Top 5 Ethical Safaris

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 are considered to be endangered- or even facing extinction. So participating in a safari that aims to works towards conservation is a great way to see these great creatures up close. You can come here for the day for a shorter visit, or stay in their luxurious accomodations for a more immersive trip. And you can really get up close and personal with these rhinos, helping the rangers tag them for identification. You’ll feel comfort in knowing that your funds are helping rather than hindering these magnificent animals.



#4: Duba Plains Camp

Botswana

Great Plains Conservation was founded in 2006 and focuses on maintaining wildlife reserves in this economically-challenged Southern African nation. They provide environmentally friendly tourism and partake in a multitude of fundraising efforts to support their organization. Staying at the Duba Plains Camp is a high-end experience (which is understandable, given their high standards and best practices) but the company also strives to provide access to seeing the elephants and other iconic wildlife for a much lower cost as well. One guest review said “ “I am not a religious person but I now understand that the Garden of Eden can now in fact be found at Duba Plains.” High praise indeed!



#3: Okonjima Plains Camp
Namibia

Central Namibia, in Southwest Africa, is home to the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the conservationist AfriCat Foundation. This lodge won the title of 'Namibia's Leading Safari' in the World Travel Awards, and is definitely one of the best places to see leopards and cheetahs if you want to ensure that your environmental footprint remains small and the animals’ health and survival is your primary concern. The reserve covers a whopping 22,000 hectares and is 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 focus both on education and conservation, so you’ll be able to rest easy in their gorgeous lodge knowing that you’re taking part in something positive while you appreciate African wildlife.



#2: Bisate Lodge
Rwanda

Just outside of Volcanoes National Park (now that’s a name for a 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; they are an endangered species, and guests can actually trek into the wild to visit the gorillas in their natural habitat. This is truly an experience like no other that would be impossible to replicate anywhere else in the world. Gorillas yes; guilt no.



#1: Singita Grumeti Reserves
Tanzania

The non-profit Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund was established in 2002 to preserve a 350 thousand acre area of Tanzania in Serengeti National Park that had been heavily poached, and desperately for an infusion of conservation efforts. And this safari resort provides an avenue for that. Here you can camp on the legendary Serengeti, either in more basic stripped-down lodgings, or splurging for one of the gorgeous high-end lodges with every luxury and amenity imaginable. No matter where you rest your head at night, you’ll spend your days here seeing a full panoply of majestic African animals in their natural environment, and knowing that you’re not making a negative impact on your surroundings. As with all our picks, if you can afford it, it is so worth the cost.