Knowing that you’re genuinely welcomed by resident communities will enrich your wildlife holidays. However, there’s still much you can do to travel responsibly.
By adhering to responsible travel guidelines, you can reduce your overall environmental impact, which lowers your carbon footprint and helps to protect natural resources and wildlife while contributing to local economies. The travel industry generates pressure on the environment and can potentially lead to increased pollution, natural habitat degradation and even species extinction. That's why we need to be aware of our actions while travelling abroad.
Here are some ideas worth considering on how to be a responsible tourist.
1. Eat Out Locally
Eating out locally injects revenue into the local economy. Not only do you get to support community-owned eateries, but you also immerse yourself in your hosts’ everyday life, bonding with people through enjoying their cuisine.
During your holidays to South Africa, for example, you can dine at plenty of small seafood restaurants. Here, you may fall in love with mouth-watering delicacies such as the traditional smoked snoek. And as a result of your patronage, the resident fisherman can continue to trade and make a living doing what they’ve oftentimes done for generations.
Another tip is to try the local drinks, rather than imported ones. Some are delicious! In Mexico, for instance, you’ll find many different beers, including Modelo Especial, characterised by its orange blossom honey aroma with hints of herb.
Imported beverages are flown or shipped across the world, adding to the carbon emissions in the atmosphere. But with local drinks, your impact is smaller. Buying local means supporting businesses such as breweries or plantations, which supply the stores or cafés you visit on your holiday, helping them in the long term.
"In addition to eating out locally, you can also enjoy some of the most incredible food experiences. For example, Chiloé Island is home to the world’s original potato! Around 90% of our potatoes trace their origins here and you’ll find more than 400 varieties served up in everything from stews to bread. By visiting in February, you can even see hot potato juggling during Costumbrista Festival." – Sarah Frankish, Latin America Travel Specialist
2. Pack For A Purpose
If you're keen to help support educational programmes during your trip, we recommend checking to see what’s needed most and maximising what you pack in your suitcase. Pack for a Purpose is an excellent initiative which – among other things – provides children with the essentials they need to study.
Items always appreciated are pens, pencils, erasers, individual pencil sharpeners, solar calculators and protractors. Footballs and games such as Scrabble inevitably go down a treat. Please check with your specialist beforehand for details about which items are needed most in your selected destination.
Pack for a Purpose also outlines how you can assist staff working at Protected Areas such as private reserves or concessions, thus aiding their conservation efforts. Useful goods include camping cutlery, duffel bags, mosquito nets, water bottles, mobile phones or solar-powered laptops.
3. Give Reasonable Tips
Guide with guests at Ifotaka Community Forest, Madagascar. (Courtesy Madagascar Classic Camping)
Plan ahead to include reasonable tips wherever you can, as this money goes directly to resident people.
For guides, porters, trackers and spotters, tipping can be more complex, so please consult with your specialist for current updates. A good example to illustrate this might be when going gorilla tracking in Uganda, where the following recommendations apply:
- Guide: US$25 per day per couple for a national park guide.
- Ranger: US$15–20 per couple per ranger.
- Trackers: US$15–20 per couple per tracker (there are usually two trackers).
- Porters: We highly recommend the service of porters. Do bear in mind they do not earn a salary. The minimum recommended tip per person per porter is US$20.
If you didn't receive the service you expected, don't feel obliged to tip. Things move more slowly in most of our host countries, so your experience may not be as seamless as you might’ve anticipated.
Tipping is ever evolving and a subject that can lead to some awkward experiences. Camps and lodges utilise different systems. Look out for a tipping box or kitty, from which funds are shared equitably among the staff.
Services of cooks, porters, cleaners, guides, spotters, waiters and transfer drivers all contribute to your overall experience.
What we may consider an insignificant amount, could go a far longer way in our host countries than we might think, thereby reinforcing the positive impact of tourism.
4. Use Local Guides
Employing the services of local guides and porters wherever possible is essential practice for many reasons. Providing income for local guides and/or porters encourages them to work with the appropriate authorities to better protect the things you travel internationally to appreciate. In return, you’ll be provided with invaluable insights, advice and a more authentic and responsible travel experience. Always follow local advice when planning activities.
In community-based ecotourism, host communities directly manage tourism related activities in the areas where they reside. Guides – along with other residents – are empowered by being involved in the decision-making process. Experienced local guides know best how to navigate the terrain in their areas, and they’re usually the most accomplished at locating sought-after species in the safest way possible.
During your time in the field with local guides and porters, they may well share stories of their personal experiences. These could even involve daunting accounts pertaining to wildlife-related crime. Many guides have witnessed the horrific aftermath of poaching. On other occasions, you may even be guided by someone who is a reformed poacher. Either way, guides’ tales bring the protected area you’re visiting to life and showcase their passion for conservation.
To talented guides, safeguarding wildlife is pivotal. If, say, a client wanted to get a close-up sighting of a particular animal, an experienced guide would ensure they maintain a safe distance. This minimises disturbance to the target animal.
"Porters are superheroes. During my trip seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda, they carried my rucksack with water supply and camera gear, making the experience seamless. Many porters are reformed poachers, so utilising their services is an excellent contribution to local conservation." – Craig Kaufman, Africa Travel Specialist
5. Buy Locally Made Souvenirs
High quality traditional crafts make great gifts for friends and family.
Purchasing such goods while you’re travelling means you’re supporting local businesses and the artisans who spend time handcrafting each item. There's a wide range of jewellery you can purchase, for example, from Zulu or Maasai tribes. While in Bolivia, you can buy traditional instruments such as panpipes or charangos, or in Madagascar, valiha or marovany.
Throughout your travels, you'll come across plenty of stores selling authentic items. Namibia Craft Centre, in the heart of Windhoek, for instance, hosts 40 women-owned and community-driven craft enterprises hailing from rural communities. Each product is uniquely Namibian and of excellent quality.
6. Visit Locally Protected Reserves/Community Conservation Sites
Visiting locally managed sites of biological significance helps efforts to conserve them. Your entrance and guiding fees will contribute to the success of the conservation measures and, thereby, the continued survival of valuable parcels of natural habitats and the wild animals that reside in them.
Encouraging and enabling travellers to visit such small, community-managed sites is high on our agenda. Oftentimes, conservation in these sites is incredibly effective, because it has the blessing of the resident people.
Our partners in Costa Rica, Travel Excellence, volunteered at Palo Verde National Park six months ago, supporting reforestation after wildfires destroyed part of the rainforest. Their objective is to create a biological corridor so wildlife can move safely between oftentimes isolated tracts of forest. Additionally, they donated a surveillance camera aimed at monitoring a regular entry point for poachers.
Also in Costa Rica, Osa Conservation works from the Talamanca Mountain Range to the Golfo Dulce and Pacific Ocean in collaboration with a network of communities and international leaders to protect southern Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity. To date, they’ve released over 145,000 sea turtle hatchlings and planted over 530,000 trees among many other achievements.
Over in Madagascar, Anja Community Reserve is one of the few projects on the island where you can see sustainable protection of nature entirely managed by the resident people in action. Thanks to the exemplary achievements that have been made here, Anja was a recipient of the 2012 Equator Prize – a United Nations Environment and Sustainability Award.
"In Latin America, we have fantastic partners who put sustainability at the forefront of their operations. This is particularly evident in Costa Rica, where the eco-credentials of lodges are always on show, and each guide you come across is passionate about creating a positive impact. Our partners on the ground, who we work with, hold the Elite Certificate for Sustainable Tourism, and in addition to this hold the National Carbon Neutral Mark with the intention of reporting, reducing and compensating any emissions produced from an itinerary around Costa Rica." – Jack Brooker, Latin America Product Manager
7. Use Environmentally Friendly Toiletries
Another eco-friendly travel tip we encourage all our guests to keep in mind is to use products that aren't harmful to the environment. Reef friendly sunscreen is free from Octinoxate and Oxybenzone, which are two reef bleaching chemicals commonly found in sunscreens. Plastic-free exfoliators are more environmentally friendly as they’re biodegradable and suitable for vegans.
In the shower, use soap bars instead of gels, as this avoids plastic bottles. Additionally, you can ditch single-use cotton wool and wipes in favour of reusable cotton pads or muslin cloths. There are even organic cotton shower caps to keep your hair dry!
8. Respect Local Cultures
Always enquire as to whether photography is permitted in cultural situations. Also, make a point of asking people for their permission before photographing them. Sometimes, such as in the case of certain tribal visits, a charge may be applied. Our Travel Specialists will be pleased to share their personal experiences and valuable practical advice in this regard.
Cultural norms are often specific to the location/s you’re visiting. Regional variation can be both extensive and subtle. For example, the indigenous San communities, who reside in more arid parts of Southern Africa, are open to the idea of sharing elements of their traditional life with interested visitors. Showing consideration for – and a genuine interest in – local traditions, leads to a more enriching and enjoyable experience for visitors and hosts alike.
In Madagascar, for example, an intricate system of ‘fady’ (local beliefs) holds sway and, depending on where in the country you are, tourists may or may not be exempt to adhering to these beliefs. Your guide will be indispensable when it comes to providing information and guidelines on appropriate conduct during your responsible travel journey.
If something seems unfamiliar to you while you’re travelling abroad, take the time to step back and observe. Responsible cultural tourism centres around contemplation and appreciation, which encourage understanding of other traditions.
Acknowledging cultural diversity is an important part of demonstrating respect of cultures that are new to you.
"Exploring Santa Catalina Monastery first-hand was deeply engrossing. You’ll learn about the nuns residing there and their extraordinary lives within the boundaries of the convent. Instead of snapping lots of photos, take time to listen to each story and immerse yourself in their world." – Kristen Lanskail-Morris, Latin America Travel Specialist
9. Learn Local Customs
Learn a little of the official language and customs in the country you're looking to visit.
Whether it's a few phrases in Spanish for Argentina or some Kinyarwanda sayings for Rwanda, it's always polite to know the lingo. Not only will you begin to understand the people in a new light, but you'll feel more confident in venturing outside your comfort zone in more rural and remote places.
Learning basic phrases doesn’t only come in handy while you’re travelling, but your effort to master them is usually also visibly appreciated by your hosts.
In Colombia, for example, it’s considered rude to speak with your hands in your pockets, or, to chew with your mouth open. Also, resting with your elbows on the table during a meal is frowned upon.
Good knowledge of basic etiquette when travelling can go a long way in helping you to avoid potentially awkward situations and you’ll be able to enjoy connecting with resident people on a deeper level.
In short, cultural awareness benefits all.
10. Donate To Reputable Initiatives
Avoid giving money or gifts directly to children. Instead, we can help you donate either to a local facility or to a reputable organisation which works to bring long-term benefits to the community which you’re visiting.
Throughout our history, we’ve been associated with admirable initiatives. Money for Madagascar is an exemplary charity, of which we're proud to be long-term supporters. Their projects address key issues such as extreme poverty, inadequate healthcare, food insecurity and education.
From protecting threatened forests to establishing community projects and seeing them reach their potential, charitable organisations like this have the well-being of both people and the environment at heart.
We also support Uthando and Travel for Impact. Every booking we make to South Africa and Botswana includes a donation to them. As a result of their work, projects like Isiseko Educare Centre, which Uthando supports, can now provide education for 100 of the most vulnerable children in Mfuleni.
For every Latin America booking, we make a contribution to the LATA Foundation. The Foundation allocates funds to a variety of initiatives across Latin America, including Abriendo Mentes, who work with LATA to deliver their excellent Youth Development Programme in Costa Rica. The local education system offers just three hours of instruction per day. So, this after school programme focuses on giving English, Computer, Sport and Art lessons to young people aged between 4 and 20.
“During wildlife trips, do check with your guide about regulations specific to your target species. Examples include the distances boats are required to maintain while whale watching, or the wearing of masks during gorilla tracking. To seek nocturnal species, you’ll most likely need to visit a community-managed reserve or private concession where night walks or drives are permitted. Speak quietly and move cautiously, wherever possible. Avoid feeding or touching wildlife. Keep strictly to designated trails, roads and viewpoints. Sticking to the mindset of ‘taking only photographs and leaving only footprints’ inevitably enhances the positive contribution conscious travel can make to conservation efforts.” – Derek Schuurman, Product Manager for Madagascar & Alternative Africa
11. Pay Fair Prices For Goods
Haggling beyond what’s reasonable isn't good for anyone and doing so can place local craftspeople or traders at a disadvantage. Instead, try to make sure all parties are happy: neither you nor the seller should settle on an amount which is way over or under the initial asking price. The trick is to find some sort of middle ground, where you both come away feeling you’ve benefitted.
If the seller makes back the amount their product is worth, they can continue to trade. Your decision to pay fair prices for goods can therefore contribute to the cycle of the local economy.
In many Latin American and African countries, bartering or negotiating prices is commonplace. But do research, before you set off, whether or not bargaining is the thing to do in the destination you’re heading to.
Also, be sure to always carry cash.
12. Reduce Reliance On Single-Use Plastic
Reduce utilising single-use plastics by taking a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic water bottle. Plastic water bottles may end up littering the environment if not recycled properly. In some countries, recycling isn't as advanced, so please be mindful with what items you bring over during your holiday.
During your holidays to the Galapagos Islands, you'll witness the iconic Galapagos giant tortoises roaming the arid landscapes in search of vegetation to eat. However, research has shown that they ingest items such as glass and plastic bags. By visitors minimising or even eliminating reliance on single-use plastic, pollution is reduced and these unique reptiles – and also, their far better-known marine relatives – have a stronger chance at thriving.
13. Be Water Aware
Being water aware can benefit your host country enormously. Rather than running a bath, take a shower – it’s quicker and doesn’t use nearly as much water as a bath does: a bath can hold up to 80 litres, whereas a five-minute shower uses on average 40 litres.
Additionally, you can opt into a towel and sheet reuse scheme. This can significantly reduce the impact of the property on the environment by saving water and lowering carbon emissions.
A simple gesture like not leaving the tap running while cleaning your teeth, can save up to four gallons of water if you brush your teeth for up to two minutes! We would also encourage you to report any dripping taps to the management of your hotel or lodge.
Water wastage has a seriously detrimental impact on our ecosystems. Excessive consumption can lead to depletion of freshwater sources, affecting biodiversity and disrupting the circle of life.
“Many of our suppliers have commendable initiatives in place when it comes to sustainability. Chobe Game Lodge, for instance, has Africa’s first fleet of electric vehicles and boats, so are pioneers on that front. Botswana has implemented exemplary policies with regards to recycling and the utilisation of single-use plastic. Water conservation is a priority and tourist numbers to the protected areas are carefully controlled, following a low volume, low impact model” – Candice Buchan, Head of Rainbow
Experience a Responsible Holiday with Rainbow
Leading on from these responsible travel tips, why not experience a thoughtfully created adventure by speaking with our Travel Specialists? They’ll tailor a bespoke itinerary, enabling you not just to see, but to understand.
