Commitments
Commitments
Climate change, flooding, pollution, mass extinction of species and overpopulation are all indications that nature is craving to be heard. The tourism sector has an impact on all these devastating blows to our planet.
At Nature Connexion, we believe that every action, no matter how small, can make a big difference in the world – every drop in the ocean has a role to play. For this reason, we work to align our ethos with regenerative travel principles, to design eco-conscious experiences and to promote ‘slow travel’, which is the opposite of drive-by travel or passport stamp-collecting.
Through our actions, we can serve nature and better the lives of everyone who calls our wonderful earth their home. Each and every one of us can contribute to much bigger changes on a global scale. This is the difference we are committed to making.
Climate change, flooding, pollution, mass extinction of species and overpopulation are all indications that nature is craving to be heard. The tourism sector has an impact on all these devastating blows to our planet.
At Nature Connexion, we believe that every action, no matter how small, can make a big difference in the world – every drop in the ocean has a role to play. For this reason, we work to align our ethos with regenerative travel principles, to design eco-conscious experiences and to promote ‘slow travel’, which is the opposite of drive-by travel or passport stamp-collecting.
Through our actions, we can serve nature and better the lives of everyone who calls our wonderful earth their home. Each and every one of us can contribute to much bigger changes on a global scale. This is the difference we are committed to making.
Transformational travel
As an Ally and Transformer of the Transformational Travel Council, we encourage our participants to travel with thoughtful eyes and an open H.E.A.R.T.
Humility - observe without judgement
We encourage our participants to be curious, to listen, and to accept new learnings and understandings. Don’t be shy to connect with other participants and locals. Be sure to respect cultures, local customs, and religious rituals that differ from your own. Ask permission before taking photographs and make it a two-way exchange by sharing your photographs with locals.
Be Engaged - a driver of transformation
Before embarking on your adventure, take time to learn about the destinations you will be visiting. Absorb as much as you can about the language, religion, culture, rules and values shared by the locals.
As the master of your journey, be proactive in creating your transformative travel experience and growth mindset. Ensure that you are sensitive to others and that you will unleash the unique combination of qualities, characteristics, and ingenuity of local cultures.
Be Awake - pay attention
While you are traveling, be actively aware of the power and complexity of the circumstances you are entering. Your choices have an impact on those around you. Choose to question and learn about what would be appropriate reactions, behaviour, and body language, for example.
Be Resilient - step out of your comfort zone & embrace the unknown !
As you discover differences between your world and the world you are visiting, appreciate having your own beliefs and understanding challenged : observe, reflect, and shift your perspective. There will be many opportunities to learn and grow when choosing to embrace them.
Be Thankful - it’s all about gratitude
Connect with others with empathy. Be thoughtful and considerate of locals and those you are traveling with. Aim to put a smile on the faces of the people you meet.
When you return home, think about how you can support programs or NGOs that are working to protect the welfare, culture, and environment of the destination you have just visited. Nature Connexion will facilitate any support you wish to give.
Transformational travel
As an Ally and Transformer of the Transformational Travel Council, we encourage our participants to travel with thoughtful eyes and an open H.E.A.R.T.
Humility - observe without judgement
We encourage our participants to be curious, to listen, and to accept new learnings and understandings. Don’t be shy to connect with other participants and locals. Be sure to respect cultures, local customs, and religious rituals that differ from your own. Ask permission before taking photographs and make it a two-way exchange by sharing your photographs with locals.
Be Engaged - a driver of transformation
Before embarking on your adventure, take time to learn about the destinations you will be visiting. Absorb as much as you can about the language, religion, culture, rules and values shared by the locals.
As the master of your journey, be proactive in creating your transformative travel experience and growth mindset. Ensure that you are sensitive to others and that you will unleash the unique combination of qualities, characteristics, and ingenuity of local cultures.
Be Awake - pay attention
While you are traveling, be actively aware of the power and complexity of the circumstances you are entering. Your choices have an impact on those around you. Choose to question and learn about what would be appropriate reactions, behaviour, and body language, for example.
Be Resilient - step out of your comfort zone & embrace the unknown !
As you discover differences between your world and the world you are visiting, appreciate having your own beliefs and understanding challenged : observe, reflect, and shift your perspective. There will be many opportunities to learn and grow when choosing to embrace them.
Be Thankful - it’s all about gratitude
Connect with others with empathy. Be thoughtful and considerate of locals and those you are traveling with. Aim to put a smile on the faces of the people you meet.
When you return home, think about how you can support programs or NGOs that are working to protect the welfare, culture, and environment of the destination you have just visited. Nature Connexion will facilitate any support you wish to give.
Regenerative Travel
We need to reverse the negative impact on our climate by taking urgent steps to restore and replenish our environment. While we cannot reverse climate change, excessive farming and biodiversity loss, conscious travellers, have the capacity to do good and positively impact the people and fragile ecosystems that surround us.
Regenerative tourism is a step further than sustainable tourism. It is a holistic approach to favouring the wellbeing of our ecosystems and an opportunity to rethink tourism. We can do differently, by aligning businesses and travel destinations with those values, and creating healthy connections between people, nature, and communities.
We create meaningful interactions between participants and the local destinations we collaborate with, to maximise the benefits generated by tourism for the local economy.
- We favour collaboration with local businesses and suppliers for our trips and cultural activities.
- We reinforce two-way interaction with communities and local staff to learn from their way of life and share experiences.
- We encourage our participants to purchase from local suppliers and make use of local service providers.
- We cultivate partnerships with local NGOs who care for communities and their environment and encourage our participants to support those NGOs.
- We support community projects that empower women.
By booking a trip with us, you contribute to the improvement of women’s lives and helping to protect nature in rural Southern Africa.
Did you know that food bought from retailers is mostly produced by commercial farmers whose practices contribute to over 82% of carbon emissions into the atmosphere ?! These emissions come from sources such as product and machinery manufacturing, transportation of materials, direct and indirect soil greenhouse gas emissions…
- We purchase locally produced organic or sustainable goods and services rather than imported products, when you choose a self-catering option.
- We also collaborate with local chefs and catering companies that share our ethics.
- We say no to plastic.
- We do not use plastic bags, bottles, or straws for our trips.
- We provide a metal bottle for you to drink from . Each participation counts, one bottle at a time !
We visit and select lodges, camps, game reserves, and just about every other aspect of your experience based on:
- How sustainable they are and how they replenish the environment. For example, we look for accommodation that has a low carbon footprint by using sustainable water and greywater management systems or by using renewable energy, composting, and recycling efforts.
- Their conservation activities.
- Their support and collaboration with local communities through permaculture and education.
- We do our research, ask questions, and make informed decisions when we plan any visit to an animal centre or endangered species centre.
- We only allow interactions with animals if they are free to roam without restraint and if they do not suffer from physical or emotional harm.
- We inform our participants before they buy any animal products, as souvenirs can be an incentive for poaching, which is the illegal trade of wildlife.
Regenerative Travel
We need to reverse the negative impact on our climate by taking urgent steps to restore and replenish our environment. While we cannot reverse climate change, excessive farming and biodiversity loss, conscious travellers, have the capacity to do good and positively impact the people and fragile ecosystems that surround us.
Regenerative tourism is a step further than sustainable tourism. It is a holistic approach to favouring the wellbeing of our ecosystems and an opportunity to rethink tourism. We can do differently, by aligning businesses and travel destinations with those values, and creating healthy connections between people, nature, and communities.
We create meaningful interactions between participants and the local destinations we collaborate with, to maximise the benefits generated by tourism for the local economy.
- We favour collaboration with local businesses and suppliers for our trips and cultural activities.
- We reinforce two-way interaction with communities and local staff to learn from their way of life and share experiences.
- We encourage our participants to purchase from local suppliers and make use of local service providers.
- We cultivate partnerships with local NGOs who care for communities and their environment and encourage our participants to support those NGOs.
- We support community projects that empower women.
By booking a trip with us, you contribute to the improvement of women’s lives and helping to protect nature in rural Southern Africa.
Did you know that food bought from retailers is mostly produced by commercial farmers whose practices contribute to over 82% of carbon emissions into the atmosphere ?! These emissions come from sources such as product and machinery manufacturing, transportation of materials, direct and indirect soil greenhouse gas emissions…
- We purchase locally produced organic or sustainable goods and services rather than imported products, when you choose a self-catering option.
- We also collaborate with local chefs and catering companies that share our ethics.
- We say no to plastic.
- We do not use plastic bags, bottles, or straws for our trips.
- We provide a metal bottle for you to drink from . Each participation counts, one bottle at a time !
We visit and select lodges, camps, game reserves, and just about every other aspect of your experience based on:
- How sustainable they are and how they replenish the environment. For example, we look for accommodation that has a low carbon footprint by using sustainable water and greywater management systems or by using renewable energy, composting, and recycling efforts.
- Their conservation activities.
- Their support and collaboration with local communities through permaculture and education.
- We do our research, ask questions, and make informed decisions when we plan any visit to an animal centre or endangered species centre.
- We only allow interactions with animals if they are free to roam without restraint and if they do not suffer from physical or emotional harm.
- We inform our participants before they buy any animal products, as souvenirs can be an incentive for poaching, which is the illegal trade of wildlife.
Carbon Offset
The climate emergency that has been declared affects everyone on our planet. Together, we need to solve the challenge of limiting global warming to a 1.5°C increase in the earth’s average temperature.
The travel industry accounts for about 8% of the world’s total carbon emissions. Tourism also has a massive impact on the environment. In addition, transport accounts for around one-fifth of global Co2 emissions.
Every time you travel by flight, stay at a hotel, use a taxi, or create waste, carbon emissions are being generated. There are ways you can minimise your carbon footprint while you travel. However, there are certain carbon emissions that are unavoidable : that is where carbon offsetting plays a role.
As a tourist, you can cancel out your carbon emissions to help reduce the impact of climate change. We at Nature Connexion are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Carbon Offset
The climate emergency that has been declared affects everyone on our planet. Together, we need to solve the challenge of limiting global warming to a 1.5°C increase in the earth’s average temperature.
The travel industry accounts for about 8% of the world’s total carbon emissions. Tourism also has a massive impact on the environment. In addition, transport accounts for around one-fifth of global Co2 emissions.
Every time you travel by flight, stay at a hotel, use a taxi, or create waste, carbon emissions are being generated. There are ways you can minimise your carbon footprint while you travel. However, there are certain carbon emissions that are unavoidable : that is where carbon offsetting plays a role.
As a tourist, you can cancel out your carbon emissions to help reduce the impact of climate change. We at Nature Connexion are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
How We Reduce Our Carbon Footprint
Small contributions to carbon emission reduction can lead to big results. Carbon offsetting is one way you can manage your carbon emissions that can’t be eliminated.
We have partnered with Credible Carbon (CC) to assist our participants to reduce their carbon emissions. CC helps us calculate our carbon footprint and we are committed to offsetting this. That way, we can :
- offset the emissions of our participants’ flights.
- offset the entire carbon emissions of our tailor-made retreats to achieve carbon neutral experiences.
We also support Ecologi, which is an organisation that partners with climate projects around the world to offset carbon emissions and plant trees. Helping Ecologi is simple and for less than $1 per week, you can contribute to various emission-reducing projects.
How We Reduce Our Carbon Footprint
Small contributions to carbon emission reduction can lead to big results. Carbon offsetting is one way you can manage your carbon emissions that can’t be eliminated.
We have partnered with Credible Carbon (CC) to assist our participants to reduce their carbon emissions. CC helps us calculate our carbon footprint and we are committed to offsetting this. That way, we can :
- offset the emissions of our participants’ flights.
- offset the entire carbon emissions of our tailor-made retreats to achieve carbon neutral experiences.
We also support Ecologi, which is an organisation that partners with climate projects around the world to offset carbon emissions and plant trees. Helping Ecologi is simple and for less than $1 per week, you can contribute to various emission-reducing projects.
Are You Still Feeling Guilty About Your Long Flight?
Did you know that Co2 emissions per passenger kilometre are higher for domestic flights than they are for short-haul international flights ? Long-haul flights are slightly lower.
- Short flights with distances of less than 1,000 kilometres have a higher carbon intensity, as less fuel-efficient airplanes are used for these distances.
- The level lowers with the distance travelled until around 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres.
- Then the levels show change when the distance travelled increases. This is because take-off requires much more energy input than the cruise phase of a flight.
Are You Still Feeling Guilty About Your Long Flight?
Did you know that Co2 emissions per passenger kilometre are higher for domestic flights than they are for short-haul international flights ? Long-haul flights are slightly lower.
- Short flights with distances of less than 1,000 kilometres have a higher carbon intensity, as less fuel-efficient airplanes are used for these distances.
- The level lowers with the distance travelled until around 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres.
- Then the levels show change when the distance travelled increases. This is because take-off requires much more energy input than the cruise phase of a flight.
