Africa Travel WeekEight-seven per cent of travellers have a desire to travel more sustainably, according to the results of a booking.com survey – and it’s incredibly refreshing to discover how many African travel suppliers are quickly responding to this rising demand.
Emboo River Eco Lodge, situated within Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, is one example of a travel supplier prioritising sustainability in conjunction with optimising the traveller experience.
The inspiring team, comprising three young, dynamic entrepreneurs between the ages of 32 and 40, is leading the way in terms of carbon-negative safaris in Africa through innovation and technology.
For example, Emboo River is the first lodge in Kenya boasting a complete fleet of solar-powered safari vehicles, all of which have an impressive, estimated driving range of 120 kilometres before requiring a recharge. Not only do these tech-savvy vehicles not emit any exhaust fumes or CO2 into the environment, but they also promise quieter game drives, allowing guests to get even closer to resident wildlife – a real game-changer for travellers who are hoping to see and experience more during their getaway.
“Going on a safari in the Maasai Mara and only leaving a positive impact behind is possible. By applying innovation and technology, Emboo River offers guests a truly unique and luxurious experience in the midst of nature, that at the same time protects our environment and supports our communities,” says Valery Joanne Super, Emboo’s co-founder and Director of Sales and Marketing.
Along with solar-powered vehicles, Emboo River has taken it all a step further, embracing solar-heated showers; lagoons with local wetland plants that filter and recycle 100% of waste water; serving up farm-to-fork meals from an organic vegetable garden; cultivating organic honey and reusable beeswax paper; embarking on a tree planting project called ‘Rooting for our Future’; and so much more.
According to co-founders Loïc Amadò and William Partois Ole Santian, “Emboo’s vision has always been based on going ‘full eco’, and we managed to achieve this from the very get-go when opening our doors back in 2019. We knew we wanted to go all in from the beginning. We were never interested in temporary solutions or going sustainable bit by bit.”
Considering everything the Emboo River team has achieved so far, one can only imagine what’s still to come. Here’s to paving the way for widespread sustainable travel, carbon negative safaris, and enabling travellers to leave destinations in better condition than when they arrived.
