Is Glamping Environmentally Friendly? Eco Impact & Tips for Responsible Glamping
Imagine waking up in a plush bed, crisp white linen brushing your skin, all cocooned inside a tent that smells faintly of canvas and wildflowers. There's birdsong outside, and not a whiff of city air. But, as you sip locally roasted coffee with your view of dew on the grass, one pesky question won't quit: is glamping actually any better for the environment than the regular hotels you left behind? The idea of eco-conscious travel is everywhere, but with glamping’s explosion in popularity—from the forests of Knysna to the plains of Montana—the truth is far messier than a few Instagram posts with #ecoluxury. Let’s get straight to it.
Glamping vs. Traditional Camping and Hotels: How Green Is It?
Here's the thing: the word “glamping” is a blend of “glamorous” and “camping,” but it often sits on a spectrum somewhere between a basic tent and a boutique hotel. Some sites run completely off solar power, use composting toilets, and blend into the wild with barely a footprint. Others, well, they might have drive-in hot tubs, daily linen service, and generators humming in the background—a far cry from unplugged minimalism.
To get a feel for glamping’s environmental record, you have to compare it with both hotels and old-school camping. Let’s look at a few points side by side—in terms of physical footprint, water usage, electricity demand, and waste production:
| Accommodation Type | Average Land Use (m²/guest) | Avg. Water Used (litres/night/guest) | Electricity Used (kWh/night/guest) | Waste Produced (kg/night/guest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Hotel | 15-20 | 150-300 | 15-25 | 2-3 |
| Standard Camping | 10-12 | 20-50 | 1-2 | 0.5-1 |
| Glamping (Eco) | 12-14 | 40-90 | 3-7 | 1-2 |
| Glamping (Luxury, Offgrid) | 14-18 | 90-180 | 6-12 | 2-2.5 |
There’s a clear pattern: basic glamping options do use fewer resources than hotels, but nowhere near as little as wild camping. The perks—such as plumbed bathrooms, full kitchens, and constant hot water—tend to ramp up water and power use. Waste, too, is higher when you add single-use spa amenities, all those artisanal food wrappers, and piles of used towels. But, the best glamping sites work hard to keep things green, often more so than the average guesthouse or hotel around Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.
For example, some glampgrounds in South Africa, like those in the Cederberg or Garden Route, go fully solar, use rainwater harvesting, and compost nearly everything. Other places, especially those built for mass market appeal, might import building materials by truck and rely on diesel generators for charm-killing late night Netflix. The lesson? Don’t believe that glamping = eco by default.
What Makes Glamping Truly Eco Friendly?
It comes down to choices, not just in location but in daily operations, promises to guests, and long-term planning. A glampsite isn’t green just because it looks rustic. Let’s break down what to look for if you want your break from city life to tread lightly on the planet:
- Energy: The best eco glampsites use renewable energy. Solar panels and tiny wind turbines power lights, fridges, and devices. If someone’s running a diesel generator, that’s a red flag.
- Water: Eco glamping means rainwater tanks for showers, composting loos instead of flush toilets, and low-flow fixtures. Greywater recycling is a sign the owners care about local rivers or underground aquifers. Did you know a luxury tent with a flush loo can use 3x the water of a drop toilet?
- Waste: Look for places that actually sort and recycle plastics, glass, and compost food waste. If you see single-use plastics or no bins at all, you know there’s room to improve.
- Materials: Tents made from canvas or repurposed materials and wooden decks from FSC-certified timber have a much smaller carbon footprint than prefab chalets driven in on trucks. Local sourcing trumps imported luxury every time.
- Wildlife Impact: The most responsible sites avoid clearing big swathes of bush or forest, and leave native plants untouched. Some glampgrounds even design their decks and trails to help small critters move freely. Ask if they contribute to conservation, too—like bird monitoring or alien plant removal.
- Community: Do local people work there? Are they paid fairly? Are crafts and food sourced from nearby? If you’re sleeping in sustainability but the profits vanish overseas, it’s not truly green.
Maybe the biggest sign of all is transparency. Responsible glamping hosts gladly share their energy stats, water-saving hacks, and refurb plans. If it’s all glamour and no info, dig deeper.
Quick tip: Before booking, email your top glamping picks and ask a few pointed questions—do they compost? Harvest rain? How do they recycle? You’ll get a feel for how much is marketing and how much is real action. Even better, read real guest reviews and see what people say about actual practice. Sustainability is about what happens when nobody’s watching.
Tips for Guests: How to Make Your Glamping Trip Greener
Even the most eco-conscious glampsite relies on how guests behave while visiting. Most of us want to do better, but it’s easy to slip into holiday mode and forget our usual habits. Here’s how you can make your glamping adventure softer on nature, no matter where you pitch up:
- Pack your own reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bags. Leave no plastic trails behind.
- Switch off lights and fans when not in use (yes, also if it’s solar). Even renewables need careful use.
- If your tent has a shower, go short and savor the sound of rain, not gallons down the drain.
- Bring natural, biodegradable soap and shampoo—the kind that won’t mess with river life if it escapes the septic tank.
- Skip daily linen changes. Used towels and bedding are perfectly fine for a few days.
- Plan meals you can cook in one pot, and buy local ingredients. Farmers’ markets are your new best friend.
- Take all litter home or use site bins properly. Separate what you can—in South Africa, many rural sites now have recycling points.
- Stay on marked paths and keep noise to a minimum, especially in nature reserves. Wild creatures need their space and quiet, too.
- Ask about the site’s conservation work. Consider donating a bit extra if they run projects for rewilding or education.
- Share your experience with friends or online, highlighting any real green initiatives—not just the fancy decor!
Did you know? According to a 2023 SATOA industry survey, the number of travellers looking specifically for eco-friendly glamping in Southern Africa soared by 35% in just two years. But those same travellers rated “greenwashing” as their top annoyance. Cut through the jargon and look for sustainable travel that lives up to its claims.
And for the record: glamping isn’t about perfection or making you feel guilty for craving a hot bath under the stars. It’s about making choices that fit your lifestyle and the environments you care about. As glamping evolves, especially here in the wild corners of the Western Cape, both hosts and guests have loads of power to make sure that blend of glamour and camping does right by the planet. Next time you choose a tent, yurt or cabin, just know the details matter—a lot more than the hashtag.