The sustainable safari revolution

As 'sustainable travel' hashtags flood social media and people search increasingly for ecotourism, authentic conservation-driven safaris are often overshadowed by green-washed tourism packages. Here’s why it’s so important to choose your safari booking responsibly:

Many travellers today brand themselves as conscious explorers, filling their Instagram feeds with hashtags such as #sustainabletravel and #leaveonlyfootprints. Yet, on closer inspection, much of what is marketed as ‘travel with purpose’ tends to be generic, formulaic, and mass-produced.

If you read our newsletter or our articles on conservation and science, you’ll know that we’re deeply passionate about responsible safaris. It’s baked into our DNA. Sustainability comes first, everything else follows. Fortunately, the world – and enthusiastic travellers – are catching up to this philosophy!  Analysis of Google search trends shows that interest in terms like 'sustainable safari' has risen steadily over the past five years.

How sustainable safaris protect Africa’s wildlife & empower local communities

We know that when you're planning your African adventure, you'll hear lots of buzzwords thrown around – "sustainable", "eco-friendly", "responsible". A truly responsible safari does two key things: 

1. It helps protect Africa's incredible wildlife and landscapes, by focusing on biodiversity conservation;

2. It genuinely benefits the local people who call these places home through both the upliftment of their infrastructure and the empowerment of individuals.

Ecotourism is not about fancy eco-lodges with solar panels (though that's nice too) – it's about where your money actually goes and what happens because of your visit.

Take gorilla trekking as a perfect example. When you pay $800 in Uganda or $1,500 in Rwanda for your permit, you're not just buying an unforgettable experience – you're funding something remarkable. Three-quarters of that money goes straight into protecting the gorillas: paying rangers, funding research, and maintaining their habitat. The results speak for themselves: mountain gorilla numbers have doubled from around 620 in 1989 to over 1,000 today. Your trek literally helps save a species.

The same principle applies across Africa's wild spaces. In Botswana's Okavango Delta, tourism creates a powerful economic alternative to cattle farming. Local communities earn more from protecting wildlife than they would from converting the land to agriculture. It's a straightforward equation: tourism revenue means more reason to keep the wilderness wild. Without tourism, much of this pristine wilderness would likely become farmland – a transformation that's happening elsewhere in the region.

Tourism has become a significant contributor to Botswana's economy. By focusing on fewer but higher-paying visitors, Botswana avoids overcrowding in sensitive areas like the Okavango Delta, supports conservation funding, and preserves wilderness quality while minimising environmental impacts.

Expert guidance, personal connection

Our team comprises more than just travel professionals – we’re Africa specialists who understand that your safari investment deserves meticulous attention to both experience and impact. Many hold advanced degrees in natural sciences, bringing academic rigour to practical journey planning.

During your extended planning process, your consultant becomes your window into Africa's conservation landscape. Post-safari, we facilitate ongoing engagement with the projects you've discovered, transforming a holiday into a lifelong connection with Africa's wild places.

Our commitments to you

• Tailormade experiential safaris: trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!

• The best safari experts: our travel designers come from a diverse background of private safari guides, lodge managers and conservationists. They either live in Africa or have lived there for many years. All have many years of travelling and hand-crafting safaris for discerning guests who want the best experiences

• The best lodges: we carefully select lodges, guides and transport providers for your African holiday based on quality, service and ethics

• 24/7 concierge service: our team are on call at all times while you are travelling, to help iron out those little wrinkles that can occur

• Your safari with us makes a difference: we donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level. Your safari also supports our conservation publishing division, which educates the world about African conservation realities.

• Financial security: Your payments to us are safe because they remain in a trust account until you travel

Trusted by thousands of satisfied travellers

✔️ 4.9 Star Trustpilot Rating ✔️ 5,000+ Safari Trips Completed
✔️ 34+ Years of Experience ✔️ 2025 Conde Nast Travel Specialist Award Winner

Our CEO, Simon Espley, has this to say about responsible safaris:

"The best way to achieve truly responsible safaris is to prioritise smaller lodges and bush camps, which offer exclusivity - surely the ultimate luxury these days - and a greater sense of tranquillity. And note that smaller does not necessarily mean very expensive...

Choosing smaller safari lodges and bush camps means fewer vehicles and tourists, undisturbed wildlife encounters, more attentive, discreet service and meaningful engagement with local people. This combo has long-term sustainability etched into its soul.

And choosing a safari company that ensures your safari contributes directly to conservation and community welfare also yields a deep understanding of your safari’s legacy and positive impact. If better wildlife encounters, serenity and legacy are important to you, then responsible travel choices translate to a more rewarding holiday."