Sustainable African Safari: Tips for the responsible traveller

Over the past couple of years, we’ve closely seen the impact that travel restrictions have had – not just on the travellers, but on wildlife conservation and local economies too.

As a consequence, anti-poaching initiatives and animal conservation in Africa have suffered, combined with locals losing their main revenue streams.

That said, we’ve also heard how natural rejuvenation has happened in wild spaces of Africa because of reduced human presence, and therefore improved the way of life and air quality for many species.

With all this is mind, we can now decide how to become more responsible travellers, leaving less footprint and doing more good as we explore the world. After all, luxury travel really doesn’t have to come at the expense of sustainability.

If you are considering an African safari vacation in 2022, then here we have highlighted some important ways that you can make it a more eco-conscious visit.

Consider your accommodation

There is such a wide range of accommodation available for your sustainable African safari vacation, so it’s always best to get recommendations from those who know the area well.

Many properties, camps and lodges pride themselves on their sustainability status, some with memberships to organisations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Pack for a Purpose. These accreditations, along with other awards and industry accolades show their dedication to continually reducing their carbon footprint.

Once you have shortlisted the best eco lodges in Africa down to a handful, carry out your own research to see how they put their sustainable philosophies into practice. Have they replaced the use of plastic bottled water with other materials? Do they have a local conservation programme in place? What energy sources do they use? Are their food ingredients sourced locally? These are all questions to ask before you can make an informed decision.

Travel with respect

Being a responsible traveller means being conscious and respectful throughout your experience as a tourist to a destination.

This means respectful in terms of the people you meet of different cultures, the wildlife you encounter as part of your African safari experience, and the actions you carry out daily.

Be as unobtrusive as you can; wearing the right clothing while walking in the wild, taking short showers as not to waste precious local water supplies, using electricity sparingly and never engaging in any activities that could be harmful to wildlife habitations i.e. petting or feeding animals.

Support locals

As well as being respectful in terms of your behaviour when travelling, showing respect for local businesses can also make a big impact.

As part of the stories we create to Africa, we’ll introduce you to experienced local guides who are best to share their unique knowledge of the endless plains of the Serengeti. We can also offer homestays with locals in the area who we know personally. Not only does this help you to fully immerse into the local way of life, but it also creates a much-needed income source for the local community.

Eating out and shopping with local businesses also matters. Locally produced food and drink reduces the impact from transporting your food, by air in particular. Buying clothes and keepsakes made locally also makes sense for the same reasons.

You can also help further by volunteering in environmental or social projects during your stay – again, we can help and advise you about ongoing efforts in Tanzania that need support.

Stay longer in the same place

One of the simplest ways to cut back on emissions is to travel less often but make the experiences you choose to be longer and more fulfilling.

Your sustainable African safari vacation offers so many opportunities for adventure, exploration and education, so soak it all in and stay for longer to make the most of your time there.

Here at Untold Story, we can help you to create a magical, once-in-a-lifetime sustainable safari to Africa. Whether it’s a meet with the ancient Hadza and Datoga tribes for a taste of the hunter-gatherer existence or the chance to witness the phenomenal, natural spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration, we’ll put together a trip for you that is both life-changing and sustainable.

Get in touch to start preparing your 2022 Africa safari vacation,

We design each journey entirely from scratch. To discuss a bespoke itinerary personalised around your interests and requirements, call us on +44(0) 776 284 8888 or arrange for us to call you back at a time that suits you.