Home / Our Code of Ethics

Our Code of Ethics

Play Video

Game vehicle observing a herd of elephants.

At African Bush Camps, our Code of Ethics guides everything we do.

From our teams in the field to the communities we support, we operate with care, fairness, and integrity.

Responsible tourism isn’t just part of our work – it’s our foundation. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, always listening, learning, and striving to do better.

When you travel with us, you become part of a greater purpose: to share and conserve Africa, together.

Go to Fair Work and Equal Rights

We believe meaningful safari experiences start with looking after our people. Whether guiding guests, preparing meals, or working behind the scenes, every team member is treated with care and respect. We’re committed to ethical travel and go beyond the basics to create a safe, supportive, and empowering place to work.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • All staff work voluntarily – we have zero tolerance for forced labor or human trafficking
  • We do not employ underage workers and are committed to child protection in our communities
  • Our team members are paid fairly, with wages and benefits that meet or exceed legal standards
  • We foster a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels safe, respected, and heard
  • Employees have the freedom to organize, express their views, and engage in collective dialogue

Women from our Female Guides Program.

Our annual Guides Training Program, 2025.

Keeping Our Team Safe and Supported

Caring for our team goes beyond offering meaningful work – it’s about making sure they feel safe, supported, and confident every step of the way. Whether out on game drives or in camp, we’re always working to create a healthy environment and give our staff the tools and training they need to thrive.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Emergency planning: We’re prepared for the unexpected, with systems in place to respond quickly and effectively
  • Comfortable conditions: We uphold high standards for both working and living spaces across all our locations
  • Clear communication: Open dialogue around health and safety is encouraged and supported
  • Ongoing training: We invest in regular workshops to strengthen skills and build confidence

Conserving Nature and Wildlife

We focus on sustainable practices and strong community partnerships to ensure these landscapes and wildlife thrive for generations to come.

Our commitment includes:

  • Reducing waste and conserving energy to minimize environmental impact
  • Promoting respectful, responsible wildlife encounters
  • Partnering with local communities on conservation and environmental education

Traveling sustainably on safari is one of our core pillars. 

Guest receiving a drink from a staff member at Thorntree River Lodge. 

Doing the Right Thing, Always

We believe in doing things the right way – with honesty, transparency, and respect for everyone we work with. Our commitment to ethical practices means every decision we make is grounded in fairness and integrity, building trust with both our guests and our partners.

Key principles we uphold include:

  • Conducting all business with integrity and openness
  • Respecting intellectual property and creative rights
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest to keep decisions fair and unbiased
  • Strictly prohibiting bribery, corruption, and unethical behavior

Proactively Partnering with Local Communities

We’re here to support the communities we work in. By creating jobs and investing in local projects, we help people build stronger futures. We also value open, honest communication – with our guests, our team, and our partners.

Our focus includes:

  • Supporting community growth through skills training and sustainable projects
  • Creating meaningful economic opportunities that benefit local people
  • Maintaining clear and transparent communication with guests, employees, communities, and authorities

Guests, staff and locals community members stand with a lion boma they built while on a Guided Impact Safari.

One of our guides holding books on birds.

Upholding High Standards Across Everything We Do

We follow the rules and do things the right way, so you can feel confident traveling with us. We meet all legal and industry standards and stick to strong values in everything we do. If something’s not right, we have systems in place to catch it and fix it.

Our commitment includes:

  • Following all legal requirements and industry guidelines
  • Upholding our Code of Ethics and high moral standards
  • Providing clear ways to report and resolve any ethical issues

Leading with Integrity, Always Improving

Our leaders show honesty, integrity, and responsibility every day. We keep our Code of Ethics up to date to make sure we meet high standards and your expectations. Together with guests, partners, and communities, we work hard to support ethical tourism and conserve Africa.

Here’s how we live this commitment:

  • Leadership that models integrity and accountability
  • Ongoing updates to our ethical standards and practices
  • A shared dedication to responsible travel and conservation

Children in class at Maunga Primary School – a school our Foundation supports in Zambia.

LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 common codes of ethics?

The 5 common codes of ethics are integrity, respect, compliance, responsibility, and professionalism.

Do you work with local communities?

We’re dedicated to proactively partnering with the local communities that reside in the areas we operate. We also only hire local staff and guides to ensure we are properly supporting these communities and providing our guests with authentic experiences. Our own foundation, African Bush Camps Foundation, has been working alongside us since 2006, sharing our Purpose from the beginning.

How do you ensure ethical wildlife encounters?

We follow strict ethical guidelines to ensure wildlife is respected and remains undisturbed. Our guides are trained to maintain safe distances, avoid chasing or baiting animals, and educate guests on responsible safari etiquette.

 

PLAN YOUR SAFARI

Start Planning Your Safari

CLOSE

Explore Experiences

BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE KHWAI LEADWOOD LINYANTI BUSH CAMP NYAMATUSI CAMP SOMALISA CAMP

Explore Luxury Safaris

MAGIC OF THREE COUNTRIES LUXURY ZAMBEZI LUXURY OKAVANGO AUTHENTIC BOTSWANA AUTHENTIC MANA POOLS