootbos Nature Reserve sustainable:
- Bans single-use plastics
- Emphasises rainwater collection
- Utilises solar power
- Recycles
- Support organic, locally grown food
- Involved in community upliftment and conservation programmes
Visit: https://www.grootbos.com/en
4 Cyphia Close Cabins
Indulge in the epitome of relaxation and elegance at 4 Cyphia Close Cabins. Located in the quaint fishing suburb of Hout Bay, this sanctuary offers an unrivalled blend of natural beauty and refined comfort. This jaw-dropping property has three distinct wooden cabins, perched effortlessly along the mountainside. The accommodation is meticulously furnished, while an indigenous garden, a natural rock eco pool, and an inviting firepit complete your sustainable stay.
What makes 4 Cyphia Close Cabins sustainable:
- Kitchen garden
- Composting section
- Rainwater harvesting
- Eco pool
- Water management system
- Hosts reforestation fundraisers
Visit: https://4cyphiaclosecabins.co.za/
Stonewood Mountain Cabin
About 120km outside Cape Town, hidden away in the 660-hectare Mount Bain Private Nature Reserve, is the secluded Stonewood Mountain Cabin. Escape to this rustic retreat resting on mountain slopes overlooking farmland, fynbos and rivers. Natural minimalist touches throughout the cabin blend in perfectly with the outside world, while floor-to-ceiling windows forbode you from escaping its vistas.
What makes Stonewood Mountain Cabin sustainable:
- Off-grid
- Solar energy
- Water pumped from the nearby river
- Eco-friendly soakaway septic tank
