A guide to responsible travel in Kenya
These guidelines were developed by Friends of Conservation and the Eco Tourism Society of Kenya, in conjunction with the Kenyan Association of Tour Operators, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association. They were funded by the British Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Please help us protect Kenya’s natural heritage.
Karibuni! Welcome to Kenya, the original home of the great safari. Our country is blessed with some of the world’s richest wilderness areas - and some of its rarest creatures. In order to preserve this vital biodiversity, we urge all visitors to read the following guidelines and help us protect our natural heritage - for our sake, and the sake of all future generations.
WHEN VISITING OUR COUNTRY:
- TRAVEL WITH REPUTABLE OPERATORS AND QUALIFIED SAFARI GUIDES
Insist that our tour operator uses only trained and certified professional safari guides - RESPECT LOCAL CULTURES AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Support projects and properties that benefit local people through employment, soocial development and the preservation of local livelihoods. - SUPPORT ECOFRIENDLY ACCOMODATION FACILITIES
Try to stay at lodges ad safari camps that look after the environment and support local conservation projects.
ON SAFARI
- KEEP TO DESIGNATED ROADS OR TRACKS
Encourage your driver to stay on roads or tracks when visiting nationalparks or reserves. Off-road driving can cause extensive damage to grass and woodland habitats. - MINIMISE DISTURBANCE TO ANIMALS
Wild animals become distressed when they are surrounded by several vehicles, or when vehiccles come too close to them. Please, keep noise to a minimum and never try to attract an animals attention. - STAY INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES
Do not stand on the roof or hang out of the windows, and only leave your vehicle in designated areas. Remember, wild animals can be dangerous! - KEEP TO SPEED LIMIT
Most wildlife areas have a speed limit of 40 kph - and animals have the right of way. - NEVER FEED ANY ANIMAL
Feeding wild animals can upset their diet and lead to an unnatural dependence upon people. - TAKE CARE NOT TO DISTURB THE ECOLOGICAL BALANCE
Please, do not purchase, collect or remove any animal products, rocks, plants, seeds or birds’ nests from the wild, or alter the natural environment in any way. - TAKE ALL YOUR LITTER WITH YOU
Litter and garbage is very dangerous to wild animals. Please, keep all litter with you, and be extremely careful with cigarettes and matches, which can cause major bushfires.
The protection of Kenya’s natural environment is a responsibility that is shared by the tourist industry, local people and visitors. As a visitor, you have the power to influence the behaviour of others. If you see an incident which clearly contraverses any of the above guidelines, please, record the details and request for an Incident Report Form from the reception of your hotel.
If you insist that these guidelines are adhered to, you will be playing an important part in helping Kenya to preserve some of the world’s greatest wilderness areas.
Read more on http://www.friendsofconservation.org/
