Footsteps in Africa - Mission Statement
Footsteps in Africa is committed to providing a quality, rewarding, yet affordable safari experience for our guests, while being acutely aware of both our impact, and that of our guests, on the environment. Further we recognise that as a company predominantly trading in Botswana we have a socio-economic responsibility towards the citizens/ residents of Botswana.
We hope that under the following three main headings you will be able to see how Footsteps in Africa is striving to make a difference to the environment and also the people of Botswana.
Carbon offsets
Footsteps in Africa, our lodges, and every guest produce a carbon footprint, which we do our utmost to minimise. Part of the solution is admitting our carbon impact; the second stage is actually doing something about it, by a process of planned systematic reductions and finally offsetting the carbon output we cannot eliminate. Guests will be asked to voluntarily offset their carbon footprint for the duration of their stay at Footsteps in Africa lodges to pre-selected and approved organisations.
Social Responsibility
It has been established that for conservation to really succeed and be sustainable, communities adjacent to conservation areas must perceive that their future is enhanced by the presence of the tourism facilities.
The staff at Mapula Lodge, Delta Camp and Oddballs' are from the surrounding villages close to lodges, with the exception of only three of the total staff complement.
It is with great pride that we can reveal that citizens of Botswana wholly manage the following camps/ lodges.
Mapula Lodge
Delta Camp
Santawani Lodge
Sankuyo Bush Camp
Oddballs' Camp
Oddballs' Enclave
Grasslands Bushman Lodge
Fly Camps
At Deception Valley Lodge we are committed to showcasing the San culture in a positive manner. This is done whilst interacting with the San on the special walking safaris we conduct. Guests who have participated in these foot safaris and engaged with the San staff at the lodge are all profoundly touched by the manner in which the San view and treat the environment. The San have been showing us since the dawn of time how to take care of the environment; it is a pity few have been listening!
Impacts – limited…
At each of our camps/ lodges guests of Footsteps in Africa are actively encouraged to participate in at least one non–motorised activity per stay per camp/lodge. This can either be a walk or a mokoro excursion. It has often been said that Africa is best appreciated on foot … then you can fully comprehend its immense beauty. Once you get the dust of Africa in your blood you will always return to Africa.
Motorised activities and generators for electricity are the largest contributors towards a camp's carbon footprint.
Delta Camp, together with its sister camp Oddballs', are some of the most eco-friendly lodges in Africa and an excellent example of what can be achieved. Even the airstrip that serves these two establishments has not been treated with chemicals, as some of these chemicals used to stabilise/ compact airstrips are known poisons and are especially harmful to aquatic species.
Both camps operate without any generators while lanterns provide lighting together with solar power. Heating is achieved by gas. All rubbish generated is flown out of the camp and disposed of in Maun. All activities are non-motorised; the main complexes and accommodation platforms are the only areas where wooden decks can be found and these have purposely been limited. All pathways are natural gravel footpaths that are swept.
Carbon Footprint and Carbon Offsets
Footsteps in Africa ~ Offices
At Footsteps in Africa we have calculated the carbon footprint of our offices and also the carbon footprint of our staff reaching our respective offices. This is offset on a monthly basis.
All our agent files and that of clients travelling are held electronically and no paper files are created. Printing is a major cause of carbon emissions, even recycled paper.
Brochure
We have decided not to have a printed brochure and replaced it with an electronic brochure. The brochure will soon be available on our website.
Delta Air – flying
All guests who travel with our charter company Delta Air can do so with pride as we calculate the carbon output and offset this on a monthly basis. We have also instructed our pilots to keep idling to a minimum and to keep taxi distances as short as possible.
It is our goal at Footsteps in Africa to reduce our footprint by 10,5% per annum.
Camps and Lodges
Currently we are investigating various products that have far fewer harmful chemicals in them and hope to introduce them within the next few months to all our Footsteps in Africa camps and lodges.
Another area where we hope to make a difference is in the daily consumption of bottled water. The containers for bottled water are plastic and plastic is one of the worst pollutants.
We will be introducing a way of combatting this particular problem.
