In Search of Authenticity and Sustainability: Best Places to Visit in Africa
Overtourism is a thing, and not just for urban or cultural destinations. Nature destinations like Antarctica are increasingly popular due to expanding luxury travel options. In 2024, more than 122,000 tourists visited Antartica, which is almost triple compared to 2017. This spike in tourism in Antarctica causes harmful environmental effects. Closer to our home, in Africa, we also see more and more overcrowded game reserves with detrimental effects on wildlife and the environment.
The ecosystem in nature holiday destinations is much more fragile and susceptible to detrimental impact from overtourism. Africa has close to 9000 designated sites or landscapes covering 19% of land and inland waters and 16% of marine area. These wild spaces account for over $48 billion in direct in-country expenditure. It isn’t difficult to understand what we can do for conservation, if only a small percentage is channelled directly into conservation projects on the front lines.
For many, an African safari is a dream come true. It offers the chance to witness iconic animals like lions, elephants, and rhinos in their natural habitat. But the reality of conservation in Africa is complex. Human encroachment, poaching, and climate change have put tremendous pressure on wildlife populations and ecosystems. With a projected doubling of visitors to Africa by 2030 (from the current 62 million), it is even more important to prioritise sustainable travel.
As a traveller, you can be more than just a visitor - you can be a conservation hero. If you are looking to not only visit, but give back to your destination, we have collected some of our top recommendations. We’ve written in-depth about how you can make your safari to Africa as sustainable as possible and how to beat plastic pollution whilst travelling to Africa.
Here’s how you can make a real impact while fulfilling your travel dreams.
Key takeaways:
- Plan your safari with conservation-committed travel advisors that are dedicated to sustainability and giving back
- Choose eco-conscious safari camps that really deliver on local community investment & upliftment programmes
- Support eco-friendly lodging and sustainable practices: greenwashing in the eco-tourism industry is rife, so when choosing a lodge, be critical and if you are unsure, ask a trusted travel agent for help!
- Learn about the conservation challenges and participate in hands-on projects: From human-wildlife conflict to habitat fragmentation, understanding complex conservation issues gives you a much more realistic insight into what is really going on in Africa. Travelling with a private guide will make this a lot easier.
- Choose off-the-beaten-path destinations that respect their surroundings: choose to travel to lesser-known destinations or to more popular destinations in low- or shoulder seasons. This means you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a hefty discount in your rate/night!
What are the best sustainable lodges in Africa?
1. Travel advisors committed to doing more
The first step to becoming a conservation hero is to be mindful of whom you choose to travel with. For travellers seeking authentic experiences, participating in local lives, and creating real connection with their destination, choosing sustainable and eco-friendly travel advisors, accommodations and transport options is a must. Look for safari agencies who have strong, transparent conservation practices. Ethical tour operators reinvest a portion of their earnings into conservation projects, ensuring that their work positively impacts local wildlife and communities.
The Right Choice: At Wild Wonderful World, we reinvest 20% of proceeds from safari bookings into conservation projects. We actively work with wildlife veterinarians, research projects and other conservation NGOs by funding anti-poaching efforts, habitat restoration and endangered species protection. Read more about our conservation work here.
Rates: all-inclusive safaris starting from USD1,500 per person/night sharing.
Don't just take our word for it ...
"If you are looking for an excellent travel agent for a future safari, look no further. I have used WWW four years in a row and highly recommend them. Michelle and her team do a great job planning the perfect safari experience based on your interests. Communication and presentation of your carefully curated adventure is professional and timely. When booking with WWW, you will be well taken care of. And a bonus is that as an organization, they contribute back to the conservation of wildlife, so you know you are traveling with purpose." - Julie Schall
2. Community welfare is key
Conservation and community welfare go hand in hand. Engaging in community-based tourism empowers locals, creating jobs that often rely on protecting rather than exploiting wildlife. In regions where poverty and limited resources drive poaching and illegal activities, safari tourism creates jobs, boosts local economies, and builds pride in traditional lifestyles. For example, private game reserves near Kruger National Park contribute over 60% of the region’s employment and GDP.
By choosing lodges and tours that hire locally, buy local produce, and invest in community development, you’re helping to create an economic incentive to protect wildlife and natural spaces. When communities benefit from conservation, they are more likely to protect it.
The Right Choice
African Bush camps in Zimbawe, Zambia & Botswana. Travellers can engage with the community projects run by the African Bush Camps Foundation, which include schools, nutrition, entrepreneurial and human-wildlife conflict programmes. Choose between volunteering at a local creche, visiting local artisanal businesses or get hands-on and Build-a-Boma to protect cattle from lions and predation. You can also support the female ranger and boots-on-the ground programme.
Rates: from USD1,305 per person/night sharing (high season Jun 01 - Oct 31 2025).
3. Support Eco-Friendly Lodging and Sustainable Practices
There are tens of thousands of safari camps and lodges across Africa. Many of them have sustainable travel values written out on their websites and claim to be eco-friendly and even climate neutral. But greenwashing in the eco-tourism industry is rife, so when choosing a lodge, look for accommodations with sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient buildings, organic gardens, waste recycling, and water-saving initiatives. Be critical, and if you are unsure, ask a trusted travel agent for help!
The Right Choice
Renowned lodge collections across Africa like AndBeyond, Asilia Africa, and Singita are known for their conservation-first approach. Singita, for example, has set aside nearly 1 million acres for wildlife conservation across Africa. They fund anti-poaching units, invest in ecological research, and work with local communities to create sustainable practices.
Rates: on request.
4. Learn About the Conservation Challenges and Participate in Hands-On Projects
Despite the benefits, safari tourism can harm wildlife if mismanaged. While on safari, make it a point to learn about the unique conservation challenges in the area. Travelling with a private guide will make this a lot easier. Our private guides are also part of our conservation charity, and they continuously keep a finger on the pulse of the latest developments in wildlife conservation. From human-wildlife conflict to habitat fragmentation, understanding these issues gives you a much more realistic insight into what is really going on in Africa.
Many safari lodges and tour operators allow guests to contribute directly by participating in conservation efforts, such as planting trees, restoring waterholes, anti-poaching training, tracking endangered species. You’ll leave not just with memories, but with a deeper understanding of the urgent work required to preserve Africa’s wild spaces.
The Right Choice
- Tswalu, in the heart of South Africa on the southern border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: enjoy a dedicated safari vehicle, guide, and tracker, and have the chance to engage in conservation activities. The world’s most traffic animal, the Pangolin, is front and centre of their conservation experiences. The animals’ movements are studied using telemetry and you have the option to help with monitoring and field work. Rates: from ZAR 42,790 (USD2,400) per person/night based on 2 adults sharing.
- Kwandwe, located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape: a conservation legend with an extremely successful low-impact conservation model. Click to read why we love Kwandwe so much! Their 4-day Rhino Conservation Safari allows travellers to participate in the rhino-darting and notching programme under expert supervision. They also offer a 2-night Rhino Monitoring Drive experience. The immersive 4-day “Backstage Kwandwe” experience allows you to gain a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes in managing a privately owned reserve with complete responsibility for all flora and fauna. Rates: Ecca Lodge per person/night sharing ZAR 22,100 (USD1,300) from 16 Jan - 20 Apr 2025 / ZAR 23,800 (USD1,350) from 1 Oct 2025 - 30 Apr 2026
5. Choose off-the-beaten-path destinations that respect their surroundings
Where more people share less geographical space, wildlife tends to suffer. Travelling to unique destinations, away from the crowds, is one of the most important aspects to reducing your impact on the environment you are visiting. Often, simply by choosing to travel in low- or shoulder seasons, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a hefty discount in your rate/night! And perhaps most importantly, it allows you to have a unique experience and makes your safari journey one that contributes to a more sustainable, ethical, and compassionate world.
It should speak for itself that with this, you should avoid animal exploitative activities like “lion cub petting” or “elephant rides” at all costs. These close interactions with wild animals often lead to their mistreatment, and many times these animals are taken from the wild, perpetuating a vicious circle. Instead, seek out opportunities to observe animals in the wild, keep a respectful distance, avoid disturbing animals, and respect the natural behaviour of wildlife.
The Right Choice
- Wayo camps in Tanzania’s Serengeti: the Mara Triangle is one of the most critiqued safari regions in Africa. The Great Migration attracts dozens of jam-packed safari vehicles racing around trying to get to the same sighting on the Mara River: we have seen some true horror stories on recent visits. Wayo Africa camps offer a welcome relief from all of this, whilst delivering on authentic Great Migration experiences. All camps are positioned in extremely remote locations, away from the crowds. Most camps are located inside the Serengeti National Park and are mobile, meaning they follow the herds of animals on their annual migratory route. This means adaptability to seasonal changes, and a commitment to not leaving any trace behind. For those looking to experience the Great Migration on foot, Wayo Walking Camp in the Serengeti is our top recommendation, combining the best of luxury camping and immersive walking safari experience. For those looking for a more classic safari experience with larger en-suite canvas stretch tents, Wayo Serengeti Green Camp offers game drives, short walks, and sundowners in an eco-conscious tented camp. Rates: from USD 750 per person sharing/night.
- Madagascar is a biodiversity wonderland for travellers looking for exclusive and responsible experiences that go beyond your typical lemur trek. More than 80% of its species are found nowhere else on earth. Travelers can explore vast stretches of pristine beaches and untouched forests, knowing that the nearest fellow tourist is at least a good 25 miles away. Journey to Masoala Forest Lodge, focus on authentic engagement with the natural world whilst kayaking through mangrove forests, exploring pristine beaches and snorkelling coral reefs. Disconnect from the modern world in genuine tranquillity and experience life as it was centuries ago. Rates: from EUR 411 per person per night (10 nights) and kids 2-15 years pay 50%. Scheduled flights on Sunday & Wednesday (stay 4,7 or 10 nights).
Be a Conservation Hero: Have a Lasting Impact & Leave a Legacy
An African safari is a life-changing experience, but we believe that it should also be a force for good. As a traveller, you can have a powerful impact on conservation efforts by making thoughtful choices. By supporting ethical tourism operators, respecting wildlife, and engaging in conservation activities, you’re not only enriching your journey but also leaving a legacy.
But perhaps the best news of all?
You don’t have to engage in ANY conservation activities, nor do you even have to think about it – if you choose a responsible travel agent to plan your safari. At Wild Wonderful World, each and every safari automatically contributes 20% per booking to our conservation projects, without you having to do or pay anything at all! Our integrated sustainability model captures the heart of ecotourism, while providing you with life-changing adventures without the fuss. We work only with responsible partners while planning our safaris around intentional and ethical experiences that awaken the soul and inspire a passion for wildlife.
All you have to do?
Book a free, con-commital exploration call with our travel team, contact us via e-mail or fill out our website form to start planning your dream African safari.
Written by Evelyn Poole
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