Responsible Wildlife Tourism: Protecting Animals During the Holiday Season

Published on December 1, 2025

Many South African families are getting ready for year-end vacations as the holiday season draws near, and travel brings with it the attraction of seeing exotic wildlife. But this year, tourists are asked to interact with animals in a more moral manner. Experiences with wildlife may seem innocuous or even pleasurable, but they frequently conceal a more sinister reality. These activities, which range from taking selfies with lion cubs to riding elephants, are usually the result of exploitative practices that cause the animals involved to suffer both physically and psychologically.

The impact on wildlife must be taken into account as tourism grows in popularity across many regions. In order to safeguard animals while travelling, it is imperative that tourists comprehend the moral issues surrounding animal tourism and make wise choices. Travellers can prevent animal suffering from ruining their vacation memories by making ethical decisions.

The Dark Truth Behind Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism is often built on exploitative practices that prioritize entertainment over the welfare of animals. Take, for example, the common practice of posing for selfies with lion cubs. Behind these seemingly cute experiences is the harsh reality that lion cubs are forcibly removed from their mothers at a young age to satisfy the demand for petting and photography. As these cubs grow, they often face grim fates, including being sold into trophy hunting industries. Similarly, the elephants used for rides are subjected to cruel training techniques that strip them of their natural instincts and spirit.

Other animals, such as horses and donkeys, also suffer under the burden of tourism. These animals, often used for carrying tourists, endure gruelling conditions, especially in extreme heat, with insufficient food, water, and shelter. The physical strain and emotional distress that these animals experience in the name of tourism are profound, and yet, these practices continue to be normalized.

Advocating for Responsible Tourism

The importance of responsible tourism has never been more pressing. Wildlife should be observed in its natural habitat rather than subjected to exploitative practices for human amusement. Ethical travel means shifting away from harmful interactions with animals and embracing experiences that prioritize animal welfare. Genuine wildlife sanctuaries, unlike tourist attractions focused on exploitation, aim to rehabilitate and protect animals while offering opportunities for visitors to observe them from a safe distance.

To help travelers make more ethical choices, several organizations, including animal welfare groups, have outlined guidelines for engaging with wildlife responsibly. These tips encourage visitors to avoid supporting activities that cause harm to animals, such as riding elephants or paying for photos with captive wild animals. Instead, tourists are encouraged to seek out wildlife encounters that support conservation and prioritize animal welfare.

Essential Tips for Responsible Wildlife Tourism

As the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, it is also an opportunity for tourists to practice conscious decision-making when it comes to wildlife tourism. Here are ten essential tips to ensure that your travel experiences are both enjoyable and ethically sound:

1. Observe Wildlife in the Wild

Whenever possible, travelers should seek out opportunities to observe wildlife in its natural environment. Wild animals should be allowed to live freely without human interference. Avoid activities that encourage animal captivity or exploitation.

2. Don’t Touch the Animals

Although it may be tempting, tourists should avoid direct interactions with wild animals. Touching or handling animals can lead to physical harm and cause significant stress to the creatures, which disrupts their natural behaviours and instincts.

3. Respect the No Feeding Policy

Feeding wild animals may seem like a friendly gesture, but it can harm their health and disrupt their natural foraging behaviours. It is essential to respect local guidelines and refrain from feeding wildlife.

4. Say No to Animal Selfies

While animal selfies may seem like fun photo opportunities, they often result in severe suffering for the animals involved. Taking photos with animals in captivity promotes exploitative practices, and tourists should avoid supporting these harmful activities.

5. Support Authentic Animal Sanctuaries

When visiting sanctuaries, tourists should ensure that the facility is reputable and prioritizes animal welfare over entertainment. Genuine sanctuaries are focused on rehabilitation and provide a safe and enriching environment for the animals.

6. Avoid Animal Rides

Riding elephants or other animals may seem like an exotic experience, but it comes at the expense of the animals’ well-being. These activities often involve cruel training methods and poor living conditions for the animals.

7. Say No to Animal Shows

Circuses and marine parks that feature wild animals are often exploitative in nature, subjecting animals to captivity and unnatural living conditions. Tourists should avoid these attractions to prevent contributing to animal suffering.

8. Skip Animal-Sourced Souvenirs

Purchasing souvenirs made from animals, such as ivory or exotic leather, supports poaching and harms wildlife populations. Ethical travelers should avoid buying products that contribute to the illegal wildlife trade.

9. Choose Restaurants that Serve Ethical Dishes

In some parts of the world, dishes made from endangered species or domestic animals like dogs and cats are offered. It is important for tourists to avoid supporting such practices and choose eateries that do not serve unethical or endangered species.

10. Maintain a Safe Distance

While wild animals may seem approachable, they are best admired from a distance. Keeping a safe distance not only ensures the safety of both humans and animals but also respects their need for space and privacy.

Shift Towards Compassionate Travel

Travellers have an opportunity to adopt more responsible travel practices during this festive season. As we set out on our adventures, it is essential to think about how our actions affect wildlife and make decisions that put animal welfare first. Travel options that are more compassionate and sustainable should take the place of engaging with animals in ways that cause them harm. We support a more moral tourism sector that prioritises the lives of animals over transient amusement when we choose to protect animals rather than exploit them.

We have the ability to make choices that are consistent with our values as travellers. We can make memories that not only make us happy but also protect the future of the animals we come into contact with by selecting ethical wildlife experiences and promoting animal welfare. Knowing that our actions have a positive impact on the world around us is ultimately the source of true joy when travelling.