Extraordinary Journeys has announced a collection of immersive conservation-focused safaris available to travelers in 2018 and beyond. The expert-guided itineraries have been designed to highlight conservation efforts in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and showcase how various organizations meet the needs of local communities while also preserving and protecting the continent’s natural landscapes and incomparable wildlife. Ranging from a Game Census in Kenya to Rhino Darting in South Africa, the journeys provide elements of a traditional safari combined with in-depth, hands-on learning opportunities to support conservation in Africa directly.
Itineraries include:
Game Census in Northern Kenya (February 24-March 4, 2018)
In its second year, the Lewa-Borana Wildlife Conservancy Big Five census was designed to measure the success of Lewa’s ongoing conservation projects. Activities on the ground include the monitoring and tracking of rhino and lion with telemetry receivers; tracking and identifying rhinos on foot and tracking lion using the whisker spot identification method.
Elephant Collaring Conservation Safari in Tanzania (February 28, 2018-March 5, 2018)
The Elephant Collaring Safari combines world-class accommodations at Singita with hands-on conservation experience in the private Grumeti Reserve. Travelers will spend days hosted by renowned conservation specialist and Executive Director of the Singita Grumeti Fund, Stephen Cunliffe while working with local conservationists, vets, and pilots to participate in elephant locating, GPS-enabled satellite collaring, and monitoring.
Rhino Conservation Safari in South Africa (May-August 2018)
Known as ‘Home of the Rhino,’ travelers will spend two nights of this five-night rhino itinerary at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. There, guests will work on monitoring various Big Five species like the rhino and supporting the rhino orphanage and ranger training programs. The next three nights will be spent at Manyoni Private Game Reserve, known for its black rhino population. Days will mix traditional safari game drives with unique conservation experiences and guest lectures. Participants will gain an in-depth appreciation of the steps taken to protect rhinos by taking part in guided bush walks featuring rhino encounters, and experiencing a rhino darting in person.
Hands-On Wildlife Conservation Safari in South Africa (July 2018)
This hands-on safari joins forces with the Wildlife ACT Fund, dedicated to wildlife protection and conservation efforts in South Africa. Participants in the week-long program will experience first-hand all aspects of conservation efforts in the destination, from community outreach to outfitting on-the-ground teams with the most innovative technologies, to veterinary intervention and wildlife reintroduction programs. Days include traditional safari activities from game drives and sundowners in the African wilderness, insightful guest lectures on the state of the region’s threatened species, and vital, hands-on conservation work like checking camera traps, monitoring wildlife, darting, tagging, and more.
Protecting Lions in Zimbabwe (September 21-24, 2019)
Accompanied by Dr. Paul Funston (Senior Director of the Panthera Lion and Cheetah Program) and renowned guide Andrew Beck, participants will spend seven nights in Zimbabwe learning and experience first-hand all lion protection efforts being deployed in the destination. The group will be based on private concessions bordering Hwange National Park and bounded by local communities. There, guests will have access to magnificent wildlife and wilderness areas in addition to cultural insights into the region’s human-wildlife conflicts.
For additional information, visit www.extraordinaryjourneys.com.
