Travelling responsibly through Africa

The Environment:

Leave the environment as beautiful as you found it. Collect your waste and find a place to dispose of it, even if that might be a bit difficult;
Smoked a cigarette on the mountain? Put it between your shoelaces until you can dispose of it properly;
Ok, yes, we love to go off the beaten track, but when you’re in a nature reserve or park, stay on the path! Otherwise, there won’t be any nature left;
Collect your plastic waste, as we mentioned earlier. If you’re travelling through Kenya, we can provide you with a large collection bag for plastic (if possible). If you leave this bag in the car after your trip, we’ll make sure the plastic is locally recycled;

Respect the animals around you: you’re entering their habitat, not the other way around;
Never feed animals! For example, if you feed monkeys, they may be shot;
Enjoy wildlife with your eyes and don’t get too close without permission. Don’t threaten or chase animals;
During a safari, you’ll meet wild animals—don’t underestimate them! A safari park is not an amusement park: large animals can cause big problems if they feel threatened;
You might not expect it, but hippos are the deadliest animals in Africa! Every year, people die from unfortunate encounters with hippos. Stay away from these big guys!
Keep your distance from elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes too—they can easily crush you or your vehicle. If you’re camping in the bush, ensure that a ranger is with you at night! It’s also a bad idea to store food in your tent.

If you want to take a photo of people, always ask for permission first. If you want to photograph children, ask if you can first get permission from their parents;
You’ll likely come across poverty during your stay. Two very important rules:
1. We are absolutely against ‘poverty porn’, so don’t take photos of less fortunate people just to get likes on Instagram;
2. If you want to give something to people, do so in an honest setting (by sharing or engaging in a transaction). Giving out goods or money in poorer areas contributes to a begging culture;
Don’t forget to tip! The tipping culture in Africa is significant: if someone does something for you, they almost always expect a tip. Don’t feel like tipping? Make sure to make it clear (before your luggage is carried up the stairs!);
Our partners are fairly paid, but it’s also common for them to receive tips. Be sure to read our guidelines for tipping!
When you return to your accommodation after a night out, remember that other guests are sleeping. Be polite to people on the street, the staff, and other guests;
Make sure to keep your promises and commitments, whether it’s about your car or things like timing.

Try not to view the world through a Western lens. The standard of living may be different in African countries, but life goes on. Life often has a different pace, and perceptions of things like value and happiness might be different from what you’re used to;
Ladies, pay attention to your clothing. Especially in coastal areas (more in the cities than on the beach), you’ll encounter significant cultural and religious differences—make sure you’re prepared!;
Be open to the ‘African lifestyle’: ‘pole pole’ (take it slow) and ‘hakuna matata’ (no worries). Not everything will go according to plan, sometimes you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Try not to stress, grab a drink, eat a samosa, strike up a conversation, and enjoy the surroundings!