This is how you travel responsibly through Africa: will you join in?

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;

Wildlife:

• 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.

People:

• 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.

For Yourself:

• 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!