Eco Friendly Safaris Holiday, Destinations & Travel Guides
Eco Friendly Safaris Holidays, Destinations & Travel Guides. Have you ever contemplated the impact of your African safari or vacation on the local ecosystem you are visiting? Contemplate this: Africa boasts remarkable luxury lodges and unparalleled wildlife experiences; but, it remains the world’s poorest continent, with its populace and ecosystems facing numerous problems and challenges.
A new paradigm for African travel has emerged: eco-holidays in Africa. Operators, resorts, and wildlife authorities around the continent are actively advocating for responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly travel to Africa, aiming to maintain the natural environment while benefiting local populations.
Communities throughout Africa have been significantly enhanced by these initiatives: employment is created by training underprivileged individuals to serve as guides, support personnel, or chefs; essential life skills, including computer literacy and HIV awareness, are imparted; and in numerous instances, tribal groups, such as the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, are now authentically engaged in the stewardship of their ancestral lands designated for tourism.
Other responsible travel stakeholders endorse wildlife and conservation activities by financing animal rehabilitation facilities, raising awareness about endangered species, and advocating for sustainable environmental programs. Seek resorts that prioritise environmental sustainability by recycling garbage, cultivating organic vegetables, and utilising solar energy, or consider an African eco-holiday that immerses you in the community and its developmental initiatives.
While the allure of Africa is captivating, why not ensure that your holiday or safari serves a purpose and contributes meaningfully to the continent?
Explore our curated collection of African hotels and lodges that are committed to positively impacting Africa, or discover the finest African eco-safaris and holidays from our meticulously selected list. If you require additional information or guidance, please reach out to one of our African Safari Experts for support.
Eco Safaris and Conservation Holidays
As we travel further and quicker it’s more vital than ever that we all try to look after the amazing places we go to and the wildlife and local people that make them so special.
We believe it’s our obligation to give back and that’s one of the reasons Kabira Safaris Africa was formed and we’re not alone in this. We are really happy that our clients are more and more interested in responsible travel too – it’s no longer a trend but more often than not an actuality!
Now visitors can do detailed study on endangered species and even engage in practical conservation work. Perhaps you merely opt to spend a few days at an eco-friendly camp on your stay, or you may decide to devote your whole safari to Africa to get engaged, meet local communities and see the effectiveness of conservation programs first hand.
There’s a huge amount of effort going on behind the scenes and below is a run-down of a number of places, enterprises and assets that are on the way to a sustainable future and deserve a special mention.
Stay at Sustainable Accommodations
Whether it is solar-powered generators, zero-waste rules or glass water bottles replacing plastic bottles, the safari suppliers and partners we work with are doing their bit to ensure they have little to no environmental impact.
1. Mwaleshi Camp, North Luangwa, Zambia
Mwaleshi Camp has made donations of books, teacher wages and repairs to a nearby school. Mwaleshi is owned by Remote Africa Safaris, the first of our conservation minded firms that also happen to provide very high quality safaris. The camp is a big supporter of anti-poaching efforts and tourists are now witnessing rhinos whilst on safari which is a testament to Mwaleshi’s hard work.
2. Elephant Watch Camp, Samburu, Kenya
As the name implies, Elephant Watch Camp feels elephants are special. Partnering closely with the charity in Save the Elephants, this camp is a boho-chic adventure bushcamp and a conservation superhero! It just so happens to be a beautiful camp in the middle of Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve — we love it!
3. Bomani Tented Lodge, Hwange, Zimbabwe
Bomani Tented Lodge is owned by conservation-minded enterprise Imvelo Safari Lodges, who have an extraordinary purpose to guarantee that the local people and wildlife benefit directly from the lodge’s visitors. Imvelo has also developed eco-conscious and anti-poaching properties, provided clean water supplies, addressed fire protection systems, promoted rural conservation awareness and implemented a healthcare system in northern Zimbabwe.
4. Wolwedans Dune Camp, Namib Desert, Namibia
The Wolwedans camps have been built with low impact and give apprenticeships to young Namibians. They have been acknowledged and recognised for their commitment to the environment and are setting an example for conservation focused sustainable tourism in Namibia. Wolwedans also received the 2018 Five Flowers Eco Award, the highest distinction for eco-tourism in Namibia.
How Are Destinations Incorporating Sustainable Travel and Tourism Practices?
Combatting plastic waste
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have all adopted strict bans on single-use plastic. This includes plastic carrier bags which are now banned from being imported, exported, manufactured, marketed, stored, supplied and used in a bid to fight plastic pollution. In several places offenders can be heavily fined or even jailed for using a plastic bag.
Rhino relocation
Thanks to the work of nature reserves such as the North Luangwa, the Lewa–Borana Landscape and the Okavango Delta, three countries — Zambia, Kenya and Botswana respectively – can now boast of a healthy rhino population. It’s taken a massive effort, a lot in fundraising, and an exceptionally dedicated team… and now the Big Five are back for visitors to these reserves to enjoy.
Wild dog conservation
There are fewer than 7,000 wild dogs (also known as painted dogs) left in Africa, making this one of the most endangered animals on the continent. Places like Mana Pools and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe are working towards long-term conservation and relocation initiatives to conserve these much-loved animals, with an anti-poaching team and wardens from surrounding villages.
Cheetah reintroduction
In the last 100 years, the global population of wild cheetahs has dropped by about 92 per cent due to unrestricted hunting, illicit pet trading, loss of habitat and human–wildlife conflict, estimates suggest. Today, cheetahs barely occupy 10 per cent of their former territory, with Namibia home to the world’s largest free-ranging population. Namibia, however, is leading the way in cheetah conservation, restoring the gorgeous cats into the wild.