Africa has got an amazing flora and wildlife - but it all needs protecting. Below our readers recommend some more eco-friendly ways of holidaying across the continent

White Elephant Lodge in Dundee, South Africa
Posted by Islandfielder
Amazingly calm and beautiful place that takes a more eco-friendly, and less consumerist, approach to the safari experience. They have persuaded various South African landowners to work together to re-introduce the elephants.

Beautiful house and lovely luxury tents. Food is excellent. They have connections with local community projects and can help organise flying doctors' flights to a local villages or visits to local orphanages.

• whiteelephant.co.za
  

Ras Mbisi Lodge on Mafia Island, Tanzania
Posted by michael_l
Have just got back from Tanzania. By total fluke we found a beach (8km long) with only one small (nine-room) lodge. Although they don't trade on their 'eco' credentials, it's the most eco place we've found at a mid range price.

Their electric is run on biomass, the water is solar heated and the place is built from coco-wood (actually a grass, apparently) - totally amazing.

Get there quick before everyone else discovers it.
mafiaislandtz.com


Into Africa at Masai Mara, Kenya
Posted by jpaffett
Into Africa specialise in offering eco-friendly safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. My wife and I went on their Kenya Explorer trip and were very impressed with their service. The guides and drivers were very well trained and informative and the food provided was wonderful.
intoafrica.co.uk


Mumbo Island, Cape Maclear, Malawi
Posted by Mistypopper
This is a little island with a small eco-lodge. There are only six tents, each with ensuite 'compost' loo and bucket shower looking over the lake. There is no one else living on the island except the birds... kayaking, strolling, sun bathing and generally doing very little is what it's all about. If you are looking for a totally un-commercialized beach holiday somewhere different - this is it.

Go to Mumbo Island (all meals and accommodation included) or Domwe Island (if you want to go camping and do your own thing).
kayakafrica.net


Tassia Lodge, Nanyuki, Kenya
Posted by Proton
It’s Masai-owned, eco- and family-friendly and cheaper than most with a very un-touristy cultural village.
choiceswild.com


Dar Tassa, Berber Guest House, Marrakech, Morocco
Posted by GSmart07
Dar Tassa is a simply wonderful place in the Atlas Mountains near Marrakech, with beautiful surroundings and delicious food and drink.

With highly friendly, knowledgeable, English-speaking hosts aiding the organisation of our trek, our trip was definitely one to remember.

We visited on reading about this place in the RyanAir magazine where Dar Tassa was voted in their Top 10 most Eco-Friendly places to visit that won't harm the planet, or your pocket.

With great value for money we will be returning to Dar Tassa for sure.
dartassa.com


Asha Cottages on Dinai Beach, Ukunda, Kenya
Posted by davcos
Asha Cottages is a small hotel right on the glorious sandy beach an hour south of Mombasa. Run on eco-friendly lines and set among a veritable arboretum of native trees and shrubs, it offers a relaxing tropical seaside holiday with plenty of activities for those who prefer snorkelling, SCUBA-diving, sailing or fishing to sunbathing. There is also bird and animal life aplenty. We were well looked after and entertained and the facilities are excellent and family friendly. Strongly recommended!
ashacottages.com


Finch Travels, Nairobi, Kenya
Posted by SANDHOUSE
Finch Travels is an eco company that organises individual safaris and adventure trips to accommodate your requests and supports community projects. My daughter and I have just returned from the holiday of a lifetime. We specifically wanted to see elephants and visit some community projects.

The groups are small, maximum six to seven. There was just two of us in our group and we were the envy of other tourists. We were accompanied all the time by a guide and driver, our vehicle being a Land Cruiser. Each day was planned, but could be altered if we wished. Lodges and hotels were top of the range. I cannot recommend this experience enough, it was incredible.
finchtravels.com