Ecotourism's Silver Bullet

We discover how Singita, a conservation and ecotourism brand in four African countries, is safeguarding the future of ecotourism through conservation.

- Riekie Human

The Coronavirus pandemic, lockdown, border closures and subsequent lack of tourism revenue has had a dire effect on wildlife conservation in terms of animal poaching and protection.

As an ecotourism and conservation brand, Singita has been affected by the pandemic in many ways; it’s required us to think on our feet while staying steadfast in our commitment to preserving the wildlife and wilderness of the continent.

We believe the future of ecotourism in Africa is inextricably linked to the protection of its unmatched natural beauty. Our wide-open spaces and rich biodiversity have beckoned and captivated travellers for centuries; and if it’s properly conserved, it will do so for centuries to come.

Singita’s 100-year purpose is to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. Similarly, tourists – and foreign travellers in particular – are pivotal to help fund critical conservation efforts; the one cannot survive without the other.

We work tirelessly to maintain this crucial relationship, but with COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns, the challenge to ensure the ongoing protection of our precious biodiversity has most certainly intensified.

When international travel resumes, it will go a long way to help restore that equilibrium and revive our industry, but the real work 2020 calls for is to not miss a beat in the meantime. We’ve had to ensure that conservation management and the protection of endangered wildlife continues without fail, as it’s needed now more than ever before.