Top 5 Eco-Tourism Accommodations in Africa
As one of the lead generating eco-tourism continents in the world, Africa is working hard toward a better Africa in all areas of life including health, education, wildlife, culture, and economy.
Below are some of Hills of Africa Travel’s top 5 eco-tourism accommodations to visit while in Africa:
 Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique: As the winner of the 2009 UK Responsible Tourism Best Poverty Reduction Award, Guludo Beach Lodge is making an international name for itself as one of the world’s premier eco-tourism companies. Guludo Beach Lodge enacts conservation efforts that help sustain the local forest and aquatic wildlife. Some of their eco-friendly efforts include Humpback Whale Research, Seafood Buyers’ Guide, Reef Surveys, and the Forestry & Agriculture program.
 Conservation Program Spotlight on Guludo Beach Lodge: Known for their Nema Foundation, Guludo Beach Lodge is working with 12 neighboring communities tobring nutritious meals to schools, supply clean water to more than 12,000 people, purchase mosquito nets for mothersand their children, and fund secondary school scholars.
 Borana Lodge, Kenya: For more than three generations, Borana has supplied their time, effort, and financial support to the local environment and communities, concentrating in five primary areas including education, poverty alleviation, health, habitat management, and wildlife conservation.
Borana participates in seven community and environmental projects across Kenya including The Laikipia Wildlife Forum, The Seven Elephants Tree Nursery, The Hide & Sheep Ltd., Organic Herbs and Spices, Borana Mobile Clinic, Education Support Programme, and The Borana Forestry Project.
 Conservation Program Spotlight on Borana Lodge: As an avid participant of The Laikipia Wildlife Forum, Borana dedicates much of their time and revenue to conserving various wildlife and their natural habitats, while simultaneously educating locals on sustainable living, and decreasing human and wildlife conflict. This program also works to educate locals on social and economic issues occurring in the community.
 Campi Ya Kanzi, Kenya: Famous for founding the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, Camp Ya Kanzi is known for their phenomenal ability to make wildlife profitable for the community, land, and local culture. The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which employs roughly 200 locals, is celebrated for its conservation, education, and health programs, and its large financial contribution donated to the local communities each year.
Through Camp Ya Kanzi’s programs, local Maasai community members learn how to implement sustainable practices into everyday life while simultaneously protecting the wildlife of the area. School courses are also run through the Maasai conservation program, which teach children about the fragile eco-systems and the essential role these eco-systems play in life.
Conservation Program Spotlight on Camp Ya Kanzi: Through Camp Ya Kanzi’ Predator Compensation Program, the Simba Project, local Maasai people are reimbursed for any livestock that was killed by any type of predator. This prevents the people from killing lions and other predators on their land. And, since the project’s beginnings, the region’s lion population has increased a whopping 300%.
 The Rekero Camp, Kenya: Associated with their famous saying, “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints,” The Rekero Camp is not only passionate about the preservation of their land and wildlife, but also about the happiness of their visitors.
 As their fund raising activities have increased, The Rekero Camp is fortunate enough to able to divide their funds equally among education and wildlife conservation within the Mara Conservation Area, which is located in Masai Mara National Park.
Conservation Program Spotlight on The Rekero Camp: One of The Rekero Camp’s greatest contributions to the local education system and communities is their newly built working computer classroom. Featuring 12 laptops with Internet access, children and local community members alike can expose themselves to technology and build a greater understanding of both the world around them and the world outside of Africa.
 Ol Malo, Kenya: Located on 5,000 acres of wildlife-lush grounds, and bordering the Samburu tribal lands, Ol Malo has created the Ol Malo Trust to ensure the surrounding land and communities are preserved and provided for. The power behind the creation of the Ol Malo Trust was the devastating effects of the 1999 – 2001 Kenya drought.
 With 8 working and thriving projects and programs, Ol Malo is making huge contributions to the local education, health, and economic systems.
Conservation Program Spotlight on Ol Malo: One of Ol Malo Trust’s most inspirational and beneficial programs is the Sampiripiri Arts Workshop. Each day, local women come together to create gorgeous beadwork that they are able to sell for a profit. Children also participate in the beadwork, gathering from surrounding local communities to help paint the beads and jewelry created. |
I have a confession to make. Like a mother that would never love one child more than another (right?), I have been guilty of this when it comes to Africa. In other words, I have always loved southern Africa more than East Africa. The ironic part is that I have never been to East Africa, so how would I know? 
I have based this upon my knowledge of travel offerings and variety. In southern Africa, there is an enormous spectrum of options in the safari world AND in addition to the safari. There’s trendy Cape Town, sophisticated winelands, the tropical islands of Mozambique, the mountains west of Kruger, the deserts of Namibia, one of the 7 wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, and on and on and on. 
But since we brought Mark Homann on board, a Zimbabwean who spent many years guiding in East Africa, he has opened my mind to appreciate East Africa far more than I ever did. The more I learn, the more I am intrigued. There is a richness and depth to the people, land and wildlife of East Africa that is totally unique and fascinating. 
Trip Name: Kruger Safari and Beaches of Mozambique
Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.