
Responsible Safari Travel – Is Conservation My Business Too?

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
This week Alan examines responsible safari travel. Does your decision-making when choosing a safari, and when you are on safari, have repercussions for conservation? And what can you do about it anyway?
When I first went on safari, in the 1990s, I was struck by the variety and number of tour operators. There were just so many. Admittedly it was in Kruger. And visitors can be swamped with options. But do all safari operators take a responsible attitude into the bush? The answer – as if there was any doubt – is no. There are dodgy operators plying their trade to unsuspecting tourists. So, please...number one rule is: always think about the welfare of the animals. Are they being treated with respect?
A Responsible Safari Travel Checklist
Look upon the following as more of a guide than a definitive list. At least it should hopefully get you thinking:
Conservation
Good Tour Operators
Community and Environment
The Wildlife
A Positive Impact
Leave only footprints, take only memories...so the old adage goes. But nowadays responsible travel is so much more than this. Low-impact travel is great...but ensuring a positive impact on the environment and within local communities is much better. Please, give it some thought as your dreams take you on safari in Southern Africa. Lets preserve the environment, protect the wildlife, give back to local communities...and have a great time! A safari should leave a lasting and positive impact...
African Wildlife Conservation
At SafariBookings, we profoundly respect the efforts of conservation organizations who tirelessly fight to protect African wildlife and to put an end to cruel and unethical practices. They are an inspiration to us all. Through our blog and donation campaigns, we do our best to promote responsible safari travel and wildlife conservation. So stay informed by subscribing to our blog. And spread the knowledge.

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
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