THE SALVINIA MOLESTA PROJECT

On the 12th November 2009 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (UNDP Goodwill Ambassador) visited Xakanaxa Camp to have a look at our very successful Salvinia molesta (Kariba weed) project. The project involves growing and releasing weevils Cyrtobagous salviniae, who feed on and destroy the Kariba weed. This alien plant from south-east Brazil, has taken over many of southern Africa’s waterways.

The plant's growth clogs waterways and blocks sunlight needed by other aquatic plants, especially algae to carry out photosynthesis thereby oxygenating the water. As it dies and decays, decomposers use up the oxygen in the water. It also prevents the natural exchange of gases between the air and the body of water the plant has invaded causing the waterway to stagnate. This can kill any plants, insects or fish trapped underneath its growth. Its ability to grow and cover a vast area makes it a threat to biodiversity. Baams, one of Xakanaxa Camp’s guides, has done such a fantastic job that the Prince, along with various television crews visited Xakanaxa Camp to have a look at it!

Facilitated by the BIOKAVANGO PROJECT, which is being funded by the UNDP and through collaboration between the Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Water Affairs and the University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre- this project has already seen a large decline of this invasive plant in the Okavango Delta.

You can gladly ask management to arrange a guided tour, should you have any interest in this project.

OUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

The wastewater treatment system used at Xakanaxa Camp is a very special one. As Wolfgang Burre is also a shareholder of North Island in the Seychelles and was in charge of construction of the private lodge there, he set up the “BIO BOX SYSTEM” on North Island and as well as at Xakanaxa Camp. The North Island project is trying to bring the island back to its uninhabited, natural state and Wolfgang has been committed to this development for many years now. Please ask management, should you like to see a brochure.

The basic technology generally used for the treatment of sewage is the activated sludge process. The activated sludge process is a natural process and nature offers us a unique solution to treat sewage.

•  The wastewater from the kitchen and toilet sewerage streams runs into the Anoxic zone, which is similar to a septic tank with a few differences (a grease trap is fitted at the kitchen to prevent oil and fat entering the system). As bacteria breaks the solid matter down, the grey water flows from the top of this first tank on to a second tank, while the solids or sludge remains behind at the bottom of the first tank.
•  The grey water enters the second tank, where the wastewater is treated again by organic bacteria. This cycle is repeated at Xakanaxa a few times through various additional tanks, to ensure that the water entering the last tank is as pure as possible. Oxygen in these tanks ensures the natural production and health of the bacteria, which purify the water.
•  The water then enters a settler tank, where any sludge sinks to the bottom and is pumped back into the first tank or Anoxic zone, to further help bring in bacteria for the cleansing process.
•  Lastly the now clean water is pumped into a chlorination tank, where a small amount of chlorine is added, to ensure that the water is as clean as drinking water.
•  From there Xakanaxa Camp uses this now very clean water in an irrigation system to water plants and trees in the camp. This ensures that only the purest water re-enters the ground water.
 

CAMP CLEANING MATERIALS

After extensive research, Xakanaxa Camp management have found ideal cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, biodegradable (which is perfect for our wastewater purification system) and effective.