It opened my eyes, instead of feeling the negative attitude of all the South Africans with regard to our operations, I googled and discovered that we are sustainable and responsible operators, see below.

Responsible Tourism is tourism ‘that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit’

The 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations defines Responsible Tourism as follows:

• minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts

Here we operate in the local community and areas, avoiding the impact of a financial investment and the liability attached, avoiding the impact on the environment by creating unnatural development in the rural communities, and avoiding the social impact by including the entire community.

By using the local shared transport we reduce the impact of the 'foot-print' left when a few visitors are travelling in the luxury bus.

• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities

From the local taxi industry, to the local guides and home-stay owners, the hawkers, as a host community they are all feeling a little benefit from our operations in their areas.

• improves working conditions and access to the industry

in addition to the development of our local guides, we include the community to assist our guides in the full-day tour visits, giving the local youth training and access to the industry.

• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances

Within the villages, in the home-stay communities the home-owners are involved in the decisions. We access the visitors needs, we consider just how, we as a community, are going to give them the greatest experience. We share the visitors equally within the community and if we have a large group we will share the cooking tasks and make the visitor feel part of Africa.

• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity

a Taste of Africa has always embraced this aspect within in our operation, thus we have home-stay options in Limpopo, North West, Kwa-Zulu, Eastern Cape, Free State, and Franschhoek.

By embracing this aspect, we have discovered that we are providing sustainable / responsible tourism without even being aware of it.

• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues

our product says it all.

• provides access for physically challenged people

although we do not advertise this aspect, we will make provision for any person wishing to join us.

• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence

we are culturally sensitive to our visitors needs, we have never needed to even give consideration to encouraging respect, the communities have the greatest respect and we have never had a visitor who did not show respect. Just the opportunity to be involved builds local pride and confidence.

visit Soweto;                                     visit Kruger & Shangaan Village;                               visit SA Legacy tours; 

visit Melville & Johannesburg;                                 stay home-stay;                                                  return home