Safari Lodges and Renewable Energy
Frankfurt a.M., December 2, 2024. The outcomes of the recent COP Conference underscore the urgency of expanding access to renewable energy in Africa. Tourism, particularly in remote regions of the continent, holds significant potential to lead the way in adopting sustainable energy solutions.
Increasingly, safari lodges and other tourist accommodations are turning to decentralized, solar-powered systems to meet their energy needs sustainably. These pioneering projects not only strengthen the tourism industry but also serve as models for surrounding communities.
Safari Lodges Embracing Solar Energy
In many developing countries, especially in low-income regions of Africa, access to renewable electricity remains limited. The Renewable Energy Tracker 2024 by Climate Action Network highlights that progress in expanding renewable energy in rural areas is still insufficient to bridge the urban-rural energy gap.
Safari lodges and hotels in Africa’s rural areas are playing a crucial role in demonstrating the potential of renewable energy. By utilizing solar power to meet their operational needs, they significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
One standout example is the Serena Hotels Group, an East African hotel chain operating across multiple African countries. Their Kilaguni Safari Lodge, located in Kenya`s Tsavo West National Park, is the country’s first fully solar-powered safari lodge. Today, several other lodges in the chain operate entirely on solar energy.
While privately owned safari lodges have been adopting solar solutions for years, government-run camps in national parks are now beginning to follow suit. Recently, the Mata-Mata Rest Camp in the cross-border Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park transitioned to 24-hour solar power. Additional camps in this expansive desert conservation area, spanning South Africa and Botswana, are expected to make similar changes in the coming years.
This shift towards solar energy is proving highly successful. It not only reduces operating costs but also minimizes the environmental impact of tourism operations.
Sustainable Tourism as a Model
Among the pioneers in renewable energy innovation is Green Safaris in Zambia. They introduced the country’s first electric safari vehicle, the „eLandy,“ in 2014 and now deploy it across several lodges, including the fully solar-powered Ila Safari Lodge in South Luangwa National Park. Solar-powered boats are also used for wildlife viewing along the Kafue River.
These initiatives highlight how tourism can reduce environmental impact while promoting sustainability in remote regions. By adopting solar energy and other renewable energy sources, safari lodges not only meet the expectations of environmentally conscious travelers but also set a powerful example of sustainable development. For many European travelers, minimizing their ecological footprint has become a priority when selecting vacation destinations, making the combination of eco-friendly operations and tourism increasingly important.
The Need for International Support
To fully leverage the tourism sector’s potential for driving renewable energy adoption in Africa, stronger international support is essential. Investments, technology transfers, and capacity-building initiatives can accelerate the development of sustainable energy infrastructure.
“Tourism could not only help reduce the ecological footprint but also act as a catalyst for equitable energy distribution in rural African regions,” says Hanna Kleber, founder of Voice4Africa, an initiative promoting responsible tourism in Africa in collaboration with mid-sized travel companies from German-speaking countries. “Tourism-driven renewable energy initiatives enhance sustainability while boosting local prosperity—creating a model that can inspire broader change across Africa.”
***
VOICE4AFRICA is an initiative by the KLEBER GROUP, a full-service PR agency specializing in tourism with extensive expertise in Africa. In collaboration with African tour operators, the initiative promotes responsible tourism to Africa as a means of international understanding and a driver of sustainable development. Voice4Africa is a founding member of the business initiative ReThinking Africa and winner of the Corps Touristique Award for International Understanding 2023.
Press contact:
Hanna Kleber and Julia Kleber | Management
Friederike Galuschky | Senior Consultant Communications
Hamburger Allee 45
60486 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 (69) 71 91 36 0
E-mail: hanna.kleber@klebergroup.com and julia.kleber@klebergroup.com / friederike.galuschky@klebergroup.com
Photo Credit header: Wolwedans/Bush Legends
