Sustainable Tourism: Eco-Innovation in Transport
Written by Nadine Kilala
The future of sustainable travel and safaris is upon us! African tourism is in the midst of a wave of technological experimentation that is revolutionising the future of tourism. Read on to find out how…
Tourism stakeholders are starting to break the mould and push for progressive experiences that will allow tourists to tread lightly while exploring the riches of the African continent. One such effort is in the shift from fossil fuel-run vehicles to electric and hybrid-powered cars. This shift is garnering attention for all the right reasons because it offers both environmentally responsible and enhanced adventures. From the reduced emissions to quiet safari on-road cruises, these new comforts set a new standard of what a responsible trip should be.
This blog is an ode to the pioneers who are creating opportunities for tourism to become more sustainable by facilitating an emission-conscious revolution in southern African travel.
Meet the Trailblazers of Sustainable Transportation and Touring
Gondwana Collection
When it comes to sustainability, the Gondwana Collection constantly thinks outside the box in building a “healthy, unified, and progressive Namibia.” The Gondwana Collection has introduced a new fleet of 12 hybrid Toyota Cross 1.8XS hybrids to its NAMIBIA2GO fleet. Now self-driving travellers will have the opportunity to drive across Namibia in an environmentally conscious way.
The hybrid Toyota cross cars offer numerous added advantages for self-driving tourists. Sporting the latest safety, comfort, and economic features, the newly launched hybrid vehicles in the NAMIBIA2GO fleet shows Gondwana’s commitment to adapting to shifts that lean toward efficiency and eco-innovation in the industry. The hybrid Toyota Cross truly refined travel experience is unbeatable as it perfectly finds the balance between practicality, quality, and value.
Hint: You can book these awesome cars through us!
Over and above the NAMIBIA2GO hybrid car launch, the Gondwana Collection has also established GO2 transfers across Namibia. The transfer service will be operating 9 daily hop-on-hop-off transport to classic routes to iconic destinations such as Fish River Canyon, Namib and Kalahari deserts, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park – to name just a few. GO2 transfers are ideal for travellers who do not want to drive themselves while still maintaining their independence and flexibility to choose multiple destinations on their trip. The GO2 shuttle transfer services provide numerous travel advantages including:
Lowered transportation emissions
Choosing to opt for a shuttle service is a massive win in reducing your carbon footprint while travelling. Why? Well, a shuttle can carry more people, therefore less fuel consumption and emissions per traveller.
Affordable Travel Costs
Why worry about fuel costs when you can pay a fixed rate to get from point A to B? Shuttle services offer a straightforward mode of travel because you pay a fixed price to reach your destination. This eliminates additional costs during your travels, allowing you to pay more attention to your experiences.
Guaranteed Safety
Navigating your way around a new country can be challenging; however, your mind can be at ease when you are on a shuttle transfer. Using shuttle transfers can boost your safety in many ways:
The drivers allocated for shuttle transfers are experienced professional drivers who prioritise passenger safety.
Shuttle drivers are accustomed to the travel routes and their way around the destination.
The shuttle service ensures the handling and security of your luggage.
It’s Convenient
Shuttle services are a less worrisome form of travel because it is smoother, more efficient, and time-saving. When using shuttle services your transportation is managed by travel consultants who put your comfort and best interest at heart. With set route times and pick-up locations, you can avoid stressing about directions or looking for parking.
Nudge: We can organise these transfers for you!
Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve
By partnering with the crème of the crop innovators in sustainability, Cheetah Plains has achieved stellar sustainability by integrating clean energy solutions to offer greener safari experiences. Their strong commitment to sustainable safari is evident in their bold and innovative advances in offering sustainable zero-emission game drives.
What is more impressive is that Cheetah Plains is committed to building its very own customised Land Cruiser electric vehicles. These state-of-the-art vehicles are fully powered by solar energy, meaning that their game drives are CO2 emission-free. Cheetah Plains has also taken it a step further by reconfiguring and re-engineering the features and design of their safari vehicles to improve their game viewing experience. For example, customised seating designs and features such as heated seats and angle reclined seats have been added to the safari experience at Cheetah Plains.
Learn more about Cheetah Plains’ electric vehicle fleet here.
Makanyi Private Game Lodge, South Africa
During the midst of the pandemic in 2020, Makanyi Private Game Lodge sought to go green by introducing its inaugural electric safari vehicle. The introduction of the electric car to the lodge has incentivised the lodge to expand its fleet of electric safari vehicles in a conscious effort to protect the surrounding pristine wilderness. Like Cheetah Plains, Makanyi Private Game Lodge took the initiative to convert their Land Rovers to electric power. This shows the sheer ingenuity that lodges like Makanyi have taken in offering greener forms of safari according to their terms with limited help from travel industry leaders.
The added benefits of the electric safari vehicle are plenty. Still, as Makanyi’s head ranger voiced, “The silence is tremendous and has totally transformed the safari experience. We can communicate more easily with our guests and the tracker without shouting over the sound of the engine”. He further added that using the electric safari vehicle has been worthwhile because it protects the environment they care about.
Benefits of electric-powered safaris
It’s a better way to experience wildlife
Say bye to the rumbling sound of a diesel engine that roars while you are in your safari escapade. The hybrid and electric safari vehicles almost eliminate engine noise from the equation. This allows safari onlookers to fully absorb the chirping songs of the birds and the quiet rustle of the acacia trees. The soft purr of the electric vehicles offers an experience where disturbance to wildlife is minimal, while the connection one experiences in the wild is immeasurably amplified.
Zero emissions means it’s less harmful to the environment
Another bonus of electric vehicles is reduced emissions of hazardous gases and chemical byproducts during your safari. Why? The electric car does not rely on internal combustion. Instead, it transfers power from the battery to run the vehicle. This means less hazardous will perforate into the ecological balance of the bush and planet. In safaris, electric and hybrid cars do less harm to the African bush.
They’re more reliable
When you are on safari, the last thing you want is your vehicle breakdown in the middle of nowhere. This is when the reliability of the vehicles used in safari becomes a significant factor in vehicle choice. Believe it or not, electric cars are proven to be more reliable than their fossil-fuel-based cousins. According to the car manufacturer KIA, electric vehicles are more reliable as they have fewer moving parts. This means the mechanical aspects of the electric motor are less prone to wear and tear during use. Whoop whoop – this sounds like good news to all sustainable safari-goers!
Lower Mechanical Maintenance
“No oil to change, no gaskets to replace, no valves to clog up, electric cars do not have internal combustion engines, so these costs disappear” – KIA Cooperation.
As echoed by KIA, the operational costs of electric cars are less than combustion engines in the long term. With fuel prices rising across the globe, electric-run vehicles powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind mean that operators do not need to purchase fuel. For travellers, this means that the future of safaris could be cheaper if electric vehicles become mainstream in our safari experiences in the long term.
Strong off-road performer
Do not mistake the electric vehicle’s quietness for weakness. This vehicle is a serious performance beast. Electric safari vehicles boast a lighter engine that allows the car to easily manoeuvre across many terrains, including water crossings, sandy sand beds, and rough rocky roadways. This new generation of vehicles has dramatically expanded the navigable scope of African safaris – this means you get to see and experience more of the magical aura of African wilderness!
Solar-powered bikes busting illegal poachers
Did you know that solar-powered motorbikes can save endangered species and the environment, and create meaningful jobs?
Solar-powered motorbikes have been a crucial agent in helping anti-poaching rangers gain quick access to remote hotspots where wildlife crime is rampant. The solar-powered motorbikes facilitate a silent mode of travel while patrolling protected wildlife areas. Before the solar-powered motorbikes, rangers struggled to catch poachers due to the loud rumble of the petrol-engine bush bikes. The Swedish company CAKE, alongside Southern African Wildlife College, worked together to create the solar-powered motorcycle currently used by anti-poaching rangers to combat wildlife crime in parts of South Africa.
Now anti-poacher rangers can operate off the grid while having a lower footprint, causing less pollution and environmental damage to the bush. Additionally, the utilisation of solar to power the motorbikes has aided in cutting operating costs for the anti-poaching initiative. Now the saved expenses are used in hiring more rangers and increasing the rangers' salaries. Now that is what you call a ripple effect!
Many tour operators in Africa are making the conscious shift in crafting increasingly sustainable travel that puts the planet’s protection and preservation at the heart of their services. The stories exemplified in this blog show African operators' strong tenacity and drive to stimulate eco-innovation. The hybrid cars, the electric safari vehicles, and the solar power motorbikes are just a few examples of a growing shift toward making sustainable travel a reality.
Inspired much? Visit Viatu to book a trip with a fresh take on an adventure where you can travel consciously while still enjoying the experience of a lifetime.
