We are caretakers of the earth. We do not own the air, the fresh water, the trees, or anything that lives on the earth and in the sea. We are the guardians, entrusted with the preservation of the world for future generations. Anything we take or use, must be compensated by replacing with interest! Everything we do must be with an open mind; a humble spirit and a true desire to better the lives of everyone around us not just for today, but for years to come.
Economic Responsibility:
It is only when we can put money in the pockets of the underprivileged, when we can create jobs to the previously unemployed and when we can show that animals, trees and plants are worth more if they are alive (so that tourists come to see them) than dead (so that they can be eaten or used as firewood), that tourism will succeed. The benefit of tourism must go to the people living in the area where the tourist visits, not just into the corporate bank accounts of large enterprises.
For this reason, we always try to use local guides and to support community projects in our tours. Their local knowledge, often gained from birth, is invaluable and gives the visitor a unique experience.
During our tours, we aim to use local accommodation as far as possible. These venues employ local people and support local producers of food and goods, thus assisting with the upliftment of local communities.
We always encourage our guests to purchase their souvenirs and holiday mementos from local traders. This will benefit the visitor as these items are usually cheaper when purchased directly from source, and it also benefits the local economy, particularly in rural areas where formal employment is scarce. In our office we train our own staff. We spend a considerable amount of time and money on the training of our staff, thus equipping them for a career in tourism.
Environmental Responsibility:
We limit the amount of paper wastage, always re-using paper when possible. We actively encourage communication via e-mail and store all documents and data digitally instead of on paper. Furthermore we have taken the conscious decision not to have printed brochures for our products, but rather information contained on CDs.
We encourage our guests to get “off the tourist track” and visit places of unique beauty and interest, not on the “mass tourism” trail. By adopting a pioneering spirit, unforgettable experiences and memories can be had.
We educate our guests about nature and the inter-dependency between all living things. There is no such thing as an undesired animal or plant, everything has its role in the ecosystem.
In bringing tourists to rural areas, and thereby creating employment, we also educate these local communities about the importance of preserving nature and everything in it.
Social Responsibility:
Before arriving at a local community, our guests are given information concerning local customs and traditions. This is to make them aware of the impact their behaviour can have on the local community.
We advertise and encourage tours to community-based eco projects that are run in a responsible manner and which benefit the whole community.