Africa is fast becoming the eco-tourism destination of all time and sustainable tourism is the latest buzzword as tourists and tour operators tune into the environment, community involvement and history of a region. It’s all about ethical travel so holidays to Africa are less about personal enjoyment and more about contributing to the future of wildlife, natural resources and local communities and their cultures.
African eco-lodges and environmentally friendly hotels aim for small carbon footprints, employ real people from their surrounding communities, provide exceptional and meaningful experiences in nature, and show their guests amazing places that they have never seen before. Voyage2Africa promotes a range of green destinations in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, where simple accommodation amenities add earthy value to tours into game reserves and forests, deserts and beaches.
An eco-lodge is usually off the grid, saves water, uses solar and wind energy, recycles waste and reduces the use of plastics. Green accommodation venues in Africa are committed towards the ecotourism ethos of giving back to communities through nature conservation which relies on attracting the right kind of travellers to Africa.
Ecotourism centres around environment and culture, especially true at the historical World Heritage Sites off Nampula in Mozambique, Mozambique Island or Ilha de Mozambique. It’s here that history and culture play a primary role in tourism to the island, and the environment then is the secondary attraction. Come and see the haunting heritage of this historical isle and meet a rich diversity of cultures.
Come and see the extraordinary architectural style where the same stone and lime materials were used since the 1500s to build homes and businesses on the island. The island reflects the histories of the Portuguese, Arab, Indian, Persian, Bantu, Swahili and European cultures. Ecotourism will assist the extreme poverty on the island if jobs can be created in lodges and tour businesses.
Your next trip to Africa can be green, eco-friendly and gentle on natural resources. Think about your own impacts on the environment and the communities you meet when you travel – aeroplane and road vehicle transport emissions, food waste, single-use plastic waste, noise, crowds, water and energy use. There are many ways to reduce your eco and carbon footprint when you plan a responsible tourism adventure to Africa.
Global tourism causes nearly 10% of all greenhouse emissions and since the two terrible Covid years, ecotourism is the new buzzword. People are seeking an immersion in nature, connection with different communities and reducing their impacts on natural resources wherever they go.
In a nutshell, ecotourism is about sustainable conservation and community empowerment where the integrity of the environment remains intact and the people gain from the arrival of tourists in their country.
According to You Matter, “Ecotourism provides the opportunity for immersion into the natural world in an enjoyable and effective manner, resulting in greater compassion and better stewardship of the world’s remaining natural wonders. It aims to:
Zomba Forest Lodge is an eco-lodge with a green heart – completely off the grid so come for a break from technology and tune into nature’s real world with many hikes, birding and lazing around in hammocks with huge forest and mountain views to fill your lens. Owners cook wholesome foods from their gardens and are dedicated to reforestation work in their area. As the sun sets, solar lanterns come out and you eat by candlelight in the pure silence of the natural world.
Find plenty of glass-bottled water in the room, solar lighting for lights and set times for electricity and Wi-Fi in an authentic breakaway from hectic urban living for a while. Make sure you book enough time for nature walks, birding and picnics in the conservancy at Mbweha Safari Camp where funky euphorbia candelabra, acacia and other iconic indigenous trees shade the tasteful guest areas, decks and walkways. Game drives just happen without radios and other technologies, just the wildlife as it unfolds in a sensory landscape.
When the camp moves with the animals it leaves no traces of its existence on the wilderness. A camp which moves to accommodate wildlife movements and visitors’ needs, Kimondo Camp starts its season in the northern Serengeti region of Lamai Wedge then moves later to the southeast region of Kusini. Think old-world safari camps with canvas en-suite bedrooms and plenty of space to chill under solar-powered lighting, plus bucket showers.
The camp boasts nine intimate safari tents with ensuite showers raised on solid concrete bases with canvas roofs to regulate the temperatures and ensure they do not impact on nature. Chongwe River Camp focuses on nature – walking trails, canoeing down the river, and boat trips to find birds and crocs, fishing on a catch-and-release basis and day and night game drives every day to find leopards, wild dogs and more.
Only 6 tents for 12 visitors are set up in a mobile camp at Zambezi Expeditions just before you arrive and you spend your days in the great wilderness walking, canoeing, game driving, boating and fishing. Glamping comfort where you can sleep well in double beds, grab a hot shower and sit around a fire dining on excellent grilled meats and vegetables. A chance to get back to your roots and immerse yourself in nature in one of the most spectacular settings to be found in Zimbabwe.
This private, exclusive safari destination caters for only six guests who want to walk in the wilderness and get close to wildlife in a 4×4 vehicle. Small groups are the answer in such ‘glamping’ setups where immersion in nature counts most. Learn from your guides how the flora and fauna interact and survive in this Eastern Cape region at Shamwari Explorer Camp. LED lights, outside showers and hammocks.
