Thinking of an African safari? Here's where your travel dollars actually go
Safari operators are becoming more open about how guest fees support conservation and local communities. Travellers, especially from the US, now have clearer options to choose stays that publish real data on sustainability efforts.
This shift comes as lodges and conservancies highlight their financial contributions to wildlife protection and community projects across Africa and the Indian Ocean.
In Kenya’s Maasai Mara, safari camps pay landowners for land use while funding wildlife protection. The Mara North Conservancy raised $805,000 in 2024 from land-lease payments, conservation fees, and additional support. A night at Serian camp there costs around $1,700, with $200 of that going directly to conservation.
Segera Conservancy in Kenya invests roughly $7 million each year into environmental and community projects. These include reintroducing endangered eastern black rhinos, tree planting, and supporting local schools.
In the Seychelles, Alphonse Island Lodge adds a $30 per person per night conservation levy. Since 2013, this has raised over $1.6 million for local efforts. Meanwhile, Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives backs the Maldives Underwater Initiative, which monitors ocean health and helps manage protected marine areas.
Some operators now verify sustainability practices before recommending camps. Jacada Travel’s Positive Impact Collection, for example, reviews properties to ensure transparency in how fees are used for conservation and community benefits.
The trend towards transparency lets travellers see exactly where their money goes. By choosing verified properties, visitors can directly support wildlife protection and local development.
With more lodges publishing financial breakdowns, the impact of tourism spending on conservation and communities is becoming easier to track.
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