The Ethical Travel Guide: Africa
The information provided below is taken from 'The Ethical Travel Guide' by Polly Pattullo with Orely Minelli, published by Earthscan on behalf of Tourism Concern at £12.99. To order your copy with free p&p call Independent Books Direct on 08700 798 897. For more information visit www.tourismconcern.org.uk/ www.earthscan.co.uk or phone Tourism Concern on 020 7133 3330
Friday, 7 April 2006
ETHIOPIA
"Thirteen months of sunshine" say the travel posters. This refers to the fact that Ethiopia has never reformed its calendar. But the country's image has been badly tarnished by a series of famines. These problems, caused by overpopulation and deforestation, only affect the north and east: governments have been trying to persuade, and sometimes force, people to move to the well-watered south. For those interested in history and art, the country is eminently worth a visit - the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, the painted ceilings of monasteries, the stone columns at Axum, the "theme park" of castles at Gondar, the ancient city of Harar. There is plenty of stunning scenery too - Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls, lakes in the south, desert in the east and several national parks. Ethiopia's food, music and dance are unlike anywhere else in Africa.
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TOURISM IN ETHIOPIA FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE ALTERNATIVES (TESFA)
This trekking network of accommodation and facilities enables local farmers to host visitors by offering a trekking package including accommodation, food, drinks, guides and pack animals. It's an unique opportunity for visitors to experience the local way of life. There are currently two sites, each housing a maximum of eight people in simple eco-friendly houses, with one more site planned. Its first site is near Lalibela in the Ethiopian highlands. The accommodation is clean and simple. Of the charge of approximately £20 per night, 60 per cent stays with the community.
Tel 00 251 11 114 0583
E-mail chapman@ethionet.et
Web www.community-tourismethiopia.com
KENYA
"Safari" is really just the Kiswahili word for a journey, but in English it has become synonymous with game viewing - and Kenya is where it all started, in the Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli and the Aberdaresnational parks. Even without the attractions of the safari, Kenya would still be a world-class tourist destination: the hot coastal plains boast golden palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs, the historic city of Mombasa and the idyllic island town of Lamu, Kenya's answer to Zanzibar.
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AFRICAN PRO-POOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (APTDC)
The operations of the APTDC are guided by the mantra "give the local community a fish and you feed them for today, teach them to fish and you feed them forever". Rooted in the local community, APTDC adheres to the principles underpinning fairly traded tourism. Not-for-profit safaris and eco-tours aim to take tourists to places where they can "enjoy, admire and study the cultural and natural heritage of Kenya while empowering marginalized communities". Eighty per cent of the cost (about £140 per day all-inclusive) goes to local communities.
Tel 00 254 231 8522/231 0276
E-mail info@propoortourism-kenya.org
Web www.propoortourism-kenya.org
BASECAMP EXPLORER
The Basecamp Explorer Group's five companies are creating a global network of unusual meeting places where "profound interaction take place between people, cultures, wildlife and the natural environment". The impetus comes from a belief in responsible sustainable growth through the establishment of ecotourism destinations where there's a fair distribution of benefits to employees, owners and the community. You can choose from a wide variety of safaris, including a walking safari with the Maasai in the Maasai Mara.
Tel 00 254 722 321 409
E-mail lars@basecampexplorer.com
CAMPI YA KANZI
This is self-confessed luxury in the wilderness, where up to 14 guests are housed in seven thatched guest houses. The operation is run on eco-friendly principles - the Maasai own the land, and the operators hope that the camp demonstrates to them that their land can be a source of sustainable income for the community. There are guided game walks and drives on offer.
Tel 00 254 4562 2516
E-mail lucasaf@africaonline.co.ke
CAMPS INTERNATIONAL
Based on the Kenyan coast, Camps International is open to school groups, gap-year students and adults seeking a responsible travel experience. This British company is deeply involved with local communities and committed to a five-year development plan constructing school classrooms and supplying drinking water. Camps are co-located with indigenous communities and wildlife. Of the income from the various categories of visitor, approximately £350 per person is invested in the community; in 2005 this amounted to more than £70,000.
Tel 01425 485 391
E-mail info@campsinternational.com
Web www.campsinternational.com
MADAGASCAR
"La grande île" is an exceptional place: African, but with the feel of South-east Asia. The people of the highlands are believed to have immigrated from Asia and their customs are very distinct from those of the coastal population. The island is very scenic, though sadly much of the forest cover has been destroyed and this risks the loss of some of the unique species of native animals (such as the lemur), birds and plants.
The capital city, Antananarivo, is very attractive with its colourful marketplace and steep steps up the hillsides. What remains of the royal palaces is also worth visiting. There are also coastal resorts, but tourism (mostly French) is relatively underdeveloped and this makes it a good place to visit.
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AZAFADY
This UK-registered charity working in partnership with an NGO in Madagascar recruits volunteers from around the world. They work with the 65 local Malagasy staff on integrated conservation and development projects intended to improve health, reduce environmental degradation and better the livelihood prospects for the poorest rural people.
Tel 020-8960 6629
E-mail mal@azafady.org
BLUE VENTURES
This UK-registered charity supports community-centred marine conservation initiatives in the developing world. The main focus of activity is a community-run marine protected area in the village of Andavadoaka in south-western Madagascar. The commitment is to identify environmental issues vital to the community and address them with appropriate conservation, education and research plans. It costs £1,380 for a six-week expedition.
Tel 020-8341 9819
E-mail tom@blueventures.org
RWANDA
It is Rwanda's misfortune to be famous for the genocide of 1994. But that is no reason not to visit this beautiful little country, the land of mille collines, a thousand hills. The country is green and fertile, with vistas of ridge upon ridge of hills and, as you ride north from the capital, Kigali, on a clear day, the thrilling view of the Virunga, the line of extinct volcanoes. This is the area most visitors come to see as it is still home to some of the world's last remaining groups of mountain gorillas.
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AMAHORO TOURS
The Amahoro Tours Association (ATA) is located about one hour's drive from Kigali in Ruhengeri, northern Rwanda. On offer is responsible eco-tourism with a bias towards community-based visits. ATA gives the visitor a total immersion experience as you stay in family homes and partake fully in Rwandan daily life. Visitor numbers are limited are to ensure the authenticity of the experience and also to guard against visitors impacting on the local people.
Tel 00 250 088 687 448
E-mail info@amahoro-tours.com
MOROCCO
Morocco's greatest attractions are its four great imperial cities - Fes, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat - and the chance to experience the Sahara Desert in relative comfort. In addition it boasts two dramatic mountain ranges - the Atlas and the Rif; the Atlantic coast resorts around Agadir, colonised by the package tour industry; and the cosmopolitan city of Casablanca with its stupendous new Grande Mosque.
Moroccan craftsmanship is legendary, and is exemplified in the country's traditional architecture, textiles, jewellery and pottery. Shopping for these things in the souk is part of the fun of any visit to this fascinating country, provided you can cope with the high-pressure sales talk.
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ASSOCIATION AKHIAM
A warm welcome is promised by Akhiam, an association working on sustainable development projects in the high valleys of the Atlas Mountains. A 10-day trip is on offer at the Auberge Ibrahim, during which the visitor will go on walking and mule-riding excursions, and above all join in daily village life. Of especial concern are issues of education, water supply, health and the fight against soil erosion. Although comfort is not guaranteed, prices start at £7 at the auberge for food, accommodation and a shower.
E-mail weimilchil@yahoo.fr; assoakhiam@yahoo.fr
KASBAH DU TOUBKAL
The kasbah prefers to call itself a Berber hospitality centre rather than a hotel. Located in the mountainous Toubkal National Park near Marrakech it was transformed by traditional methods from the home of a feudal Caid into "an unprecedented haven". Owned by Discover UK and operated by Moroccan staff, the kasbah strives to maximise the economic trickle-down by buying locally and using local mule transport for goods. Five per cent of the profits go to the Village Association. The B&B prices for this Berber/European partnership start at £20 for a shared Berber salon. The company also organises tours and trekking.
E-mail kasbah@discover.ltd.uk
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