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Best Ecotourism Destinations In Africa

Best Ecotourism Destinations In Africa

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Ecotourism has become one of the fastest growing industries in Africa, and tourists have flocked by the thousands to enjoy the continent’s natural beauty while embracing environmentally-friendly approaches to travel. In sub-Saharan Africa, ecotourism is a booming source of business for local communities, and many have taken advantage of the opportunities it offers. Here are some of the best destinations for ecotourism in Africa.

Sources: EcoTourism.org, AFKTravel.com, EcoTourDirectory.com, WWF.Panda.org, VancouverSun.com, BasecampKenya.com, PermaLodge.org, Frommers.com

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Benin

Benin has increasingly embraced eco-tourism, and organizations such as EcoBenin work throughout the country to help protect of the country’s natural beauty. EcoBenin tours have a peak capacity to ensure that the country’s resources are not overloaded, and spearhead carbon-offset projects. Benin has embraced traditional nature conservation methods, as well as developed new, innovative approaches. These include providing opportunities for local employment such as unconventional rearing (rabbits and snails), garden production and fish cultivation.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

South Africa

Considered a leader in ecotourism around Africa, South Africa has heaps of opportunities to sustainably enjoy the incredible natural wonders the country has to offer. The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, for instance, rehabilitated 38 overgrazed cattle farms and managed to create the largest privately owned reserve in Southern Africa. The reserve is now home to endangered wild dogs, rhinos, and cheetahs. In a similar vein, the Madikwe Game Reserve became the site of the largest game translocation in the world when it transplanted more than 10,000 animals to rehabbed cattle territory. It now plays host to the first entirely community-owned and operated safari lodge in South Africa.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Kenya

The enormous support for ecotourism in Kenya comes not only from the government and people, but also from companies committed to preserving Kenya’s natural resources and empowering local communities. Basecamp Foundation, for instance, is a nonprofit that works with host communities and partner organizations to set up “sustainable destinations” in Kenya and other developing countries, highlighting the positive effects tourism can have on the natural, social, and economic environment. Ecotourism Kenya is another organization that devotes much of its resources to raising awareness through community outreach, performing extensive research projects, and ensuring leadership opportunities for local community members.

Source: BasecampKenya.com

Flickr.com A.Davey
Flickr.com
A.Davey

Ethiopia

A prime example of the booming ecotourism industry in Ethiopia can be found in the Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge in the Konso region. Aside from its basic services, the lodge also offers cultural immersion programs to allow visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Konso people. All tour activities are led by local Konso people including trekking, and an extensive permaculture program promotes food security and healthy eating habits. Workshops are offered daily to educate visitors about the tolls that deforestation, environmental degradation, and more have taken on the local environment, and what can be done to fix it.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Malawi

Malawi is not necessarily known as a tourist haven on the continent, but those who do choose to travel there are often pleasantly surprised. There are many operators who will take tourists around Malawi in an eco-friendly fashion, From camping on the banks of the Zambezi River, to moseying through the colorful markets, whether it’s camping on the banks of the Zambezi River, or moseying through the colorful markets. Africa Wild Truck is one of the leading tour operators in the country, and prides itself on its commitment to bringing benefits to the natural resources of Malawi, as well as the local people. Some of the money Africa Wild Truck receives from its tourist patrons is rolled back into nature conservancy projects, or donated to like-minded organizations such as Around AWT (Africa WildTruck).

OurOrdinaryLIfe.com
OurOrdinaryLIfe.com

Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire’s chimpanzee population has long been in danger. It is estimated that chimpanzees have experienced a 90-percent decline in population worldwide over the past 20 years. Tai National Park recently launched an ecotourism campaign to try and revitalize the population, and bring in much-needed resources to the chimpanzees and their habitats. The program, the product of a partnership between the Ivorian government and Wild Africa’s Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, hopes to educate people about the importance of the chimpanzee, and how humans must alter their behavior to save them and the local forests they inhabit.

Flickr.com Mazzali
Flickr.com
Mazzali

Namibia

Namibia has long been a subscriber to ecotourism, and its natural parks have benefited enormously from the country’s commitment. Locals have been partners in tourism from the very beginning in Namibia. Companies such as Wilderness Safaris have gone into villages to set up eco lodges using local construction materials and hiring community members for labor and managerial staff positions. Some companies even pay communities for the use of the land. Wilderness Safaris has committed to transferring total ownership of its lodge and operations to the local community within 20 years. This type of effort has been considered a success story across the continent –community enrichment helps natural conservation efforts and gains attention and resources for the company, the community and the Namibian tourism.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations on the African continent, known for its spectacular wildlife, as well as its claim to the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Many companies have set up ecotourism operations to allow visitors to take advantage of Tanzania’s incredible nature while still respecting the land and the people who live on it. Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience, for example, is a member of Leave No Trace, an environmental ethics organization. It operates Kilimanjaro trekking and wildlife safari experiences with a high commitment to preserving the ecology of the land.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Madagascar

Though it is the fourth-largest island in the world, Madagascar is a small nation by many standards. While many of its national parks are protected, they still face danger from bush fires, slash-and-burn cultivation, illegal wildlife trading, and more. Several eco-tourism projects have been set up to try to offset this. In the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, for instance, the World Wildlife Foundation has set up small-scale village infrastructure to educate visitors on field trips led by local guides through the park. Ranomafana National Park in the southeast of the country operates in a similar fashion. Visitors must meet up with local guides — mandatory in order to be granted entry.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Cameroon

The Rural Development Centre in Belo, Cameroon, is one of many organizations that combine local empowerment with conservation projects, and a prime example of Cameroon’s commitment to ecotourism. The center operates projects to provide socio-economic opportunities for the underprivileged, including skill sharing and community development work that promote natural conservation. The center provides for unique tourist opportunities in small, rural Cameroonian villages, and is getting funding to continue its important work.