10 Tips to Tread Lightly, but with Great Impact
Now more than ever, travel comes with a sense of responsibility. The silver lining of the pandemic is that it has accelerated a movement towards traveling more mindfully, with a greater focus on a sustainable future. More and more travellers seek travel brands that aim to make a meaningful impact on the world.
There’s an increasing desire to go deeper, finding real, authentic, and enriching experiences. To go further, venturing off-the-beaten-track in search of secluded sanctuaries and untouched pockets of the planet. To stay longer, allowing more time to truly immerse oneself in a place. And most importantly, to make it count.
Travel has a magical ability to not only change your world but others’ at the same time.
Here are a few tips to tread lightly, but with great impact:
1. Follow the road less travelled
Pick lesser-known destinations. Not only does the road less travelled often have much more to offer, but you’re likely to find communities that rely heavily or solely on tourism. You have the opportunity to keep communities afloat while discovering a unique part of the world.
2. Be curious
Do your research to understand if your values are shared. Ask questions along your journey to find out what they’re doing to make a difference. Do they run any conservation programs or support local communities? Do they go the extra mile to minimize their footprint wherever possible?
3. Be gentle
Respect the environment and its wildlife. Don’t touch – take a step back and observe, whether on land or underwater. Don’t interfere in order to get the best picture. Don’t feed wild animals or birds. Don’t litter, and don’t just walk past. Sign up for a beach cleanup. There’s one golden rule to remember, aim to leave a place as you found it (or better).
4. Learn something new
Spend time with guides, attend a talk, or simply take a walk in wild. Keep your eyes and ears open, “nature speaks to those who listen”. Learn about the environment and discover what makes each place unique. Find out if there are any conservation or community activities you can get involved in on the ground.
5. Remember the little things
Be mindful in your everyday decisions, however small. Say no to single-use plastics, choose glass, opt for reusable straws and reusable bags, go paperless wherever possible, be water-wise, and turn off the lights when not in use. Keep the basics in mind on holiday too.
6. Support local economies
Choose travel companies that support local economies by sourcing locally as much as possible, whether that’s through their employment, their food, or the items they stock in their boutique. Your travel decisions have a direct knock-on effect.
7. Connect with community
Travel broadens the mind. Take time to understand different cultures and approach differences with genuine curiosity and respect. Wherever you go, a couple of small things will always stand you in good stead: learn a little lingo, even if it’s only a poorly-pronounced ‘thank you’, and show your appreciation.
8. Slow down
Choose to linger longer. Give yourself more time to really get to know a place, before rushing off to the next (and avoid the extra miles). Travel slowly and savour the beautiful moments in life.
9. Take the kids with you
Learning starts young. Don’t wait until they’re “the right age” to travel. They might not remember all the details, but their travel experiences will make an imprint on their character, mindset, and future worldview.
10. Take your learnings home
Even if it’s just one thing, note it down, remember it, practice it, and tell someone about it. Small actions can have a great impact.
FOLLOW THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Book your own safari and experience Zambia with us
travel@timeandtideafrica.com
or contact your current Time + Tide travel designer
“Tsara Komba was everything we wished for our first Madagascar getaway. The lodge is beautiful, with breath taking sea views and incredible gardens. To Nava and the entire team, thank you for your gracious hospitality. Thank you for going the extra mile to ensure we had a comfortable and memorable stay. The food was delicious, with fresh, local ingredients prepared to perfection. We can't recommend Tsara Komba highly enough.”
Shetil, Guest at Time + Tide Tsara Komba
"The uniqueness of being in a camp with only four safari tents is the ultimate feeling of luxury. Luwi overlooks a wide open grassland that on my first morning we watched a high speed chase - a pack of Wilddogs on a hunt. It was exhilarating to watch and sent our heart rates through the sky adding a lot of chatter and laughter once the pack had passed by."
Jessica, Guest at Time + Tide Luwi
"The authenticity and remoteness of the seasonal camps will be a special experience that I will long to return to. There really is no place on earth that you can really escape like you can at the seasonal camps. Falling asleep at Kakuli to the distant lion roars and waking to the call of the fish eagle - really what a magical walking safari!"
Lara, Guest at Time + Tide Kakuli
"This is the most magical place you're ever likely to experience. Nestled under a grove of imposing Albida trees, it is clearly favoured by the many elephant who graze on the Albida pods. Their presence adds an incredibly special energy to the camp. "
Charles, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
"To my sheer joy and amazement, I walked into the main camp area one morning after sleeping in, to witness a herd of elephants crossing the Luangwa River. I was alone in camp at the time and that sighting will be the highlight of my trip to Africa… somehow, the solitude, the sound of the beautiful animals swishing through the water and me being the only one to witness it made it quite a spiritual experience."
"Our family had the most joyful time at Chongwe, really everything was perfect and every detail taken care of. The team ensured we had the best time at every activity (even tiger fishing!). We felt privileged to spend a few days here and look forward to returning."
Richard, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe
"Our stay at Nsolo was truly unforgettable! We were captivated by the authentic and secluded setting, and the sleepout under the stunning African stars was the absolute highlight of our trip. We highly recommend this unique experience to anyone looking for an adventure off the beaten path."
Lotte, Guest at Time + Tide Nsolo
"Chinzombo is a stunning lodge in a beautiful location of the South Luangwa. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a deck and plunge pool overlooking the Luangwa River. There is always an abundance of wildlife around the rooms, we had a banded mongoose, bushbuck, elephants and hippo's - just to name a few."
Michael, Guest at Time + Tide Chinzombo