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Responsible travel

Art Safari is a relatively low-impact way of seeing the world.  We endeavour to follow eco-tourism guidelines in our choice of itineraries, lodges and operations.  We encourage you to carbon-offset your flights.  We travel to areas where our presence can contribute to protecting the environment and we introduce guests to conservation efforts and organisations.  We bring back sketches and paintings that highlight the issues as well as the beauty.  Our guests are sensitive to habitats and wildlife and how to preserve them for others.

Communities and wildlife can benefit from tourism.  Every night you stay in accommodation around the world, you contribute to the livelihoods of the people who work there.  Everyday you are there, you help the economy and stability of the tourism industry, one of the largest employment sectors.  We have seen firsthand how tourism impacts positively on local attitudes towards wildlife , which often has greater protection and perceived value because of tourism.

Art Safari encourages you to help them support these NGOs we know well:

Reforesting for Carbon Offsetting

Root to Fruit

Forests without Frontiers

Wildlife

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Community

Chipembere

Artist in Residence – We sometimes invite a local artist to accompany a group at various times throughout the safari. This is always a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and stories.

Helping people play and learn – Over the years we have had key roles in starting up projects and giving on-going support, particularly in the countries we visit most.  Mtendere, Malawi – In Malawi we helped Danger Chipino set up a little school in Ulongwe called Mtendere, through the sales of The Art Safari Sketchbooks Volumes I & II, published by Urban Fox containing words and sketches by people who have been inspired on their Art Safari in Africa. Danger built a classroom & day centre, with kitchen and ablutions as well as supporting the existing programme which feeds and provides care for children left without parents in the Ulongwe area near Liwonde National Park.  Sports Academy, Namibia –  One of our guides in Namibia, Orlando Haraseb, once captained the national football team.  Not content with inspiring safari guests to keep fit, he had the idea of starting a Sports Academy in his home area of Damaraland.  Art Safari has supported the project since its inception, and is proud to be associated with it.  The Orlando Haraseb Sports Academy has the only full size football field in Damaraland.  It also has two netball pitches.  The sports field is used regularly for track events and the whole community comes together for 3 day tournaments, apparently attracting crowds of up to a thousand people. We have several guests who collect sports wear for us to take out.  We have been able to provide a complete strip for four teams, along with boots, footballs and a very smart trophy! School equipment in Cambodia – We were delighted when we left a donation with our partners in Phnom Penh, who brilliantly transformed money into a huge delivery of books, toys, treats, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sports equipment and biscuits to a school in Kampong province. Knitting for Kids – since 2012 enthusiastic knitters from Suffolk have created thousands of hats, teddies, blankets, jumpers and cardigans for us to take out to Africa.

Arts, Wildlife & conservation NGOs supported by Art Safari tutors over the years also include: Save the Albatross, Rhino Conservation J&B Trust, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nyika Vwaza Trust, RSPB, SOC, WWT, BTO, David Shepherd Conservation Foundation, The World Land Trust, African Wild Dog Conservation, Tongabezi Trust School (Livingstone, Zambia), WWF, Dr Graham’s Homes (Kalimpong, India), Art in Nature (Cameron Bespolka Trust), Save the Rhino International, Naomi House (Children’s Hospice), Art for Africa (The Waterberg Trust), Arts Emergency, Nature in Art Museum and Gallery, Marine Conservation Society, The Green Blue, Clean Seas OdysseySiren Calling, Conservation Lower Zambezi, Game Rangers InternationalMoon Hall charityRainbow TrustTransverse Myelitis SocietyKids for Kids SudanBritish Schools Museum, Hitchin Festival, Walsworth Community Centre