At Ultimate Africa expeditions, we are committed to making tourism a force for good. As a responsible tour operator, we recognize the vital role we play in protecting the environments, cultures, and communities we visit. This sustainability policy outlines our dedication to operating in a way that minimizes environmental impact, supports local economies, and promotes respectful, meaningful travel experiences. We are equally focused on fostering sustainable practices within our organization through resource efficiency, ethical business conduct, and staff engagement and externally, by partnering with suppliers, guides, and destinations that share our values. Our mission is to create enriching journeys that leave a positive footprint on the world
- PURPOSE
The purpose of this sustainability policy is to define Ultimate’s commitment to responsible tourism and to guide our decision-making and operations in a way that minimizes negative environmental, social and cultural impacts while maximizing positive contributions.
The policy aims to
- Establish clear principles and practises that promote environmental conservation, cultural respect and community engagement.
- Reduce the negative impacts of our activities on the environment, including waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon footprint management.
- Ensure that sustainability is integrated into the planning, execution, and evaluation of tours and services
- Comply with the Travelife sustainability standards and support the global effort to make tourism more effective and regenerative.
- Promote fair working conditions, respect human rights, and contribute to the protection of cultural and natural heritage in the destinations we operate.
- Engage and empower staff, partners and suppliers and customers in our sustainability journey through education collaboration and transparency.
- Contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the tourism sector by continuously improving our performance and sharing best practises.
- SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
This Sustainability Policy applies to all aspects of Ultimate’s operations and activities, both directly and through our network of suppliers, partners, and stakeholders. It is designed to cover our entire value chain, ensuring that sustainability principles are upheld at every step of the customer journey, from tour planning and supplier selection to post-tour evaluation.
The scope includes:
- Internal Operations
All business practices, including waste management, energy consumption, office operations, and employee engagement.
Integration of sustainability into staff training, awareness programs, and company culture.
- Tour Design and Delivery
The development and operation of sustainable tours that prioritize environmental conservation, cultural respect, and community benefits.
Collaboration with partners and suppliers to ensure that sustainable practices are adhered to at each stage of the tour experience.
- Supplier and Partner Relationships
Selection and monitoring of suppliers and partners who share our commitment to sustainability and align with Travelife’s criteria.
Encouragement of our suppliers to obtain Travelife certification and follow best sustainability practices.
- Customer Engagement
Promoting sustainable travel practices to our customers and encouraging responsible behaviour during their tours.
Educating travellers on the environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of their travel choices and encouraging them to minimize their footprint.
- Continuous Improvement and Monitoring
Regularly assessing and reviewing our sustainability performance in line with Travelife’s monitoring and reporting framework.
Setting measurable sustainability targets and ensuring ongoing compliance with Travelife standards and guidelines.
This policy is applicable to all employees, contractors, consultants, and external stakeholders who directly influence or contribute to the planning and delivery of services provided by Ultimate Africa Expedition. We expect all parties involved to adhere to the principles outlined in this policy and contribute to the shared goal of achieving sustainable tourism.
- SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS AREAS
Carbon reduction and climate action: Ultimate Africa Expeditions monitors and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from our operations, including office energy use, staff travel and tour related transportation. We also prioritize low-emission transport options by encouraging group travel, fuel-efficient vehicles and rail over air travel where feasible.
We offer carbon offset programs and encourage travellers to offset their travel-related emissions.
Waste Management and Pollution Prevention: At Ultimate, we implement the 3 r waste management strategies i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle in our offices and on tours, including limiting single-use plastics and promoting reusable or biodegradable alternatives like re-usable utensils and water bottles.
We continue to encouraging responsible waste disposal and recycling practices among staff, suppliers, and guests. We are also committed to work with accommodation and activity providers who have proper waste and wastewater management systems.
Water and Energy Conservation: We promote the efficient use of water and energy in our office and throughout our tours. Ultimate Africa Expeditions aims to select partners and accommodations that have water-saving and energy-efficient systems in place. Our offices are well-lit with natural daylight which significantly reduces the need for artificial lighting during working hours. When lighting is required, we use energy-saving LED bulbs to further minimize our energy consumption.
We continue to educate travellers about water and energy conservation, particularly in destinations facing resource scarcity.
Respect to Natural Habitats: Ultimate Africa Expeditions avoids disturbing sensitive ecosystems, especially during tours in natural areas like forests, wetlands, marine environments, and mountains.
During our tours we stick to designated trails and minimize off-road travel that can damage plant life or disrupt animal habitats.
Ethical Wildlife Interaction: We prohibit and avoid any tourism activities that involve captive wildlife for entertainment (e.g., elephant rides, wildlife selfies).
We partner only with operators who follow ethical wildlife viewing guidelines (e.g., safe distances, no feeding, and no touching).
Our tours include visiting ethical sanctuaries and parks that prioritize conservation allowing guests to experience wildlife responsibly while supporting vital protection efforts. These conservancies include: Ol Pejeta conservancy, Solio Ranch, Crescent Island Game sanctuary, Naboisho conservancy, Taita Hills and Lewa wildlife Conservancy.
Support Conservation Efforts: Ultimate proudly collaborate with local projects and organizations that work to protect and restore biodiversity in our destination. Through these partnership we help fund conservation initiatives, raise awareness and offer travellers the opportunity to contribute to biodiversity production.
Supporting Local Economies: We prioritizes local businesses, artisans, and service providers for tours, accommodations, and other services. We encouraging travellers to shop locally, purchase authentic crafts, and support small businesses, ensuring that tourism dollars stay within the community.
Promoting Cultural Respect and Awareness: We educate travellers about the cultural heritage, traditions, and customs of the communities they visit. We also encouraging respectful behaviour towards local cultures and ensure that our tours enhance, rather than disrupt, local traditions.
Creating Local Employment Opportunities: At Ultimate, we hire local guides, drivers, and staff to ensure that the community directly benefits from the tourism we generate. Ultimate Africa Expeditions offers training programs to enhance skills in sustainable tourism, customer service, and hospitality within local communities.
Encouraging Responsible Tourism Practices: We provide travellers with information on how to engage with local communities in a respectful, responsible, and ethical manner. We ensure our tours avoid negative social impacts, such as overcrowding or exploitation of local resources.
We encourage tourists to interact with local communities in ways that are mutually beneficial, such as learning about traditional crafts, cooking, or cultural performances.
We do not allow the purchase of souvenirs containing threatened flora and fauna species, any illegally obtained historic/archaeological artefacts, drugs or illegal substances, and abide by local and international laws in place to prevent this.
Customer Protection & Safety: Ultimate Africa Expeditions prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all travellers by following international safety standards and best practices. We provide clear information on safety procedures, emergency contacts, and travel insurance options.
We also ensure transparency in pricing, terms and conditions, and refund policies. We protect the personal data and maintaining the confidentiality of customer information in accordance with data protection laws.
Ultimate offers clear, accessible system for customer feedback, complaints, and dispute resolution. We listen to our customers’ needs and make reasonable accommodations wherever possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Upholding fair and ethical labour conditions: Ultimate maintains a safe and healthy work environment for all staff, including providing necessary training and safety equipment.
At Ultimate, we uphold strict non-discrimination policy in hiring and employment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees regardless of gender, race, age or religion.
Ultimate Africa Expeditions commit to a strict policy against the use of child labour or forced labour in any aspect of our operations. We ensure that all employees are of legal working age as defined by local laws.
Our employees have reasonable working hours which encourage a healthy work-life balance. Rest periods, holidays and paid leaves are respected in line with labour laws.
Sustainable excursions: Ultimate aims to design and operate excursions that provide enriching experiences while minimising negative impacts on the environment, culture and local communities.
Efficient Vehicle Use: We operate modern, well-maintained vehicles that meet high fuel-efficiency and emissions standards and optimize travel routes and logistics to minimize unnecessary mileage and fuel consumption. We also monitor vehicle performance regularly to ensure efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Selecting and working with sustainable accommodation hotels and lodges. We choose properties that have effective waste management systems. We also select locally owned and managed accommodations to ensure tourism benefits remain in the local communities.
Child Protection .Our Company is committed to the protection of children. We strongly condemn and have a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of child exploitation, including sexual exploitation, child labour, and trafficking. We only work with partners and suppliers who share this commitment and include child protection clauses in our contracts. Staff and partners are trained to recognize, prevent, and are required to identify suspicious behaviour and report it immediately. Through these measures, we aim to safeguard children and support responsible tourism
At Ultimate Africa Expeditions sustainability is not a one-time goal but an ongoing journey. We are committed to integrating environmental, social, and economic responsibility into every aspect of our operations to ensure that tourism remains a force for good for people, places, and the planet.
To remain accountable and transparent, we will review our sustainability policy annually and report on our progress as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. Through regular evaluations, staff training, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with partners, we aim to strengthen our practices, address challenges, and identify new opportunities to advance sustainability in tourism.
We welcome feedback from our travellers, employees, and partners, and will use it to inform future updates. Together, we can contribute to a more responsible and resilient tourism industry.