Cape Verde’s first eco hotel! Fair to our world, fair to our environment and fair to our guests.
It all starts with a helping hand
When we started the idea of Mamiwata Eco Village, it was clear that the hotel shall be as sustainable and self-sufficient as possible. So, we gave nature a helping hand. We terraced a rocky, arid and dry mountain – what was the base to create agriculture on it. Now Mamiwata Eco Village is surrounded by our own gardens and vineyards where our gardeners care for the soil and plants.
Friends with
Mami Earth
Our buildings are made from local stone, planned by local architects, and built by local workers. On the roofs and terraces we grow local plants. Solar energy is powering the hotel and water is recycled. We did not install air condition, but use the steady fresh ocean breeze, fans, and construction style to cool the rooms.
Local products
Mamiwata tries to live in harmony with the communities of Santo Antão and thus the hotel acquires additional food and supplies directly from the island or from other Cape Verdean islands. Meat, vegetables, grogue and mineral water for example come from Santo Antão.
Reliable and fair
Mamiwata Eco Village is based on the principles of fairness and respect to the environment. This includes the way we are dealing with our employees and our guest. A small visible sign: whenever you stay with us, we’ll remind you of the construction workers of our hotel. Each room and villa is named after one: João, Manecas, Romário and many more of them.
Independent of energy and water
We have integrated a large photovoltaic array that normally produces enough energy for everything we need. Clean energy – that was very important for all of us. The water we need comes from our own well and is pumped with clean energy to where we need it. We clean in our own desalination plant. We also use some of the service water, filtered to irrigate our gardens. Air cooling comes from fans, or even better by opeing the window. We are aware of our responsibility and want to be a role model.
Before and after
This is Mamiwata Eco Village’s area looked during the process of terracing, at the beginning of construction works. And how it looks now.
Find out more about Mamiwata’s story and sustainability efforts here.
When it comes to sustainability at Mamiwata Ecovillage, we are serious. And we strive to do something, seriously. Yet we don’t interfere in your holidays, your plans or your comfort. Take a look at the incomplete list of our efforts here.
What we do at Mamiwata Ecovillage
01) Fair wages and social security for all employees at Mamiwata.
02) Local Cape-Verdean management.
03) Numerous training courses and workshops for our employees.
04) Training provided to former illiterates.
05) Street lighting built by us for the neighboring village and the road to it.
06) Close cooperation with local fishermen, butchers and farmers.
07) Locally manufactured furniture made from certified plantation wood.
08) Lamps and other furniture elements made locally from old oil barrels.
09) Fans and fly screens, but no air conditioning in the rooms.
10) Shower heads saving up up to 50% water, without any noticeable loss of comfort.
11) Own soap, ecologically degradable and locally produced in Santo Antão.
12) Doors and gates made from recycled metal.
13) Greywater for watering the gardens.
14) Own organic agriculture.
15) Own solar energy field, providing electricity for Mamiwata.
16) Terraced ground with irrigation, creating a green environment for people, plants and insects.
17) Free drinking water for guests and employees.
18) Drinking water currently supplied from reusable water gallons.
19) Own well and filter system for drinking water currently being completed.
20) Organic tea menu in the bar.
21) No plastic bottles sold at Mamiwata, not in the restaurant, nor over the counter.
22) Food from local sources, fresh and specified by the seasons.
23) Eggs from local agriculture. Fish from local fishermen.
24) No imported meat used. Vegetarian dishes available.
