PROFILE
Kogelberg Nature Reserve - Oudebosch cabins the use of composting toilets. Used in both the Kogelberg and Rocherpan Nature Reserves, these toilets have been heralded internally as a modern alternative that can greatly reduce water use. Composting toilets are completely hygienic and odour free. By not requiring a connection to municipal sewerage lines, the composting elements not only save water, but also help to protect precious wetlands from degradation. The waterless toilets are designed to reduce waste to a small quantity of harmless, dry compost-like material that is inoffensive thanks to a continuous air flow which is aided by an external chimney. It is also our responsibility as custodians of biodiversity in the Western Cape to ensure the next generation has the same experience of our natural heritage, and with just eight percent of South Africa’s land area providing 50 percent of its surface water, conservation of this precious resource has also been built into Rocherpan Nature Reserve’s guest cabins. By incorporating rainwater harvesting at our nature reserves, the captured rain water minimises the losses from piped systems, and as this is water is untreated, it carries a lower carbon footprint. Rain that falls onto the roof of the cabins is filtered through the rainrunners and sent to the
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THE TOURISM HANDBOOK
Rocherpan Nature Reserve rainwater storage tank. From the tank the water is pumped into the cabins at approximately 4 bar of pressure, and a self-regulated pump then delivers a steady supply of water on demand. As Rocherpan Nature Reserve is home to over 183 species of birds, careful planning was needed in the design to ensure minimal impact on the habitat of these winged visitors. The pan is essentially the heart of the reserve and since