Support community-based tourism

Choose lodges or tours run by, or in partnership with, local communities, such as those under Namibia’s conservancy system.

The Kaza region

The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) spans five countries and is rich in biodiversity. Travel with eco-certified operators that respect cross-border conservation efforts and help protect vital elephant migration routes and wetlands.

Minimise water usage

Namibia is one of the dryest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Use water mindfully: take short showers, reuse towels and avoid unnecessary laundry during your stay. Avoid plastic, bring reusable water bottles, bags and containers. Many lodges provide filtered water and encourage refillable bottles to reduce waste in fragile desert eco-systems.

Choose eco-accommodation

Consider lodges that are solar-powered, use greywater recycling and composting toilets, or have received eco-certification (e.g. Eco Awards Namibia). These establishments often work closely with local communities and invest in conservation.

Learn and respect local customs

Take time to understand the traditions of Namibia’s many ethnic groups, including the Himba, Herero, San and Damara. Always ask before photographing people and dress modestly when visiting rural communities.

Travel with a conservation-focused operator

Book experiences through companies that directly contribute to conservation, like those supporting Save the Rhino Trust or Cheetah Conservation Fund. Some offer "voluntourism" options for hands-on involvement. 

Buy local, ethical crafts

Purchase souvenirs directly from artisans or certified Fairtrade markets, ensuring income goes to the makers rather than middlemen. Look for wood, stone or woven goods made using traditional techniques.

Tread light when driving

If self-driving, stay on designated roads to avoid damaging fragile desert crusts or disturbing nesting birds and plants. 

Avoid overharvesting firewood

If camping, don’t collect wood from the environment. it’s essential for locals and wildlife. Use provided or purchased firewood and consider fuel-efficient stoves or alternative energy options.

TTG’s responsible travel tips

By sharing these tips with your customers, you can encourage them to travel responsibly:

Before travel

• Choose a tour operator that is transparent about its sustainability initiatives. Does it hold any certifications such as B Corp? Does it use local guides? What are its climate initiatives and animal welfare policies? Does it offer positive-impact experiences such as Citizen Science projects or local community visits?

• Think about taking a longer tour in a year instead of two or more short ones to limit the number of flights you take. Always fly direct where possible.

• Learn as much as you can about the destination you’ll be visiting, including the language, religion, culture, rules and values. This could include tipping culture, body language, forbidden foods or drinks, or any other day-to-day behaviours. Educate yourself on what’s the norm, what’s acceptable and what’s not so you can be sensitive to any cultural differences.

• Pack suitable clothing. If a destination’s main attractions require covered heads or shoulders or long trousers or skirts, ensure you add plenty of options to your suitcase. It’s often considered respectable to adhere to these rules outside of attractions as well as inside, where possible.

• Think about borrowing any specific gear required for your holiday from friends and family. Not everything on your packing list needs to be bought new.

• Take part in Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that encourages travellers to bring supplies needed by local communities and projects. Check with local organisations or your accommodation to see if they participate in the initiative, then if they do pack items such as school or medical supplies, or other requested items to contribute to community development projects.

• Pack a reusable water bottle, metal straw and reusable shopping bag (if not provided by the operator – always ask the question) so you don’t need to buy plastic bottles of water, use plastic straws or accept a plastic carrier when exploring in-destination. 

• Consider taking solid soaps and conditioner bars rather than miniature toiletries, so you don’t leave any empty bottles behind.

• Ensure your suncream is reef-safe. Many sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs and marine life, so choose sunscreens labelled "reef-safe" or "marine-safe", which do not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. 

During the holiday

• Carefully consider your transport to the airport. Can you take a train instead of fly? Can you take a coach instead of a taxi? Always ask yourself these questions once in-destination too.

• Take part in Citizen Science projects or positive-impact community visits your tour operator is offering. This is a small action you can take that makes a huge difference.

• When visiting local communities, always ask before photographing or videoing the people who live there. And be understanding if they do choose to decline the request.

• Shop local. If you’re visiting far-flung or rural communities, contribute to their economy (which likely depends on tourism) by eating in their restaurants when advised by tour leaders, making purchases in their markets, choosing locally owned tour operators and accommodation, and making souvenir purchases in their shops. It’s important to make sure money funds the destinations you visit as well as the tour operators themselves, but when supporting these local businesses ensure you steer clear of products made from animals or precious resources, e.g. coral, bone or teeth jewellery.

• Try to eat meat-free or cut down your consumption of red meat, which has high carbon emissions. Even avoiding meat for just one or two days of your holiday can make a difference.

• Instead of visiting the top tourist attractions in a destination, seek out lesser-visited but equally enticing options to disperse economic spend and avoid overcrowding.

• Never visit orphanages, schools or purchase trinkets from children, as these actions can contribute to child exploitation. Instead, donate to an organisation or charity that supports these youngsters, their families and futures.

• Tour operators often have strict animal welfare guidelines in place so always ensure you adhere to these. Observe animals from a distance, do not feed or touch them, never take part in animal encounters where the animal cannot move away, and if you do have the opportunity to visit domesticated or wild animals in captivity then do your research to make sure the facility is a reliable and respectable sanctuary. Follow guidelines provided by local tour guides. Marine wildlife should be approached slowly and calmly, and as quietly as possible, while departing wildlife should not be chased and engines should be switched off when close to wildlife. Creatures should never be surrounded.

After travel

• Uphold any commitments you made to local charities or organisations during your holiday, and think about ways you can continue your support from afar.

• When talking to friends and family about all the amazing experiences you had on your holiday, tell them about the positive impact you had on the local communities and environments – and why it enriched your trip. This will hopefully encourage them to do the same and therefore increase the benefits of more responsible travel around the world.

Feel free to share these responsible travel tips with clients by email, newsletter, social media, in conversation or by adding them to your website.

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