Thirty years ago, John Burdett and Warwick Hoffman were working on a project for an international humanitarian organization when they fell in love with Africa. As a result, they founded Travelersan agency specializing in safaris focused on animal and environmental conservation. I joined their team to continue this legacy, but a lot has changed since then. In an industry where greenwashing tactics are pervasive, it's hard to know if you're truly travel sustainably. Below are my tips for planning a safari with a purpose.
Choose the right agent
The first step is to choose a travel company that can demonstrate its commitment to conservation. I recommend checking out the company's website and speaking with one of the travel advisors. Ask them how they ensure your trip will have a positive impact on the places you visit. A good answer will include information about the company's objective, how it selects suppliers across the world. Africaand whether they make a financial commitment to making a difference. My team and I work with Africa Ripplea large organization supporting children, women and people with disabilities in rural villages across Africa.
Add a less popular safari
It's tempting to consider a well-known safari area, like the Masai Mara in Kenya or the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. These iconic regions can provide an unforgettable experience, but to maximize your impact, consider adding a lesser-known but equally impressive safari destination to your itinerary, like Camp Sarara in Kenya and Lodge with rhino view in South Africa. Your safari dollars will go further and reach more remote communities.
Make direct donations
Africa is full of opportunities for travelers to create meaningful connections with people and places. Thanks to our partner, Pack for a PurposeYou can make charitable donations of medical and educational supplies needed in the places you visit during your trip.
The best safari properties will also have a positive impact on their region. They will likely invest in conservation, fund educational and medical facilities, and support local suppliers. Others focus on a particular need, like women empowermentby employing women from neighboring villages.
See conservation in action
We recently launched a new series called Small Group, Big Impact Safaris, designed to see first-hand how conservation and empowerment initiatives work. One group visited the Masai Mara with big cat researchers, joined anti-poaching units patrolling wildlife corridors and witnessed the release of three endangered black rhinos. Additionally, all profits from these safaris are reinvested in conservation initiatives.
Laura Burdett-Munns is a Travel + Leisure A-List and specializes in safaris in East and Southern Africa. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Burdett-Munns by contacting her on laura@safari.co.uk.
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(Featured image credit: Walter Stein/Getty Images)
This story first appeared on voyageetloisirs.com
Related: This 7-night safari in Botswana focuses on wildlife, water and sustainability
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Written by
Laura Burdett-Munns
