Visiting an African safari is on many people’s bucket list.
When one thinks about visiting “The Motherland,” people often think of historical places, beaches and safaris.
Some might assume that many of those African safaris would be Black-owned.
However, that is not the case because only 15 percent of African safaris have Black owners.
Matt Hicks of Travel Noire reported, “In Africa, the tourism industry brings in $39 billion, and safari accounts for more than $12 billion in annual revenues in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and more. However…I found there aren’t many Black-owned safaris. Research from the Berkeley Economic Review found White men dominate the safari industry. According to The African Travel and Tourism Association, 15% of its more than 600 members are Black owners.”
Although finding a Black-owned safari in Africa is darn near impossible, Hicks listed six for travelers to check out and support on their next visit to the cradle of human civilization.
- African Bush Camps—African Bush Camps, founded by Zimbabwean guide Beks Ndlovu 18 years ago, have locations throughout the African continent. At the African Bush Camps, located in countries like Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, tourists can immerse themselves in African wild spaces. The local tour guides at the African Bush Camps allow visitors to come face-to-face with African wildlife.
- Bushman Plains Camp—The Bushman Plains Camp in Botswana will take visitors on a historical trip. The founders boast that it is the “first Bushman-owned safari camp.” Hicks reported, “Located in the Heart of the Okavango Delta, studies have found the Bushmen and The San people are among the oldest cultures on earth. History recognizes The San people are some of the first hunter-gatherers in the southern portion of the African continent. The San are known for tracking lions and the meat from their kills. Bushman Plains Camp tour guides pay homage to the hunter-gatherer legacy of the people of the region.
- Desert & Delta Safaris—Also operated in Botswana, Desert & Delta Safaris consists of more than nine safari locations. These safaris stand out against the competition because they are one of few African safaris, which are operated by the local community. Desert & Deltas is actually a publicly-traded company, which operates on the Botswana stock exchange.
- Njozi Camp—Over the past decade or two, Tanzania has become a popular country for study abroad programs, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities like Texas Southern. However, it is also a go-to country for animal lovers looking to check out an African safari. Founded by Deo Magoye, the Njozi (which translates to dream) Camp is appropriately titled because the safari is a once in a lifetime experience for travelers. Unlike other camps, there are no scheduled meals at this camp because guides do not want visitors to miss the unpredictable action. Hicks wrote, “Njozi Camp follows the Great Migration from the Ndutu region of the Southern Serengeti to the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti.”
- Tangulia Mara Camp—In Kenya, travelers cannot only visit the birthplace of former President Barack Obama’s father and other relatives, they can also partake in all the adventures that come with visiting a safari. The Tangulia Mara Camp is the only safari in the entire reserve that is completely owned and operated in the country’s Maasai Mara region. It is in the middle of the bush and visitors marvel at its breathtaking beauty.
- Zebra Plains—Who wouldn’t want to see a zebra before they kick the bucket? Zebra Plains in Kenya is owned by Alfred Koirr, who has a resume with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. Not only is Koirr a businessperson, but he is a philanthropist as well, giving back to the community with 90 percent of the camp’s staff coming from the indigenous tribe.
Although, visiting an African safari is something that is on many people’s bucket list, there are obvious dangers in being in such close proximity as wild animals.
TMZ reported, “An elderly woman was killed in Africa during a safari trip—this after an elephant charged her party’s vehicle…and flipped it over, which left her fatally wounded.
“The unidentified woman 80-year-old was on a safari Saturday in Zambia at the Kafue National Park—and at one point in the excursion, a bull elephant charges their truck…and rams into it head-on…”
In a video of the tragic event, screams from tour guides and patrons can be heard as the elephant tips over the vehicle.
Apparently, sounds from the deceased woman can also be heard in the video.
An executive from Wilderness Safari, which led the trip, confirmed that an American woman perished from the incident.
Furthermore, another woman had been flown to a hospital after suffering a serious injury.
Additionally, four other guests on the safari got treated for minor injuries and received trauma counseling.
TMZ added, “In terms of how this happened, Wilderness says the guide’s route became blocked by the terrain and vegetation as they were driving along—and that they didn’t have enough time to move the vehicle out of the way before the elephant could hit them.”
Wilderness Safari called the accident “extremely tragic” and offered their condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
