One trend that has been discussed at length in recent times in the African tourism industry, is the idea of having a sustainable safari experience. But what does it really mean to travel sustainably? One of the core tenets is about providing travelers with a “transformative” or “transformational” experience. There is now a fast-growing trend among travelers toward more mindful, conscious travel – who want more than just a simple visit to a new destination and instead crave an authentic, meaningful and life-changing travel experience that is making a difference!
Traveling with purpose is what we’re all about here at Sababu Safaris. We believe that travel – if done right – has the power to create lasting change in the world and transform lives for the better. At its core, travel is about connecting with new people, places and cultures, as well as changing limiting beliefs and gaining new perspectives that simultaneously inspire and challenge us.
OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL SAFARIS
Sababu Safaris was created with a transformational travel concept in mind. Where many other Tanzania safari tour operators pledge to support local communities, we go a step further by letting our guests see and make the difference themselves. When you see for yourself the difference you can make in the local community and meet the people whose lives you touch, the feeling that follows is usually one you take with you for the rest of your life.
That’s why we don’t just partner with camps and lodges that share similar sustainable travel values (leaving a low carbon footprint and/or supporting the local communities), we also integrate unique and impactful experiences that put you in direct touch with these local communities. One of such experiences is our solar light distribution project, which has been impactful among remote communities across Northern Tanzania.
THE SABABU SAFARIS SOLAR LIGHT DISTRIBUTION
Access to electricity has been one of the main challenges faced by local communities in Africa. In many of these places, families have to make do with kerosene lamps in order to go about their daily activities after the sun has set. Kerosene is expensive, dangerous and its fumes are toxic.
If you’re on safari with us, you’ll get the chance to visit these remote villages and distribute solar lights to give the gift of light to these families. Since the solar lights are light-weight and inflatable, we can easily distribute them in most of our safari tours. We simply pull up at random villages and inform the elders of our intention before being invited into their homes.
It’s often an exciting moment when you show the villagers how the solar lights work and they realize that they no longer have to live in the dark or depend on kerosene lamps at night. It is a life-changing experience for many of our guests and improves the quality of life of these families at the same time. We usually keep our cars stocked so that we can easily replace broken lights whenever we drive through the same area.
The immediate impact of solar lights includes:
No more expensive kerosene lamps necessary (kerosene takes up a huge chunk of income!)
No more fire hazards
No more toxic fumes inside their huts
Children are able to read and study after dark
AN IMMERSIVE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
No Tanzanian safari experience is complete without an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture of native tribes and witness their local customs. This is another transformative aspect of travel as visits to local Masai tribes and Hadzabe Bushmen expose you to a completely different way of life, which can have a profound effect on your understanding of the world.
Whether it’s taking part in a spear-throwing contest with Masai warriors or learning some handy survival skills from one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes on earth, the experience is often one you’ll look back on with fondness.
You can also learn how to create traditional beadwork with Masai women or attend a cooking class and sample traditional delicacies. Either way, we are committed to providing you with a complete safari experience. Want to be part of this project? Create your dream safari with us today!
At Sababu Safaris, we focus on providing you with a personalized experience with tailor-made safaris and unforgettable activities. Call us today at +1 914-207-4426 to book your sustainable Tanzania safari or to learn more about our transformative projects. You can also reach us through our contact form.
