Liberia wildlife vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We do not fly internally in Liberia, and instead opt for the uncomfortable but much more environmentally-friendly option of driving from Monrovia to Sapo. The accommodation we use, both in Monrovia and Sapo, are ecolodges, designed to be at one with their environment. Our lodge in Sapo is built from sustainably-sourced materials, relying on solar panels for limited electricity, and harvesting rainwater.

We do not use local transport on this tour but, when in Sapo, all game-viewing activities will be conducted on foot, which means the carbon impact of this tour is lower than on 'traditional' vehicle-based safaris. We always advise clients, on booking, about ways to limit the carbon footprint of their tour, including looking into several options to limit the emissions of their inbound and outbound flights.

Vegetarian and vegan food is available throughout this tour, with plenty of frrsh fruit available in particular. However, due to the extremely remote nature of Sapo and the nascency of ecotourism here, we ask that clients understand that vegetarian and vegan options may be rather plain and repetitive during this tour. All food is locally and sustainably sourced by local communities during our tour.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We use ecolodges in both Monrovia and Sapo during this tour. Both of these lodges are designed to have minimal impact on the local environment. In Sapo, the lodge operates primarily using solar power and harvested rainwater. In Monrovia, the lodge operates a wildlife sanctuary that rescues trafficked wildlife and provides species a refuge. Our accommodation in Sapo is run by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, an organisation that assists in park management and is responsible for the protection some of the many rare species that call Sapo home, including the iconic chimpanzee population found here.

We insist that clients have minimal impact on nature during this tour. We do not permit any activity that may pollute or damage the environment. At sightings, we will never remain with an animal when it is clearly uncomfortable with our presence, and we consider the moment an animal chooses to move away from us the natural termination of that sighting - we will not pursue an animal. At night, we will never spotlight a young, injured or otherwise vulnerable animal, and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards flash photography.

We provide local guides throughout our visit to Sapo. These guides are experienced in the forest, but are not used to ecotourism, and cannot yet offer the quality of guiding many clients expect. As such, we also provide a western tour leader, who has the responsibility of ensuring a great client experience, whilst also building the confidence and expertise of local guides. There are no invasive species causing major issues in Sapo.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The accommodation we use in Monrovia is an ecolodge, owned, managed and staffed by Liberians. In Sapo, the lodge is managed and staffed by people from the local community, and has been built in partnership between Liberians and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, an international NGO.

We employ local guides, cooks and housekeeping staff throughout our stay in Sapo, and we encourage village and market visits whilst we are based in Sapo.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

100% of the staff employed by our accommodation providers in Sapo and Monrovia are from the local community. We insist that our partners provide equal employment opportunities, and many senior staff at WCF, and in Sapo more generally, are women. We insist that local providers pay a fair wage.

We take inclusion and diversity in our own workplace very seriously. Unfortunately, as a conservative country where there is almost no inbound tourism, Liberia can be an uncomfortable place to visit for people in the LGBTQ+ community. We ask that clients bring their full selves on our tours, and it is the responsibility of our tour leaders to ensure that all clients have an enjoyable safari, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification.