SPECIALISING IN GARDEN ROUTE & ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK TOURS SINCE 2006
SPECIALISING IN GARDEN ROUTE & ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK TOURS SINCE 2006
At Earthstompers Travel, we encourage our guests to be responsible travellers.
South Africa is a stunning country, and we would like to continue tours showing off this special country for years to come. We know it will only be possible if we look after our country, people, wildlife, and natural environment.
As a company we strive to operate in a responsible way, but this is not possible without the help of our guests. We have therefore identified ways in which you can limit negative impacts and make a positive contribution while travelling with Earthstompers.
Water is a valuable resource, and both the Western and Eastern Cape where our tours travel experience periodic droughts. We ask that you be conscientious when using water by:
• Taking showers instead of baths
• Having short showers
• Not running the tap while brushing teeth or washing hands
• Only flushing the toilet when necessary
• Reusing towels when possible
Earthstompers discourages the use of single-use paper or plastics. Please:
• Bring and use a refillable water bottle
• Minimize the use of takeaway coffee cups – reusable cups are ideal
• Don’t use straws
• Don’t use plastic shopping bags – Earthstompers provides a reusable shopping bag for each guest on tour
• Recycle tins, bottles, glass, and plastic when possible
• Don’t print your itinerary or voucher. Your guide will have ALL the info readily available
Earthstompers believes in patronizing National Parks, to support the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife and indigenous flora. We proudly include four National Parks in our weekly 5 & 6 Day Garden Route Tours. Earthstompers aims to limit the impact on fauna & flora when visiting these areas. How can you help:
• Do not remove anything (stones, plants, artifacts) from our National Parks
• Keep your distance from wildlife and listen to your guide’s instructions
• Never touch a wild animal
• Always stay on the marked/designated trail when hiking
• Be sure your rubbish or recycling is put in the appropriate bin
Earthstompers does not support unnatural animal encounters, and we encourage our guests to do the same:
• Support only National Parks and Private Game Reserves with free roaming wildlife, in their natural habitat.
• Never walk with or touch a wild animal like a lion, cheetah, or elephant
• Never ride a wild animal like an ostrich or elephant
• Never feed a wild animal like baboons or dassies
Earthstompers does our best to limit air pollution. How can you help:
• By choosing to travel in a group, you are already minimizing the carbon footprint of your travel – well done. 😉
• Be conservative when using electricity – turn off lights or air con in your rooms when not needed.
Earthstompers is mindful of the many cultures which make up our rainbow nation. We aim to educate our guests on sensitive topics and situations they might encounter on our route.
How you can be a conscientious traveller:
• Take the opportunity to learn about all of the different cultures who call South Africa home.
• Be sensitive and respectful to people who are of a different race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or speak a different language than you do.
• Choose small local businesses for your shopping. We believe this is a good way to have a direct positive economic impact on local communities. There are loads of awesome local options for restaurants, shops, and curios. Earthstompers is a small, family-run business, and we strive to support other small businesses.
• Your tour price includes a community support contribution, which goes toward supporting charitable local projects. A list of current projects is available on our Social Responsibility page. Please speak to us if you would like to visit a project or get involved.
Earthstompers encourages responsible consumption that protects South Africa’s wildlife, plants and heritage. Be mindful when buying souvenirs and collecting mementos:
• Avoid products made from protected wildlife, plants or marine species – such as ivory, rhino horn, big cat skins, tortoiseshell, abalone (perlemoen), coral or cycads
• Avoid fossils, archaeological finds and cultural heritage artefacts
• Never collect natural items from National Parks or protected areas
Earthstompers is committed to ethical tourism, and we encourage you to speak up if you witness or suspect any inappropriate, unethical or illegal behaviour, including animal mistreatment, sexual or any other form of exploitation and harassment (particularly of children and adolescents), exploitation of local communities, or harm to the environment or cultural heritage.
• Report any concerns to your tour guide, the relevant local authorities, or directly to us at Earthstompers Travel. We take these matters seriously and appreciate your help in promoting responsible and ethical tourism in South Africa.
