5 Ethical African Safaris to Visit With a Peace of Mind

Everyone wants a chance to see Africa’s most magnificent creatures, but we all also want to avoid morally corrupt or environmentally damaging practices. First time visiting a safari? Today we’re looking at some of the best ethical African safaris that will leave you both awestruck and regret-free!

1. Rhino Conservation Safari, South Africa

While many regular popular safaris are located in countries like Kenya, this wildlife experience at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is more accessible to visitors to the southern part of the continent. Many different types of rhinos here are endangered, some even facing extinction. So participating in a safari that aims to work towards conservation is a great way to see these grand creatures up close! You can come here for the day for a shorter visit, or stay in their luxurious accommodations for a more immersive trip. And you can really get up close and personal with these rhinos, helping the rangers tag them for identification. Not to mention you’ll feel at ease knowing that your funds are helping rather than hindering these animals!

2. Duba Plains Camp, Botswana 

Great Plains Conservation was founded in 2006 and focuses on maintaining wildlife preserves in this economically challenged South African nation. They provide environmentally friendly tourism and are taking a multitude of fundraising efforts to support their organization. Staying at the Duba Plains Camp is a high-end experience, which comes hand-in-hand with their high standards and practices. But the company also strives to provide access to seeing the elephants and other iconic wildlife for a much lower cost as well!

3. Okonjima Plains Camp, Namibia

Central Namibia and Southwest Africa is home to the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the Conservationists Africat Foundation. This lodge won the title of Namibia’s leading safari in the World Travel Awards. As one of the ethical African safaris, it is one of the best places to see leopards and cheetahs while ensuring your environmental footprint remains small. The reserve is huge and home to a wide variety of amazing predators, many of whom suffer from issues that prevent them from surviving in the wild. The staff at Okonjima focuses both on education and conservation. Rest easy in their gorgeous lodge, knowing that you’re taking part in something positive while you appreciate African wildlife.

4. Bisate Lodge, Rwanda 

Just outside of Volcanoes National Park in this formerly genocide-stricken country is the Bisate Lodge, which is run by Wilderness Safaris. The fascinating lodge itself is amazingly located inside a volcanic cone which makes for a landscape that is totally otherworldly. It doesn’t hurt that the lodge itself looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie! Mountain gorillas are deservedly the main draws here. An endangered species, guests can actually trek into the wild to visit them in their natural habitat. This is truly an experience like no other and one that is impossible to replicate anywhere else.

5.  Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

Established in 2002, Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund helps preserve a 350,000 acre area of Tanzania and Serengeti National Park that was heavily poached and desperate for an infusion of conservation efforts. This safari resort provides an avenue for that! Here, you can camp on the legendary Serengeti. Go for more basic stripped-down lodgings, or splurge for a gorgeous high-end lodge with every luxury and amenity imaginable! No matter where you rest your head at night, you’re in for a good time. Spend your days seeing an array of majestic African animals in their natural environment, knowing that you’re not creating a negative impact on your surroundings! The experience does not come cheap, but it is so worth the cost.