Family safari in Namibia

Planet

Activity:
During wildlife safaris and game drives we behave responsibly with any wildlife we may come into contact with and this is reinforced by our staff and by an environmental code of conduct which is posted in every vehicle we use. Twenty-five percent of all park entrance fees paid are reinvested by the MET (Ministry of Environmental and Tourism) of Namibia through the Game Products Trust Fund into essential infrastructure and services related to tourism in Namibia’s parks. So through our game drives in Etosha, we are benefiting local communities and nature.

Conservation:
The cheetah is the fastest animal on earth, capable of reaching speeds of 75mph and accelerating faster than most sports cars. Unfortunately the cheetah is also the most endangered big cat in Africa. On this trip we visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), a charity set up to research cheetahs and educate the public, with the aim of protecting this magnificent cat and its habitat. We will meet the centre's resident cheetahs (who cannot be released into the wild) and learn about the conservation efforts taking place in Namibia at the education centre and museum.

Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.

UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

People

A Fair Deal:
Our tour operators are 100% African owned and each member of staff has a huge passion and knowledge of Namibia. This is not only beneficial for our clients, who get real insider’s knowledge on our tours, but this benefits the economy by creating local jobs and ensuring that all income stays within Southern Africa. Our local employees are trained on responsible tourism issues and are given refresher courses regularly. When visiting places like Etosha, local community guides are also employed which helps the community to benefit directly from tourism.

Charity:
It is encouraged on our tours, that passengers do not give local kid’s sweets and cash to adults. This can create a begging society. Donation can rather be collected either by buying books, pens, crayons and this can be given to the kids or to a local school. Passengers whom have sleeping bags and clothes which they don’t want to take back home, can be handed over to guide for donation to an organisation.

Local Craft and Culture:
We visit Swakopmund, which is a small German colonial resort town with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline activities. This is a great chance to explore local businesses and learn about Namibian culture on an optional township tour. Clients can support the local economy by buying beer brewed in the area or – if you’re feeling brave- trying a regional specialty like Mowpane worms. There are also plenty of craft markets in Swakopmund, as well as on route to Etosha, selling wooden carvings, jewellery and material Herero dolls.