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Exploring Nature Responsibly, One Cabin at a Time
In the vast expanse of Southern Africa’s pristine landscapes, there lies a hidden gem: Stay Unique – Eco Cabins. Born from the shared passion of three travel enthusiasts, Stay Unique is not just a hospitality venture; it’s a movement towards sustainable tourism that leaves a positive footprint on the environment and local communities.
A Vision for Change
Stay Unique’s journey began with a simple yet powerful vision: to redefine hospitality by offering unforgettable experiences in untouched natural settings. The company’s innovative business model revolves around partnering with private landowners to unlock access to exclusive locations, creating new revenue streams for partners while providing guests with unparalleled getaways.
Design with Purpose
At the heart of Stay Unique’s ethos lies “considered design” – an approach that blends luxury with sustainability. Each eco cabin is meticulously crafted to harmonize with its surroundings, minimizing environmental impact. Built off-site and transported to their designated locations, these movable units leave no permanent debris, ensuring that the land retains its pristine beauty. Whether nestled in lush forests or perched atop rugged cliffs, Stay Unique cabins offer a sanctuary where guests can immerse themselves in nature without leaving a trace.
Sustainability in Action
Stay Unique’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond design. The company implements a range of eco-friendly practices to lower its carbon footprint, including energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and a soakaway septic system that returns waste to the earth. Moreover, all cleaning supplies and guest amenities are carefully selected to minimize environmental impact, ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience aligns with the company’s philosophy.
Empowering Communities
Beyond environmental stewardship, Stay Unique is dedicated to uplifting local communities. Through its partnership model, the company creates additional revenue streams for farmers and landowners, allowing them to profit from non-arable land and diversify their income. This collaborative approach not only benefits landowners but also stimulates eco and agri-tourism, generating income for local businesses and communities.
Looking Towards the Future
As Stay Unique continues to grow, its vision for sustainable tourism remains steadfast. The company is exploring new avenues to expand its offerings, including trails, camps, retreats, and luxury eco-lodges, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility.
In a country where private farms cover a staggering 79% of the total land area and over 40 thousand farms dot the landscape, much of South Africa’s beauty remains inaccessible to the public (source: Statista; RESEP). Stay Unique – Eco Cabins aims to change this narrative by providing locals and tourists alike with access to these hidden treasures right on their doorstep.
The company is currently in the planning phase of a groundbreaking initiative: the construction of an eco-trail spanning over 100km from the Western to the Eastern Cape provinces. This ambitious project not only promises to offer visitors an unparalleled journey through South Africa’s diverse landscapes but also serves as a significant opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and raise awareness of environmental initiatives. If approved, Stay Unique’s goal is to allocate up to 25% of the projected revenue from the trail to support conservation endeavors, protecting local wildlife and endangered species. Furthermore, the initiative will incentivize private landowners to participate by classifying their land as part of the nature corridor project, removing fences to allow free animal migration. These landowners, similar to Stay Unique’s cabin partners, will receive a percentage of the project’s revenue based on their involvement.
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But this is just the beginning. Stay Unique – Eco Cabins has a myriad of projects on the horizon, all socially geared and aimed at giving back to the environment and the communities from which they benefit. As the company continues to grow, its commitment to sustainability and community upliftment remains unwavering, setting a precedent for responsible tourism in Southern Africa and beyond.