What Is Eco Tourism?

What Is Eco-Tourism? Top 5 Eco-Friendly Lodges in Africa

What is Eco-Tourism?

Eco-Tourism is tourism that mitigates its negative impact on the natural environment. It also indicates tourist destinations that promote sustainable development and the upliftment of disadvantaged communities. Eco-tourism is part of responsible travel and a sustainable tourism industry.

Why is Eco-Tourism So Important for Our Planet?

Every effort towards sustainable travel and reducing negative environmental impacts can have a positive impact on the future of our planet. The tourism industry is opening after the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to ensure we are all doing our best to sustain the world in which we live by supporting the ecotourism industry.

Why Should Businesses Support the Eco-Tourism Initiative?

Leaving your footprints softly on the earth and supporting local communities. That is what eco-tourism is all about. Taking eco-tourism seriously by sourcing eco-lodges when unpacking Africa makes a difference.

Find lodges and camps that use natural resources wherever possible. Many lodges and camps are raising the eco-bar. They are going solar wherever possible. The tourism industry is encouraging responsible stays.

Unpacking 5 Eco-Lodges That Support Local Economies

1. Gibbs Farm in Tanzania

Gibbs Farm is a perfect model for environmental practices. They continue the legacy of their founders with sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation. Their wide range of respectful practices includes using solar energy.

They encourage organic farming. Gibbs Farm also supports the upliftment of indigenous people. The appreciation of people is clear. You can see this in creating adequate employment opportunities for the locals.

Business opportunities include training carpenters and tailors. They teach papermaking skills using a mix of wastepaper and elephant dung. These they fashion into memorable stationery items.

2. Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya

The owners of Campi ya Kanzi safari lodge are Luca Belpietro and his wife. The couple have established the Masai Mara Community Wilderness Trust. The trust takes care of thousands of indigenous people, the Masai landowners.

Other career opportunities include employing 50 teachers at the local primary school. This is one of the award-winning lodges offering more than tourism. There are 3 clinics and a dispensary. The trust offers compensation to the locals for any livestock losses to predators.

3. Garonga, South Africa

Garonga, South Africa, is reducing its carbon footprint. The luxury safari camp has created an eco- friendly safari experience. Through various green actions, the camp makes use of African biodiversity.

As the African tourism market recovers, it continues to support communities. Wildlife conservation is serious business. Garonga, especially, takes wildlife conservation seriously.

The aim is towards minimal waste. They re-filter their water for safe reuse. Game drive vehicles use biofuel.

Garonga is taking full advantage of natural resources through solar plants. Wherever possible, Goranga uses solar to minimise the impact on the environment. Garonga’s newest camp is the MCH Private Tented Camp. They run the camp on solar energy.

Garonga runs on a hybrid system. They use a combination of solar and grid power. They run the front of the house entirely on solar energy.

Find out more about our solar systems and how you, too, can run an eco-business off the grid.

4. Meno a Kwena, Botswana

Meno a Kwena is passionate about creating community upliftment projects. They are passionate about their conservation initiative, Elephants for Africa. Enjoy abundant wildlife at one of Botswana’s finest private reserves.

At Meno o Kwena, they are keen on creating educational opportunities for future generations. Meno a Kwena dedicates itself to resolving human-wildlife conflicts. They also create jobs through land leasing.

They employ local community members at the lodge, providing employment opportunities. Visitors to Meno a Kwena automatically support the following Natural Selection conservation initiative: “Pack for a Purpose.”

This is an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact on the community. We encourage you to save a few kilos of space in your suitcase to bring supplies for the various projects. This way, you’ll make a difference in the lives of local children and families.

5. Singita Pamushana, Zambia

The African tourism sector supports indigenous communities across the continent. Singita Pamushana Safari Lodge is no exception and found in the heart of the Malilangwe Reserve. The lodge provides education and health to the community.

They believe that there is a fine balance between wildlife and the upliftment of communities. Singita Oamushana encourages direct relationships between indigenous peoples. Singita feeds over 23,000 school children daily through community service.

Support Eco-Tourism with Solar Power

Find out everything you need to know about solar energy. You too, together with our solar options, can make a difference. Do you own a restaurant, bed-and-breakfast establishment, or boutique hotel? PHD has your back.

Get your free quote today and find out how it’s done. Eco-tourism isn’t a buzzword. It is real, and proper establishments are choosing solar.

PHD Powerhouse sustains the environment with solar energy. We can use what is readily available to us – plenty of sunshine days to take full advantage of the renewable resources we already have. For all your solar needs, get a free quote from us today!