How to Safari More Sustainably
Africa’s allure is timeless – its sweeping savannahs, rich cultures, and extraordinary wildlife have long captured the imagination of travellers. For generations, safaris have symbolised adventure and wonder, offering a chance to step into landscapes where the rhythm of life is set by the wild.
Today, safari tourism is on the rise – bringing with it both opportunity and responsibility. Yes, it fuels local economies, but without care, it risks straining fragile ecosystems. Overcrowding in parks, pressure on wildlife, and poorly managed lodges can undo the very magic that draws people here in the first place.
And while “sustainability” has become the travel industry’s favourite buzzword, the reality is often muddied by marketing spin and misinformation.
At Wild Edit, we cut through the noise. This is your safe corner of the online world: where we only showcase those who walk the talk – operators, lodges, and guides who live their values daily, protecting both the land and the people who depend on it.
Because sustainable travel isn’t about compromise. It’s about connection – to the landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make Africa extraordinary. It’s about ensuring your safari leaves a lighter footprint and a deeper legacy.
So here are our top tips for how to ‘safari more sustainably’:
1. Slow down to go further
The temptation to tick off multiple destinations in one trip is strong, but there’s magic in staying longer. Choosing one region and exploring it deeply reduces your carbon footprint, gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the land, and allows for more authentic encounters with wildlife and communities.
When you slow down, your days take on a new texture. You start to notice the subtleties – the way the light shifts at sunrise, the calls of different birds at dusk, the quiet patterns of the animals you’ve begun to recognise. A slower pace also allows relationships to form: with your guide, the lodge staff, and the landscapes themselves. It’s these moments – a shared story by the campfire, a chance sighting of a rare bird – that become the real treasures of your trip.
WILD EDIT LOVES: Laikipia, Kenya – Tumaren Camp, El Karama Lodge, and Lewa Safari Camp. Combining these three into one itinerary means you can explore northern Kenya in depth, without the constant travel. Each offers a unique perspective on Laikipia, from intimate camel safaris to rewilding initiatives and groundbreaking rhino conservation.
2. Stay Where Sustainability Leads
When it comes to sustainability, transparency is everything. Many lodges speak the right language – solar panels, community projects, low impact – but how much of it is surface-level? Look beyond the brochure for evidence of real, measurable action.
What to look for:
- Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro) powering the camp
- Water conservation and recycling systems in place
- Thoughtful waste management practices
- Evidence of rewilding or ecosystem restoration
- Clear, ethical wildlife policies (no chasing, no interference, no “performing” animals)
- Tangible data or stories showing conservation outcomes
Choosing an eco-conscious lodge often means your stay will be enriched in ways you don’t expect. Solar-powered camps have a unique charm – there’s something special about sipping morning coffee in a place lit only by the sun. Lodges that conserve water often create ingenious systems for guests to experience sustainability firsthand, whether it’s a gravity-fed shower or beautifully designed refillable toiletries. These thoughtful details make your trip more meaningful, knowing every comfort has been balanced with care for the environment.
WILD EDIT LOVES: Phinda Rock Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Its sleek footprint hides an impressive behind-the-scenes story: in-house water filtration, minimal plastics, and guest experiences that go deeper than the surface – like joining the pangolin research team for a rare chance to witness conservation science in action.
3. Choose Equity-Driven Experiences
True sustainability isn’t only about the planet – it’s about people. Lodges that centre equity create long-term value for surrounding communities, breaking cycles of dependency and ensuring tourism has a ripple effect far beyond the lodge gates.
Look out for lodges that:
- Promote diversity and inclusion
- Hire local people in management roles (not just entry-level positions)
- Champion gender equity in their employment policies
- Prioritise local suppliers and sustainable producers
- Support community initiatives with capacity-building and resources, giving people the skills, tools, and knowledge to create livelihoods that last
WILD EDIT LOVES: Kwando Safaris, Botswana. With nearly all their staff local citizens, Kwzando takes it one step further to ensure equal opportunities for men and women to lead. They reinvest in local skills, partner with charities, and ensure that your safari uplifts lives far beyond the game drive.
Supporting equity-driven operations means you’re contributing to a ripple effect. When local communities have ownership and leadership within the tourism industry, they become the strongest advocates for conserving their own environments. Jobs stay in the region, traditions are preserved, and young people can see a future in protecting the land rather than exploiting it. Every decision to stay in a lodge like this becomes an investment in a more resilient future for the area.
4. Fewer People, More Connection
On safari, less is often more. Smaller, more exclusive camps often mean smaller footprints. Fewer guests, fewer vehicles, less disturbance to wildlife. This is where quality trumps quantity.
But it’s not just about lodge size – it’s also about location. National parks can be busier and more regulated, while private conservancies typically offer a more controlled, lower-impact experience. Conservancies also direct a portion of fees back to communities and conservation, making every game drive a reinvestment into the land.
Increasingly, lodges are also using electric safari vehicles, gliding almost silently across the land so you can hear the wild as it breathes.
This intimacy changes everything. Without the hum of an engine or a crowd of voices, you’re more attuned to the rustle in the grass, the flick of a tail, the subtle cues that wildlife gives before making a move. For photographers, it means unobstructed shots and more natural animal behaviour. For everyone, it’s a chance to experience the wilderness on its own terms – not as a spectacle, but as a living, breathing home you’ve been allowed to visit.
WILD EDIT LOVES: Bushman’s Kloof, South Africa. An intimate reserve that marries heritage with luxury, limiting numbers while immersing guests in nature and conservation at a gentler pace.
5. Seek True Cultural Exchange
Safari is about more than spotting the Big Five – it’s about understanding the human stories woven into the landscape. Visit lodges that celebrate local crafts, art, and cuisine, and that create meaningful ways to connect with nearby communities.
True cultural exchange is never rushed. It happens over shared meals, in quiet moments of observation, and through conversations that go beyond polite pleasantries. You might learn how a basket is woven from river reeds, or taste a family recipe passed down for generations. These cultural connections can be the most transformative part of a safari – but only when they are genuine, not performative.
Choose experiences where communities are not just participants but leaders, with tourism benefiting them directly.
WILD EDIT LOVES: Chundukwa River Lodge, Zambia. Staying here supports the local school and surrounding community, and the approach is refreshingly authentic. It isn’t about staging culture for guests; it’s about building self-sufficiency. Education and capacity-building take centre stage, empowering locals to create businesses and thrive independently.
If you’re on the Zambian Horseback Safari, you’ll also hear Doug (lead guide) speak passionately on your first night about their partnership with the Simalaha Community Conservancy – where the riding takes place. Here, communities and conservationists are working side by side to re-establish wildlife across 180,000 km². With their deep connection to the land, it’s impossible not to want to know more.
6. Go Beyond the Jeep
Safari isn’t just about the 4×4. Some of the most sustainable (and memorable) encounters happen when you leave the vehicle behind.
- Walking safaris: Deeply immersive, with expert guides revealing the tiny details you’d otherwise miss.
- Horseback safaris: Move quietly across landscapes, blending with wildlife while leaving little trace behind.
- Cycling safaris: A more active way to cover ground, with minimal impact.
- Boat or canoe safaris: Perfect in river-rich regions, offering a water-based view of wildlife that avoids extra roads or disturbance.
- Photography or conservation safaris: Where the focus is on learning and contributing, not just observing.
WILD EDIT LOVES: Riding safaris across Namibia’s desert landscapes with Namibian Horse Safari Company. With nothing but hoofprints left behind, this is wilderness exploration in its purest form.
7. Pack with Purpose
Your impact starts before you even leave home. What you bring matters.
Some key considerations:
- Luggage: Invest in durable, eco-friendly luggage, like the Bonamy duffel bag – sustainably made in partnership with Sealand – is not only eco-friendly but perfectly sized for strict lodge weight limits.
- Clothing: Rewear pieces you already own or choose sustainable brands. Stick to light, neutral colours so you blend into the bush (and don’t distract that pride of lions).
- Toiletries: Most lodges provide the basics. Double-check before you pack and leave plastic bottles behind.
- Souvenirs: Save space for locally made goods – supporting artisans and communities ensures your money has a direct, positive impact.
Packing thoughtfully also means packing light – which benefits both you and the environment. Lighter luggage reduces transport emissions, makes small plane hops easier, and leaves more room for flexibility. Bringing items that have a story, like a bag made from upcycled materials or a jacket you’ve had for years, adds personal meaning to your journey. Every item becomes part of the narrative of travelling lightly and leaving a place better than you found it.
Bonus: Choose the Right Operator
Even the most sustainable lodges and best packing choices won’t matter if your safari operator isn’t aligned with your values. Ask the hard questions. Where do their conservation fees go? How do they work with communities? Do they prioritise low-impact itineraries?
At Wild Edit, we believe the right operator makes all the difference.
WILD EDIT LOVES: We trust and recommend working with specialists like Bonamy Private Travel and Ahnasa Travel – both of whom are deeply committed to designing experiences rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and care for Africa’s people and wild places.
Final thoughts: Remember the Why
As Sir David Attenborough reminds us:
“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
Perfection isn’t the goal – progress is. Every small choice, from the camp you stay in to the bag you pack, adds up. When you safari sustainably, you don’t just travel, you actively shape the future of Africa’s wild spaces and the communities who call them home. And when you return, the stories you share can spark curiosity in others, widening the circle of care and protection for these extraordinary places.