Sustainable tourism:
wonderful trips now and in the future
The beauty and authenticity of a country are part of an unforgettable vacation. We know better than anyone what the effect of traveling can be on the people and nature of our destination.
When compiling our trips we take people, environment, nature and culture into account, so that the holidays are not only special for now, but so that the next generations can also enjoy authentic, adventurous trips in Tanzania.
Sustainable tourism – better holidays – helps to minimize the negative impact on nature and the environment and that local people, local guides and hotel and pension owners can benefit from our arrival.
To make our trips as sustainable as possible we choose the following seven means:
1. Car only if necessary
To minimize contamination, we try to organize each safari in such a way that you undertake as many activities as possible outside the car. Walking safari, canoe safari, mountain bike safari or a village walk. In this way, we offer the chance to get to know the real Africa, but also to reduce the use of the car.
2. Collaborating with locals
We carefully select our local partners; in the field of transport and accommodation, we work together with small local organizations, so that your money ends up with the local population. Many hotels are not large international chains, but small and local. This enhances the experience for travellers and also promotes the local economy.
The best way to bring the profits from tourism back to the local community is to involve this community in the development and management of, for example, a safari. We work together with Wayo Africa in Tanzania, where only Tanzanian guides work.
“The beauty and authenticity of a country are part of an unforgettable vacation.”
3. Green camps
Íf you want to experience Tanzania in a unique and authentic way, our Green Camps in the middle of nature are the perfect accommodation for you. These comfortable camps offer you a non-stop safari experience in beautiful locations with the best views. Above all, the Green Camps are very environmentally friendly. Since the camps are easy to set up, nature is little affected. In the Green Camps, we use solar-powered lamps and we have our own mineral water system. In that way, we don’t have to bring plastic bottles with water. All purchases for the camp are made at local farmers and shops.
4. Knowledgeable guides who are rewarded fairly
Our guides are known as the most professional safari guides within the Tanzanian safari industry. We only work with guides from Tanzania (most organizations in Tanzania hire freelancers). Unfortunately, there is no good training center for safari guides in Tanzania. This has prompted us to collaborate with our partner Wayo Africa, to set up a training center together. All guides are trained by the South African FGASA system. All our guides have good working conditions and receive good salaries. This makes your vacation not only good for you, but also for them.
5. Minimize the use of plastic
In recent years, hundreds of bottles of mineral water have entered the parks during safaris. Despite the fact that we make every effort to take all the plastic out of the park, this unfortunately doesn’t always work. To limit our waste, we have made agreements with a mineral water company. In your safari jeep (in the north of Tanzania) there is a container with 20 liters of mineral water. You get a water bottle that you can fill.
6. Compensation of CO2 emissions
Flying pollutes, just like driving and many other travel activities. Fortunately, more and more initiatives for climate compensation are being developed. One of these is the Yaeda Valley Project, a forest protection project of Carbon Tanzania. Explore Tanzania offers you the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions of your flight and safari with Carbon Tanzania. The CO2 emission for your trip to Tanzania is estimated at 2.5t per person. Your contribution to compensate for this will then be invested by Explore Tanzania in forest protection projects, and stimulating new plants by management of forests that absorb CO2. Also read their impact report 2021. Sustainable travel, that travels so much better.
7. A better world
In addition to directly involving the local population and rewarding them fairly for this, we’re also committed to a better environment. Explore Tanzania therefore feels very connected to the objectives of the Jane Goodall Institute. We too are captivated by Jane’s enthusiasm and love for a better world for people, animals and nature. As a special partner of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, we wholeheartedly support the Jane Goodall Institute. And as a customer of Explore Tanzania, you contribute directly and indirectly to a better world, as Jane Goodall envisions it.
8. Travelife Certified
On November 12, 2020, we received the Travelife Certified Award for our long-term efforts and as tour operator being at the forefront of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Very happy with it.
The Travelife-norm covers ISO 26000 corporate social responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights and industrial relations; and is formally recognized as fully compliant with UN-supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
If you have any questions, comments and / or tips about our sustainability policy, please let us know!
