Africa
Cheli & Peacock Wins 2011 Ecotourism Kenya Eco-Warrior Awards
November 28, 2011
Cheli & Peacock, Elsa’s Kopje and Mara North Conservancy are awarded for demonstrating innovation and excellence in responsible tourism and conservation Ecotourism Kenya‘s Eco-Warrior Awards recognize innovations and exceptional achievements for promoting responsible tourism and enhancing tourism sustainability. These efforts directly conserve the natural environment, linked to local communities through mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships. The four awards won are as follows: Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year – Tour Operator – Cheli & Peacock Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year – Small Lodge – Elsa’s Kopje Private Conservancy of the Year – Mara North Conservancy Ecotourism Partnership of the Year – Cheli & Peacock (with Kenya Wildlife Trust) Having started in 1985 as a small mobile safari company, Cheli & Peacock has grown and expanded over the years to become Kenya’s leading Destination... Read More →
Spotlight: Sustainability
Join Friends of Serengeti
November 14, 2011
Pressures on the Serengeti ecosystem have become critical. Population has soared, habitat is being lost, and poaching, roads, towns, and mines threaten this priceless ecosystem. Friends of Serengeti is a nonprofit association for the travel industry that was formed in response to these threats. It’s mission, to bring together travel companies and travelers to build a permanent structure of support, advocacy, and funding for the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Friends of Serengeti combines travel marketing and conservation. It offers an important new marketplace for safari operators, lodges, and hotels. Member companies have an important way to stand out and get noticed by travelers. The premise of the association is that the travel industry must give back, and companies that give back should in turn benefit from their efforts. Member companies raise funds by educating their travelers and asking for donations to fund important projects. Modeled after the successful International Galapagos... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesUganda is Lonely Planet’s Top Destination for 2012!
November 14, 2011
Lonely Planet says "While it lacks the recognition of its big-name neighbours like Serengeti and Kruger Park, Uganda’s national parks boast all the animals, minus the crowds." Lonely planet has voted Uganda as the top destination to travel to in 2012, from a list compiled by Lonely Planet inhouse travel experts and users. Here at Volcanoes Safaris we are not surprised by Uganda’s success! From ornithologists to adrenaline junkies Uganda has something to offer all travelers. The highlight for many of our guests is of course tracking the mountain gorilla on the misty slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A unique variety of birds and 4 of the Big 5 can be seen on the sweeping savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Coupled with volcano climbing for the adventurous, some of the most stunning landscapes in Africa and the opportunity to experience the rich and colourful culture of local people, Uganda has so much to offer! For one of the best safaris to... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Piper & Heath Travel’s Annual Africa Exposé Safari – Big Cat Conservation
October 28, 2011
Annually, Piper & Heath Travel undertakes an expedition to explore and expose a unique African eco-tourism feature. The drive behind these adventures is to go experience Africa with safari enthusiasts, then come home and share the experience with the travel community at large. These trips are not-for-profit with the aim of spreading a specific message regarding the chosen feature which could be a country, tribe, animal, conservation area etc. The expedition has a professional HD videographer as well as a professional photographer on board. Participants are also expected to provide diaries and interviews along the way. At various destinations, the safari is joined by prominent subject matter experts to provide insight to the feature being explored. For 2012, the Exposé safari will focus on Big Cat Conservation. The recent motion picture event, The Last Lions, exposed audiences to some of the conservation challenges facing large carnivores in Africa. There is no question that despite... Read More →
Member Press Releases Trade Events
Save the Date: Africa Travel Association’s Annual U.S-Africa Tourism Seminar
October 28, 2011
SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendars for the Africa Travel Association’s 5th ANNUAL U.S.-AFRICA TOURISM SEMINAR in Washington D.C. WHEN & WHERE Friday, March 16, 2012, 8am (Registration begins); 9 am – 5 pm (Program), Washington D.C. Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW. LEARNING & NETWORKING The one-day learning, networking and business building event provides government leaders and industry professionals from Africa and the USA the opportunity to learn about new products and trends, explore innovative marketing and promotional opportunities, and address industry challenges. Government tourism leaders, diplomatic community representatives, African Diaspora community leaders, travel trade media, faculty and students are encouraged to attend. PREMIER SPONSOR The 2012 event is once again sponsored by the Travel & Adventure Show and precedes the Travel & Adventure consumer expo being held March 17–18 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center. ATA conference participants... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Spotting Leopards on Okonjima
October 10, 2011
by Nigel Berriman -Okonjima guide If you thought a guide’s only work is telling entertaining stories while pointing out Leopard and other interesting sightings on Okonjima, you would be very mistaken. They also gather critical data on the animals in the reserve and feed this back to AfriCat HQ who in turn use the information for strategic planning and research of the animals in their care. The Leopards and Spotted Hyaena in the 4000 hectare reserve have been monitored on a regular, almost daily basis since May 2008. Guides have been taking notes on the animal’s positions, movements and prey species. At present there are six leopards fitted with radio collars in this area: TJ (Tyson junior), Mafana, Nkosi and Scarface (males) and MJ, (Maha Junior) and her cub Oshiwa (females). Oshiwa left her mother during September last year and is now hunting independently. MJ has since given birth to two cubs that are now about 8 months old. During the 39 month period from May 2008 to the end of July... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Global Tourism Leaders Discuss Important of Collaboration to Ensure Success of Africa’s Tourism Industry
September 29, 2011
ATA President Calls on all African Countries to Join Africa’s Leading Travel Trade Association; State of Tourism in Africa Report Reveals 2010 Strong Year for Tourist Arrivals to Africa New York, N.Y. – African and global tourism leaders gathered at New York University last Tuesday, September 20, 2011 to discuss the need to raise the profile of travel and tourism on Africa’s political and economic agendas and to establish networks of collaboration to raise Africa’s tourism profile on the global tourism stage. The event was organized by the Africa Travel Association (ATA) and hosted by New York University’s Africa House as world leaders gathered in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly meetings. Nearly 200 people attended ATA’s signature U.S. event, including representatives from the travel and tourism industry, the diplomatic community, NYU, the non-profit sector, and the media. “This year’s event was the most successful Presidential Forum to date, with the... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Gamewatchers Safari Named Top Tour Operator by Skal International Ecoutourism Awards
September 28, 2011
Seattle, WA and Nairobi, KENYA – Gamewatchers Safaris of Kenya was named the winner of the Skål International “EcoTourism Awards” in the Tour Operator & Travel Agent category. Gamewatchers, represented by the Kusini Collection in North America, operates a wide variety of safaris in East Africa and owns and manages the Porini Camps in Kenya. Skål, founded in 1934, is the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world. It is the only association which embraces all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, in five continents, 90 countries and at over 500 locations, with 20,000 members. In 2002, Skål introduced the Ecotourism Awards to promote and recognize conservation efforts, and responsible and sustainable tourism world-wide. Moving forward, the awards will be called the Sustainable Development in Tourism Awards. “Gamewatchers Safaris is honored to receive this revered ecotourism award,” said Jake Grieves-Cook, managing director of Gamewatchers... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesVolcanoes Safaris Introduces Kyambura Gorge Lodge as Newest Luxury Eco-Accommodation
September 22, 2011
Former Coffee Processing Plant is the Cornerstone of Volcanoes Safaris’ Chimpanzee Conservation and Community Ecotourism Program in Uganda Kampala, UGANDA -Volcanoes Safaris, specialists in mountain gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda and Rwanda and leaders in ecotourism, today announces the opening of its newest luxury eco-accommodation, Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Located on the edge of the Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, Kyambura Gorge Lodge is a former coffee processing plant and store that has been sensitively restored as a luxury eco-property. Balancing historical context and the contemporary African condition, Kyambura Gorge Lodge provides stunning views of lush savannah, backed by the peaks of the mythical Rwenzori Mountains rising in the distance. Kyambura Lodge seeks to create a new architectural vocabulary, born of the marriage between contemporary African and western design. Drawing inspiration from the innovation of ‘everyday’ Africa,... Read More →
Member Press Releases
Green Living Project Seeks African Organizations for Filming Collaboration
September 16, 2011
New short films being produced in Africa! Photo: Rob Holmes Green Living Project returns to Africa this fall! We will be producing 8-10 short films covering cutting-edge examples of sustainable tourism, adventure travel, wildlife conservation, community education, food and more. Would your organization like to collaborate? Email jenny@greenlivingproject.com to learn more about this exciting filmmaking and partnership opportunity. Key Benefits - Custom filmmaking work – multi-media content (HD video) - Films will be promoted across North America – 175+ events, television, etc. - No licensing fees – use film for your website, social media, and more! Dates: January 2-20th, 2012 Countries: Tanzania, Kenya Botswana, Namibia, South Africa Read More →
