What Are Eco-safaris?

2 min read

Eco-safaris are safaris that make it a priority to minimise their carbon footprint, mostly with the end goal of reaching zero emissions. These safaris often tackle the highest emitting operations first, such as electricity supply, vehicle emissions and waste. Eco-safaris are mostly centred around Sub-Saharan Africa and include names such as Cheetah Plains, Chobe Game Lodge and Campi Ya Kanzi.

Cheetah Plains

Cheetah Plains is an eco-safari situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga. They focus heavily on sustainability by using fully electric Land Cruisers, which are charged by solar, for their game drives. Their guest accommodation is fully powered by solar, making them fully off-grid. Cheetah Plains say that zero-emissions game viewing is what drives their sustainable safari.

Campi Ya Kanzi

Situated in the southern regions of Kenya, this eco-safari is carbon neutral. Their sustainability strategy focuses on food preservation, water conservation, waste reduction, carbon neutrality and renewable energy. The lodge is fully powered by solar and even has fully electric 4x4s which they use for their game drives. All the carbon emissions of the lodge are offset towards the Chyulu REDD+ Carbon Project. They also have a conservation trust, which aims to uplift the quality of life of the Maasai people and the environment around them.

Chobe Game Lodge

Located in northern Botswana, close to the border with Namibia, is a fully Ecotourism-certified lodge called Chobe Game Lodge. They have a fleet of fully electric 4x4s on site for game drives and fully solar powered boats which take guests on rides on the Chobe River. The 4x4s are charged by solar panels installed on the game lodge, producing a maximum of 104 Kwh of electricity. The lodge, which is powered by solar, has managed to cut down on 95% of its garbage waste and also recycles its water through its grey water recycling scheme. The lodge also focuses on helping the country’s endangered animals survive, conserving their natural environment, building with recycled materials and reducing its carbon footprint. 

Other eco-safaris include:

• Borana Lodge, Kenya
• Lepogo Lodges, Limpopo, South Africa
• Hemingways Ol Seki Mara, Kenya
• Meliá Serengeti Lodge, Tanzania
• Xigeria Lodge, Botswana
• Honaib Valley Camp, Namibia
• Mfuwe Lodge, Zambia
• Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Eco-safaris aim to prove that the push for a sustainable future is just as possible in rural areas as it is in urban and developed areas.

What do you think of eco-safaris? Will they be able to remain sustainable and reliable in the long-term? Share your thoughts by replying to this email!

For more information on eco-safaris or any other energy related articles, view the blog posts on my website and be sure to open my weekly emails every Tuesday at 9am CAT.

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