Burundi and Rwanda holiday

Burundi and Rwanda holiday

How this holiday makes a difference

Environment

This trip visits a number of national parks that are home to rare and endangered species. The fees that we pay for visiting these parks contribute to important conservation efforts to protect some of the planet’s rarest creatures such as the mountain gorilla. When in the parks we make use of local guides who are usually from the communities surrounding the parks; in this way the communities are able to realise a financial benefit from the preservation of wildlife and this acts as a strong disincentive to poaching. Some of the parks that we visit, namely those in Burundi, are very under-visited in comparison to many of their East African neighbours - the fees that we contribute represent an important input into conservation efforts here and reinforce the idea that wildlife is intrinsically valuable - in this part of Africa population pressure is intense and it is crucial that such parks are maintained.

Our travellers are carefully briefed on appropriate behaviour within the parks; this is especially pertinent when tracking mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, both of whom are susceptible to human diseases if an appropriate distance is not maintained.

We also spend time tracking the very rare golden monkey, found in a limited number of locations - the fees that we pay and which are included as part of this tour help to ensure the safety of this species and again involve the local community in preserving their rich natural heritage.

Community

Our philosophy is to only use small and locally owned suppliers, meaning that the income remains within the country and creates a real economic contribution. We also feel that the passion inherent within such suppliers means that your experience will be enhanced. We also try to engage with our suppliers on an equal basis – getting the lowest possible price usually isn’t the best outcome for local communities and is ultimately unsustainable. We aim to always treat our suppliers fairly and with respect; they are after all part of the key to our success and to us working together is much more than just a business arrangement, but an ongoing relationship that we aim to ensure truly benefits everyone involved.

We believe that tourism is a double edged sword that needs to be wielded very carefully. Our philosophy is to have a limited amount of departures – usually between one and three a year - for each of our group itineraries. By limiting our presence in areas where local culture can be quite fragile, we hope to avoid as much as possible the phenomenon whereby an area changes in character due to repeated and prolonged exposure to tourism. We want to visit an area as friends, not intruders and to ensure that what we see will also be there for others to enjoy for many years to come.

We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops and encourage our clients to interact both financially and socially with the communities that they are passing through. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.

We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Finally to emphasise our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travellers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.

Burundi and Rwanda holiday