Walking the Right Path

When I founded Barefoot Safaris more than 40 years ago, I had one clear goal: to create safaris that honoured Africa’s wild spirit — its land, its people, and its animals.

Back then, the idea of “responsible tourism” wasn’t something people talked about much. Safaris were often about ticking off sightings, getting close to big game, or chasing the perfect photo. But for me, that wasn’t enough. I didn’t want to just show guests the wilderness — I wanted to help protect it.

And today, that philosophy is still at the heart of everything we do.

Real Wildlife, Real Ethics

At Barefoot Safaris, we believe that wild animals belong in the wild. That means no petting, no posing, and absolutely no riding elephants.

Opinion: If you can touch it, it’s probably not wild. And if an animal is letting people cuddle it for selfies, it’s almost certainly been taken from its mother, tamed, or trained through fear. That’s not conservation. That’s cruelty.

We never support facilities that keep wild animals for entertainment — whether it’s lion cub petting, cheetah walks, or elephant rides. These experiences might look harmless on the surface, but behind them is a dark chain of captivity, abuse, and misinformation.

Instead, we take our guests to protected reserves, national parks, and conservancies where wildlife roams free — on its own terms. We track lions by footprint, we watch elephants from a respectful distance, and we let nature be nature. It’s slower, yes. But it’s real. And when you lock eyes with a leopard in the wild, unchained and untamed, it’s a moment you’ll carry for life.

Conservation Begins with Respect

Responsible tourism means more than just avoiding unethical animal interactions. It’s about minimising our impact, supporting local conservation efforts, and educating travellers on how to leave places better than they found them.

We use low-impact safari camps, reduce waste wherever possible, and work with guides and trackers who were born and raised in the areas we operate in. These are people with generations of knowledge — not just about animals, but about plants, weather, stories, and survival. We pay fairly, train constantly, and treat every member of our team like family.

When you travel with us, you’re not just going on safari — you’re directly supporting the conservation of Africa’s ecosystems and the livelihoods of those who protect them every day.

Community Matters

I’ve always believed that wildlife conservation and community upliftment go hand in hand. You can’t protect lions if the people who live alongside them are struggling to put food on the table. You can’t save elephants if the only economic benefit locals get from tourism is a job washing dishes.

That’s why Barefoot Safaris works closely with local communities in every destination we operate — from Zambia to Zimbabwe, South Africa to Botswana. We support education initiatives, anti-poaching units, and local enterprises, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach beyond the camps and lodges.

We also run cultural experiences that are authentic and respectful — not staged performances or “human zoos.” Whether it’s a village visit, a cooking lesson, or a fireside story shared by a San elder, these are moments of genuine connection — not exploitation.

Emotion: The smiles are real. The gratitude is mutual. The impact is lasting.

Responsible Doesn’t Mean Boring

Sometimes people hear “ethical safari” and think it means a watered-down experience. No lions. No adventure. No excitement.

Let me be clear: Responsible travel is not about doing less — it’s about doing better.

You can still track predators on foot, paddle past hippos on a river safari, or sleep under the stars with nothing between you and the sky but canvas. You’ll still see elephants bathe, buffalo charge, and wildebeest thunder across open plains. The difference is: you’ll do it without harming what you came to admire.

In fact, I’d argue that once you take away the cages, the tricks, and the fake smiles — the real Africa comes alive.

It’s Personal

I’ve dedicated my life to safaris. But more than that, I’ve dedicated my life to protecting the privilege of being in wild spaces. Every time a guest joins us, it’s a chance to show that travel can be a force for good — for wildlife, for people, and for the planet.

Opinion: You can’t care about something you’ve never seen. But once you’ve stood in the middle of a herd of elephants, or listened to a lion roar in the dark, or shared a meal with a local family, you start to care deeply. And that’s when change begins.

Our Promise

At Barefoot Safaris, we promise to:

Only work with operators and camps that uphold the highest standards of animal welfare.

Never support or offer wildlife interactions that involve touching, feeding, or exploiting animals.

Invest in local communities and conservation efforts in every region we operate.

Educate and empower our guests to be ethical travellers and lifelong advocates for nature.

Walk With Us

If you’re looking for something real — a safari that respects the wild, uplifts the people, and leaves you changed — we invite you to walk with us.

We go barefoot because it keeps us grounded.

We go slowly because we see more that way.

And we go forward — always — with purpose, passion, and respect.