Environment-Friendly Practices To Do During Your Safari :Tanzania is a glorious nation jam-packed with state-of-the-art attractions, which range from wildlife to vibrant cultures and majestic mountains. As you embark on an explorative journey through the wilderness of Tanzania, traveling responsibly is quintessential.
Being a responsible tourist will benefit the wildlife ecosystems of Tanzania, where major wildlife populations interact. While planning for your next adventure in Tanzania, we have a detailed article about eco-friendly things you should do during your safari.
Stay at sustainable accommodations.
When selecting a place to stay, pick sustainable accommodations. If you can’t figure out whether your lodge is eco-friendly look at the following criterion. If these criteria are met, your lodge is sustainable.
What is their source of energy? Is their energy source renewable? If yes, then that is an eco-friendly lodge. Always look for solar-powered lodges instead of generator-powered ones.
The building materials of a lodge or camp dictate a lot about its sustainability. Tented lodges are more eco-friendly than permanent lodges. While you are in Serengeti National Park, choose mobile camps since they leave no trace to the environment.
The way the lodge manages waste may indicate sustainability or the opposite. Eco-friendly lodges recycle, treat sewage, and have environment-friendly ways of handling waste.
Support local communities
Being eco-friendly goes together with supporting local people. Always ensure that your safari has an impact on the local economies. Such support can be direct or indirect. When you buy locally-made goods, such as Maasai sandals, beads, and ornaments, you are supporting society directly.
Moreover, the accommodation you are staying in can have a direct impact on the locals, sourcing goods from local farmers, decorating rooms with local works of art, and hiring locals. Hence, your stay at such a lodge has an impact. Osiligilai Maasai Lodge in West Kilimanjaro, for example, utilizes the Maasai unique decoration in their rooms. They also hire local Maasai as their guides.
Reduce waste
As you travel, you can produce a lot of waste. Always try as much as possible to avoid producing. You can do this by bringing reusable products, such as water bottles. Do not bring single-use plastics as they litter the wild.
Avoid disposing of waste indiscriminately in the wild. Litters can suffocate animals and interfere with the ecosystem or water cycle. Ask your guide when you want to throw waste. It is better to make use of laundry services, bathroom, and toilet services.
Bring biodegradable soaps while you are on your safari. Your Focus East Africa Safaris guide will remind you of our waste management policies before you begin your safari.
Offset your carbon footprint.
While you are on a safari, try your best to offset your carbon footprint. How can you do this? Embark on green activities, such as walking safaris, camel or horse riding, and bike tours instead of energy-using game drives. Include a few fly-ins in your safari.
Balloon safaris help you to explore a wide range of areas within a short time compared to game drives. They are slightly green options than game drives.
Take a cultural tour to engage with local communities. Learn new culture, fashion, and language while making a difference in their lives. Hiking tour is also another way to explore nature sustainably.
Don’t buy animal products.
While on a safari, you may meet some animal products being sold. Don’t buy them. By doing this you are playing an important role in preserving wildlife and nature. Poachers will continue their destructive activities if they find markets for things like skins, horns, and others. Not buying animal products is a sign of a nature enthusiast.
Respect wildlife
When in a park, respect the wildlife. The animals have the right to move either way and even your way. You are just an observer. It is quintessential to avoid littering, calling the animals, flashy pictures, and other disruptive behaviors.
Avoid going off the trails while driving as this disturbs wildlife. Speedy driving is also not allowed in the park.
When taking pictures, remember to switch off the flash to avoid scaring off animals. Avoid feeding the animals. Parks are quite different from zoos, where it is allowed to feed the animals. You should also avoid taking anything out of the park.
Support conservation efforts
There are numerous conservation efforts employed by NGOs, governments, and other tourism enthusiasts. You can support them by donating funds. You can also visit them and participate in various activities.
Various hotels and lodges also put their hands together with the government and NGOs to run projects aimed at conserving nature. Have a spot in such accommodations and part of your fee will be channeled to such projects. Focus East Africa Safaris also engages in various conservation efforts to make East Africa a better place for safaris. You can join us on your next adventure.
Responsible travel is what you should think of on your next adventure to Tanzania. If you are wondering which tour operator fits your sustainability standards, Focus East Africa Safaris is a better option. Ready for an adventure? Book with us.
