Make Safari Black Owned Again
The African safari industry is one of the continent’s most iconic and lucrative sectors, drawing millions of visitors each year and generating over $12 billion annually. Yet behind the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife encounters lies an unsettling truth: the safari industry has, for decades, been dominated by non-Black ownership, despite Africa being the home of the product and its people.
At Ntare Consulting, we believe it’s time to change that. It’s time to Make Safari Black Owned Again.
A Legacy of Exclusion
The safari industry’s roots are intertwined with colonial history. European settlers and adventurers not only romanticized Africa’s wilderness but also seized its land and resources. They set up lodges and tour operations that catered to elite foreign visitors, often excluding local communities from ownership or meaningful participation beyond low-wage employment.
This legacy continues to influence the present. Many luxury safari lodges across East and Southern Africa are still owned by foreign investors or white expatriates, with Black Africans largely absent from the boardrooms and decision-making tables of the industry they built from the ground up.
Amos Wekesa Founder of Great Lakes Safaris and Great Lakes Collection. https://greatlakessafaris.com/
Vimbai Masiyiwa Founder, Batoka Hospitality https://batokaafrica.com/
The Rise of Black-Owned Safari Companies
Fortunately, a new wave of African entrepreneurs is flipping the script. Visionaries like Amos Wekesa, founder of Uganda’s Great Lakes Safaris, have proven that world-class safari operations can be led by local talent with deep cultural roots and an authentic understanding of the land.
In Zimbabwe, Vimbai Masiyiwa, through Batoka Africa, is creating luxury lodges that not only celebrate African elegance but also invest directly in community upliftment and gender equity. Botswana’s Bushman Plains Camp, owned by the indigenous San people, is bringing true heritage-based tourism to life.
These are not just tour companies—they are movements. They stand for empowerment, representation, and a vision of tourism that honors Africa’s people as much as its wildlife.
Why It Matters
Reclaiming ownership in the safari industry is not just about business—it’s about justice and sustainability.
Economic Empowerment: Black-owned safari companies ensure that tourism revenue stays in local hands, creating jobs, funding schools, and improving infrastructure in rural communities.
Cultural Authenticity: Local guides and operators offer richer, more nuanced storytelling that celebrates Africa’s traditions and perspectives.
Conservation with Community: When local people benefit from tourism, they become the fiercest protectors of their natural heritage.
Ntare Consulting’s Role
As part of our commitment to diaspora-led investment and culturally grounded travel, Ntare Consulting is building partnerships with Black-owned safari operators across East Africa. We are:
Developing travel packages that prioritize local ownership and community-based tourism.
Creating financing tools and diaspora-backed investment vehicles to support the expansion of Black-owned safari enterprises.
Facilitating training, mentorship, and business development for young African entrepreneurs in the travel and hospitality industry.
Join the Movement
To truly make safari Black owned again, we need more than admiration—we need action. We invite:
Travelers to choose Black-owned tour companies and lodges.
Investors to fund African-led tourism businesses with long-term vision.
Policymakers to create enabling environments for local entrepreneurs to thrive.
Diaspora communities to reconnect with the continent by investing in tourism as a tool for transformation.
The call to Make Safari Black Owned Again is a call to restore balance—to empower African people to lead the industry that sells their stories, their lands, and their legacy.
Let’s make it happen.
For partnerships, travel planning, or investment opportunities, contact Ntare Consulting’s Travel & Tourism Services.