Going on a safari to the Masai Mara can be a breathtaking experience, but it’s important to consider the environmental impact, particularly the carbon emissions associated with both air travel and road travel. This guide will explain how you can measure your carbon footprint for a safari, using practical examples like a flight from London to Nairobi, a domestic flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, and the carbon emissions from road travel by car hire from Nairobi to the Masai Mara.
1. Carbon Emissions from Air Travel
Air travel contributes significantly to carbon emissions, especially long-haul flights. Calculating your carbon footprint for flights involves understanding the distance traveled, the aircraft type, and the number of passengers on board. The carbon emissions are typically expressed in kilograms (kg) or tonnes of CO₂ per passenger.
a) International Flight: London to Nairobi
A flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Nairobi (NBO) is approximately 6,840 km. Using a standard CO₂ emission factor for long-haul flights, we can estimate the emissions for this route.
- Flight Distance: 6,840 km
- Emission Factor: Approximately 0.15 kg CO₂ per passenger per km for long-haul flights (varies slightly by aircraft type).
Formula:
Carbon emissions = Distance × Emission factor
Carbon emissions = 6,840 km × 0.15 kg/km = 1,026 kg CO₂ per passenger.
This means that a round-trip flight from London to Nairobi would result in approximately 2,052 kg of CO₂ emissions per passenger.
b) Domestic Flight: Nairobi to Masai Mara
Flights from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to the Masai Mara (various airstrips like Ol Kiombo or Keekorok) are much shorter—approximately 225 km.
- Flight Distance: 225 km
- Emission Factor: For a domestic flight, the emission factor is higher due to more fuel burned per km during take-off and landing, around 0.25 kg CO₂ per km per passenger.
Formula:
Carbon emissions = Distance × Emission factor
Carbon emissions = 225 km × 0.25 kg/km = 56.25 kg CO₂ per passenger.
A round-trip flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara would result in around 112.5 kg CO₂ emissions per passenger.
2. Carbon Emissions from Road Travel
Driving from Nairobi to the Masai Mara is a popular option, especially for those seeking scenic routes and flexibility. The carbon footprint of road travel depends on the vehicle type and fuel efficiency.
a) Car Hire: Nairobi to Masai Mara
The distance from Nairobi to the Masai Mara is approximately 250 km (one way), depending on the entry gate and route taken. The emissions will vary based on whether you use a 4WD diesel vehicle, which is typical for safaris, or a smaller, more fuel-efficient car.
Let’s assume you’re hiring a 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser, which is common for safaris. The vehicle has a fuel consumption rate of around 10-12 km per liter of diesel. Diesel combustion emits approximately 2.68 kg of CO₂ per liter of fuel burned.
- Distance (one way): 250 km
- Fuel Efficiency: 12 km per liter (assumption for a well-maintained Land Cruiser).
- Fuel Consumption: 250 km ÷ 12 km per liter = 20.8 liters of diesel (one way).
- Emission Factor: 2.68 kg CO₂ per liter of diesel.
Formula:
Carbon emissions = Fuel consumed × Emission factor
Carbon emissions = 20.8 liters × 2.68 kg CO₂ = 55.82 kg CO₂ (one way).
For a round trip, you would emit approximately 111.64 kg CO₂ per vehicle. If there are four passengers in the vehicle, the emissions would be approximately 27.91 kg CO₂ per person for the round trip.
3. Comparing Total Carbon Emissions
Let’s calculate the total carbon emissions for a typical safari trip, considering both air travel and road travel:
- Flight from London to Nairobi (round trip): 2,052 kg CO₂ per passenger.
- Flight from Nairobi to Masai Mara (round trip): 112.5 kg CO₂ per passenger.
- Car hire from Nairobi to Masai Mara (round trip): 27.91 kg CO₂ per passenger (assuming 4 passengers).
Total Carbon Emissions per Person:
2,052 kg CO₂ (London to Nairobi) + 112.5 kg CO₂ (Nairobi to Mara flight) + 27.91 kg CO₂ (car hire) = 2,192.41 kg CO₂ per person.
How your safari gets you off emission targets
According to global climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement, the target for per-person carbon emissions is set at around 2 metric tons (2,000 kg) of CO₂ per year by 2050.
This goal is part of efforts to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. However, the average annual global carbon footprint currently far exceeds this target, with individuals in many developed countries emitting between 10 to 20 metric tons of CO₂ annually.
A safari, while a unique and immersive experience, typically results in a significant carbon footprint, especially when considering the air travel involved. As illustrated earlier, a round-trip flight from London to Nairobi alone emits approximately 2,052 kg CO₂ per passenger, which already exceeds the yearly target of 2 metric tons per person.
Additional domestic flights and road travel during a safari, such as a flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and vehicle hire, further increase the total carbon emissions to over 2,192 kg CO₂ per person for a single trip. This level of emissions makes it difficult to align with the global targets for individual carbon footprints, highlighting the need for both conscious travel choices and carbon offset initiatives to mitigate the environmental impact of safaris.
Ways to Offset your Safari Carbon Footprint
Offsetting carbon emissions from activities like a safari involves taking steps to balance out the amount of CO₂ generated by investing in projects that reduce or capture carbon emissions. Here are several effective ways to offset your safari-related carbon footprint:
1. Carbon Offset Programs
Many airlines, safari operators, and travel agencies offer carbon offset programs that allow travelers to calculate their carbon footprint and contribute to projects that counteract those emissions. These programs usually support environmental projects such as:
- Renewable Energy Projects: Investing in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower reduces reliance on fossil fuels and decreases overall carbon emissions.
- Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere. Participating in tree-planting initiatives or supporting organizations that work on reforestation and afforestation can offset emissions over time, as trees act as carbon sinks.
- Forest Conservation (REDD+): Projects that protect existing forests from deforestation help maintain these critical carbon sinks. REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is an international effort aimed at preventing deforestation, particularly in tropical areas.
- Methane Capture Projects: These initiatives capture methane emissions from landfills, agriculture, or industrial processes, preventing this potent greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere.
2. Support Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Restoration
Participating in or donating to wildlife conservation projects that aim to restore ecosystems and habitats in places like the Masai Mara can help offset carbon emissions. These projects often focus on restoring degraded lands, which can improve carbon sequestration through healthy vegetation.
3. Invest in Carbon Credits
Individuals and businesses can purchase carbon credits from verified carbon markets. Each credit typically represents 1 metric ton of CO₂ removed from or prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere. By purchasing carbon credits, you essentially fund projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Gold Standard are two globally recognized organizations that certify high-quality carbon offset projects.
4. Use Renewable Energy at Home
While not directly related to the safari, another way to offset your emissions is by reducing your own carbon footprint in your daily life. By switching to renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind power) for your home or adopting energy-saving habits, you reduce your overall emissions, compensating for the impact of travel.
5. Donate to Community-Based Conservation Efforts
Some offsetting projects focus on community-based conservation efforts, particularly in developing countries. For example, projects that provide clean cooking technologies to reduce deforestation and fuelwood consumption or initiatives that support sustainable agriculture help communities reduce emissions and maintain healthy ecosystems.
6. Encourage and Support Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
Contributing to or encouraging safari operators to adopt sustainable practices—such as reducing vehicle emissions, using hybrid or electric safari vehicles, or supporting local conservation—can help mitigate the carbon footprint of the tourism industry as a whole.
By combining these efforts, safari-goers can take meaningful steps to offset their emissions and support a more sustainable future for both the Masai Mara and the planet.