How to Go on an ‘Ethical’ Safari

Caleb Okereke: “False ownership presented to indigenous communities has propped up Kenya’s safari industry, where locals are promised a share of tourism revenue, even though this is not often the case. In this Africa Report analysis, the dynamics of power imbalances are made clear, as well as the nexus between big tourism and colonialism. I got to discover who gets to sit at the safari table and why.”

CO: “Understanding the displacement crisis by big and typically Western tourist companies begins with a comprehension of the intentionality behind this expulsion. None of it is by accident and this piece illuminates that intention clearly. Boot locals out and create a space for trophy hunting/elite tourism. Then rinse and repeat.”

CO: “For many Africans like myself who have travelled within the continent, there’s usually a feeling that these experiences are not intended for us. This piece puts those doubts we have to the test, and the answer to the question it poses is ‘with certain conditions.’ But I also believe that there can be a way forward, progressing to a Yes, these safari companies do want African travelers.”

CO: “What’s better than speculation? An investigation. Or something close. Tourist hotels in Kenya and I daresay across East Africa are not essentially intended for locals or Africans in general. We know it, but this piece substantiates our suspicions. From examining policies to even entry barriers, I truly feel seen and very thankful for the writer, David Ochami.”

CO: “Conservation is inherently good, but this article delves into the racist systems at the heart of the practice in East Africa. While I had been aware of the racial split of frontline conservation efforts, I had never thought about it in the manner this piece suggests: as a practice conserving from the poor and locals to benefit the rich and noble—often white and Western.”

CO: “Still speaking on conservation, I found this to be a very helpful piece to learn about how safari tourism is particularly and rudimentarily harmful to animals, how to navigate the ethics around that harm and the world of difference that comprehension in this light can make.“

CO: “So much of this collection is on understanding the scope of the problem, and so this is a crucial recommendation from Tiana Attride on how we can start to build an anti-racist travel industry in general. While it is a bit broad, I believe it’s a good place to start to understand how tourism and travel can be inclusive and conscious.”

CO: “Messaging and advertising have been a focal point for how safari tourism has skewed towards white and Western travelers. This piece questions why this is the case, zeros on the Black travel movement, and by doing so, infers certain solutions.”

CO: “This is blunt, as serious discourse needs to be. From not photographing random Black children, to understanding that there are many other activities besides Safari as a whole, it is simply an ask to do better and one that I recommend be listened to.”

CO: “While this article is not about safari tourism necessarily, the writer when examining the possible lines of consent in indigenous village visits asks questions that are applicable in this instance. Can there be consent when you’re visiting a village that the villagers have not invited you to? And can you have an exchange when only one side has the agency to give their input?”

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