A safari is one of the most significant travel investments you’ll ever make. You meticulously plan the logistics, dream of the wildlife, and anticipate the lifelong memories. But for a growing number of travelers, especially families, another question looms large: “Will my trip actually benefit the people and wildlife of Africa?” It’s a crucial question, because not all safaris are created equal.
The good news is that you hold the power to make your journey a profound force for good. With a few conscious decisions, you can ensure your safari money stays in Africa, supporting local families, funding critical conservation work, and creating a positive legacy. This is your guide to traveling with purpose.
The Hidden Problem of “Tourism Leakage”
Before we get to the solutions, it’s important to understand the problem: tourism leakage. This is the term for what happens when the money you spend on a trip “leaks” out of the local economy and back to foreign-owned corporations.
When you book a package with a massive international travel company, a huge portion of what you pay can go to their headquarters in London or New York, their foreign shareholders, and to pay for imported goods. Some studies suggest that for certain types of mass-market tourism, this leakage can be as high as 70%. Your safari can still be amazing, but its potential to build a stronger local economy is drastically reduced.
The goal of a responsible traveler is to plug those leaks. Here’s how.
Your Blueprint for Impact: 5 Key Actions
1. Choose a Locally Based Operator (Your Single Most Important Decision)
This is the single biggest lever you can pull to maximize your positive impact. By choosing a tour operator that is based and registered in an African country, you are already reversing the flow of tourism leakage.
- Local Employment: Their staff—from the CEO to the guides to the accountants—are based in Africa, earning salaries that support their families and are spent in the local community.
- Local Taxes: The company pays taxes locally, which fund essential public services like schools and hospitals.
- Local Knowledge: Africa-based operators have unparalleled, up-to-the-minute knowledge and deep relationships, which not only improves the local economy but also the quality of your trip.
This doesn’t mean you have to find a tiny company on your own. The best approach is to use a service that specializes in vetting and connecting you with the best, most reputable local operators who meet international standards of safety and service.
2. Ask Sharp Questions About Their Supply Chain
A truly responsible operator thinks deeply about their entire supply chain. Their commitment goes beyond just hiring local guides. Before you book, ask them these specific questions:
- “What percentage of your senior management and office staff are local citizens?”
- “Do you have a policy for sourcing supplies (like food and water) from local businesses for your safaris?”
- “Can you give me an example of a community-run project or social enterprise you actively partner with?”
- “What is your guide training and development program?”
Expert Insight: “A great operator won’t just answer these questions; they’ll be thrilled you asked. They are proud of their local roots and their investments in their people. If an operator is vague or dismissive, it’s a major red flag that they don’t prioritize genuine local impact.”
3. Embrace Park & Conservancy Fees
On your safari invoice, you may see a line item for “park fees” or “conservancy fees.” It’s easy to view these as just another tax, but they are the most direct and powerful conservation funding tool in tourism.
This money does not go to your lodge or tour operator. It goes directly to the government wildlife authority (like TANAPA in Tanzania or KWS in Kenya) or the board of the conservancy. This is what pays for:
- Ranger Salaries and Equipment: Funding the brave men and women on the front lines of anti-poaching efforts.
- Habitat Maintenance: Paying for road upkeep, fire management, and ecological research.
- Community Payments: In the case of conservancies, a large portion of your fee is paid directly to local communities as a land lease, creating a powerful incentive for them to protect wildlife.
Your park fees are a direct investment in the survival of the wilderness you’ve come to see.
4. Prioritize Community-Owned Lodges and Camps
One of the most exciting trends in safari travel is the rise of lodges and camps that are partially or fully owned by the local community. This model transforms tourism from a simple transaction into a true partnership.
When you stay at a place like Il Ngwesi Lodge in Kenya, owned by the local Maasai community, your money goes directly to funding education, healthcare, and business development for that community. This creates a virtuous cycle: wildlife brings tourists, tourists bring revenue, and that revenue gives the community a direct economic reason to protect the wildlife. Ask your operator to include community-owned or partnered properties in your itinerary.
5. Spend Consciously On the Ground
You can continue to make an impact with your daily spending.
- Shop Ethically: Avoid mass-produced souvenirs from large airport shops. Instead, ask your guide to take you to a local artisan co-operative or a market like Shanga in Arusha, which employs people with disabilities. You’ll get a more authentic keepsake, and your money will support creators directly.
- Tip Generously and Correctly: Tipping is a crucial part of the local tourism economy. Your operator will provide guidelines. It’s customary to tip your guide directly at the end of your trip and to use the communal staff tip box at lodges to ensure everyone—from the chefs to the housekeepers—receives a share.
- Don’t Hand Out Gifts: While well-intentioned, giving sweets or money to children on the roadside can encourage begging. A much better way to help is to ask your operator if you can make a donation to a local school or clinic they support.
Beyond the “Big 5”: Questions to Ask Your Safari Operator
Alt text: Key questions to ask your safari operator about local impact.
Caption: Use these questions to vet any potential safari company on their commitment to the local economy.
- Are you an Africa-based and registered company?
- What percentage of your guides and management are from this country?
- Do you partner with any community-owned lodges?
- Can you tell me how you source your food and supplies for the trip?
- Do you support a specific local school, clinic, or conservation project?
Your Choice Has Power
Making sure your safari money supports the heart of Africa doesn’t require you to sacrifice quality or comfort. It simply requires you to be conscious in your choices, starting with who you plan your trip with.
Our entire model is built on this principle. We exclusively match you with vetted, locally-owned operators who have a proven commitment to their people and environment. We take the guesswork out of finding the true experts on the ground.
- See how fees contribute to the total safari cost and plan a budget that aligns with your values using our Safari Cost Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “tourism leakage”?
Tourism leakage is when money spent by tourists in a destination does not stay in the local economy. Instead, it “leaks” out to pay for imported goods and services or goes to the profits of foreign-owned companies, minimizing the local economic benefit.
How can I tell if a safari company is locally owned?
Check their “About Us” page for their history and team. Look for a physical address in an African city. And most importantly, ask them directly! A genuinely local company will be proud of its roots and happy to tell you about its local team and registration.
Is it better to give money or gifts to local children?
It is strongly advised not to give money, sweets, or gifts directly to children, as it can encourage a culture of dependency and begging. A far more impactful way to help is to make a financial donation to a local school or community project recommended by your operator.
How much of my safari cost goes to conservation?
This varies, but a significant portion goes to conservation through park and conservancy fees. These can range from $50 to over $150 per person per day and are paid directly to the park authorities or conservancy boards to fund their operations.
What is a community conservancy?
A community conservancy is an area of land that local communities have set aside for wildlife conservation. They lease this land to tourism partners who build lodges and camps. In return, the community receives a reliable income and employment, giving them a direct incentive to protect wildlife.
Travel That Leaves a Legacy
Your safari is a chance to create a legacy for your family—a shared memory of wonder, connection, and adventure. By making these conscious choices, you ensure that your trip leaves another, equally important legacy: one of empowerment, conservation, and positive change for the people and places you visit.