Sustainability & Conservation
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Making progress in sustainable living and environmental conservation is the only way to ensure the preservation of so many of our endangered species that are vital for the survival of our planet.
Tourism is a driving factor behind wildlife conservation in many African countries, and with that power lies the responsibility of all stakeholders in the industry to actively work towards protecting the environment. We take our role in sustainability and conservation in Africa very seriously as specialist Tour Operators. We are passionate about not only working closely with responsible safari companies and further conveying the message of responsible travel but taking an active role in it. Consequently, our policy includes a $50 donation per booking contributed by Kidogo Travel Design, to small high impact environmental conservation and community development projects within Tanzania. There are numerous reputable organisations and small projects that work tirelessly to tackle issues of poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat depletion. Many active projects conduct invaluable research on a number of species on the brink of extinction while some initiatives provide educational scholarships or internships for locals to become guides or environmental researchers. The safari companies we work closely with, and are proud to call our partners, focus on keeping their environmental footprint as small as possible. To this end an increasing number of lodges are completely removable. Some of the simplest of schemes such as removing single use plastic containers/utensils can have an enormous impact. Nomad, Asilia, Singita, Selous Safari Company and Elewana Collection, are just a few of many of the safari lodge companies that have made substantial contributions to environmental conservation; many of which have established their own organisations and foundations that continue to have a profoundly positive impact. For those who are interested in learning more about the projects positively contributing to this worthy cause, please get it touch with us! We’re always delighted to share our passion for conservation and the African eco-system and are happy to share our knowledge about how you too can contribute. |
Community Development
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Conserving the remarkably diverse ecosystems in African countries can only be achieved with the support of the local communities. Fostering a spirit of help and cooperation involves an acute awareness of the collaborative approach that needs to be adopted in order to achieve success in the longer-term goal of environmental conservation. Educational initiatives are a crucial aspect of improving the future for local communities from the ground up.
Our ethos and established policy includes a $50 donation per booking contributed by Kidogo Travel Design, to small high impact community development and conservation projects in need of support, within Tanzania. Many of the safari companies we work closely with have developed educational scholarship programs, school meal projects, and provide vital school supplies to local communities. In addition to building libraries and schools, some safari companies, such as Nomad Tanzania, and Asilia, encourage school children to stay in their lodges to learn about nature, sustainable tourism, and the crucial nature of wildlife conservation while incorporating games and sports to create a memorable experience. There are a variety of incredible initiatives that provide seed money to empower women, support local businesses, create job opportunities for disabled locals and effectively contribute to sustainable development. Sometimes the seemingly small projects, such as the installation of a water pump in a small village, can have an immense impact on the day to day quality of life for an entire community. Having lived and worked in Tanzania, and successfully implemented community development initiatives, we have had the privilege of speaking directly with local chairmen, school directors and other influential members of local communities, to create long lasting development projects. In this respect we can provide our clients with advice should they wish to contribute to one of these noble rural community causes. |