Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa has launched a new loyalty programme in support of each of its three community projects, which affords repeat guests the opportunity to give back in a meaningful and responsible way – while on a personal basis, enjoying a range of benefits and discounts.
Infrastructure for Mhondoro’s community projects is solely funded by the owners’ MF Foundation to provide employment, skills development and learning opportunities to staff members from the local communities and their children. These initiatives play an important role in job creation in the area; the sourcing of manpower from the immediate community; and upskilling workers to levels where they are employable, not only by Mhondoro but by other lodges and businesses, too.
Ultimately, those with entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged and empowered to start their own businesses, or work in partnership with Mhondoro.
Located in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg (Limpopo province), Mhondoro recently purchased two large tracts of land adjacent to the reserve, where it has established an Eco-farm, and the soon-to-be-launched sustainable Farmhouse project.
Back at the lodge, the Mhondoro Wilderness School operates from an old storeroom that was transformed to provide world-class schooling to a growing number of children from the local workforce.
Membership to the Mhondoro Loyalty Programme is offered in three tiers. In each case, members make a donation toward the community projects at a set fee and purchase accommodation credits to be exchanged for room nights. Discounts are offered at a rate of 15% for Silver, 20% for Gold, and 25% for Platinum membership. The discount applies to accommodation, spa treatments, premium wines, as well as curio shop purchases. Credits bought are valid for a year – and, once spent, members qualify for the additional benefit of free lodge nights at a rate of 2 nights per Silver member; 4 nights per Gold member; and 6 nights per Platinum member per year.
The CEO of Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa, Fritz Breytenbach, shares his excitement about the project. “Our loyalty programme is designed to not only provide obvious financial benefits to our individual members, but holistically it creates the opportunity for repeat guests to contribute and become part of the greater good.
“The reserve is surrounded by several impoverished communities who will benefit directly from funds raised through our loyalty programme. A portion of the membership fee will go directly toward developing and running these community projects in a responsible and accountable way, aimed at creating more employment, upskilling talent and educating children. These projects are real and tangible, and we are proud of the fact that our guests have the option for site visits to these during their stay at Mhondoro, where they can witness for themselves the magic created by paying forward.
“In the words of Winston Churchill: ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’”