blogA Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel Practices

Tourism is striving to find a balance between growth and keeping things sustainable. While tourism has benefits, it can also harm plants and animals in the places people visit. So, we need to start using eco-friendly travelling ways to help save the planet. But being a responsible traveller is not as easy as it sounds. A green vacation might sound fascinating, but figuring out how to do it can be confusing. Where do you even begin?

Here are some down-to-earth tips to travel in an eco-friendly way and to reduce your carbon footprint.

Quick Facts:

• Cars emit about 192g of CO2 per kilometre when you drive alone. However, carpooling can significantly reduce each passenger’s carbon footprint.
• Air travel alone makes up 20% of the carbon emissions in tourism.
• Approximately 50% of carbon emissions in a plane can come from takeoff and landing.
• Cruise ships emit 3 to 4x more carbon dioxide per person (per kilometre) than commercial flights.
• Travelling by train is the most ecologically friendly option, aside from walking or biking, as they emit 55-75% less carbon emissions.
• Tourist accommodations account for 1% of global emissions and 20% of emissions from the tourism industry.

The Importance of Sustainability in Travel and Tourism

Travelling sustainably comes down to more than just your trip. It is an effort to save our planet. Hence, we encourage you to adopt eco-friendly travel practices and join the effort to travel sustainably. Every time you do something green, you help keep nature safe, support people who live there, and look after old traditions. Taking care of planet Earth and its natural resources, like water and air, is essential to ensure the world stays clean for the needs of future generations.

6 Essential Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel

Choose Sustainable Accommodation

To begin with, try to choose hotels and lodges that prioritise environmental sustainability. They should have efficient waste management systems, recycling programmes, energy-saving practices, and a commitment to using renewable energy sources such as solar or hydroelectric power.

Say No to Plastic

Travellers should say no to plastic to help protect the environment and preserve natural beauty for future generations. Disposable plastics often end up in oceans and landscapes, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. By avoiding plastic, travellers minimise waste and reduce pollution, supporting healthier communities and more pristine destinations. Simple choices like reusable bags, bottles, and utensils can significantly decrease the plastic footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.

Carbon Footprint Offsetting

Travellers can offset their carbon footprint by adopting several environmentally friendly practices. One effective approach is to support carbon offset programmes that invest in renewable energy projects, reforestation, and conservation initiatives. Additionally, choosing direct flights and eco-friendly modes of transportation, such as trains or buses, can help reduce emissions. Moreover, travellers can try to minimise waste and participate in local conservation activities to enhance their positive contribution to the environment. Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and promote a healthier planet by incorporating these practices into their travel plans.

Eat Seasonal Food

Destinations and travellers should prioritise local producers and farmers regarding food consumption. Doing so creates new economic opportunities and enriches the menu with fresh seasonal food options. Leveraging seasonal, regional, and responsibly grown food also comes with the rewarding aspect of lowering or reducing the carbon footprint of restaurants.

Conserve Water

Travellers are encouraged to conserve water to preserve and protect this vital resource for local communities and ecosystems. Water scarcity is a significant challenge in arid areas. By reducing water usage, travellers can help ensure sufficient clean water for residents, agriculture, and wildlife.

Reducing water usage is possible with a few simple actions. Travellers should take shorter showers, reuse towels, and turn off taps when not in use. Conserving water not only supports sustainable tourism but also aids in maintaining the natural beauty and health of the destinations we love to explore, ensuring they remain vibrant and inviting for future generations.

Limit Energy Use

Switch off lights, air conditioning, and electronic devices when not in use to significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, travellers can use public transportation, walk, or bike instead of relying on energy-intensive vehicles. Participating in hotel linen reuse programs and minimising the use of electrical appliances also help conserve energy. By making conscious choices, travellers can play a crucial role in reducing their environmental footprint and supporting global efforts toward energy conservation.

How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Trip to the Isibindi Lodges (Consider These Tips)

• Pack light: While squeezing everything you imagine needing into a suitcase might seem convenient, packing light offers several advantages for the environment and your travel experience. Consider the impact on our planet. Every extra kilo packed adds to the overall weight of a plane or car, forcing them to burn more fuel and pump out more emissions. By packing light, you can contribute to a greener adventure. Additionally, flying with a carry-on only means no baggage check-in line, baggage claim wait, and those pesky fees.
• Respect wildlife and nature, observe from a safe distance, and do not feed the animals: While vacations are perfect for reconnecting with nature, it is crucial to be mindful of its delicate balance. Observing these practices helps protect both the natural behaviours of wildlife and the integrity of ecosystems, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
• Consider eco-friendly travel activities: Travellers can engage in eco-friendly activities such as hiking, bird-watching, cycling, and kayaking, which allow them to explore and appreciate nature without harming the environment.
• Buy local: Shopping for local products lets you buy items you might not find anywhere else and ensures your money goes to local people, thus injecting some investment into the local economy.

Staying in One of Isibindi’s Eco-Friendly Accommodations

Choosing to stay at one of Isibindi’s eco-friendly lodges offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning and diverse landscapes of South Africa while minimising their environmental impact. Each lodge is thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, employing sustainable practices like solar power, rainwater harvesting, and eco-sensitive building materials. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations and world-class hospitality while knowing their stay supports conservation initiatives and local communities. Whether exploring the rich biodiversity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park or the open land of the game reserves, an experience at Isibindi lodges ensures a memorable, responsible, and regenerative connection with nature.