ecotourism-eco- sustainable tourism-lake with sunshine between trees

Eco-Sustainable Tourism, Ecotourism: Protecting the environment is a responsibility, obligation and challenge that we, the team of EQUATORIAL WILD SAFARIS, consider our biggest aim.

Traveling with EWS means promoting ecotourism and active nature conservation since in accordance with our philosophy parts of our profits directly go into our environmental projects to ensure the preservation of the distinctive African nature, such as the enlargement of the habitat of the most endangered species in the world, the mountain gorillas.

Through our work we aim to conserve the flora and fauna, and also improve the livelihood of people as well. EWS therefore actively supports nature conservation and sustainable development at the same time.

Employment generated by ecotourism-related jobs is sometimes one of the most significant benefits for local communities, providing supplemental income to rural farmers, women and young people. Hundreds of people, for example, live off the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, where foreign tourists trek to view gorillas; they work as rangers and camping staff or provide food, crafts and entertainment to the tourists.

In the Buhoma valley just outside the park, many local businesses have started up, offering goods and services to visitors. The multiplier effect of tourism can be substantial. It is estimated that for every hotel room, one to two jobs are created directly or indirectly. In East Africa, where ecotourism is fast earning international recognition, the tourism industry employs thousands of people in each of the East African countries.

We at EWS aim to improve the livelihood of the local communities in tourism related areas, by partnering with different projects and institutions that support sustainable tourism.

As specialists for ecological and nature-oriented traveling in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries, EWS provides you with the opportunity to participate and engage in eco-tourism both directly and indirectly. Directly when you participate in a Nature Conservation Tour and indirectly when you come on a Safari- since part of our profits still fall back to either our Nature Conservation or Social Projects.

Equatorial wild safaris Eco-tourism Principles:

  • EWS emphasizes on promoting ecologically sensitive tourism and following the motto “Give and Take”, give back to the nature by planting at least a tree. We also encourage tourism promoters to play a fore hand roll in campaigns to stop uncontrolled cutting of trees. It should be obviously noted that when the forests are enriched with a diversity of trees and plants, the wildlife like the Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee and other primates, birds, reptiles, insects etc are enriched too!
  • EWS also works hand in hand with the Wildlife Authorities in fighting the evil of poaching and killing of animals by showing the locals the economic and social value of the Flora and Fauna during our safaris.
  • Today, tourism remains driven by only economic, environmental and/or cultural perspectives at national and international levels.
    EWS however, supports tourism development that incorporates poverty elimination objectives.
  • The poverty impacts of tourism include a wide range of impacts on livelihoods of the poor – not just jobs or incomes but also differential costs and benefits. Given the massive impact that tourism has on many of the world’s poor, pro-poor tourism is a central principle for EWS as a company. We aim at enhancing the livelihood benefits to the local communities from tourism.

Tourism Business and poverty reduction may seem worlds apart. But, corporate responsibility aside, four facts deserve consideration.

  • Tourism, more than most industries, depends on a stable operating environment with a destination
  • Tourism is particularly vulnerable to local or international instability
  • Tourism to poor destinations is growing
  • Market trends reveal growing consumer awareness of social-economic issues

Tourism can contribute directly to the conservation of sensitive areas and habitat.