With the New Year right around the corner, it’s time for your annual New Year’s resolution. Often times our resolutions have something to do with our job, health, or a guilty pleasure—such as giving up soda or shopping. But let’s face it, these resolutions usually only last through March—if we’re lucky—and then they’re forgotten.

But what if you had a resolution that went far beyond March—a resolution that not only affected your well-being and lifestyle, but the well-being and lifestyle of others who are less fortunate? Because after all, isn’t the objective of a New Year’s resolution to lead a happier and healthier life? Why not make others happier and healthier in the process?

This is the year you can make a difference in your life and in the life of those in need, simply by taking a trip to Africa that combines sustainable tourism with luxury.

Here’s how taking a sustainable vacation to Africa will help you become a happier and healthier person, help impoverished African communities thrive, and help fragile eco-systems live on:

* Donating to a charity or supporting an organization that has personal resonance with you is a wonderful way to give back to those in need. But often times when you send a check to charity, you can’t visualize the measurable impact that your contribution has created. When you take a sustainable trip to Africa, you can see the environment that you’re helping to sustain and you can interact with the people that your trip is affecting.

For example, when you stay in an eco-tourism lodge or camp that employs locals on their staff and as certified safari guides, you know that part of your fees are going to those individuals to help them support their families and communities.

Not only do these staff members and certified safari guides receive financial support from your stay, but they are also delighted to meet travelers from around the world and share their unique culture and the fragile wildlife of Africa with others. Therefore, your stay is contributing to supporting the locals while you receive remarkable services and cultural expansion.

* Staying at an accommodation that implements wildlife conservation efforts enables you to enjoy a luxurious vacation with exceptional safari experiences, while contributing to create a healthier environment for all. Many of these accommodations hire local villagers to run these wildlife conservation programs. Depending on the accommodation, some employ locals to maintain and plant tree seedlings, help communities establish effective economic and environmentally sustainable practices, enforce anti-poaching laws, reduce human / wildlife conflict, and much more.

This win-win situation allows locals to receive pay for their time working to create a more sustainable environment, economy, and community for their families to live in, while you enjoy an unforgettable vacation in natural surroundings that are completely free from toxins and pollution.

* Participating in a sustainable tour or spending a day volunteering at a local children’s orphanage is one of the most rewarding and inspirational experiences one could have. When you take part in a sustainable tour or volunteer, you have the ability to explore a world and culture that is both enriching and powerful in its spiritual impact.

The time you spend helping orphaned children or offering assistance to the elderly has an impact that is much greater than you can even imagine. Not only will the locals benefit immensely from your support, but you’ll also feel more fulfilled and eager to do more.

Love this post? Like us on Facebook!

As one of the leading community project facilitators and supporters in South Africa, the Uthando organization strives to “ provide a platform and infrastructure to raise funds from individuals, groups and organisations who have an interest in the region. The money generated supports a broad range of grass roots, community based, sustainable, innovative and empowerment projects with substantial and enduring value to the most destitute and marginalized communities in South Africa.” (http://www.uthandosa.org/pages/1)

Uthando also offers tourists an authentic look into the social issues affecting South Africans today and how these problems are working to be solved.

Through Uthando’s relentless efforts to bring happiness, healthcare, and sustainable financial support to local South Africa communities, Uthando is working hard to provide children and families with basic necessities, such as food, medication, moral support, education, shelter, and more.

Today, Uthando is offering more than 30 different Philanthropic Cultural Tours—accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism—to individuals interested in lending a hand in inspirational and highly rewarding projects around South Africa. Uthando makes a per person donation to each project visited and, usually, on each tour they visit three projects.

Generally speaking, these tours offer a deep insight into South Africa’s social, political, economical, health, educations, and housing issues, as well as its historical background. It is Uthando’s mission to share these inspirational projects and movements with people, and to engage them in rewarding philanthropic work.

James Fernie, director of Uthando South Africa, recently shared a wonderful story with us about a woman who is lending her philanthropic efforts to the Uthando organization. Here’s the story told by James:

“I received a handmade doll in the mail with a complete closet full of doll clothing with the following note….

‘My name is Reb Mason and I am from the UK. Whilst travelling in Australia I found out about Uthando and was really touched. I have made a doll with lots of extra clothes, hopefully they will fit some other dolls. She is very loved and has been tried and tested by my young niece. She looks forward to meeting a new friend and giving some love back. I will keep on sewing, and making more dolls. Kind regards Reb XX’

This job is very rewarding indeed.”

Below are a few highlights of some of Uthando’s Philanthropic Cultural Tours:

Neighborhood Old Age Homes (NOAH)

Formed by the Catholic Welfare and Development, NOAH provides elderly individuals of the Western Cape with everything from housing to healthcare, and social clubs to personal support. The homes that NOAH provides for these individuals are in a community that houses other elderly people.

Those who want to volunteer with NOAH can participate in activities such as running craft, game, and exercise groups, and gardening, teaching, shopping, and more.

Volcano Arts Project

Taking place in the Cape Town suburb, Gugulethu, the Volcano Arts Project strives to involve locals and children into community theater. So far, there has been an assortment of spectacular drama productions, all focused around social themes and crucial issues in South Africa. Through artistic expression, the drama participants can bring focus and attention to devastating issues such as HIV / AIDS, drug abuse, violence against women, and more.

It can sometimes be difficult to grab the attention of children and teach them the ramifications of serious social issues, but Volcano Arts Project has been delightfully surprised by the attention the productions have been receiving by the local children. These children, usually affected by such social issues, have the opportunity to learn—through an artistic outlet—how to overcome these problems and influence them in future actions.

The Hout Bay Music Project

Located in Hout Bay, a suburb of Cape Town, The Hout Bay Music Project works to provide impoverished children with musical skills and bring light to their lives. Recently, the children of The Hout Bay Music Project were invited to perform in Europe!

Below is a video of The Hout Bay Music Project performing:

Uthando recommends their Philanthropic Cultural Tours to study groups, student groups, and individuals who are socially aware and want an authentic cultural and philanthropic experience.

Do you know of someone who would love to participate in these Philanthropic Cultural Tours? If so, share it with them on Facebook.

Volcano Arts Project

Through a number of Fair Trade In Tourism and volunteer efforts, a variety of community and economy sustaining projects have, in recent years, been introduced to the many townships of South Africa.

One such project in the works is the Volcano Arts Project. Taking place in the Cape Town township, Gugulethu, the Volcano Arts Project strives to involve locals and children into community theater. So far, there has been an assortment of spectacular drama productions, all focused around social themes and crucial issues in South Africa. Through artistic expression, the drama participants can bring focus and attention to devastating issues such as HIV / AIDS, drug abuse, violence against women, and more.

It can sometimes be difficult to grab the attention of children and teach them the ramifications of serious social issues, but Volcano Arts Project has been delightfully surprised by the attention the productions have been receiving by the local children. These children, usually affected by such social issues, have the opportunity to learn—through an artistic outlet—how to overcome these problems and influence them in future actions.

Volcano Arts Project

Uthando is one such organization helping to complete the Volcano Arts theater building. Taking small steps to lend labor and building materials, Uthando is working hard to bring meaningful and influential art and entertainment into the lives of the Gugulethu locals. Thanks to the helping hands of Uthando and other volunteers, Volcano can continue bringing hope and joy to the Cape Town townships.

If you know of any builders in Cape Town who are willing to donate their skills or some of their extra or reject building materials, contact James of Uthando at jamesfernie@uthandosa.org. Any contributions are much appreciated. You can also visit the Gugulethu township while on a South Africa family vacation, and have a personal look into the wonderful productions happening today.

AWOL Bike Tours

Imagine taking a relaxing stroll through a charming South African village, where the unique African spirit, the scent of authentic cuisine, and the joy of the local community fills the air.

When you take part in an AWOL bicycle township tour, you’re not only experiencing a breathtaking journey through Cape Town’s beautiful township, Masiphumelele, you’re also, simultaneously, giving back to the local community. Famous for their exceptional ability to fuse a rich cultural learning experience with sustainable efforts, AWOL has been awarded the Imvelo Award for their responsible tourism efforts and is also a certified Fair Trade in Tourism organization.

AWOL, which means “a world of learning,” is a proud partner of the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN), and works closely with BEN to spread their conservation efforts across the local townships. BEN is a nonprofit organization that works to alleviate poverty through the importation and use of gently used bicycles, and works to promote the bicycle’s health benefits and environmental benefits.

How do you benefit from an AWOL tour?

• Unlike any other tour in Cape Town, the AWOL bicycle township tour is filled with a variety of activities that allow you to completely immerse yourself within the local Xhosa culture.
• As you stroll through the quaint Masiphymelele township on bicycle (without the confinements of a bus or vehicle), you’ll have the opportunity to observe and interact with the locals in their everyday lives. During your tour, you’ll learn about the Xhosa people’s unique customs and traditions from a highly-knowledgeable and certified local guide.
• One of the greatest highlights of the bicycle tour is the chance to view a traditional Xhosa dance performed by a Sangoma (African traditional healer). This is one of the most enlightening experiences of the bicycle tour as it incorporates authentic music with traditional dance rituals. And we promise, you’ve never seen or heard anything like it.
• Enjoy an authentic, home cooked meal in an African home and taste the delectable flavors of local spices and produce. During this lunch, you’ll be able to interact with a local family and participate in the cooking experience if you so choose and you will also be able to view the interior of a traditional Masiphymelele home. Nothing is more satisfying than taking the time to see how traditional African cuisine is prepared and learning first-hand cooking lessons from the locals.
• See the joyful faces of children at a local pre-school and interact with them for an even deeper insight into the local customs and community lifestyle.

AWOL Bike Tours

How does the community benefit from an AWOL tour?

• AWOL strives to sustain the local economy by assisting locals to start up their own business and by employing locals to become qualified guides. This not only allows the locals to proudly share their knowledge of their cultural and historical heritage with visitors, but it also allows them to be paid for these services.
• Because the bicycles used in the AWOL bicycle tour are second hand and produce no carbon emissions, they are completely safe for the environment and allow the local community to financially profit from the tours. In addition to helping sustain the local economy, the fact that bicycles produce no gas emissions means a healthier environment and lifestyle for the locals.
• Locals who offer their cooking expertise to visitors are also compensated for their efforts and have the opportunity to share their natural born skills with visitors.
• Some of the proceeds from the tour go to a local pre-school that is visited during the tour, which helps to sustain the local education system.

Emerging as a key influencer in sustainable tourism efforts, South Africa is taking great strides to promote a sustainable economy and community through eco-tourism companies. When the proceeds from eco-tourism companies are given to employees—who are locals—the money then goes directly back into the local economy. This means that schools can be rebuilt, education programs restored, homes built, families fed, and locals employed. When you participate in eco-tourism companies, you are not only helping to sustain the local economy, you are also bringing joy to a community that has been struck by the devastating effects of poverty, and giving the environment the chance to thrive and live on.

With an array of accommodations and touring companies that pride themselves on sustainable tourism efforts, you can choose to take part in this incredible movement to bring happiness, education, and jobs back into local communities, while experiencing a luxurious and adventurous South African family vacation or honeymoon.

The official certification for eco-tourism companies is the Fair Trade in Tourism (FTTSA) certificate. Several accommodations throughout South Africa that bear this prestigious certificate include:

Cape Grace in Cape Town, South Africa: Radiating elegance from every intricate detail, Cape Grace is nothing short of exceptional. Its location in Cape Town’s famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront make it a close walk to some of Cape Town’s most celebrated shopping hubs, restaurants, and hot-spots.

Designed with elegant, comfortable, and sophisticated décor, each of Cape Grace’s 121 rooms is individually designed with subtle reflections of Cape Town’s bright spirit and accents of authentic Cape culture.

In addition to its luxurious décor and prime location, Cape Grace prides itself on its personalized and exclusive services and amenities, including its private yacht charters and the Spa at Cape Grace.  

Djuma Vuyatela in Kruger, South Africa: With privacy, intimacy, and eclectic style as the main characteristics of this lodge, you’re sure to find complete relaxation in Djuma Vuyatela. Located on the private Djuma Reserve, the Djuma Vuyatela offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and its magnificent wildlife. Each of the lodge’s eight chalets feature king sized beds, and a private plunge pool and teak deck that overlooks the sprawling Savannah.

Adding to its luxurious appeal and African spirit, Djuma Vuyatela features an exceptional dining and socializing experience as well as a deck equipped with a fireplace to sip a cocktail as you peer over the African bush.

Buffalo Ridge in Madikwe, South Africa: For the ultimate wilderness retreat, Buffalo Ridge is the place to go. Sitting atop the Tweedepoort Ridge, Buffalo Ridge overlooks the vast plains of Madikwe Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most wildlife-abundant reserves. With a variety of safari tours to choose from, Buffalo Ridge’s experienced guides take you deep within Madikwe Game Reserve to observe some of Africa’s most mesmerizing wildlife, including the black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, cheetah, lion, and more.  

Aside from its exceptional safari tours and magnificent views overlooking the Madikwe, Buffalo Ridge features eight thatched suites decorated with earth tones and materials that inspire complete relaxation. Inside each of the lodge’s suites you’ll find your very own outdoor patio, luxurious interior décor, and the finest bed linens.

In addition to South Africa’s many FTTSA certified accommodations, the country is also home to a handful of FTTSA certified touring companies. Sustainable touring companies in Cape Town include AWOL, Uthando, Marine Dynamics, and Anduela. AWOL is primarily famous for its bicycle tours throughout local townships, Marina Dynamics is renowned for its shark diving tours, and Anduela is known for its cooking tours in Cape Malay.   

To learn more about the FTTSA certification, visit their website at www.fairtourism.org.za.