Responsible tourism in South Africa

South Africa is one of the foremost responsible tourism leaders in the world, with dozens of gorgeous destinations where communities are uplifted and the environment is protected. You’ll return home with a higher awareness of the interconnection between people and the earth. Plus memories of a really great time.

Responsible tourism in South Africa is a marvelous way of making a positive difference through travel. You return home refreshed, carbon-neutral and culturally enriched, with memories to last a lifetime.
Broadly speaking, here are some responsible tourism guidelines:

• Avoid waste and overconsumption
• Use local resources in a sustainable way
• Maintain and encourage natural, social, economic and cultural diversity
• Be sensitive to the host culture
• Involve the local community in planning and decision-making
• Assess the environmental, social and economic impacts before embarking on tourism developments
• Ensure that communities are involved in, and benefit from, tourism.

One of the first environmental issues people think of these days is the impact of the flight. In South Africa you can offset carbon emissions while uplifting communities at the same time, through Food and Trees for Africa.

After calculating your carbon footprint via their calculator, your donation will help plant fruit and indigenous trees in schools, clinics and the backyards of impoverished areas.

Another South African responsible tourism initiative allows you to check whether the seafood item you're eyeing on the menu is endangered or not. The South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) gives you the simple option of texting your choice to a mobile number. Within minutes, you'll have your reply. The fish may be labeled ‘green' (feel free to order), ‘orange' (in trouble, but legal to eat) or ‘red' (kindly desist).

Becoming a responsible tourist can also be a matter of choosing the right accommodation. And there are plenty of choices, as you'll find wherever you find the RT icon on this website. Just by staying at these destinations, you can ensure minimal impact on the environment, maximum positive social spinoff, and a feel-good factor all round.

Similarly, responsible voluntourism (or volunteer tourism) is now also underpinned by standards that aim to ensure valuable input by volunteers and tangible benefits for the communities involved. As a volunteer, check that possible programmes adhere to this code. Fair Trade Tourism has an accreditation programme for volunteer projects. A list of accredited programmes is available on its website.

South Africa's environmental tourism initiatives have great social resonance so make use of them if you can.

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Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to the Middle East

If you’re planning to travel to Eastern Europe and/or Northern Asia in the next coming months, you should understand the following health information. The Middle East region.

When traveling to the Middle East, you should plan to have the following vaccines. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your health care professional in order to determine whether there might be any additional vaccines you may need.

Hepatitis A-This vaccine is also known as the immune globulin (IG) vaccine. It is important to know that transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur from direct in person contact as well as exposure to water, shellfish or ice that has been contaminated or polluted. Further transmission can occur from consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables and other foods that have not been cooked or that were contaminated or polluted during harvesting and/or handling.

Hepatitis B-You may be exposed to this disease by coming in contact with body fluids or blood. Transmission can also occur through sexual intercourse with locals or through medical treatment.

Malaria-You should be aware that the risk of malaria can be high even in cities in the Middle East. You can obtain an anti-malarial drug from your health care professional to avoid contracting this disease. Remember that you should continue to take the ant-malarial drugs even after leaving high risk areas, as directed by your physician. Symptoms associated with malaria can occur for up to one year following exposure. In the event that you experience fever or symptoms similar to the flu, make a point to see your physician immediately and let them know about your travels to high-risk areas.

Rabies-Take precaution by obtaining a pre-exposure vaccination. This is especially important if you will be in the outdoors in the Middle East for extended periods of time.

Typhoid-This disease may be contracted when you come in contact with contaminated food or water. Be aware that consuming beverages or food that have been handled by an infected individual can also cause you to contract the disease. Avoid foods sold by street vendors.

Meningococcal-You will need this vaccine if you plan to travel to Mecca.

Polio-Individuals under the age of 15 are required to have this vaccine if traveling to Mecca.

Other vaccines which you may need to obtain, as needed, include booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and polio.


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Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to Central Africa

Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to East Africa 

Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to North Africa 

Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to North Africa

If you’re planning to travel to North Africa in the next coming months, you should understand the following health information. The North African region consists of the Madeira Islands, the Canary Islands, , Western Sahara, Egypty.

As with travel to any country or region, you should make a point to obtain all routine vaccinations before your travel. To provide further health protection during your upcoming travels it is also a good idea to see your doctor before your trip. Ideally, you should make your visit to your physician at least 4-6 weeks before traveling. This will allow sufficient time for your injections to become effective. In the event that you plan to leave in less than four weeks time, it is still a good idea to go ahead and see your physician.

When traveling to North Africa, you should plan to have the following vaccines. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your health care professional in order to determine whether there might be any additional vaccines you may need.

Hepatitis A-This vaccine is also known as the immune globulin (IG) vaccine. It is important to know that transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur from direct in person contact as well as exposure to water, shellfish or ice that has been contaminated or polluted. Further transmission can occur from consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables and other foods that have not been cooked or that were contaminated or pollute

d during harvesting and/or handling.

Hepatitis B-You may be exposed to this disease by coming in contact with body fluids or blood. Transmission can also occur through sexual intercourse with locals or through medical treatment.

Rabies-Take precaution by obtaining a pre-exposure vaccination. This is especially important if you will be in the outdoors in the North African region for extended periods of time.

Typhoid-This disease may be contracted when you come in contact with contaminated food or water. Be aware that consuming beverages or food that have been handled by an infected individual can also cause you to contract the disease. Avoid foods sold by street vendors.

Other vaccines which you may need to obtain, as needed, include booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and polio. Depending on where you plan to travel in North Africa, you may need to obtain a prescription drug to prevent contraction of malaria. The risk of developing Malaria in this region varies from one country to the next; however, it is wise to exercise caution. In some cases, malaria can be contracted even in metropolitan areas. Remember that you should continue to take the ant-malarial drugs even after leaving high risk areas, as directed by your physician. Symptoms associated with malaria can occur for up to one year following exposure. In the event that you experience fever or symptoms similar to the flu, make a point to see your physician immediately and let them know about your travels to high-risk areas.

  

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Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to East Africa

If you’re planning to travel to East Africa in the next coming months, you should understand the following health information. The East African region consists of  Mayotte, , Reunion and .

As with travel to any country or region, you should make a point to obtain all routine vaccinations before your travel. To provide further health protection during your upcoming travels it is also a good idea to see your doctor before your trip. Ideally, you should make your visit to your physician at least 4-6 weeks before traveling. This will allow sufficient time for your injections to become effective. In the event that you plan to leave in less than four weeks time, it is still a good idea to go ahead and see your physician.

When traveling to East Africa, you should plan to have the following vaccines. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your health care professional in order to determine whether there might be any additional vaccines you may need.

Hepatitis A-This vaccine is also known as the immune globulin (IG) vaccine. It is important to know that transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur from direct in person contact as well as exposure to water, shellfish or ice that has been contaminated or polluted. Further transmission can occur from consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables and other foods that have not been cooked or that were contaminated or polluted during harvesting and/or handling.

Hepatitis B-You may be exposed to this disease by coming in contact with body fluids or blood. Transmission can also occur through sexual intercourse with locals or through medical treatment.

Malaria-You should be aware that the risk of malaria can be high even in cities in East Africa. You can obtain an anti-malarial drug from your health care professional to avoid contracting this disease. Remember that you should continue to take the ant-malarial drugs even after leaving high risk areas, as directed by your physician. Symptoms associated with malaria can occur for up to one year following exposure. In the event that you experience fever or symptoms similar to the flu, make a point to see your physician immediately and let them know about your travels to high-risk areas.

Meningococcal meningitis-Be aware that periodic epidemics of this disease do occur in countries throughout the East African region from December through June.

Rabies-Take precaution by obtaining a pre-exposure vaccination. This is especially important if you will be in the outdoors in the East African region for extended periods of time.

Typhoid-This disease may be contracted when you come in contact with contaminated food or water. Be aware that consuming beverages or food that have been handled by an infected individual can also cause you to contract the disease. Avoid foods sold by street vendors.

Other vaccines which you may need to obtain, as needed, include booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and polio. Depending on where you plan to travel in East Africa, you may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. 

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Required Health and Vaccine Information for Travel to Central Africa

If you’re planning to travel to Central Africa in the next coming months, you should understand the following health information. The Central African region consists of Sudan, Chat, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) and Zambia.

As with travel to any country or region, you should make a point to obtain all routine vaccinations before your travel. To provide further health protection during your upcoming travels it is also a good idea to see your doctor before your trip. Ideally, you should make your visit to your physician at least 4-6 weeks before traveling. This will allow sufficient time for your injections to become effective. In the event that you plan to leave in less than four weeks time, it is still a good idea to go ahead and see your physician.

When traveling to Central Africa, you should plan to have the following vaccines. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your health care professional in order to determine whether there might be any additional vaccines you may need.

Hepatitis A-This vaccine is also known as the immune globulin (IG) vaccine. It is important to know that transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur from direct in person contact as well as exposure to water, shellfish or ice that has been contaminated or polluted. Further transmission can occur from consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables and other foods that have not been cooked or that were contaminated or polluted during harvesting and/or handling.

Hepatitis B-You may be exposed to this disease by coming in contact with body fluids or blood. Transmission can also occur through sexual intercourse with locals or through medical treatment.

Malaria-You should be aware that the risk of malaria can be high even in cities in Central Africa. You can obtain an anti-malarial drug from your health care professional to avoid contracting this disease. Remember that you should continue to take the ant-malarial drugs even after leaving high risk areas, as directed by your physician. Symptoms associated with malaria can occur for up to one year following exposure. In the event that you experience fever or symptoms similar to the flu, make a point to see your physician immediately and let them know about your travels to high-risk areas.

Meningococcal meningitis-Be aware that periodic epidemics of this disease do occur in countries throughout the Central African region from December through June.

Rabies-Take precaution by obtaining a pre-exposure vaccination. This is especially important if you will be in the outdoors in the Central African region for extended periods of time.

Typhoid-This disease may be contracted when you come in contact with contaminated food or water. Be aware that consuming beverages or food that have been handled by an infected individual can also cause you to contract the disease. Avoid foods sold by street vendors.

Other vaccines which you may need to obtain, as needed, include booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and polio. Depending on where you plan to travel in Central Africa, you may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.