The 2026 Ethical Safari Checklist: Check Your Impact 🌍✨

It’s 2026, and the "old way" of doing safari is officially out. We aren't just here to look at animals anymore; we’re here to be part of a global ecosystem. If you’re planning a trip this year, here is your mandatory audit to ensure your holiday does more good than harm.

1. No More School Visits (End the Poverty Tourism Cycle)

It’s time to be real: "poverty tourism" is not acceptable. While it might feel good for a moment, it often keeps communities trapped in a cycle of begging and hinders self-reliance. Supporting a community initiative is fine—even visiting one is okay—but the moment it involves disrupting a classroom for photos or treats, we have a problem. Don't be the reason a child’s education is interrupted for a "tourist moment."

2. Single-Use Plastics are OUT

This is a non-negotiable. Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it up at your camp. Better yet, buy a large 5L jerry can for the vehicle and keep your personal bottles topped up. Single-use plastics are a plague on our environment, especially in fragile conservation areas. Your trip shouldn't leave a trail of plastic behind.

3. Beware of "Greenwashing"

Green is the new trend, and buzzwords are filling up travel packages everywhere just to get you to book. But "Eco-friendly" can often be a hollow label. Don't fall for the hype—ask for details! What do they actually mean by "Eco"? How do they handle waste? Where does their power come from? look into the details and pick a service that actually walks the talk. Keep even us at Hippy Safaris on our toes!

4. Support Local, Buy Local

There are so many incredible local safari outfits owned and operated by the people who actually live there, Like Us!. So why do we still rely on major brands headquartered in the Global North? To make sure your investment actually reaches the people of the country, book with outfits that are indigenous to the land. Avoid booking everything by yourself through major hotel chains; that usually just feeds massive corporations. Keep the money local.

5. Learn, Live, and Love

Your safari is a unique, often once-in-a-lifetime deal. Enjoy it, but let it mean something. Rub shoulders with the people you meet, learn their stories, and try to understand the culture. Embrace the language. You never know what you’ll learn when you stop being a "visitor" and start being a student of the world.

Hope this helps you plan your next trip and why not get it booked through us @hippysafaris!