Responsible Tourism

Imagine Africa and its brand Ride Africa is committed to responsible tourism. We see this as finding the right balance between the demands of holidaymakers and protecting the environment we promote, be this on an environmental, cultural or economic level.

We are particularly conscious that our work should benefit the local communities. To this end we support one, or sometimes two, local charities in each of our destination countries. These focus primarily on local communities rather than wildlife and for each holiday we arrange to a given region/country, we make a per person donation to the chosen local charity. Our customers receive information about the organisations we support in the areas they are visiting.

Whenever possible we use local guides. These guides are able to provide informative commentary as well as convey a genuine enthusiasm for the area visited, both of which are likely to enhance your experience.

Our donations go directly to the causes in question and are not spent on administrative activities.

Aang Serian - Northern Tanzania

Aang Serian ('House of Peace') is an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 1999 by young people in Arusha, Tanzania.  Their principle aim is to promote the region's art and culture through rediscovering the unique traditions, knowledge and skills of their ancestors.  They work with schools, colleges and communities to build self esteem and promote communication between ethnic groups. 

For more information visit:  www.aangserian.org.uk

The Mango Tree - Southern Tanzania

The Mango Tree is an organisation dedicated to the support of Tanzanian orphans who have lost one or both parents, predominantly to AIDS.  In the first 3 years of its existence, the charity has already helped over 5,000 orphans.  By focusing on education, not just relief, the Mango Tree aims to provide the children with the necessary skills to give them a bright and independent future. 

For more information visit:  www.themangotree.org

Loldia School Fund - Rift Valley, Kenya

Loldia is a well run but needy school in the arid Rift Valley area of Kenya.  The school caters for 1000 children aged between 6 and 17 and aims to provide a high standard of education for all.  However, inadequate government funding and a lack of resources means that this school is struggling to fulfil its vital role.  The Loldia School Fund is a UK based charity dedicated to giving these children a bright future and enabling them to fulfil their potential.

For more information visit:  www.loldiaschoolfund.org.uk

Soft Power Education is a British registered, non-religious charity, working closely within the local community of Jinja, Uganda.  Their aim is to develop and improve educational facilities for children mainly in the primary sector. Having initially built two pre-schools for Aids orphans, Soft Power have spent the last 3 years refurbishing, up to Government standard, the 20 Government Primary Schools in the Budondo sub-county of Jinja - this is a project that is ongoing.

For more information visit: www.softpowereducation.com

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage - Nairobi, Kenya
The Sheldrick family, over 28 years, have established a very effective elephant orphanage and nursery, which was started with the aim of supporting orphaned baby elephants. They have created a home for these elephants, which have lost their family due to the ivory trade or isolated separation, fed and cared for them with their keepers and then reintroduced them back into future family elephants in the bush. Staff from Imagine Africa recently had a trip to the orphanage.
For more information visit: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp

The Nema Foundation - Guludo, Mozambique
Imagine seeing the glow on your child's face as they enjoy the feeling of a full belly. Imagine the joy you would feel knowing your family would feel the pang of hunger no more and that their futures were secure. That feeling of joy, the same joy you experience at the birth of a child, the joy of seeing clean water flow in your village for the first time, the word for that joy and happiness here in Guludo, Mozambique is "Nema". Nema is a UK registered charity working with communities in Northern Mozambique to relieve poverty and protect the environment. Nema has adopted a fresh approach looking at all the aspects that keep communities locked into poverty and empowering them to become economically independent and self-sufficient, while protecting the environment they rely so heavily upon.
For more information visit: www.nemafoundation.org/