Sustainable Tourism and Eco Tourism Safaris by Afrik-Trek Holidays.
Sustainable Tourism benefits both the environment & the economy. Read about our responsibility regarding Eco/Sustainable Tourism on African Safari.
Africa has so much to offer –from abundant wildlife, breathtaking volcanic landscapes to unique cultures and warm welcoming people. Visitor interaction on Uganda Safaris, Rwanda Tour, Tanzania Safari or any other destination in East Africa revolves around wildlife viewing, cultural encounter and landscape exploration.
Ensuring responsible/Sustainable Tourism is part of any East African safari holiday and as Afrik-Trek Holidays, we pride ourselves as the leading Responsible Travel company in Africa. As we craft packages for our clients, first, we are guided by responsible/sustainable tourism policies/principles.
This is one reason many have trusted and continued to travel with us. We believe in tourism that benefits travelers, locals, and wildlife/environment. A lot has been to promote Sustainable Tourism/travel in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and other parts of East Africa.
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism refers to responsible travel practices that protects the environment and communities from any negative effects of tourism. It also upholds the status of tourism destinations for future generations while maximizing the benefits for both the economy and the local people.
Eco Tourism.
We believe in contributing to the conservation of the fragile eco-system thus a win-win approach where the surrounding local people benefit from the revenue raised from the tourist attractions. Afrik-Trek Holidays supports social Project for Orphans and vulnerable people especially Children who need interventions in their lives.
When you choose to travel with Afrik-Trek Holidays, you will be supporting the community with 10% of the company’s profit is donated to these projects. You too can join our social cause by volunteering.
Usually, when you have time we organize visits to these social groups, afternoons and evenings are set aside for fun. You will organize activities, games, sing-a-long and dances as well as other creativity based activities to teach in these project.
Benefits of Sustainable Travel;
Afrik-Trek Holidays’ love for eco tourism has led to various benefits to different parties, here is how we have benefited through sustainability;
- Through Sustainable Tourism, we have aided in protecting tourism attractions from pollution and destruction hence keeping them available to other travelers and generations to come. We have as well participated in tree planting around Uganda and Rwanda.
- By encouraging travelers to book gorilla safaris, we have promoted conservation of these endangered primate species.
- Provided economic benefits to the communities where you tour, we employ local guides, eat in local restaurants and also help vulnerable children in some communities.
- As a responsible tour company, we have helped some children stay in school by paying school fees, buying them books and also getting sponsors to some.
See our detailed efforts in promoting sustainable tourism below.
How has Afrik-Trek Holidays Promoted Sustainable Tourism?
Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla/wildlife tourism plays a significant role in conservation of natural resources. It is the major source of wildlife conservation funds.
Tourism being a foreign exchange earner means part of the fees collected from safaris is used to support conservation activities in the different destinations. For instance, to visit Uganda and track mountain gorillas requires participants to have valid gorilla permits; read about the cost of gorilla permits.
Aside from supporting wildlife conservation, gorilla permits are strictly issued to persons above 15 years. The main goal is to limit visitor numbers who go to interact with mountain gorilla families. This is one important principle that promotes sustainable travel.
Supporting Staff and Guides.
At Afrik-Trek Holidays, we believe in empowering local citizens. This is why our team mainly consists of local citizens. Aside from empowering them, they are rich in knowledge about destinations because they were born, grown and lived there.
We usually assign tour guides to safaris that goes where they come from. This guarantees the most memorable experience while on an African gorilla safari, wildlife, birding or cultural experience.
Wetland Conservation.
Wetland protection is key. First, government has laws protecting wetlands and must be respected by locals and even visitors.
We sensitize locals from destroying wetlands and we also go ahead to support any of their businesses that eco-friendly as of discouraging them from destroying wetlands. For example, we always instruct our guides to buy fruits or souvenirs from them.
Community-based Tourism.
At Afrik-Trek Holidays Ltd, we believe a safari in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania without visiting local community isn’t a complete vacation. The most popular communities to visit in Kenya and Tanzania are the Maasai villages and Batwa pygmies and Karamajong homesteads in Uganda.
When crafting an itinerary, we often incorporate community-based tourism experience with other activities such as gorilla trekking, game drives, chimpanzee tracking, wildebeest migration experience and others.
Responsible Safari Lodges.
When choosing accommodation facilities for our visitor overnight stay in a destination, first, we give priority to eco-friendly lodges and hotel properties. There are many comfortable eco-friendly lodges to book for a night stay regardless of the destination you would like to visit on Uganda Safari or Kenya Tour.
Tree Planting.
As a way to promote green Uganda and East Africa at large, we take part in tree planting. East Africa is most popular safari destination with lush green vegetation cover.
We believe that planting more trees is one way that can off-set the carbon emission from the travel sector. On every primate safari we quote, we include a fee, $5 (five dollars) dedicated for tree planting.
Respect Park Guidelines, Local Cultures and Traditions/Customs.
While on interacting with nature/wildlife and communities, be a respectful traveler. As a responsible traveler, observe the different rules of the national parks and respect the local customs while on community tour, religious customs and others.
We instruct our guides to always maintain safe distance from wild animals, always to remind travelers to respect local cultures, and to always carry a dust bin in safari vehicles where all used items can be kept before dropping them to designated areas.