If a camp is "permanent" then there is no reason for a long drop. However for mobile camps that are set-up for a couple of weeks, etc then long drop is still the most practical solution. The bio toilets would be great but have a few cons: 1) they are expensive (last I checked they were over $1200 each from the manufacturer). 2) they are not really designed to be "mobile" and transported in the back of a truck over terrible roads. In other words, they would break very quickly with such use. 3) They are quite bulky - at least the ones I saw - and some require some form of masonry work to install which would not work for mobile camps.

All in all a good idea.

bwanamich
mostly the semi-permanent camps are in one place for at least 6 month and then the move further to another place. of course a mobil camp which travel with the game and stays in one place only for a couple of days/weeks a longdrop is the toilet of choice!
and the costs shouldn't be a problem at all when a camp gains 1200US/night

costs shouldn't be a problem at all when a camp gains 1200US/night

yes they should invest in such systems. But it is not for all, unfortunately. Personally, long drops are NOT perfect but they are also not bad from an eco point of view.

Hmm, obviously there is a difference in definition of long-drop. I am talking about VERY long drops In other words, there is a deep hole in the ground (at least 2-3 meters) and the house (wooden plancs that allow air ventilation) is a fixed, permanent building. The seat is like a big wooden box of the hight of a normal toilet. The seat is then fixed directly on the box.

Hence, this system would only be relevant for fixed camps, not for mobile camps.

I could imagine the system also for semi-fixed camps. In this case they could take away the hut and close the whole with a large wood or metal planc until they return.

I will see if I can get some information on this system...

Carsten,
We have long drops in our mobile camps. You dig a hole 3 metres deep or more depending on duration of safari. Place bathroom end of tent over the hole - ground sheet is cut to allow this. Place the toilet "box" over the hole - the box is attached to a wooden floor to stabilise and prevent the box from accidentally falling into the long drop - and voila! when you leave, remove everything and refill the hole.

bwanamich
of course from eco point of view this is not questionable at all!
but be sides eco point there are some other considerations: not knowing what is crawling within that whole and having one's but just vulnarable to these creatures make just feeling absolutely strange

carsten,
asilia/oliver's camp had this but now switched to "environmentally friendly" chemical toilets - whatever that means

bwanamich,
"dig a whole of 3 meters deep or more DEPENDING on duration of safari": you should feed them less

by the way: how it is done this "quote" thing?????????