Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
Foxes Safari Camps, which runs Rufiji River Camp and Ruaha River Lodge, says it operates a carbon-negative charter airline and states that it uses renewable energy wherever possible, operating accordingly to circular-economy principles. The safari includes walking safaris in both Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks, as well as boating on the Rufiji River, reducing the need for every activity to be vehicle-based. Rufiji River Camp and Ruaha River Lodge both use solar water heaters in every room, while electricity is deliberately limited around the camp. As the camps are in remote national parks without access to mains electricity, this reduces their reliance on generators.

Pongwe Beach Hotel uses solar energy and has a zero-plastic goal. It's building materials and ingredients are sourced locally from Zanzibar, with the daily menu built around the morning catch from local fishermen and produce from its own gardens. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE:
The safari portion of the trip takes place in Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks, both important protected areas for southern Tanzania's wildlife. Nyerere is particularly known for its Rufiji River system and populations of elephant and African wild dog, while Ruaha is a major stronghold for elephant and large carnivores.

Foxes Safari Camps has a long-running conservation programme through the Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation Trust, which grew from the Friends of Ruaha Society established by the Fox family in 1984. The Trust supports environmental conservation alongside community and social-welfare projects in Tanzania. Foxes also runs wider reforestation work, including the planting of more than 3.6 million trees across 9,000 acres.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY:
All three accommodations are independently or family owned rather than international chain properties. Rufiji River Camp and Ruaha River Lodge are part of Foxes Safari Camps, a family-owned Tanzanian safari company that has operated in the country for more than four decades. Pongwe Beach Hotel has been locally owned since 2003.

Foxes employs people from local communities across its camps and provides training and opportunities to progress within the company. Its safari guides are trained in-house, while produce from the Fox family farm is used across its camps and lodges. Pongwe also keeps its supply chain close to home, sourcing ingredients from local fishermen and its own gardens. The hotel uses locally sourced building materials and maintains long-standing relationships with village artisans and suppliers.

EMPLOYMENT,INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY:
Foxes Safari Camps reports that more than 98% of its employees are Tanzanian, with around 90% coming from local communities. The company recruits people with limited formal education and provides training to help employees develop their careers. The Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation Trust also supports vulnerable communities and young people in Mufindi through education, life-skills training and income-generating projects, alongside wider environmental work.