One of the oldest private reserves in South Africa, MalaMala first opened in 1964 as a hunting safari for the rich. Situated just beside the Sand river on a 300-hectare piece of land, the camp was also one of first to reinvent the idea of safaris from a hunting one to a photographic one completely. In 2018, the camp has been rebuilt and updated. The newly refurbished establishment is now home to 19 guest rooms and suites, complete with African slate floors and artworks from contemporary African artists. Single-use plastics have been eliminated, and reed beds are used to filter liquid waste and sewerage before releasing the clean water back to surrounding rivers. Look out for antelopes, elephants and birds from the comfort of your bedroom, or go on a game viewing ride with the reserve’s photographic vehicle.
Serra Cafema is a community-led, sustainable luxury camp in Namibia’s remote Kunene region. Its grounds are leased from the local Himba people, which aim to transfer skills, give employment and lease fees back to the community. The hauntingly beautiful region is grazed by local livestock such as the oryx and gemsbok, completely immersing guests in the traditional Himba lifestyle and culture. Stay at one of the eight thatched chalets, all crafted in wood and canvas for a camping experience unlike any other. Here, guided walks, game drives and seasonal boating trips can be scheduled to learn more about the wildlife that make this area their home.
UK-born owner Bernie Smith founded the original Garonga Safari camp in 1997 and in 2009, he decided that it was time for a complete environmental overhaul. The camp, located in the Greater Makalali Pidwa private nature reserve, is home to a sewerage system consisting of a six-phase filtration system that makes wastewater safe for animals to drink. For guests, the Vivreau water system produces chilled, filtered water, and organic chicken litter enriches the camp’s in-house garden, which then supplies a third of Garonga’s food supply. Spend the night at one of the six luxury camping grounds, sculpted out of rough-plastered walls and overarching canvas tents. If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a playful elephant or two right at your doorstep. Game drives are also available to guests to want to encounter the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino) from the comfort of the vehicle, which is also run on sustainable biofuel.
Botswana’s very own sustainable safari lodge is Meno a Kwena, an establishment committed to the environment and people surrounding it. The land was leased from local communities to provide employment and training opportunities for the people at the lodge itself. Spending the night here also helps to fund community-focused initiatives such as the Communal Herding for Livestock and Wildlife Protection initiative and the Mmogo Coexistence Programme, which aims to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict. Each of the 10 tents are elevated on a 100-foot clifftop which overlooks the river, and is perfect for ‘armchair viewing’, especially in April during Africa’s second-largest mammal migration season.
Open only from April to mid-November, Chikwenya is located in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. A photographer’s paradise, open floodplain, the broad Zambezi River and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment set the scene for its seven serene tents. The camp is also home to an open pool, a lounge and a dining and bar area. The camp works together Painted Dog Conservation, to drive the conservation of this endangered species in the area. As part of this initiative, Chikwenya has helped to built bomas to host wild dogs that have been relocated from Hwange National Park in order to boost the population in Mana Pools as well. Other sustainable actions include the usage of a water purification system that treats water in the Zambezi River for use in the camp.
A safari in Africa is a whirlwind of an adventure that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
The 20th-century heyday of safaris saw a slew of trophy hunters, hunting wild game for purely recreational purposes through sub-Saharan Africa. It also saw an apex in illegal ivory poaching and lavish holidaymakers who trample around the animals’ habitat, forcing them to adapt their behaviour to their convenience.
Thankfully, safaris have come a long way since then. Safari-goers today aren’t just looking for exhilarating encounters with the majestic beasts, they are also increasingly keen to help preserve them for future generations to experience as well. Major players have recognised the shift towards eco-safari tours, and hence are changing the way wild spaces and species are being protected. Many have also chosen to practise sustainable tourism by leaving a positive impact on the local community and economy too.
We’ve listed some of the best safari camps to help you kickstart your journey to one of the most remarkable continents on Earth, the eco-friendly way.
