Safaris used to be the affairs of the rich. Hunters would find guides and porters and head into the jungles and savannas in search of big game, only returning when they had found their prey of choice. Sadly, this was a major contributor to the number of extinct and endangered species throughout the African continent. In the last few decades, more people have been participating in safaris, but more animals have survived them; socially responsible safaris have become the norm as they have become more profitable than the old-fashioned safaris. In time, it is even possible that fewer safaris will result in the deaths of native fauna as the hunts of old become even less popular.
How They Work
The hunters of old have been replaced by those who do not need physical souvenirs of their travels. While ancient hunters may have used rifles to bring home evidence of what they saw on their trips, modern hunters use cameras and phones to bring home souvenirs. Also, fewer porters are required; while the safaris required long trains of porters in order to bring the supplies required for the trips, the use of vehicles has enabled parties to travel to their destination faster with almost all of the needed supplies. As such, the parties have become much smaller, much faster, and much less likely to kill anything.
The Many Advantages of the New Safaris
Switching to cameras and vehicles has made it much easier for safaris. An old-school safari required hiring a large number of people in order to make sure there were enough supplies for the trip as well as to make sure that any animals killed made it back. Also, they were less likely to be able to sneak up on predators; there were just too many people. Using cameras and vehicles eliminated all of those people and thus made it easier to find the animals that they were looking for; by traveling lighter and by using quieter gear, they are better able to sneak up on potential prey, ensuring the success of the safari.
Socially responsible safaris are not just more ecologically sound than old-fashioned safaris but also allow more people to enjoy them. This not only ensures that the animals survive, but also that the hunters leave a smaller footprint. Since more parties can go out, this also means that local economies gain an advantage as well. Overall, they work better for the area and the animals as well.
