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Alistair
Our top-rated sustainable properties
We've out together a small selection of our top-rated sustainable properties.
Alex
Operations & Marketing Development
Published on
23 Nov 2020
Updated on
24 Jun 2025
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Travel is our life and we firmly believe that we should tread carefully on the planet.
The urge we have to explore, and experience shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on the world around us. So, as part of our ongoing commitment to champion those who are doing great work to minimise their impact on the environment, wanted to showcase some of our favourite lodges from Kenya to South Africa who are actively working towards being as environmentally conscious as possible.
How did we score – we asked all our suppliers to fill in a detailed survey digging deep into the granular details of the day to day running of their safari lodge, camp or hotel. With the results we were able to calculate the carbon footprint that the property produces. You can find out more about our world-first carbon scoring initiative here.
What did we measure – everything including; the amount of electricity used, how water was sourced, occupancy levels, where their food comes from… even if they did their laundry in house. We went in to that much detail.
In no particular order, here are our top environmentally conscious safari lodges and camp which have an exceptionally low carbon footprint score, or even better, are carbon neutral , carbon negative or as we like to say climate positive.
Salas Camp - Masai Mara, Kenya
This wonderful carbon neutral safari camp in the heart of one of the wildest corners of Kenya’s Masai Mara is a model of understated luxury.
Salas Camp is part of the Safari Collection, who are connected to the legendary Giraffe Manor, Nairobi. The Safari Collection are dedicated to minimising the impact that they have on the environment and are working tirelessly to make themselves climate positive by the end of 2021 by planting an increasing number of indigenous trees in Kenya to offset the carbon footprint of the visiting clients.
Lemala Nanyuki - Serengeti, Tanzania
Just one of several splendid safari camps in Tanzania and part of the Lemala Group who have an immense dedication to minimising not only their impact on the environment but also that of their guest who stay with them. They are innovators of plastic recycling, upcycling waste plastic into school desks and chairs. Lemala Nanyuki can proudly boast that over 80% of their power needs come from renewable energy.
Big five, bountiful wildlife, luxury accommodation, gourmet food and beautiful star gazing - simply amazing
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge - Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Nestled discreetly on a riverbank in Liwonde National Park, Malawi – Mvuu Wilderness Lodge has sustainability engrained in its ethos and is involved is several sustainability initiatives such as Root to Fruit which is a reforestation organisation which plants fruit tree to create opportunities for local communities in Malawi, as well as tackling global warming issues.
House in the Wild - Masai Mara, Kenya
This fantastic, privately run family safari lodge is very sustainably focused. Running 95% on solar energy, recycling water through an eco-wetland and growing most of their own vegetables – House in the Wild is a model of sustainability.
House in the Wild have invested heavily in rewilding projects, reclaiming farmland back to wilderness areas meaning there is more space for wildlife to roam freely. Their sustainable kitchen garden is something to be envious of as they grow nearly all their own fresh fruit and vegetables meaning their guests get to enjoy locally produced, delicious meals.
Discover more about House in the Wild, Masai Mara.
Roca Belo Monta - Sao Tome & Principe Islands
Sao Tome and Principe islands off the western coast of equatorial Africa are hidden gems in their own right. Roca belo Monte is part of ‘Africa’s Eden’ – a sustainable tourism organisation which operates under the concept of ‘Tourism Pays for Conservation’ and invests revenues generated to achieve sustainability, create conservation initiatives and facilitate education and employment opportunities for local communities.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge - Bwindi Forest, Uganda
Part of the enigmatic and forward-thinking safari group &Beyond, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Uganda works hard to fit seamlessly in to the pristine environment of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which surrounds it. As one of the more renowned safari organisations, they have made it their mission to be as sustainably minded as possible, reducing the direct carbon footprint that each of their guests has on the environment by nearly 10% by the end of 2020 and having a more sustainable mindset with their use of water.
Discover more about Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge - Uganda.
Grootbos Nature Reserve - South Africa
Granted the esteemed label of being one of National Geographics’ ‘Unique Lodges of the World’ – a network of world-class accommodation, driven by principles which place sustainability as one of its cornerstones. Grootbos in South Africa are constantly researching innovative ways in which to improve their sustainability , transforming the lives of the community and conserving the pristine wilderness which they call home with carefully considered training initiatives such as bee-keeping, animal husbandry, football coaching and computer/IT training.
Find out more about Grootbos Nature Reserve.
Lion Camp - South Luangwa, Zambia
Being located in the midst of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and being 100% self-sufficient when it comes to electricity demands is no small feat. Lion Camp is a model of how a safari camp can co-exist in harmony with the wilderness which surrounds it. They have recently undergone a refurbishment, upcycling all the wood material into new furniture and have installed a new water purification system making them even more self-sufficient.
Check out more about Lion Camp - South Luangwa, Zambia.
Bahia Mar – Mozambique
A certified Fair Trade Tourism company, this beautiful, very low carbon footprint, boutique beach lodge situated on the stunning coastline of Mozambique is dedicated to being sustainable with extreme reductions in the use of plastics, sponsorship of beach clean-up teams and developing environmental and community programs.
Reads more about the fantastic Bahia Mar in Mozambique
Alex Walker Serian - Kenya and Tanzania
The sustainability motto of this legendary safari organisation is ‘Wild Yet Responsible’ with the preservation of wild spaces lying at the heart of everything they do. One of their key strategies to conservation is managing the way in which people interact with nature, taking into consideration everything which could have an impact and looking at ways to minimise it.
Find out more about Alex Walker Serian Safari Camps in Kenya
These are just a small sample of safari lodges working to minimise their carbon footprint and the impact they have on the world, we work with many more also doing fantastic work to be more sustainable.
We’re passionate about responsible and sustainable travel. If you’d like to learn more about how to travel sustainably, speak to our Africa travel experts and they can create a tailor-made, exceptional itinerary for you. They will take into consideration the best experience possible, all whilst doing good and travelling sustainably. Give our friendly team a call on 01768 603 715 to start planning your next holiday.