While on holiday, you can help protect the natural resources of the area in which you travel.
The greatest contribution to protecting the environment is made simply by obeying the rules and regulations within each protected area and respecting local traditions and cultures.
Local cultures vary tremendously throughout East Africa. With over 60 different tribes, each with their own traditions, beliefs, language and culture, it is not possible to learn all the cultural taboos during a short vacation. However, below are a few general "Dos and Don'ts" that will ensure you do not offend local custom, yet protect the environment throughout the region.
- Nudity or semi-nudity is not permitted. It is especially offensive to the Muslim Community on the Coast. Topless sunbathing is illegal. Shorts, t-shirts, trousers, skirts and dresses are suitable for all other activities. Africa tends to be casual, and western dress is perfectly acceptable.
- Wherever you go, do not litter. Please keep your rubbish with you until it may be disposed of properly. If you bring it into the area, take it out when you leave.
- Water is a precious resource throughout East Africa. Please use water sparingly wherever possible, using simple actions such as turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.
- Electricity is expensive and in short supply. Please switch off the lights if you are not using them, or if you leave the area.
- Never touch, chase or harass the wildlife or marine life.
- Do not take photographs without permission. Photography of airports or any government buildings is illegal. Save your film for the wildlife and cultural villages, where photos are encouraged!
- The elderly are very respected in East African culture. When introduced to a local family, addressing the eldest member first generates an excellent rapport!
- The flora and fauna within East Africa is often fragile and endangered. You are requested not to collect any form of flora or fauna when on your safari, whether inside a National Park or not. In particular, do not purchase any form of handicraft or souvenir that requires the death of an animal, such as shells, starfish, ivory, animal hides, bird eggs, etc.
- Animals on the CITES protection list are numerous in East Africa. Trade in products made from these animals is illegal, encourages illegal trade, leads directly to poaching and will result in prosecution. Ivory, rhino horn and animal hides are all prohibited items. If these items are offered to you at any time, please report the matter to the authorities immediately.
- Many local handicrafts are hand carved from indigenous trees. Please ensure that you purchase carvings made from woods such as mango, neam and jacaranda trees. Avoid the hard woods such as ebony and bamba kofi as these trees take centuries to grow and are now endangered through extensive forest cutting.
- When purchasing your souvenirs and handicrafts, purchase the work of local craftsmen and artisans. Woven baskets, beadwork, jewelry, woodwork and cotton cloth are some of the more common handicrafts. Most tribes have traditional designs, shapes and sizes, providing a wide variety from which to choose.
- East Africa is known as the Cradle of Mankind. There are a number of extremely important pre-historic archeological sites in both Tanzania and Kenya, including Olduvai Gorge and Koobi Fora. When visiting the sites, please ensure that you follow the paths. It is very easy to step on and destroy the artifacts!
Along the Coast, there are numerous historical ruins open to the public, such as Gede Ruins near Watamu, which is an excellent example of the old Swahili trading culture.
- Please do not disturb any animal. Making noises, flashing lights or making sudden movements is regarded as disturbing it. Animals, if continually harassed, will avoid human contact or could become aggressive.
- Where there is an existing road system, do not drive your car off the road. Vehicles leaving the road can damage the habitat; vehicle oil, fume pollution and plant disruption can damage the eco-system by altering drainage patterns and causing soil erosion.
- Do not discard any foodstuffs or litter; it is dangerous for the animals, disrupts wildlife traditional feeding patterns, creates fire hazards and potentially maims or kills wildlife.
- Do not light a fire and never discard a burning object. Bush and forest fires cause enormous damage to vegetation and wildlife.
- In the interest of the wildlife and visitors alike, there is a limit of 40kph for all vehicles. Drive carefully at all times. Speeding results in accidents to wildlife, as well as degradation of the road surface.
- For your own safety, please stay in your vehicle at all times, except where a signboard indicates that leaving the car is permissible. Many of the parks and reserves have designated picnic sites and nature trails.
- The animals are wild and can be dangerous. Do not stand up in your vehicle unless you have adequate protection and supervision from a professional driver/guide.
- Visitors should only enter or leave the park at an authorised park entrance or exit.
At The Coast
- Do not damage or remove coral. It is a living organism, which takes many years to form. It is also host to many rare and endangered vertebrate and invertebrate species.
- It is illegal to remove shells, starfish or any other sea-flora and fauna, as it disrupts the eco-system. Empty shells provide homes for hermit crabs and some fishes, yet the areas outside the parks and reefs are threatened by excessive shell collection.
- Do not buy shells and other marine animal products as souvenirs, as this encourages further plundering of the reefs and beaches.
- Do not discard litter into the water, it is environmentally unfriendly and illegal. Marine turtles can confuse clear, plastic waste with jellyfish and will die if they eat the plastic.
- Hand feeding of fish is discouraged. Certain species are dangerous; it also disrupts traditional feeding patterns.
- Hook and line fishing is allowed in the marine reserves, but not in marine parks. Spearguns are not permitted.
- Local conditions may vary. The Kenya Wildlife Service wardens and rangers are there to assist and advise you; please comply with any order or direction given by the warden or any other officer in any park.
- KiSwahili is the language spoken by most people in East Africa. Originally developed on the Coast from a mixture of the African Bantu languages and Arabic, this ancient trading language has become the common language for all the tribes in the area. Learning a few words of Swahili allows better communication and helps to build a rapport with the people you meet on safari!