In our pursuit of purposeful travel experiences, we’re constantly on the lookout for safari newcomers and destinations pioneering exciting conservation programs. While not every African country is suited for international visitors, things are changing so it’s crucial we keep our finger on the pulse for future opportunities.
To gain an insider’s perspective on conservation progress in less-explored destinations, we recently caught up with award-winning Nigerian conservationist, Rachel Ashegbofe Ikemeh. As Director of the South West and Niger Delta Forest Project, she is working to establish protected areas for endangered primates while laying the foundation for sustainable tourism infrastructure.
What is the current outlook for tourism in Nigeria?
Unlike countries such as Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, Nigeria is not considered a tourist country. It has a long way to go to reach that level, but there are indeed efforts underway to improve and expand our tourist facilities. Right now, there is a strong focus on nurturing domestic tourism, with a long–term vision to attract internationals. In recent years we have witnessed a surge in demand for domestic tourism coupled with the rise in middle class Nigerians who have enough money to travel.
Tell us about the work you are doing down on the ground.
So far, my team and I manage two sites. One is in the Niger Delta, which is still too remote for the public, but the other is based in Ekiti State in southwestern (SW) Nigeria and is a 40-minute flight from Lagos. We have spent the last four years establishing this forested area as a protected site, and having now secured the area, we want to embark on the second phase of establishing a visitors’ center.
The SW project has the potential to become a top attraction, but even people in the province still don’t know it exists! Therefore, a large part of our mission is to increase national awareness.
How are you going about developing the SW Nigeria site?
Our goal right now is to drive domestic tourism by initiating conversations with tourism consulting firms who can help us reach the broader African market, the Nigerian diaspora, and people here in Nigeria. We have an active partnership with the Ekiti State government and an agreement to help them bring conservation to the site using the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee as the flagship species.
As a former timber area, the forest was decimated and not bringing in any revenue so the state, so they really had nothing to lose in supporting our efforts. They took a chance on us and saw the turnaround within a year. As a result, they are now taking interest in other sites for conservation and tourism development.
We also have support from local communities who are quickly realizing that tourism, if done sustainably, provides opportunity to earn a living. Another ancillary benefit to developing protected areas is that forests can be hotbeds for bandits. Ranger patrols help deter illegal activities, which keeps local people safe
What is the current conservation landscape like in Nigeria?
There is a lot of global awareness now on environmental issues and our government is catching on. I have been in conservation for 20 years and I have been shocked at the transformation. In my lifetime it is a total 360 turnaround. At a national level, they are doing their best to update policies (this year a new wildlife conservation and management act was passed) but since we work predominantly with state government, I can speak more confidently about the positive changes we have seen at that level.
The progress we have made with our projects has spurred greater collaboration efforts between private and public entities. More groups are approaching me to replicate what we are doing. It’s encouraging. It’s encouraging to see Nigerians exercise greater consciousness towards taking responsibility for our biodiversity and its management.
What’s your vision for conservation in Nigeria?
The ultimate goal is to put Nigeria on the global map for conservation and bring greater awareness to our local efforts. We have a long way to go but having seen how policies are becoming increasingly progressive, I feel encouraged. There is greater potential for a cooperative management system which consists of government, local communities and private organizations working together.
Safari up & comers to add to your itinerary
Not all countries in Africa are accessible or recommended for travelers from abroad, but each year we see this changing. Although Nigeria is not quite there yet, we look forward to the day we can offer international travelers the opportunity to experience it first-hand. Until that time, here’s our shortlist of previously unexplored destinations currently gaining international traction:
São Tomé and Príncipe
Tourism is a growing force for change in São Tomé and Príncipe. Situated in the Gulf of Guinea, this packaged-together, dual-island nation has long remained one of the least visited (and known-about) destinations in West Africa. Characterized by palm-fringed beaches and impressive biodiversity, it is slowly capturing the imagination of curious travelers seeking their next ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experience. After Seychelles, São Tomé and Príncipe together form the second smallest country in Africa.
Rwanda
Rwanda has come a long way since the 1990s. Despite its turbulent history, today the Rwandans are a united nation eager to showcase their country to anyone considering a visit. With dense jungles and lush vegetation, there’s plenty to show off. Hike with chimps at Nyungwe Forest National Park or go witness gorillas in the mist at Volcanoes National Park. Coffee lover? Don’t skip the capital of Kigali where the culture is flourishing. Did you know? Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2007 and has a monthly clean-up-the-streets day.
Zambia
Not new but often overlooked, Zambia offers a wealth of wildlife-rich and lesser-visited national parks (do check out Busanga Plains in Kafue and National Park North Luangwa). The great Kafue and Luangwa rivers bring life into the center of the country, while the Zambezi snakes down to the Victoria Falls waterfall near Livingstone. Livingstone provides a crowd-free alternative to Victoria Falls town situated just across the way in neighboring Zimbabwe.
We’re excited to play our part in supporting up-and-coming destinations, particularly those taking a responsible approach to tourism. Of course, traveler safety is always paramount to us, so if you’re interested in a particular country you’ve not visited previously, please get in touch.
