Five Responsible Safaris
From walking safaris in Namibia to community-owned projects in Kenya, here are five of our picks of the best responsible safari holidays.
Koiyaki Wilderness Camp, Kenya
Superbly positioned for the migration of wildebeest and zebra along the northern plains of the Maasai Mara, the community-owned Koiyaki Wilderness Camp helps fund the adjacent guiding school, where up to 25 Maasai school-leavers a year are trained to become professional safari guides. www.wildernessjourneys.com.
Kutazama Lodge, Kenya
Staffed entirely from the local community, this lodge has one of the highest eco-ratings from Tribes Travel - the award-winning responsible tour operator. Guests go on game drives, walks and picnics in Mwalugange Elephant Sanctuary and in the Shimba Hills National Reserve. www.tribes.co.uk, 01728 685 971.
Amboseli Porini Camp, Kenya
Co-owned by the local Maasai and Nairobi-based Gamewatcher Safaris, guests go on day and night safaris into the Selenkay Conservation Area, tracking game with local Maasai guides. www.porini.com, 020 7100 4595.
Okonjima, Namibia
Based at luxurious thatched chalets on a 223-sq kilometre Okonjima guest farm near Otjiwarongo between Windhoek and Etosha National Park, join a radio-tracking walking safari to see cheetah, organised by the Africat Foundation, which runs a successful rescue and release programme as well as trips to see leopard and wild dog. www.okonjima.com, +264 6768 7032
Thakadu River Camp, South Africa
Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few reserves in South Africa that’s malaria-free and is home to black and white rhino, leopard and cheetah as well as over 300 bird species and popular game, such as elephant, zebra and giraffe.www.rainbowtours.co.uk, +22 (0)11 805 9995.
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This article, by Richard Hammond, was first published in the January issue of Geographical magazine, available in WHSmith and many independent newsagents. Subscribe online or order your copy by calling +44 (0)1795 414 881.
