How to Travel Ethically on an African Safari

The global leisure and tourism market is constantly evolving, in line with social and economic trends and the core behaviour of customers. In the current industry, one of the most prominent trends has seen the rise of ethical travel, which encourages globetrotters to consider the environmental impact of flying and their carbon footprint as a whole.

This is particularly relevant when travelling to locations such as Africa, as individuals are increasingly conscious of spending their hard-earned money in a place where a significant part of the population lives in abject poverty.

In this post, we'll consider this in further detail, while asking how you can travel ethically on an African safari.

Minimise your Carbon Footprint

Once you've booked your trip through a reputable safari holiday firm like Africa Odyssey, you may feel as though you've done enough to contribute to the region's economy.

After all, travel and tourism generated more than $27 billion in revenue last year, which equates to an estimated 9% of the region's total GDP.

However, it's also important that you strive to minimize your carbon footprint as a traveller, so consider the methods of transport your opt for, particularly given that air travel is one of the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions.

To achieve this, consider using an online calculator (such Carbon Footprint) to estimate the impact of specific flights hosted by various service providers. You can then look to choose the most efficient flight, while also taking additional steps to reduce your individual footprint.

Plant a Tree Once you've Landed

Africa is home to a number of tree-planting projects, many of which operate across the length and the breadth of the globe.

Others specialise in specific regions, with Carbon Footprint's Kenyan project known to have planted a staggering 150,000 trees in the Great Rift Valley.

Whether you participate with this type of group and actively plant a tree or simply donate, this can have an incremental impact on the natural environment and help to drive sustainability in the area.

More specifically, this helps to replenish an ailing region of the world, while also delivering a much-needed food supply to local communities.

Consider the Importance of Water

One of the biggest issues in stricken areas of Africa is a shortage of water, which contributes to significant health and environmental problems in the region.

With this in mind, it's important that you're fully aware of this issue when travelling to Africa, and you'll need to take steps to conserve water during your trip.

Aside from choosing destinations and lodgings that are innately eco-friendly, particularly those that restrict water or swimming pool access during the day. While this may be inconvenient, it enables you to contribute directly to the environment and save water effectively.

When it comes to showering, remember to keep them short and catch the excess water in a bucket. This can then be recycled and drive far greater levels of efficiency.

Ultimately, travelling ethically on an African Safari can be achieved with a combination of informed decision making and several simple steps, along with an awareness of the challenges facing local communities as a whole.