Blackwaters River Lodge Rewrites Adventure Tourism with Sustainable Vision

For Elmay Bouwer, receiving the first ever SATSA Adventure Tourism 101 Certificate was the hard-earned culmination of a long journey - one that began in the ashes of the devastating 2017 Knysna fires that ravaged her Blackwaters River Lodge.

Nestled between Knysna and Sedgefield, Blackwaters River Lodge was decimated in those fires. The whole area was burned to the ground with the exception of the indigenous trees. They miraculously survived the fire.

As Elmay rebuilt, she envisioned creating experiences that highlighted the area's natural wonders and heritage while uplifting locals. “I wanted people to truly immerse themselves in the indigenous forests, Experience the birdlife along the tidal Goukamma River, learn about the railway heritage and support small businesses. It's what makes this property so special, being surrounded by that resilient natural beauty,” she explains.

Key to making this a reality was SATSA's new Adventure Tourism 101 self-regulation guidelines. "Those guidelines were invaluable when starting the activities," Elmay explains. "Instead of guesswork, I had a solid framework covering everything from safety protocols to environmentally-responsible practices." She meticulously cross-checked her planned hiking trails, kayaking routes, and other offerings against SATSA's standards before launching.

The result is a series of meticulously crafted activities and experiences under the "Adventure and Family Nature" programme. Guests can embark on a 6km guided hiking trail winding through indigenous forests, former pine plantations and the historic railway line, identifying over 70 species of indigenous trees along the way. The real stars though are the magnificent Knysna Loeries - vibrantly coloured turacos that flock to the varied indigenous trees, providing incredible photographic opportunities.

For water lovers, guided kayak tours along the tidal Goukamma showcase its diverse birdlife, flora and fauna. Interesting to know is that Goukamma is the Khoisan word for ‘Dark Waters’ and refers to the rivers’ water being coloured by natural occurring tannins in the soil. The kayak trail ends at the Goukamma River Mouth in the Goukamma Marine Protected Area and Nature Reserve, where delectable South African picnic baskets await.

Sustainability is at the core, with the lodge fully off-grid using solar power and processing its own waste water. "We're part of the Goukamma Marine Protected Area and Nature Reserve, so treating this environment with utmost care is paramount," says Elmay. This commitment extends to empowering locals as guides and hosting community craft workshops by local national accredited guides. In an effort to enhance job creation in the area, Elmay approached locals interested in doing an NSRI life-saving course. She sponsored the course and ensured that the life guards now had year-round employment at the lodge.

Ensuring safety was another key learning. "On one of our first canoe tours, the group was dropping in all directions before we'd even started!" Elmay chuckles. Now they have guests practice paddling on land first to get the hang of it, and added more rest stops en route.

From burnt ruins to a pioneering, eco-friendly adventure hub, Blackwaters River Lodge is leading the way for sustainable tourism under Elmay's vision and SATSA's guidance. The coveted 101 Certificate is a hard-earned "stamp of approval" from the industry.