Africa Geographic, safari experts since 1991 – for those who want their safaris and donations to make a real difference in Africa.
We create life-changing, responsible safaris just for you. Travel in Africa is about knowing what, when and where to go and with whom – for the ultimate experience. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
We also write informative, factual articles about Africa’s incredible natural wonders, which we publish here and share via our newsletter, app and social media pages. Over sixteen million humans in the last decade have read these stories that reflect the complexity and reality of life at ground level here in Africa. That’s 16m caring individuals from across the globe – our tribe – that have taken on board the science and considered opinions, and helped us spread the word. And for that, we are eternally grateful.
We also market and manage reservations for remote safari camps, where local communities are the primary beneficiaries, via our sister company, Ukuri - safari camps for responsible travellers. Ukuri is the preferred booking platform for lodges and campsites managed by African Parks.
This MANIFESTO explains our approach to travel and conservation:
Our safari clients, subscribers and followers strive to help us celebrate Africa and do good. All our activities aim to benefit African ecosystems, biodiversity and people:
- Going on safari involves choices that impact conservation and local community lives and livelihoods;
- We safari with purpose and donate to worthy causes that we can trust;
- We care about truth, transparency and accountability;
- We research and debate complicated conservation issues with an open mind. No matter how widely our opinions might differ, we respect each other and the discussion process;
- We realise that those who care deeply about Africa’s people and biodiversity have to distance themselves from the hate spectrum and chaos of the public online space to focus their energy, money and skills on doing good. This often means stepping away from the extremists howling at the moon and the software that promotes misleading ideology over science and factual accuracy.
Conservationists
We celebrate and support the critical role of courageous conservationists – the ground crew in the field, scientists, high-level decision-makers, informed influencers and activists, landowners and local people who carry the cost of living among wild animals.
Complexity and the Great Ape
As we plunge headlong into what scientists are now calling the Anthropocene, greed, corruption, egos and burgeoning populations continue to desecrate Earth’s remaining biodiversity. Conserving what remains (and repairing what we can) is a complex web of interconnected factors – including biodiversity, science, politics and socio-economics. There are seldom ‘silver-bullet’ solutions. Authentic conservation is a labyrinth of difficult choices that more often than not require a diverse approach.
Science
We believe that science is the framework for effective conservation, and we recognise that our considered opinions, while being essential tools for dialogue and problem-solving, are ultimately subject to scientific reality. Science is an ongoing process of learning and adapting – mistakes are made, and lessons are learned. Our support of science does not prevent us from embracing compassion and empathy in our dialogue and actions. Science and scientists must be held to the same degree of accountability and transparency that we expect from wildlife industries.
Local values and cultural heritage
We believe that indigenous people’s values, cultural heritage, knowledge and land-related rights are paramount when planning and implementing conservation strategies. Combined with science, these human dimensions present a powerful arsenal of conservation tools.
Wildlife industries
- We believe that all industries claiming to be ‘sustainable’ – including wildlife industries such as photographic tourism, hunting, farming and conservation projects – need to be transparent, accountable to science and held to the highest ethical/moral standards. They must empower and reward local people, creating ownership and pride among those living with wildlife;
- We believe that no wildlife industry should be exempt from scrutiny, specific criticism and public pressure to reform where necessary;
- We believe that animals should be treated humanely at all times.
Diversity
We know that there is strength in our diversity. Compared with the rest of the world Africa’s people have achieved great success in maintaining their wild places. Collaboration between African people and those from elsewhere will likely forge the best conservation strategies for Africa and her people.
How we help
We continually ask ourselves, ‘how can we help?’. We help by travelling responsibly and donating to worthy causes, debating to help find conservation solutions and investing the time to learn about Africa. And we help by collaborating with others who share our passion.
