With Green Safaris, Going Carbon Neutral Heightens the Guest Experience

As the pioneers of the Silent Safari in Zambia, extending solar-power to even their e-Cruisers, e-Boats, and e-Mountain bikes, Green Safaris is constantly determined to push the boat (or game vehicle, or bike) out a little further when it comes to using eco-innovations to heighten their luxury guest experience. 

In 2021, despite the many challenges of the year, Green Safaris recovered 100% of their carbon emissions, making them one of the first safari operators to claim total carbon neutrality. 

Their lodges, as well as their land and water fleet, are powered in the majority by solar farms; their building operations are made more sustainable thanks to the innovation of sandbag building; they provide zero single-use plastics; and they grow much of their own organic produce. 

But these initiatives alone merely minimise Green Safaris carbon footprint. Much of the vital work is done outside of their properties, where they neutralise not only the company's own diminishing carbon emissions but also much of the devastating social impact of the pandemic via a series of Community and Conservation Development Projects. The Green Safaris Reforestation Programme has now planted over 31,000 trees on Likoma Island alone, and other initiatives such as the Mukuni Community Farm, the Likoma Young Mother’s Programme, and the Tongabezi Chicken Coop, have provided vital work and also training in vulnerable communities, and have nurtured a now flourishing local interest in living more sustainably. 

 What this means for travellers in 2022 is that whether or not they have an interest in the ethical motivations behind each Green Safaris decision, they will directly benefit from the heightened experience. Founder Vincent Kouwenhouven says it best: 

“Hear the birdsong – not the engine - as you travel on one of our solar-powered game drives (…which does not pollute the atmosphere); enjoy the lightest, freshest food derived from our local organic farm, which will delight the palate (…but does not involve a heavy carbon burden); bask in our beautiful interiors (… crafted by local artisans or at our community enterprise); and experience the hospitality of communities who truly love to welcome you (…because they are integrated and vested in our safari operation) …”