Are safaris in Africa ethical?

[Anonymous]

If you really want to go, you need to research to find out what different safari companies do to make it ethical and then show it to him and make the argument. As PPs noted some of the countries and companies make more of an effort to participate in conservation and to leave limited footprint. Others don't. He may be more interested if he felt reassured that there is an ethical way to do it that wasn't invasive toward the animals or r exploitative of people there. If this is his concern you need to address it directly.

[Anonymous]

It’s pretty exploitive no matter what.

Team DH

[Anonymous]

If you go with a local, ethically managed safari company like the one my friend runs in Tanzania, I can't imagine a less destructive vacation.

She previously worked at a non-profit that had quite a bit of ethical tourism and she oversaw the program.

Could safaris be unethical? Yes.

But it's not the same as voluntourism which is basically taking day labor jobs from locals. It's about learning about another part of the world, seeing nature, and giving money to a likely impoverished local economy. All good things to do.

I'd have more ethical concerns about the flight over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to go on one and my husband loves animals too so I THOUGHT he would consider it when I pitched it as an idea for the big 20th anniversary trip we are wanting to go on, but he immediately was like "uh, no, definitely not" and equated it to voluntourism or swimming with dolphins at a resort...that kind of thing.

Cue the progressive scolds.

[Anonymous]

Well, it’s not exactly environmentally ethical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it’s not exactly environmentally ethical.

What about it is not environmentally ethical? I'm sure much of it depends on the practices of that particular company and driver.

[Anonymous]

It is not the same thing as going to a zoo. You’re in the animals’ territory and get to observe them in real life, not locked up in a pen with an engineered environment. It’s an eye opening experience, one very different from anything most people have done. Sleeping out there, hearing the animals at night, knowing they are just living their lives… not the same as the zoo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty exploitive no matter what.

Team DH

Who is being exploited?

[Anonymous]

Is it unethical to travel anywhere?

As for safaris, like anything else, it depends. There are many different kinds, many different tour operators, many different accommodations. You can choose locally owned operations who try to abide by certain standards, particularly out of respect for the animals and their habitats, and stay at lodges that are community-owned and are indeed the center and support of a community. Do a lot of research.

If this isn’t a troll post (kind of seems designed for an argument)…his pronouncement that safaris are “unethical” is silly. I’m sure some are, some aren’t. Some travel to Europe is unethical. But it’s weird to think that safaris are particularly unethical, given that many local people, who run their own companies aimed at showing people the stunning wildlife in their communities, are not doing it in a way that is ethical and responsible.

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, is owning the smart phone you’re typing on ethical? Between factory conditions and the mining for components… you can go down the rabbit hole with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you go with a local, ethically managed safari company like the one my friend runs in Tanzania, I can't imagine a less destructive vacation.

She previously worked at a non-profit that had quite a bit of ethical tourism and she oversaw the program.

Could safaris be unethical? Yes.

But it's not the same as voluntourism which is basically taking day labor jobs from locals. It's about learning about another part of the world, seeing nature, and giving money to a likely impoverished local economy. All good things to do.

I'd have more ethical concerns about the flight over.

So you’re vehemently opposed to illegal immigration and migrant workers here in the US, correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it unethical to travel anywhere?

As for safaris, like anything else, it depends. There are many different kinds, many different tour operators, many different accommodations. You can choose locally owned operations who try to abide by certain standards, particularly out of respect for the animals and their habitats, and stay at lodges that are community-owned and are indeed the center and support of a community. Do a lot of research.

If this isn’t a troll post (kind of seems designed for an argument)…his pronouncement that safaris are “unethical” is silly. I’m sure some are, some aren’t. Some travel to Europe is unethical. But it’s weird to think that safaris are particularly unethical, given that many local people, who run their own companies aimed at showing people the stunning wildlife in their communities, are not doing it in a way that is ethical and responsible.

That should say, “are doing it in a way…”

Frankly, this bothers me a lot because it presumes that a lot of local people can’t care for their communities or run responsible businesses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you go with a local, ethically managed safari company like the one my friend runs in Tanzania, I can't imagine a less destructive vacation.

She previously worked at a non-profit that had quite a bit of ethical tourism and she oversaw the program.

Could safaris be unethical? Yes.

But it's not the same as voluntourism which is basically taking day labor jobs from locals. It's about learning about another part of the world, seeing nature, and giving money to a likely impoverished local economy. All good things to do.

I'd have more ethical concerns about the flight over.

What’s your friend’s company? I went to Tanzania long ago and am thinking of planning another trip soon!

[Anonymous]

You can go with Natural Habitat Adventures. They’re partnered with the World Wildlife Fund. Some of their profits go to conservation and they’re very conscientious about respecting the wildlife and environment. They’re also very expensive though.

https://www.nathab.com/africa/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty exploitive no matter what.

Team DH

Are National parks exploitive? Are most tourist destinations?