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Promoting animal welfare

Promoting animal welfare

Promoting animal welfare

Respecting creatures of all kinds

Like architecture, food, and language, wildlife plays a big role in what makes a place unique. (Imagine—what would the Galápagos be like without “dancing” blue-footed boobies? Or Alaska, without regal bald eagles and grizzlies?) Animals are also essential to the life cycle of the ecosystems they inhabit. But too often they’re exploited, forced to live in inhumane conditions at tourist spots around the world, and objectified rather than respected. Here’s how we prioritize animal welfare on our tours.

Partnering with
World Animal Protection

We proudly work with the non-profit World Animal Protection to implement animal welfare guidelines into all of our itineraries. This partnership helps us make sure that none of our on-tour activities are exploitative to animals, and it helps us identify opportunities to share vital insights with our travelers.

Photo: Discuss anti-poaching efforts with an expert from the African Wildlife Foundation on our Tanzania Wildlife Safari tour.

Spreading awareness

By visiting rescue agencies, conservancy groups, and animal sanctuaries on tour, we help fund organizations that are effecting positive change for animals. Spending time in these places, and with the experts who run them, allows us to learn about vulnerable animal populations and what we all can do to help them, too.

Photo: Visit Chimp Eden, the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa Chimpanzee Sanctuary on our South Africa: Cultural Cities & Wildlife Safaris tour.

Observing with respect

Whether we’re out on safari in Africa or hiking through national parks in the U.S., Canada, or Croatia, we’re there to quietly watch—never disrupt—animals in their natural habitats. And when it’s time to move on to our next stop, we leave animals’ home environments exactly as (if not better than) we found them.

Photo: Set out for low-impact observation of nature and wildlife on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour.

The EF Impact Report

In 2021, we introduced the EF Impact Report to share ways in which our Responsible Travel initiatives are effecting change around the globe and shaping our travelers’ on-tour experience. Want to know more about what we’re up to? Keep an eye on EF Impact for updates about what we do, and why it all matters.


View the full report

Spot zebras, turtles, and more on these tours

a four by four vehicle surrounded by wildebeest on a game drive in the african savanna
Kenya Wildlife Safari
13 days | 18 days with Tanzania extension

4.8 star rating

375
From 
$4,779*
 $4,579*
View tour
view of arenal volcano through lush rainforest trees in costa rica
Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife
9 days | 12 days with Manuel Antonio & San José extension

4.6 star rating

384
From 
$2,829*
 $2,429*
View tour
Australia & New Zealand
22 days | 25 days with Fiji extension

4.7 star rating

356
From 
$6,369*
 $6,019*
View tour
See all tours

Dive deeper into Responsible Travel

Watch our Responsible Travel webinar, explore our core commitments, and more.

Protecting the environment →
Supporting local communities →
World Animal Protection →
Responsible Travel home →
Responsible Travel on tour →
Our path to carbon negativity →
Responsible Travel webinar →
Explore all of our tours →
Head back to About Us

More ways to make a difference

In the community
  • Eat at locally-owned restaurants, where the food is more likely to be locally-sourced. (Check out our travel guides on the blog for ideas of where to go!)
  • Support local businesses to ensure money is invested back into the community.
  • Be aware of monetary norms (think: tipping and negotiating) in your destination.
  • Talk to your Tour Director about when it’s appropriate to take photos, and ask people for permission before you take their picture.
  • You’ll learn a lot while on tour, but take some time to read up on your destinations before you go. A few words in the local language can go a long way!
  • Wear culturally appropriate clothing and be respectful when visiting religious sites.
  • Consider giving gifts or donations directly to reputable NGOs, charities, or schools, where they’ll make the most impact.
  • Approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
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To protect wildlife
  • Taking a dip in the ocean? Slather on sunscreen that’s reef-safe.
  • Avoid buying any exploitive wildlife products.
  • Let it be—there’s no need to remove anything from its natural environment or leave any litter.
  • Take the World Animal Protection’s philosophy of the Five Freedoms to heart.
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For the environment
  • Travel with a reusable water bottle.
  • Consider using a water filter if tap water isn’t drinkable in your destination.
  • Reduce waste by avoiding single-use plastics as much as possible.
  • Recycle, recycle, recycle. Go digital when you can, and recycle any necessary paper documents. Can’t find any recycling options while out and about on tour? Bring recyclables back to your hotel.
  • Take public transportation, especially trains and rideshares, when traveling on your own. Better yet—walk if you can.
  • Reuse hotel towels and turn the lights off when you leave your room.
  • Pack your own toiletries and grooming products.
  • Bring your own headphones to use with your whisper headset and on the plane.
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