Story by Taryn White
The multibillion-dollar safari tourism industry is overwhelmingly controlled by foreign nationals and corporations.
I recently embarked on an exciting adventure in Tanzania’s famed Serengeti, where I learned there’s no better place to witness the intricate harmony of nature’s ecosystems than on an African safari. And while the Serengeti boasts a stunning array of roughly 150 safari properties, ranging from opulent lodges to rustic camping tents, there’s also a glaring disparity: the lucrative multibillion-dollar safari tourism industry is overwhelmingly controlled by foreign nationals and corporations.
I had the privilege of staying at one of the few Black-owned safari properties in Africa. This opportunity granted me an even more extraordinary perspective on this awe-inspiring wilderness — and it highlighted why tourists should try to find Black-owned businesses.
“Indigenous and Black ownership ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared more equitably and the cultural and ecological values of the region are preserved and promoted authentically.”
Beks Ndlovu, Founder of African Bush Camps
When I arrived at Kantabile Afrika‘s Cherero Camp, the staff greeted my family with open arms, embodying the ujamaa spirit. We spent our days exploring the vast plains on game drives, spotting incredible wildlife, and feasting on gourmet meals, including a magical sunrise bush breakfast on the savanna.
The camp’s spacious tents felt like home, featuring beautiful hardwood floors, plush king beds, double vanity sinks, and refreshing rain showers. From my tent’s elevated terrace, I enjoyed basking in the sweeping views of the Serengeti, dotted with acacia trees, golden grasses, and grazing zebras and wildebeests.
Kantabile Arika was founded in 2018 by Godwin Temba, a member of the Chagga tribe originating from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and his wife Vivian. Temba started in the tourism industry as a porter for mountain climbers. He became a mountain guide and safari guide before taking the leap of faith to establish his own tour company, Amani Afrika, in 2007. With no generational wealth, he says, “bootstrapping this business with no foreign investment was no small feat.”
Now, his company operates two exclusive enclaves of six luxury tents in the Serengeti: Aurari Camp and Cherero Camp. Temba told Travel + Leisure he infuses his camps with a profound respect for the environment, employing regenerative practices such as using solar-powered energy and forgoing swimming pools or bathtubs since the “search for water is the story of the Serengeti.”
His camps also foster a deep connection to his homeland and reflect the guiding principle ujamaa or familyhood, a communitarian belief he says is “distinct from Western individualism.” Temba prioritizes hiring villagers, recent graduates, and women and allocates a portion of profits to support a local school.
According to the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), a trade association promoting tourism in Africa, approximately 20 percent of its member organizations have Black owners — and this percentage has been gradually increasing in recent years.
Beks Ndlovu, founder of African Bush Camps and a member of the ATTA, operates 18 properties across Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia, employing nearly 700 staff. In addition to traditional game drives, his camps include exciting activities like starlit dinners and canoe safaris.
At Somalisa Camp, Ndlovu’s first safari property, guests can sleep under the stars at a secluded, romantic tree house overlooking a watering hole or observe elephants right outside their tents at the “elephant pool,” which forms a natural extension of the main property. Like Temba, Ndlovu’s love for Africa extends beyond providing high-end safari experiences. He is deeply involved in supporting local communities through his African Bush Camps Foundation, guided by three core principles: education, community empowerment, and conservation.
Several other Black-owned safari proprietors are making their mark on the continent. Among them is Bushman Plains Camp in Botswana, helmed by three visionary brothers who are descendants of the nomadic Bukakwe bushmen; Batoka Africa, the first Black female-owned safari lodge group, operating two eco-friendly luxury properties in Zimbabwe; and Zebra Plains Collection in Kenya, which has three distinct luxury safari properties near the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, guests at South Africa’s Kruger Shalati can stay in one of 24 train carriage suites or seven bridge house suites suspended above the Sabie River. The property also offers thrilling bush walks, train trackside dinners, and scenic helicopter flights.
Not only do each of these properties offer a luxurious escape, but they’re also beacons of economic empowerment within their respective communities. Ndlovu says, “Indigenous and Black ownership ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared more equitably and the cultural and ecological values of the region are preserved and promoted authentically.” For Temba, Black ownership means keeping money within the country instead of sending it overseas. “Black ownership sets a powerful example of what is attainable, which can inspire future generations to continue breaking down barriers,” he said.
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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.