This paper focused on the roles of “outsiders” and “eco-lodges(EL)” in tourism development in Africa. Although EL has various roles in many aspects, it is unfavorable that outsiders like foreign owners of EL remain strangers in a whole tourism development process. Outsiders can provide a new and broader viewpoint to the community; however, it is also necessary to be closer to the local community. This process is called “internalization.” If they have a cooperative attitude, which includes high empathy towards the community’s shared goals, outsiders are highly likely to be not just “outsiders” but “collaborative outsiders” in the community. The significance of the existence of outsiders depends on the process of internalization, which varies the extent of their effects on the community and the sustainability of the EL management. To realize the sustainable management of EL, the collaboration from all actors is indispensable. Effective use of EL will lead to the promotion of Africa's tourism development only after such a new collaboration style among all actors of EL is established in the community.
