Our Top Eco Tourism Accommodations in East Africa | Asilia

What is Eco Travel?

There’s nothing like the excitement of an East African safari, with its abundant game-spotting opportunities and pristine bushveld as far as the eye can see. Eco travel is a sustainable way of travelling that allows safari-goers to give back, supporting the well-being of this precious ecosystem for generations to come.

According to the International Ecotourism Society, eco-friendly travel is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustain the well-being of the local people, and involve interpretation and education”. In essence, eco tourism follows three main principles: conservation, communities, and education.

Eco Travel with Asilia 

Asilia’s biggest commitment is to empower crucial wilderness areas in East Africa, benefitting people and nature. With the help of our guests – who contribute a donation of US$5 for each night that they stay with us – we’re able to make the most significant impact towards empowering these areas, including the local communities and wildlife that call them home.

All Asilia safari stays contribute in some way, but there are some camps where you can choose to be more actively involved in environmental tourism during your visit. Here are our top three eco travel accommodations.

1. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Home to the world’s last two surviving northern white rhino, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is famous for pioneering conservation projects and unspoilt wilderness. The conservancy aims to protect all vulnerable species, provide a sanctuary, and generate income through tourism for reinvestment in conservation and communities.

At Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, you can get involved by helping with canine training or recording lion sightings for the research team, if this interests you.

Dog Training at Ol Pejeta

Visit Ol Pejeta’s bloodhound kennels and learn about the training that transforms these canines into anti-poaching patrollers. After your tour, you can play a game of hide and seek with the dogs as part of their training. (Morning visit only: 8.30 am, maximum group size of six, minimum age 12 years.)

Lion Tracking at Ol Pejeta

Several lions on the conservancy have been fitted with radio collars. You can learn how to track them along with the researchers who follow them. When you locate a pride, you’ll learn how to identify the individuals by notches on their ears, whisker patterns and other distinguishing marks. All this important data is passed to the Ol Pejeta Ecological Monitoring team to help them further understand these magnificent predators. (Morning activity: 6.30 am, afternoon visit: 3.30 pm. Duration approx. two hours. Minimum group size two, maximum six. Guests are to remain in the vehicle at all times.)

Rhino Experiences at Ol Pejeta

Visit the world’s last two northern white rhino in their protected enclosure, and learn from the keepers about the efforts being taken to preserve the last of this highly endangered species. You’ll also learn about the conservation of Grévy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest in this intimate wildlife experience. (Morning visit: 8.30 am or 11 am, afternoon visit: 3 pm or 4.30 pm. Duration 1 hour. Maximum group size of six. Physical interaction with the rhinos is relatively restricted.)

 2. Rubondo Island Camp, Rubondo Island 

Rubondo Island National Park is largely covered by untouched equatorial rainforest. It’s uninhabited by humans and has been set aside as a refuge for endangered chimpanzees, elephants and numerous other animals. 

When you stay at Rubondo Island Camp – the only camp on the island – you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a chimpanzee habituation experience, in addition to the usual game drives and forest walks. 

Chimpanzee Habituation on Rubondo Island

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a chimpanzee trek, while helping to habituate Rubondo’s chimpanzee population. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to study them in the future. Hike through the forest with your knowledgeable guide, tracking the chimps’ movements and helping to get them used to proximity to people. (Maximum group size eight, minimum age 12 years.)

Read more about the chimpanzee habituation experience.

3. Usangu Expedition Camp, Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a great place to spot lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as an abundance of other wildlife. This peaceful park offers an immersive off-the-beaten-track experience with boating trips, night drives and walking safaris all on offer. 

Usangu Expedition Camp is located on the banks of Ruaha’s beautiful and wildlife-dense Usangu Wetlands, just beyond the reach of the seasonal high-water mark, in the far south of the park. A pioneering camp in an up-and-coming wildlife area, Usangu offers guests the opportunity to be amongst the first travellers to explore this unique landscape.

Understanding the Usangu Wetlands

For those who are interested, the neighbouring Douglas Bell Information Centre offers the opportunity to engage on the story of the Usangu Wetlands, to better understand the importance of the ecosystem and what has been learned so far about this largely unexplored environment.

Asilia’s Sustainable Eco Tourism Practices

Asilia’s camps and logistics answer to the highest standards of eco tourism. It means we reduce our footprint by limiting fossil fuels and using sustainable energy sources such as the sun, recycling water that is used in camps, and reducing our overall wastage. The rest of our carbon footprint is offset by our support of local forestation projects and even the introduction of our very own vegetable gardens in areas such as the remote Rubondo Island and the northern Serengeti.

Sustainable Camp Design

Each of our camps has been designed to have the lowest possible impact on the environment, with few permanent structures. We make use of solar power in all our camps, and reuse and recycle water where possible. We have the utmost respect for our natural world and our biggest concern is ensuring we are doing everything we can to sustain and conserve the wild areas we operate in.

Migration Camps

Our migration camps offer you a front-row seat to experience the Great Migration and are also extremely eco-conscious. They move up to three times a year, allowing for the environment to restore itself to its original state without any interference. These areas are allowed to replenish themselves and the wildlife of the area can benefit from this during the times of the year the camp is not in the area.

Community and Education

Education is a powerful key to changing perceptions. That’s why we aim to educate young and old about the importance of conserving our wildlife and wilderness areas.

The Twende Porini Programme for Local Children

Twende Porini, which means, “Let’s go to the bush”, is our flagship environmental children’s programme. Lessons are combined with games and fun activities while teaching the children about the importance of sustainable tourism and conservation, and the benefits that these have for them and their families living within rural communities close to our properties.

Watch our Twende Porini video.

Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict arises when wild animals threaten the local people’s way of life, and these people retaliate against the animals. Examples of human-wildlife conflict in East African communities are instances where elephants eat or damage farmer’s crops, or carnivores such as leopards attack and feed on their livestock. Despite the history of human-wildlife conflict, innovation and education have led to collaboration between conservancies and local people, and positive changes are being made.

Waste Recycling

We have appointed “Eco Warriors” in each of our camps in Kenya and Tanzania as well as on the island of Zanzibar. They are responsible for the collection of all waste produced by our camps. They sort this waste into different groups based on how they should be disposed of, and every week this waste is sent to Arusha for recycling.

Eco Tourism East Africa: How Can You Be a Responsible Guest?

As a guest enjoying a safari, you can also be involved and do your bit to make a difference. Here are 10 tips for being an eco-friendly adventurer:

Choose sustainable accommodation, like one of Asilia’s beautiful East African camps.
Avoid single-use plastic. Note that plastic bags are banned in Kenya and Tanzania, so opt for reusable canvas bags instead. You can also skip the bottled water and use the refillable Asilia water bottle you receive once you arrive in camp.
Conserve energy. Remember we make use of solar power at our camps, so turn off the lights when you leave your room and don’t leave your appliances charging for longer than need be.
Save water. Small acts can save many litres of water. For example, take shorter showers instead of baths, and don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing your face.
Treat the local wildlife with respect, and don’t attempt to feed the animals.
Take only photos, leave only footprints. Dispose of all your litter properly, and don’t remove any natural objects from the environment without permission. 
Enjoy walking safari experiences, which allow you to explore the bush on foot without the use of a vehicle.
Be souvenir smart. Be careful what you buy as a souvenir – do not buy products made from any endangered species. The ivory trade has led to one of the biggest threats to wildlife species such as elephants and rhinos, so be sure to check before you buy what your souvenir is made from. 
Support local businesses. Buy locally handmade, sustainable crafts to support the local communities. 
Learn more about the cultures you are exposed to while on safari. Feel free to ask the friendly staff about their cultures and history. You’ll be intrigued by the meaning behind the dances, songs and traditional experiences that are shared with you as a guest.

Sustainable Safari East Africa

Speak to an Asilia safari planner to help you put together an amazing East African safari experience in a sustainable and responsible way. Book your Asilia safari today.