October 23, 2023by Sasha Ella

Mantis at the forefront of Humane Tourism™

Passion for wildlife and conservation honoured

Mantis receives the first Humane Tourism™ Certification from Global Humane

From our humble beginnings over two decades ago, when we took a conscious decision to protect the environment, natural resources, wildlife and the cultural heritage of communities surrounding our properties, our roots have grown deep. Eco-tourism remains our foundation which is why we are honoured to be the first recipients of the inaugural Global Humane ‘Humane Tourism™ Certification’. It reinforces our belief in being able to preserve, protect and educate while offering exceptional travel experiences.

‘It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal’

[Joaquin Phoenix]

The Certification

Global Humane, a leading organisation dedicated to animal welfare and wildlife conservation, identified an opportunity to apply its expertise in animal welfare to create a new and unique certification programme in Humane Tourism™.

The programme aims to recognise tourism providers that meet comprehensive welfare criteria and standards for animal well-being. It is a unique animal welfare certification programme that – through a Scientific Advisory Committee and a rigorous auditing process – evaluates and certifies wildlife reserves, lodge facilities and tour operators for their humane responsibilities toward the animal life encountered and impacted by their operations.

The announcement of the inaugural Humane Tourism™ Certification designations were made at a prestigious event held in Washington, DC on October 3, when Global Humane made public the five properties in Africa that had their stamp of approval. Four of these are Mantis Collection properties, which can proudly call themselves the first Humane Tourism™ recipients:

Mantis Founders Lodge in South Africa
Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis in Namibia
Chobe Princesses by Mantis on the border of Namibia and Botswana
Zambezi Queen by Mantis on the border of Namibia and Botswana

A fifth property – Nyosi Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa – was also presented with a Humane Tourism™ Certification.

The Mantis blueprint

‘We are humbled to be recognised for prioritising the animal life and natural habitats in and around our properties,’ said Paul Gardiner, Director of the Mantis Collection. ‘Animal welfare and protecting our wildlife and endangered species is a priority and the cornerstone of our business. In fact our first property and one of the Certification recipients – Founder’s Lodge – was built on degraded land that was fully nurtured and rewilded.

‘Being acknowledged for the leading role we have played in promoting eco-tourism and travel experiences that show how man and nature can co-exist in a sustainable way, is deeply appreciated.’

Dr Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of Global Humane said, ‘Mantis has proven that it makes animal welfare a priority for tourists who seek a unique opportunity to connect with our world’s wildlife. I always say, you can’t protect what you don’t love and you don’t love what you don’t know. It is my hope that this certification will encourage people to experience animals in their natural environment first hand and then join the conservation movement to protect these endangered creatures from extinction.’

Humane Certification properties

Mantis Founders Lodge, this 25 000ha game reserve is a monument to conservation in the place where Adrian Gardiner – founder and Chair of Mantis – pioneered private game reserves and eco-tourism in the Eastern Cape. It offers safaris to view smaller, lesser known wildlife and ecology, as well as big five viewing on 4×4 guided game drives. It is also home to a rhino rehabilitation and protection programme.

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis located on the secluded Impalila Island on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, is the perfect blend of a safari tented camp and fishing lodge experience. The region is known for herds of elephant and its prolific land, aquatic and bird life. Specialised excursions on the river are both educational and fun and include catch-and-release fishing, guided photo safaris, river safaris and bird-watching.

Chobe Princesses by Mantis offer five star hotel-style houseboats that cruise along the edge of Chobe National Park, a perfect location to spot incredible wildlife scenes as well as the natural beauty of this remote piece of Africa. There is much to view on the land, in the river and up in the sky. Activities include catch-and-release fishing, bird watching, water based game viewing and photographic excursions.

Zambezi Queen by Mantis is a luxury 42- metre floating boutique hotel that gently navigates the 25km Chobe River with Namibia on one side and the Chobe National Park on the other. The wildlife and landscape scenes naturally unfold and change as you glide down the river. The views are so magnificent that you are going to want to ‘shutter click’ and capture everything as you get close to the action.

The fifth recipient of the Humane Tourism™ Certification is Nyosi Wildlife Reserve – a 2 500ha hectare estate that boasts an abundance of wildlife and five indigenous biomes. It’s a conservation centre of excellence and is supported and endorsed by Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) – the Mantis and Accor Foundation. Nyosi is home to CCFA’s legacy projects, including the cheetah rewilding programme.

Looking ahead

Mantis plans to adopt this Certification as a foundational brand standard and will assist Global Humane to conduct audits of the remaining eco-lodges, hotels and waterways within its portfolio. The aim is to have the entire Mantis Collection proudly displaying the Humane Tourism™ Certification designation, which reinforces our commitment to protecting species and preserving habitats for generations to come.

‘Conservation is not just about saving species;

It’s about saving ecosystems and the delicate balance of nature’ [Biruté Galdikas]

A word from Adrian Gardiner – Mantis Founder and Chairman

“Having been involved in land and wildlife restoration for thirty years, the recognition by Global Humane for mine and my team’s achievements is an endorsement we will be forever proud of. Sadly, many of my mentors are no longer with us, but I use this opportunity to say thank you to them all who I know would be very proud of this incredible recognition by Global Humane. I promise to make you proud,”