Leaving a Green Footprint at Serengeti Explorer Camp

“Every day, more than 3 million tourists cross international borders. Every year, almost 1.2 billion people travel abroad. Tourism has become a pillar of economies, a passport to prosperity, and a transformative force for improving millions of lives. The world can and must harness the power of tourism as we strive to carry out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” – António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, as cited in the 2017 Annual Report by the World Tourism Organization.

It was also noted in this report that tourism has grown at an above-average rate (approximately 4% per year) for eight years straight. Further, 393 million more people travelled internationally for tourism between 2008 and 2017. A total of 63 million international tourists arrived in Africa in 2017. While tourism has the power to support economies, create jobs, uplift communities and contribute positively in general terms to countries around the world, it also has the ability to leave a significant carbon footprint.

For this reason, sustainable tourism has become a major focus across the globe, and with good reason. It is imperative that nature be cherished and protected with the greatest of care as it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same privileges that we do today: The ability to witness wild wonders, to bask in the freshness of untouched destinations and to absorb raw beauty.

Looking to the Serengeti National Park, which spans thousands of square kilometres in Tanzania, the well-being of nature is essential for the survival of one of earth’s greatest spectacles: The Great Wildebeest Migration.

Following short rains in November, herds of wildebeest and other species move from Kenya into the Serengeti and cover the central and eastern region in December, moving further south in January. Calving season takes place in February and by March, the herds move on from the southern plains, making their way up to the Grumeti River by June. This river must be crossed, and in July, they are faced with the challenge of crossing yet another river, the Mara River, from Tanzania into Kenya, where they graze in the Masai Mara from August until the next migration.

The exquisite savannah land which makes up the Serengeti has become globally recognised as one of the world’s most breathtaking regions in which to view game; it is a nature lover’s paradise. Unsurprisingly, the Serengeti National Park is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, indicating just how spectacular this region is.

Newmark is thus incredibly proud to leave a “green footprint” in this region, at Serengeti Explorer Camp, contributing to the sustainability of nature. Without compromising on luxury, the camps – both at Ndutu and Lobo – have an absolute minimal impact on nature, as the following amenities are made use of:

• Fully tented camp; no permanent structures
• Solar power throughout the camp
• Gravity-fed showers
• Eco-friendly flush toilets
• Closed network phone system for inter-camp communication; no WiFi

Offering guests a taste of raw Africa without harming the environment is a key commitment at Serengeti Explorer Camp, and a practice that Newmark cares deeply about as it welcomes visitors from around the world. To find out more about Serengeti Explorer Camp.