An African safari can be one of the most unforgettable and impactful vacations on the planet. Travel can be a net positive for the places we visit and the people that live there. We have a deep connection with the destinations we send our travelers to and care about the people and wildlife that call them home. At Africa Adventure Consultants, we only partner with those who keep the impact of travel to a minimum and, better yet, work to have a positive impact on conservation or communities in Africa. Ethical safaris respect the environment, local communities and wildlife.
We work with safari properties across the continent. Some are extremely low-impact – with tents and facilities that have such a light footprint that they are undetectable when broken down and removed. Others may be more permanent in nature but have eco-friendly features such as solar power, electric vehicles or food grown on-site, which all minimize their environmental impact.
Other eco-friendly things that camps might incorporate include greywater recycling, advanced water purification systems, eco-friendly toiletries in tents/rooms and the elimination of single-use plastics. While plastic water bottles were once ubiquitous on safari, most camps now provide a reusable water bottle and make potable or purified water available for refilling both in camp and while on game drives. You can also bring your own reusable water bottle on safari.
From a human standpoint, many communities are located on the fringes of wild places. People living there may have to deal with crop damage from wild animals or the loss of livestock to predators. They may have challenges in providing schooling to their children or lack access to health care.
Our sustainable partners know that the communities around the parks and reserves should benefit from the tourism on their doorstep. They may help contribute to education and health care, offer employment opportunities, provide buffers between wildlife and their communities and support other projects that directly benefit local communities. You can ask your Journey Specialist about what community-focused properties are available in the area you are considering for your safari and learn more about what specific projects they might sponsor or support. We love incorporating a visit to one of these projects during your safari, if available.
We are often asked about animal interactions on safari, with some guests requesting an elephant ride, a walk with lions or another type of interaction they may have seen on social media. We do not promote wildlife interactions of this nature. Animals that are trained to interact with humans lose their wildness and autonomy. These types of operations disrupt or alter natural behavior and constitute exploitation.
Habituation is a different matter altogether. We do offer some wildlife experiences that take place in proximity to wildlife habituated to human presence. These are well-vetted and include experiences such as gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking or spending time with meerkats or gelada monkeys. In these cases, there are strict rules about how travelers may behave when in the presence of animals – how close they can get, whether they must wear masks to protect wildlife and that no physical contact is allowed. These experiences are well controlled and incredibly special.
Sustainability is at the core of what we do. We want the places our travelers visit to retain their beauty and wildness. We want the people who share these places with the world to benefit from tourism. And, we want your safari to be a net positive to Africa.
Contact a Journey Specialist to start planning and subscribe to our newsletter below for more safari information and inspiration.
Photos courtesy of AAC Marketing Director Beth McCabe, Serengeti Safari Camp, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Angie Voigt, Mark Butcher, AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak, AAC President Kent Redding and AAC travelers Kerri L. and Katelyn B.