Sustainability Policy

Shadows of Africa is committed to growing our business in a sustainable manner. We recognize that the environment, communities, and cultures within which we operate are vital to the success of our business. Responsible travel is one of our company’s core values. We aim to maximize the positive effects that tourism can have on individuals and local communities while minimizing the negative social, environmental, and economic impacts. This policy outlines what we have already managed, what we are currently doing, and what we hope to achieve in the future. It defines practices at the core of our product development, operations, and external partner relationships. It is a work in progress for everyone in our company. We therefore commit to the following objectives:

1. Comply with all relevant legislation and embed sustainable development principles into core business practices.
2. Use our position to drive sustainability within our destination(s).
3. Preserve our environment and continually improve our environmental performance.
4. Optimize our social impact to enhance local livelihoods and prevent tourism leakages.
5. Provide information, training, and support to colleagues and external partners, to engage them towards sustainability.
6. Provide sustainable information about our products to encourage our clients to opt for sustainable travel options.
7. Detailed Policy Criteria:

• Environmental Protection: Renewable energy use, carbon emission reduction targets, water and waste management.
• Social Responsibility: Community engagement, fair labor practices, cultural preservation, anti-discrimination policies.
• Economic Sustainability: Local procurement policies, transparent financial practices, sustainable tourism products.

8. Reference to Pre-existing Policies:

• Health & Safety (H&S): Integration of H&S principles, safe working conditions, emergency preparedness.
• Human Resources (HR): Alignment of HR practices with sustainability goals, fair wages, and employee development.

9. Accessibility for Suppliers and Partners:

• Supplier Engagement: Guidelines for suppliers, compliance assessments, feedback mechanisms.
• Training and Support: Sustainability training, resource sharing platform.

10. Transparency and Reporting:

• Annual Sustainability Report: Comprehensive reporting, public availability, metrics, and benchmarks.
• Ongoing Communication: Regular updates through multiple channels, such as blog posts emails, and trainings.

In our offices

• We ensure our employees understand our goals and are accountable for the implementation of 

  our sustainable policies.
• We monitor, reduce, and manage waste in a responsible way.
• We measure our use of natural resources, especially energy, and look for ways to reduce them.
• We purchase local products eco-friendly products where we can and limit the use of small packaging.
• We respect our employees, their diversity, and advance their wellbeing wherever we can.
• We share best practices and raise awareness of sustainability among our teams and partners.
• We communicate on our achievements against our sustainable goals, internally and externally, through thorough reporting at least once a year.
• We are committed to providing employment opportunities for local communities and investing in training programs to empower local talent. Our hiring practices prioritize individuals from areas local to our offices.
• We commit to fair and transparent business practices, including fair wages for employees, ethical business partnerships, and responsible financial management.
• Where possible, we use cleaning materials that are the least harmful. Although we are in a shared office space where the cleaners are supplied with their own products, we ensure our vehicles are cleaned inside and out with a jetwash and minimal use of cleaning materials. We ensure all chemicals are stored, handled, and disposed of properly, following strict environmental guidelines. By prioritizing non-toxic products, partnering with sustainable suppliers, and educating our staff and guests, we aim to protect the natural habitats we cherish and contribute to a healthier planet. Continuous improvement and regular reviews

On the ground

• We prefer to work with locally owned businesses reflecting local cultures (hotels, lodges, restaurants, handicraft outlets, arts and culture centers).
• We drive positive change within our supply chain, monitor their sustainable practices, share best practices, and organize training.
• We ensure that the travels we organize do not have adverse effects on the environment or society, especially sensitive activities that may bring travelers into contact with animals, children, or remote communities.
• We give back to neighboring communities by supporting projects addressing local development challenges, encouraging fair employment opportunities, and wellbeing advancement.
• We promote Responsible Tourism in our industry and to stakeholders we engage with in our destination(s).
• We put our clients and guests at the forefront of our business and help them make informed decisions when traveling.
• Our guides are expertly trained to minimize disturbances to wildlife during safari activities and to raise awareness of wildlife conservation.
• We actively contribute to habitat protection initiatives, such as reforestation projects, supporting the conservation of the natural environment.
• We strive to minimize our ecological footprint by implementing resource-efficient practices, including waste reduction, water conservation, and energy efficiency measures in our operations.
• We actively implement waste reduction strategies, including waste segregation, recycling programs, and limiting single-use plastics to minimize the environmental impact of our operations.
• Preference is given to accommodations that work with internationally-recognized certifications such as Travelife or those acknowledged by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). When no suitable certified accommodations are available, preference is given to ac-commodations with a positive and verifiable reputation for sustainability practices.
• Our agency doesn't work with accommodation facilities that employ children under 14 and practice forced labour and reserve the rights to terminate any contracts in breach of this policy.

Commitment to Energy Reduction and Management:

We are committed to reducing energy consumption and implementing efficient practices in heating,
ventilation, fuel consumption, lighting, technical equipment, and digital communications.

Immediate Actions:

• Educate staff on efficient energy practices.
• Optimize temperature settings in our offices and vehicles.
• Maximize natural light and transition to energy-saving lighting.
• Utilize energy-efficient settings on equipment and streamline digital communications.

We'll regularly assess our energy use, seeking improvement opportunities. Collaborating with
stakeholders and suppliers, we'll promote energy-saving measures and sustainable alternatives.

By following this policy, we aim to reduce our impact on the environment and promote transparency in our efforts.

The following planned activities will help impement the energy reduction policy:

1. Policy Communication: Develop a clear communication strategy to inform stakeholders about the policy's objectives and their roles.

2. Staff Training: Conduct training sessions to educate employees on energy conservation practices and their importance.

3. Energy Audit: Assess energy usage across operations to identify areas for improvement.

4. Setting Objectives: Establish achievable targets for energy reduction aligned with sustainability goals.

5. Immediate Actions: Implement strategies outlined in the policy, such as optimizing temperature settings and using energy-efficient equipment.

6. Monitoring and Reporting: Track energy consumption regularly and report progress to stakeholders.

7. Continuous Improvement: Encourage feedback and innovation to enhance energy efficiency continuously.

8. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to garner support for energy-saving initiatives.

9. Policy Review: Regularly review and update the policy to reflect changes in technology and priorities.

Social Responsibility Policy

Embracing social responsibility, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community and environment. Read our full social responcibilty policy to learn more.

Sera ya Uendelevu

Shadows of Africa imejitolea kukuza biashara yetu kwa njia endelevu. Tunatambua kuwa mazingira, jamii, na tamaduni tunazofanya kazi ndani yake ni muhimu kwa mafanikio ya biashara yetu. Safari za kuwajibika ni moja ya maadili ya msingi ya kampuni yetu. Tunakusudia kuongeza athari chanya ambazo utalii unaweza kuwa nazo kwa watu binafsi na jamii za wenyeji huku tukipunguza athari mbaya za kijamii, mazingira, na kiuchumi.

Sera hii inaeleza yale ambayo tayari tumefanikiwa, tunachofanya sasa, na tunachotarajia kufikia katika siku zijazo. Inaelezea mbinu za msingi za ukuzaji wa bidhaa zetu, shughuli zetu, na mahusiano yetu na washirika wa nje. Ni kazi inayoendelea kwa kila mtu katika kampuni yetu. Kwa hivyo tunajitolea kwa malengo yafuatayo:

1. Kuzingatia sheria zote husika na kujumuisha kanuni za maendeleo endelevu katika mbinu za msingi za biashara.
   
   
2. Kutumia nafasi yetu kuendesha ustawi ndani ya maeneo yetu ya utalii.
   

3. Kuhifadhi mazingira yetu na kuboresha utendaji wetu wa mazingira.

4. Kuboresha athari zetu za kijamii ili kuongeza maisha ya wenyeji na kuzuia upotevu wa utalii.

5. Kutoa taarifa, mafunzo, na msaada kwa wafanyakazi na washirika wa nje, ili kuwashirikisha kuelekea endelevu.

6. Kutoa taarifa endelevu kuhusu bidhaa zetu ili kuhimiza wateja wetu kuchagua chaguo za safari endelevu.

Vigezo vya Sera ya Kina:

• Ulinzi wa Mazingira: Matumizi ya nishati mbadala, malengo ya kupunguza utoaji wa kaboni, usimamizi wa maji na taka.

• Uwajibikaji wa Kijamii: Ushiriki wa jamii, mbinu za haki za kazi, uhifadhi wa tamaduni, sera za kupinga ubaguzi.

• Ustawi wa Kiuchumi: Sera za ununuzi wa ndani, mbinu za kifedha za uwazi, bidhaa endelevu za utalii.

Marejeleo ya Sera Zilizopo:

• Afya na Usalama (H&S): Kuunganisha kanuni za H&S, hali salama za kazi, utayari wa dharura.

• Rasilimali Watu (HR): Kulinganisha mbinu za HR na malengo ya endelevu, mishahara ya haki, na maendeleo ya wafanyakazi

• Ushiriki wa Wauzaji: Miongozo kwa wauzaji, tathmini za kufuata, mifumo ya maoni.

• Mafunzo na Msaada: Mafunzo ya endelevu, jukwaa la kushiriki rasilimali.

Uwazi na Kuripoti:

• Ripoti ya Mwaka ya Uendelevu: Kuripoti kwa kina, upatikanaji wa umma, vipimo, na viwango.

• Mawasiliano Endelevu: Sasisho za kawaida kupitia njia nyingi, kama machapisho ya blogu, barua pepe, na mafunzo.

Katika Ofisi Zetu

•             Tunahakikisha wafanyakazi wetu wanaelewa malengo yetu na wanawajibika kwa utekelezaji wa sera zetu za endelevu.

• Tunafuatilia, kupunguza, na kudhibiti taka kwa njia ya uwajibikaji.

• Tunapima matumizi yetu ya rasilimali asili, hasa nishati, na kutafuta njia za kupunguza.

• Tunazinunua bidhaa za ndani za kirafiki na kupunguza matumizi ya vifungashio vidogo.

• Tunawaheshimu wafanyakazi wetu, utofauti wao, na kuendeleza ustawi wao kadri tunavyoweza.

• Tunashiriki mbinu bora na kueneza ufahamu wa uendelevu miongoni mwa timu zetu na washirika.

• Tunawasiliana kuhusu mafanikio yetu dhidi ya malengo yetu ya endelevu, ndani na nje, kupitia ripoti za kina angalau mara moja kwa mwaka.

• Tunajitolea kutoa fursa za ajira kwa jamii za wenyeji na kuwekeza katika mipango ya mafunzo ili kuwawezesha vipaji vya ndani. Mbinu zetu za kuajiri zinazingatia watu kutoka maeneo yaliyo karibu na ofisi zetu.

• Tunajitolea kwa mbinu za biashara za haki na uwazi, pamoja na mishahara ya haki kwa wafanyakazi, ushirikiano wa kimaadili wa biashara, na usimamizi wa kifedha wa uwajibikaji.

• Tunapotumia vifaa vya kusafisha, tunapendelea kutumia vifaa ambavyo vina madhara kidogo. Ingawa tunatumia ofisi ya pamoja ambapo wafanyakazi wa usafi hutumia bidhaa zao wenyewe, tunahakikisha magari yetu yanasafishwa ndani na nje kwa kutumia jetwash na matumizi madogo ya vifaa vya kusafisha. Tunahakikisha kemikali zote zinahifadhiwa, zinashughulikiwa, na kutupwa vizuri, kufuatia miongozo madhubuti ya mazingira. Kwa kipaumbele kwa bidhaa zisizo na sumu, ushirikiano na wauzaji endelevu, na elimu kwa wafanyakazi na wageni wetu, tunalenga kulinda makazi ya asili tunayoyathamini na kuchangia katika afya bora ya sayari yetu. Uboreshaji endelevu na ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara wa mbinu zetu zinahakikisha dhamira yetu ya uendelevu inabaki kuwa imara.

Katika Ardhi

• Tunapendelea kufanya kazi na biashara zinazomilikiwa na wenyeji zinazowakilisha tamaduni za wenyeji (hoteli, malazi, mikahawa, maduka ya ufundi, vituo vya sanaa na utamaduni).

• Tunaendesha mabadiliko chanya ndani ya mnyororo wetu wa ugavi, kufuatilia mbinu zao za endelevu, kushiriki mbinu bora, na kuandaa mafunzo.

• Tunahakikisha kuwa safari tunazopanga hazina athari mbaya kwa mazingira au jamii, hasa shughuli nyeti ambazo zinaweza kuwaleta wasafiri katika kuwasiliana na wanyama, watoto, au jamii za mbali.

• Tunarudisha kwa jamii jirani kwa kusaidia miradi inayoshughulikia changamoto za maendeleo za eneo, kuhimiza fursa za ajira za haki, na kuendeleza ustawi.

• Tunakuza Utalii wa Kuwajibika katika sekta yetu na kwa wadau tunaojihusisha nao katika maeneo yetu ya utalii.

• Tunawaweka wateja wetu na wageni wetu mbele ya biashara yetu na kuwasaidia kufanya maamuzi sahihi wanaposafiri.

• Wajumbe wetu wana mafunzo bora ya kupunguza usumbufu kwa wanyamapori wakati wa shughuli za safari na kueneza ufahamu wa uhifadhi wa wanyamapori.

• Tunachangia kikamilifu katika mipango ya ulinzi wa makazi, kama vile miradi ya upandaji miti, kusaidia uhifadhi wa mazingira ya asili.

• Tunajitahidi kupunguza athari yetu ya kiikolojia kwa kutekeleza mbinu za ufanisi wa rasilimali, ikiwa ni pamoja na kupunguza taka, uhifadhi wa maji, na hatua za ufanisi wa nishati katika shughuli zetu.

• Tunatekeleza kikamilifu mikakati ya kupunguza taka, ikiwa ni pamoja na utengaji wa taka, mipango ya kuchakata, na kupunguza matumizi ya plastiki zinazotumiwa mara moja ili kupunguza athari za mazingira za shughuli zetu.

• Upendeleo unatolewa kwa malazi ambayo yanafanya kazi na vyeti vinavyotambulika kimataifa kama Travelife au wale wanaotambuliwa na Baraza la Utalii Endelevu Duniani (GSTC). Wakati hakuna malazi yenye vyeti yanayofaa yanayopatikana, upendeleo unatolewa kwa malazi yenye sifa nzuri na inayoweza kuthibitishwa kwa mbinu za endelevu.

Dhamira ya Kupunguza na Kusimamia Nishati:

• Tumejitolea kupunguza matumizi ya nishati na kutekeleza mbinu za ufanisi katika kupokanzwa, uingizaji hewa, matumizi ya mafuta, taa, vifaa vya kiufundi, na mawasiliano ya kidijitali.

Hatua za Haraka:

• Kuelimisha wafanyakazi kuhusu mbinu za ufanisi wa nishati.

• Kuboreshwa kwa mipangilio ya joto katika ofisi zetu na magari yetu.

• Kutumia mwanga wa asili na kubadilisha kwenye taa za kuokoa nishati.

• Kutumia mipangilio ya ufanisi wa nishati kwenye vifaa na kurahisisha mawasiliano ya kidijitali.

Tutatathmini mara kwa mara matumizi yetu ya nishati, tukitafuta fursa za kuboresha. Kwa kushirikiana na wadau na wauzaji, tutakuza hatua za kuokoa nishati na mbadala endelevu. Kwa kufuata sera hii, tunakusudia kupunguza athari zetu kwa mazingira na kukuza uwazi katika juhudi zetu.

Shughuli zifuatazo zilizopangwa zitasaidia kutekeleza sera ya kupunguza nishati:

1. Mawasiliano ya Sera: Kuendeleza mkakati wazi wa