{"id":17725,"date":"2023-03-22T09:05:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T09:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/?p=17725"},"modified":"2024-05-08T13:05:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T13:05:46","slug":"carbon-neutral-holidays-electric-safari-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/carbon-neutral-holidays-electric-safari-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar safaris"},"content":{"rendered":"Approx read: <\/span> 4<\/span> mins<\/span><\/span>
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Electric Safari Vehicles (ESVs) are revolutionising the African safari experience. <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Solar safaris are gaining a new popu<\/span><\/span>larity for zero-emission, carbon-neutral holidays in Africa.<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

The ESVs are retrofitted diesel 4×4 vehicles. Electric motor, batteries and charging points replace the original motor. <\/span><\/span>The result? A near-silent, solar-powered vehicle that reduces the disturbance to animals and the environment.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Smooth & silent game drives<\/span><\/span>
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Electric safari vehicles are almost completely silent. You can enjoy driving through the bush, minimising the <\/span><\/span>disturbance to wildlife. This near-silence means the sounds of bird and animal calls become much easier to hear. <\/span><\/span>Wildlife photographers will also love the absence of jittery start-ups and jerky gear changes. The norm with old <\/span><\/span>diesel-powered 4×4 safari vehicles.<\/span><\/span>
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Zero emissions<\/span><\/span>
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An electric safari vehicle does not burn any fuel. There is no need for exhaust systems and so no hazardous gases <\/span><\/span>pour out into the environment.<\/span><\/span>
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Reliability<\/span><\/span>
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Electric safari cars are much more reliable than any standard combustion engine. As the motor relies on only one <\/span><\/span>working part.<\/span><\/span>
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Low maintenance<\/span><\/span>
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Running costs are low in electric safari cars. There is no need for fuel as they\u2019re powered by the sun and almost no <\/span><\/span>maintenance required on an electric motor.<\/span><\/span>
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Performance<\/span><\/span>
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Electric safari cars run at around 95% efficiency, vs 20-30% for standard combustion engines. A significant <\/span><\/span>improvement in the performance of the vehicle. Electrical components are tough and the sealed \u2018engines\u2019 allow them <\/span><\/span>to wade through deep sand and even ford rivers.<\/span><\/span>
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Many lodges across East and Southern Africa have invested in solar power and ESV\u2019s over the last few years. <\/span><\/span>Reducing noise and pollution allows visitors to get even closer to the wildlife. With over ten solar safaris currently of <\/span><\/span>note, there\u2019s a fair few to choose from. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana <\/span><\/span>
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The original pioneers of the electric-powered eco-safari concept. Almost a decade after its conception, electric safari <\/span><\/span>cars and solar-powered safari boats now make up the majority of its fleet. Take a CO2 emission-free game drive in <\/span><\/span>the home of the world\u2019s biggest elephant herds \u2013 Chobe National Park. Or take one of the lodge\u2019s solar-powered <\/span><\/span>boats along the Chobe River to see thirsty elephants line the river\u2019s edge. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Chisa Busange Camp, Zambia\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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Chisa is the Nyanja (a language spoken in Zambia) word for \u2018bird\u2019s nest\u2019. You\u2019ll immediately see why this camp got its <\/span><\/span>name when you lay your eyes on the rooms. Chisa\u2019s rooms are up in the trees and immerse you in the wilderness of <\/span><\/span>the Busanga Plains. This camp is passionate about safari experiences that are gentle on its surrounding ecosystem. <\/span><\/span>Guests can enjoy quiet game drives, disappearing into the floodplains in an electric safari vehicle. Or escape on an <\/span><\/span>electric mountain bike to experience the Busanga landscape.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ila Safari Lodge, Zambia<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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The country\u2019s first lodge to introduce solar safaris on both land and water. This luxury lodge sits in the Kafue <\/span><\/span>National Park. A wild and well off the beaten path safari destination. Purpose built for a sustainable safari, the lodge <\/span><\/span>is completely off-grid and powered by a huge solar bank. The lodge\u2019s \u2018Silent Safari\u2019 experience allow guests to see <\/span><\/span>the pristine ecosystem of the park and the magnificent Kafue River.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Shawa Luangwa Camp, Zambia<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
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Named after one of Zambia\u2019s most recognised safari guides, Shawa Luangwa Camp has brought the silent safari <\/span><\/span>concept to the South Luangwa National Park. The camp offers the very first silent safaris in the South Luangwa <\/span><\/span>National Park. Utilising electric safari cars powered by the Zambia sunshine. Enjoy exploring the area, leaving behind <\/span><\/span>a minimal carbon footprint. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Cheetah Plains, South Africa <\/span><\/span>
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Cheetah Plains partnered with some of the world\u2019s leading experts in renewable energy to provide clean solutions <\/span><\/span>for their safari experiences. All the villas and suites are completely off-grid, harnessing only solar power to provide a <\/span><\/span>renewable energy source. Driving the sustainable safari experience are its electric safari cars, helping set the standard <\/span><\/span>for zero-emission game viewing. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Emboo River, Kenya
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This luxury lodge has the first full fleet of electric safari cars in East Africa. Emboo River\u2019s all-electric fleet charges via <\/span><\/span>a solar panel station, making the need to bring diesel into a delicate ecosystem obsolete. Each of their ESVs have a <\/span><\/span>capacity of over 35 kilowatt-hours. That\u2019s more than enough for a full-day game drive in one of Africa\u2019s most magical <\/span><\/span>wilderness areas, Kenya\u2019s Masai Mara. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Kicheche Mara Camp, Kenya <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
This authentic tented camp is set in a prime game-viewing region of the Mara North Conservancy. It offers a friendly <\/span><\/span>and relaxed atmosphere, and some of the best safari guides in the Masai Mara. The camps set up of 6600 watts of <\/span><\/span>solar panels charges its flagship electric safari vehicle, EV1. Gliding you across the Mara plains emitting zero carbon <\/span><\/span>emissions as you go. <\/span><\/span>
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Lewa Wilderness Lodge, Kenya <\/span><\/span>
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Since the beginning of the twentieth century, rhinos have been on the brink of extinction. By the 1980\u2019s, poaching <\/span><\/span>reduced the black rhino population in Kenya to less than 300. But thanks to vital conservation efforts in places like <\/span><\/span>the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, black rhino numbers have been recovering. Lewa Wilderness Lodge, one of the <\/span><\/span>country\u2019s original safari lodges, sits in this exceptional conservancy. A haven for endangered animals like rhino and<\/span><\/span>
Grevy\u2019s zebra. Only three safari vehicles can be at a sighting, ensuring a tranquil game viewing experience. All <\/span><\/span>enjoyed whilst powered by the African sun. <\/span><\/span>
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Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya<\/span><\/span>
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This place offers some of the best eco-holidays in Africa. The camp uses photovoltaic panels to transform sunlight <\/span><\/span>into electricity. Stored in a battery bank and then transformed into a continuous electric current that runs the entire <\/span><\/span>camp. It supplies all the camp\u2019s appliances and it also charges Campi ya Kanzi\u2019s electric safari vehicle. <\/span><\/span>
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Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Kenya <\/span><\/span>
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Ol Pejeta Bush Camp in Kenya is committed to conservation and sustainability. The camp sits in the Ol Pejeta Con<\/span><\/span>servancy, home to the world\u2019s last remaining northern white rhinos. Guests can contribute to conservation by getting <\/span><\/span>involved in activities. Try anti-poaching canine training or help a research team record lion sightings. You can also <\/span><\/span>enjoy game drives in Ol Pejeta\u2019s electric safari vehicle, exploring the breath-taking Laikipia landscape. Track the Big 5 <\/span><\/span>and rare species like Grevy\u2019s zebra.
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Green Travel \u2013 Can I fly sustainably?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n