Travel That Makes a Difference: Conservation and Sustainable Tourism in Africa
- Kerry Graham
- May 19
- 4 min read
Conservation and sustainability have become common terms in today’s society.
In the hospitality industry, it started with hotels asking you to hang your towel if you were happy to use it again or place a card on your bed when you would like your linen changed.
Virtuoso has an entire category of suppliers who focus on sustainability and go far beyond the above. Where possible, The Private Travel Company works with suppliers who have sustainability at the heart of everything they do. Many of our clients now ask what efforts the providers of their travel arrangements make regarding conservation and sustainability. Some of these initiatives are quietly carried out behind the scenes. We like to support those companies that are genuinely making a difference.
There is robust discussion around whether tourists should be able to visit some areas of the world and, indeed, overtourism is a problem. The travel industry, together with governments and tourism boards, is working to address this in destinations around the world by limiting visitor numbers and encouraging travel outside peak periods — which is often a far more pleasant experience anyway.
Conservation efforts in Africa have moved beyond sustainability to enhancement. It is no longer enough simply to maintain what is there; companies like Wilderness are taking a longer-term view. They want to improve what is there.
Consider the rhino, for instance. Numbers have increased due to the work of conservation groups, but also because of responsible tourism. The tourist dollar directly supports conservation work, and the presence of tourists helps prevent poaching. During COVID, some countries experienced an increase in poaching as tourism came to a halt in many game parks.
If you stay at a Wilderness camp, you know you are directly supporting their efforts in that region. They build camps in marginal farming or previously degraded land, helping to reforest areas while employing local people. They also support youth initiatives through the Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme.
They educate and train former poachers and local communities, many of whom become wildlife protection advocates. Local people now rely on tourism for their livelihoods and see that conservation and wildlife protection benefit both their communities and the animals.
Some of my favourite camps and stories include:
Desert Rhino Camp, Namibia
In this remote desert location, guests are encouraged to collect waste shower water in a bucket, which is then used to wash floors or water the garden. The camp works closely with the Save the Rhino Trust, contributing to an increase in the rhino population. Guests can learn more about their work and even take part in a rhino tracking experience on foot alongside the rangers — an incredible experience.
Serra Cafema, Namibia
This camp works closely with the local Himba community and has recently helped build several wells, saving the women of the village from long walks carrying heavy containers and the dangers of collecting water from the crocodile-filled river.
The guides check with the village beforehand to ensure it is appropriate to visit, making this a truly authentic experience. I spent time playing a version of knucklebones with a young girl. We had no language in common and slightly different “rules”, but it was a lovely interaction filled with laughter.
The incredible Himba community
Kerry playing Knucklebones with the Himba kids
Magashi, Rwanda
Magashi is located within Akagera National Park. Wilderness has two camps inside the national park with a private concession, meaning there are no other vehicles in their area — Magashi and the newly opened Magashi Peninsula.
They have played a significant role in reintroducing wildlife into the region, which is now a wonderful park with very few crowds but an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five: rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant.
Bésate and Bisate Reserve, Rwanda
The land on which these camps now stand was once farmland. Today, through the vision and commitment of Wilderness and its guests, more than 100,000 indigenous trees have been planted across the 42-hectare reserve, encouraging the return of native birdlife and wildlife to the area.
The reforestation of Bisate Hill and the Nursery
At the heart of the project is an on-site nursery, lovingly managed by a justifiably proud gardener. Trees are grown carefully from seed, with some species expected to live for well over 100 years. This is conservation with a true long-term vision — an investment not just for today, but for future generations.
Guests who plant a tree receive a certificate along with the GPS coordinates of their planting site. One member of our group was even able to revisit a tree he had planted several years earlier and see how successfully it had grown.
Kerry planting tree and geo linking the tree
“I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” — Edward Everett Hale
Wilderness is an inspiring example of a company going far beyond sustainability. They are not simply protecting what already exists — they are actively restoring and improving their corner of the world.
There is so much more to share from these remarkable places and the people protecting them. I look forward to sharing more stories, experiences, and insights from my journey very soon.
Warm regards,
Kerry
To keep up to date with my journeys and travel insights make sure you subscribe.
Comments