Responsible Tourism in Tanzania

We love Africa – its animals, its nature and its people. That’s why we want to protect this wonderful continent by all means. At the same time, we want as many people as possible to see the wonders of Tanzania with their own eyes. So let’s be clear: responsible tourism is very important to us.

If you now think, “well that’s all very nice, but how can ‘responsible’ and ‘tourism’ go together?” we can’t blame you. Obviously, the tourism industry isn’t the most eco-friendly sector. But we’re doing our best to give something back to the planet and the people while offering unforgettable journeys. We’re definitely not perfect, but we’re constantly looking for ways to do better.

In this article we want to have a look at disadvantages and advantages of tourism, what we are currently doing to protect the nature and support the locals and what you can do yourself.

Okay, let’s crack on then, shall we?

Disadvantages and advantages of tourism

The disadvantages

Let’s start with the biggest disadvantage of tourism on the environment, which is a no-brainer: flying. In order to get places, you have to use a means of transport. And while you can use public transport for a trip within your country or even your continent, going to Tanzania only leaves you with one option (unless you have a lot of time and crave an adventure on another level).

Also, the more people travel to a country, the bigger is the toll on the country. Agricultural space and landscapes need to make space for roads and hotels, more people mean more emissions and waste and some ancient cultural traditions might get lost. And thanks to Instagram, hidden gems tend to turn into highly sought-after safari hotspots, disturbing animals and nature alike.

However, tourism also has its advantages and with that we leave this article’s gloomy side and start painting a brighter picture in the next part.

The advantages

If we talk about which advantages tourism can have for a country and its people, we best ask a local. Like our director, Epimark Mndevu, who grew up in Lushoto in the Usambara Mountains and has been in the tourism industry since 1996.

The tourism sector doesn’t only provide him with a job he’s passionate about, but also with a steady income. This means he can support his family as well as shops and restaurants in his community. A virtuous circle, if you want.

The advantages, however, can also be seen on a larger scale. More people travelling to a country also mean more money for the country – something especially developing countries heavily rely on. Having more funds at their disposal, they can support their people and use it for conservation purposes or landscape conservancy. So yes, travelling harms the planet, but it also does good.

Our commitments to encourage responsible tourism in Tanzania

The well-being of animals, people, and landscapes is our top-priority, no matter what we do. This means, for example, that we get close to your favourite animals during a safari, but thanks to our guides’ extensive knowledge we never disturb them.

Of course, we also want to make sure that you travel as safely and eco-friendly as possible when travelling with us. That’s why we’ve taken some matters into our own hands – from hospitality training and educational programmes to local recycling initiatives and green energy consumption.

Sustainably doing business means everything to us. Planting trees, training vulnerable youth and creating awareness with our suppliers to also be sustainable are things we always dreamed of doing. Making an impact makes sense because it is beneficial to all. With a big thank you to all clients of Tanzania Specialist because you made and are still making this possible!
– Robbin Meulemans, Founder Tanzania Specialist

Accommodation powered by nature

When picking our accommodation partners, we of course check for comfiness and authenticity. But we also have a list of environmental criteria we want to have fulfilled: from waste reduction to green energy. And since the sun watches over Tanzania most of the time, it powers 75% of our accommodation options via solar panels.

CO²-free activities

Of course, you can enjoy a safari in our 4x4s. We regularly update our fleet with a focus on an innovative and sustainable performance. However, if you only want to only leave your real footprints behind, you can join a hiking adventure, a biking tour, a canoeing safari or sleep in a simple tent under the stars.

You can never have enough trees

In 2020, we launched our Manyara Tree Planting Project close to Arusha National Park. The initial 30 acres have quickly grown to 48 acres, and we’re far from stopping. By planting more indigenous trees, we want to capture at least some of our industry’s emissions.

Donations where they are needed

When Epimark was 16 years old, he suffered from a strong flu, leaving him unconscious. The catholic sisters of the Gare Catholic Dispensary took care of him and since we are extremely thankful for that, we wanted to support this life-saving institution. We donated medicines, mattresses, bedsheets, and hope to soon be able to give them an ultrasound and an X-ray machine.

Certified Sustainable Travel Africa

The founders of Tanzania Specialist wanted to recognise Tanzanian tourism businesses operating with nature in mind, which is why they launched this initiative. If they operate with the environment as their priority, stick to sustainable practices and play their role in our commitment to creating a sustainable Tanzania for all, they can adorn themselves with this prestigious title.

Supporting our employees

Nothing would be possible without are employees. From our office staff to our guides in the bush – they all undergo a lengthy selection process and in-depth training, including environmental awareness.

Training street kids

Youth unemployment is a big issue in Tanzania. In order to give kids and young adults a future, we have set up the Hakuna Matata Academy in 2022, where we train around 200 street kids per year. The focus lies on basic life skills, but also on knowledge about wildlife, nature, and the hospitality sector. Our goal: we want to offer and get them trainings in this industry. The more they know, the better can they protect nature and support their community.

As you can see, we don’t just say that responsible tourism is important to us. We don’t shy away from taking responsibility for Tanzania’s nature, animals, and people. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, which is why we constantly look for more possibilities.

What you can do

No matter if you travel to Tanzania or another country – you can always play your role in the sustainability picture.

We have put together eight valuable tips applicable to anywhere and anytime.

1. When booking your flight, tick the little box saying “carbon compensation”.
2. Support local businesses and respect cultures and customs.
3. Choose eco-friendly options when possible, e.g. take the train to your local airport.
4. Respect nature and wildlife: take your rubbish with you and observe animals from a distance – do not feed them.
5. Take part in responsible activities like nature walks, biking tours or a canoe safari.
6. Check for any country- or activity-specific guidelines regarding responsible tourism and stick to them.
7. Support conservation efforts with donations – a few dollars can go a long way.
8. Switch off your phone: our good old internet makes up for a lot of CO² emissions and while this tip might not make that big of a difference, it helps a little and gives you the ultimate feeling of holiday freedom!

And last but not least: travel with Tanzania Specialist 😉 In doing so, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime and automatically support each and every one of our efforts.

You want to know more about some initiatives, activities, or travel options? Then get in touch – we’re looking forward to showing you all of Tanzania… in an environmentally-friendly way!