Sustainability is at the heart of the Great Plains Conservation ethos, and sustainable technologies and systems are in place throughout our camps. With the opening of Zarafa 2008, we pioneered the concept of providing a luxury safari experience sustained entirely on solar power. A decade later, we continue to innovate with, for example, the state-of-the-art Tesla solar battery system in place at Tembo Plains Camp. Other best practices in our camps include the bio-digesters that convert vegetable scraps into methane cooking gas, composting, greywater recycling, use of recycled hardwood in camp construction, and the elimination of single-use plastic such as bottles and straws. Numerous international and local ecotourism rating systems have recognised our commitment to sustainable practices. Selinda Camp, Selinda Explorers Camp, and Zarafa Camp have all achieved the Botswana Tourism Organisation’s highest rating – “EcoTourism”. The Selinda Reserve has been named one of the world’s Top 100 Sustainable Destinations. In Kenya, Mara Plains Camp and Mara Expedition Camp each have a Gold rating from EcoTourism Kenya. At the same time, ol Donyo Lodge is Silver, and Mara Plains Camp, Selinda Camp, Zarafa Camp, and Selinda Explorers Camp are all Fair Trade Tourism Certified.
Great Plains Conservation exists to conserve and expand natural habitats; using sustainable eco-tourism protect and restore critical habitats, conserve wildlife, and benefit local communities.
We have conserved nearly one million acres of land for Africa’s wildlife across community conservancies, former hunting concessions, and key wildlife migratory corridors. In addition, we have founded the Great Plains Foundation to lead innovative initiatives with a long-term commitment to the environment, wildlife, and local communities in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
Great Plains Conservation supports the Foundation’s administrative costs and provides in-kind contributions such as transportation, supplies, and staff time so that more resources can be directed to the communities and protected areas we serve. By staying at Great Plains Conservation’s camps, you are directly helping to protect Africa’s wild spaces.
A Conservation and Community Levy is added to each stay with Great Plains Conservation as a contribution to the Great Plains Foundation. Through this levy, every traveler who stays with us is not only helping to conserve and expand natural habitats, but also contributing to conservation and community development through projects such as conservation education and Rhinos Without Borders.
