Sustainability Policy

At Traversing Africa we are passionate about responsible and sustainable tourism. As such, we partner with causes who aim to protect and conserve wildlife, the environment and local culture.  We strive to make a positive impact in the world through deeper and more meaningful travel experiences. We want to ensure our great great grandchildren have a chance to experience the natural world as it was intended to be.

We endeavour to:

• Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
• Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
• Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.
• Increase employee awareness and training.
• Show preference to hotels, transport and activity providers that are certified sustainable.
• Support local charities and organisations that contribute to environmental and cultural causes.
• Encourage clients to partake in sustainable tourism activities and shop at fair trade establishments.
• Actively support community-based tourism projects and local economies.
• Be sensitive to local cultures.
• Protect wildlife and fauna.

Paper

• We will minimise the use of paper in the office.
• We will reduce packaging as much as possible.
• We will seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products.
• We will reuse and recycle all paper where possible.

Energy and water

• We will seek to reduce the amount of energy used as much as possible.
• Lights and electrical equipment will be switched off when not in use.
• Heating will be adjusted with energy consumption in mind.
• The energy consumption and efficiency of new products will be taken into account when purchasing.

Office supplies

• We will evaluate if the need can be met in another way.
• We will evaluate if renting/sharing is an option before purchasing equipment.
• We will evaluate the environmental impact of any new products we intend to purchase.
• We will favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products wherever possible.
• We will reuse and recycle everything we are able to.

Transportation

• We will reduce the need to travel, restricting to necessity trips only.
• We will promote the use of travel alternatives such as e-mail or video/phone conferencing.
• We will make additional efforts to accommodate the needs of those using public transport or bicycles.

Maintenance and cleaning

• Cleaning materials used will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
• We will only use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of waste.

Wildlife Interactions

• Interactions with free roaming wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, are non-invasive and responsibly managed to avoid adverse effects on the animals concerned
• We are aware of, and comply with, existing local, national and international regulations and guidelines concerning wildlife interactions, including wildlife viewing.
• We ensure that all service providers and sites visited comply with existing local, national and international regulations and guidelines concerning wildlife interactions, including wildlife viewing.
• Direct interactions, in particular feeding, should not be permitted, unless specifically sanctioned by internationally accepted standards or, where standards are not available, guided by independent wildlife expert advice.
• The organization ensures that all service providers and sites visited comply with relevant laws and regulations concerning wildlife harvesting and trade

Traversing Africa is committed to being environmentally aware, actively support programs that reduce our company’s environmental impact and continually improve our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating procedures.

We recognize that we have a responsibility to the environment to meet or exceed legislative and regulatory requirements.

We will ensure that this policy and all procedures relating to it are understood, implemented and maintained by all company employees.

What we have already implemented

• Changed to renewable energy providers
• Swapped to plant-based cleaning products
• Use a digital platform for sending travel documentation to clients
• Eliminating single use plastic
• Collaborate and are actively involved in external forums and working groups which are supportive to sustainability in tourism
• Set copy and printing machines by default to double-sided printing or other forms of paper saving modes
• Favour the purchase of sustainable goods and services, office and catering supply, give-aways and merchandise
• Implemented waste reducing methods when using ink and toner cartridges for printing and copying, whenever feasible
• Recycle or properly dispose of batteries
• Make local arrangements. Utilize local guides and suppliers to maximize economic benefits for host communities or regions.
• Support local charities and take part in local fundraisers.
• Our teams regularly carry out self-assessments and on-site inspections before classifying hotels into being Eco-friendly or Socially Aware.