We believe that exploring the world is a profoundly worthwhile rite of passage for everyone. However, we also know that traveling overseas comes at an environmental cost. Long-haul flights emit carbon which contributes to climate change if it’s not offset.

We have a responsibility to travel ethically. Environmentally-friendly travel is possible if done right.

We strive to offset carbon from your flights by planting bamboo and trees at our Conservation Projects.

With this carbon offset program, there is no guilt involved in travel. When you come to Uganda, you’re here to help others. On the way, you’re helping all of us.

Why do we plant bamboo trees to offset your carbon?

As the world becomes more and more aware of the impact of carbon emissions on the environment, individuals and businesses alike are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. We are no different, and are actively looking for ways to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

One solution that has gained popularity is planting bamboo trees. Bamboo not only grows quickly, but it also absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Additionally, bamboo forests have been found to be effective at reducing soil erosion, making them ideal for reforestation efforts.

For the travel industry, bamboo planting programs are an ideal way to offset the carbon emissions associated with travel. Not only does this benefit the planet, but it also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that resonates with environmentally-conscious travelers.

How do we calculate carbon offsetting?

We’ve created a system to calculate the number of bamboo trees we would have to plant in order to offset flights. The final amount is an estimate, based upon results that are always rounded up. This means that regardless of the differences in planes used and deviations in route, we’re always planting more than we need to offset your carbon!

The first step in assessing the impact of any flight is to calculate how much carbon is produced on your route. After working out the total number of kilometers you would’ve flown, we use the carbon calculator to give us the total amount of carbon produced. This calculator is used by companies around the world and is based upon the carbon calculation guidelines set out by the UK government.

The next step is to calculate how many bamboo seedlings would need to be planted to offset this amount of carbon. In order to do this, we based our studies on the species of bamboo that we use, data collected and the environments in which we are planting them. We’ve also had to take into account different variables, such as:

  • Bamboo mortality rate
  • The average lifespan
  • The growth rate
  • The sedimentation rate in the area
  • The area required by each sapling
  • The impact of humans
  • The rate of freak weather events and much more

After all of these calculations and rounding up the final amount, we come to 3 bamboo saplings for every 1000km flown. If you think about how many kilometers you might fly on your journey, plus the number of volunteers that will be working with us each year, it means we’ve got our work cut out! But we’re up for the challenge.

Does Carbon Offsetting Work?

Many airlines and travel providers, like us, are taking steps to offset carbon emissions. Our calculations are based on scientific research, UK Government statistics and the expertise of marine scientists working on several projects. While planting trees alone will not eliminate the climate crisis, we know that planting bamboo has a universally positive impact on our planet. If you want to travel overseas (which we recommend!) and can’t take a land route, then offsetting your carbon is certainly a better alternative to not doing so.

What else are we doing to reduce our carbon footprint?

We take steps to offset carbon and protect the planet by:

  • Offsetting flights
  • Using public transport wherever we can
  • Planting trees in every destination
  • Sourcing food locally wherever possible
  • Running awareness campaigns to encourage the public to make climate-conscious changes
  • Creating vegetable gardens in schools that reuse recycled plastic bottles
  • Running projects dedicated to plastic clean-ups