Africa’s Eden Tourism warmly invites applications for annual membership from businesses actively engaged in the greater regional tourism industry ecosystem.

To become a member of Africa’s Eden Tourism, you should meet the following criteria:

• Actively participate in the African Travel & Tourism Industry.
• You may be required to produce a letter of recommendation from an existing member.
• Your business must:
  • Have a minimum trading history of one year.
  • Maintain an active website.
  • Belong to the recognised trade association in your country.

If your business doesn’t align with the stated criteria, feel free to reach out to us directly at louise@africaseden.travel. We’ll discuss the best way forward for your application.

All applications will undergo a review process, circulated among existing Africa’s Eden Tourism board for feedback before final acceptance.

The success of our association depends on the active involvement and support of a diverse range of tourism companies. To ensure we meet the varying needs of our members and maintain an inclusive environment, we have implemented a tiered pricing structure for membership fees. This approach not only promotes affordability and customisation but also ensures equality and sustained revenue generation for our initiatives. Below are the key benefits of our tiered pricing model:

Affordability:

By offering tiered pricing, we can provide different levels of membership fees that align with the financial capacities of different companies. Tiered pricing ensures that membership is accessible to a wider range of tourism companies.

Customisation of benefits:

Different companies have varying needs and expectations from their association memberships. The pay-to-play model allows members to tailor benefits and services to different tiers based on the size, type, or industry of member companies. This is especially true of our events.

Equality among members:

Africa’s Eden Tourism aims to create an inclusive environment that accommodates the diverse needs of their members. Tiered pricing ensures that companies of different sizes or types are treated fairly and receive benefits suitable to their specific requirements. It helps avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and acknowledges that each member contributes to the association in their own way.

Revenue generation:

Africa’s Eden Tourism is entirely funded by our members, allowing us to be non-aligned and place our members’ needs at the heart of the organization. Membership fees are a significant source of revenue to fund operations, initiatives, and services.

As a destination and custodian, Africa’s Eden Tourism pledges to take care of you, the tourist and Africa’s Eden for our collective future benefit.

At Africa’s Eden, we promise to drive travel and tourism that positively contribute to society and the local/regional economy. In turn, we encourage our tourists to commit to respecting the environment and the region’s people. This is achieved through the ‘Africa’s Eden Pledge’, meaning that even when you are adventurous, if we work together, you remain safe. This can be achieved through safety and security, conservation, community upliftment, health, and travel insurance to be a more responsible traveller. 

Traveller’s Pledge
The ‘Africa’s Eden Traveller’s Pledge’ is a set of promises that you make as a traveller to help take care of Africa’s Eden.

• Respect wildlife and review the SATSA Captive Wildlife, Attractions & Activities guidance.
• Respect the people you meet.
• Buy local where possible.
• Do not litter – anywhere.
• Obtain travel insurance.
• Obtain health advice from a travel clinic before you depart.
• Adhere to safety guidelines and regulations at all times, including all public health guidance.
• Come prepared – bring or buy appropriate clothing and skin-care products to protect yourself from the elements.
• Respect any zoning laws.
• Use the recommended local transport, taxis, etc.
• Maximise your stay in Africa’s Eden for a truly memorable experience.
• If you help us with these commitments, we will help you will take home a memory and shared experience of a lifetime.

Operator’s Pledge
To support these objectives, our operators make the following pledge:

• Develop and operate low impact tourism facilities.
• Use sustainable building materials and renewable energy sources.
• Minimise water use and reduce solid waste to the best of our abilities*.
• Ensure the safety of our guests, staff and communities.
• Source, buy, recruit, and train locally.
• Invest in our communities to ensure sustainable development**.
• Report on our initiatives to adhere to this pledge using transparent monitoring and evaluation.
• Allow third-party verification of our reporting.

Learn how you can contribute to the Pack for a Purpose initiative

Additional Safety Advice

• Do not try to touch or stroke wild animals or catch fish* or aquatic life.
• Do not collect plants or rocks. Instead, take a picture.
• If you are taking a selfie, don’t take unnecessary risks.
• Obey all instructions and listen to guidance from law-enforcement officers. If caught disobeying laws, do not attempt to bribe an officer.
• If you are self-driving, obey all of the local road rules and regulations.
• Recognise and respect local customs and sensitivities**.

* Unless with a licensed fishing guide.
**Understand that appropriate and modest attire is expected, and overt displays of affection are not cultural norms.

Conservation
As one of the key contributing factors to this unique destination, wildlife is a resource we can neither neglect nor live without. By respecting the wildlife we encounter, and playing our role in the conservation of wildlife resources, we are securing the future of the ecosystems where we live and operate. We must work closely with our partners in national departments of wildlife and research to conserve ecosystems if we wish to mutually benefit from these resources in the long term.

Community
A safari in Africa’s Eden is unique and unforgettable. The region prides itself on its low volume, high-value tourism. This translates to sharing your wildlife experience with far fewer tourists if any at all. Companies operating wildlife tourism, especially within National Parks and Protected Areas, make a concerted effort to practice ecotourism and sustainability.

Many of the tourism businesses also contribute to community development, anti-poaching and conservation activities. These activities ensure that the natural landscapes are preserved in perpetuity. We encourage all operators to buy, employ and train locally, contributing to sustainable economic development in our communities.