Eco-Lodge Vision

There are many definitions of eco-lodges and different approaches to creating eco-friendly lodges. There is also increasing debate on minimizing the environmental impact of rich travellers on poor countries; we believe for the debate to be meaningful, practical action must be taken on the ground to minimize the environmental impact and it is essential to constantly experiment on how best to achieve this in practice. A villager near our lodges probably has only easy access to about 20 litres within 1 kilometre per day, in the UK and US average daily consumption is 150 and 600 litres respectively. Volcanoes' approach to the provision of power, use of water and disposal of waste is designed to be simple, practical and effective and appropriate to the context in which we work. In designing our eco-lodges, therefore, we ensure that water consumption is reduced and waste disposal controlled; and solar power is used instead of generators.

Low Flush Toilet

Volcanoes Virunga Lodge has undergone a major refurbishment, including the installation of low flush toilets in every banda. These toilets are designed to use considerably less water than a regular flushing toilet, meaning water consumption and wastage is reduced. All the water used to flush these toilets comes from rain water which is collected in our own rain water collection systems and stored in new storage tanks. Currently Virunga Lodge is the only one of Volcanoes Lodges to have the low flushing toilet system, however we expect to extend the programme to our other lodges in the near future, starting with Bwindi Lodge in 2011.

Eco-san Dry Toilets

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Mount Gahinga Lodge are currently fitted with Eco-San dry composting toilets. These are hygienic and safe but do not require water. The toilets work on the principle that the solid and liquid waste is separated and by using wood ash, as well as energy from panels heated by the sun, the waste is reduced to dry powder. Once this waste is dry it can be put back into the soil. These toilets contribute significantly to the conservation of water - this design of toilet saves about 50 litres for the 10 flushes that an average client might use -which is important, as many local people do not have adequate access to clean water. Clients who have seen nothing but flush toilets, not surprisingly, find these toilets unusual but once the principle has been explained to them, the vast majority of clients are very supportive.

Bush Showers

These are installed in order to minimize water wastage. The showers and washbasins are filled with water heated using solar power, and it consumes about 20 litres, instead of 30 litres used by a regular running water shower. Please take into consideration that the water for your shower has to be brought to the banda so please inform them well in advance.

Lighting

This is generated by solar panels. All the public areas, individual bandas and bathrooms have lighting provided by solar panels which is usually adequate as long as lights are not left on when clients are not in the rooms! We request clients to use the lighting carefully and always switch off lights when they leave a room. This is especially important when it is cloudy or when it is raining. Lanterns and candles are also provided. We are continually striving to refine the levels of comfort in our eco-lodges, whilst maintaining our commitment to eco-principles.