One of the world’s leading adventure travel companies and leader in responsible travel, World Expeditions, has announced an exciting new partnership with international animal welfare organization, World Animal Protection.
World Expeditions has joined forces with World Animal Protection to develop a range of new wildlife adventures in Kenya, India, Thailand and Romania that offer incredible wildlife encounters without bringing harm to animals.
In developing the new adventure itineraries, World Expeditions Responsible Travel Manager, Donna Lawrence, says they aim to take the guesswork out of choosing responsible wildlife travel experiences.
“Navigating the world of animal friendly travel can be puzzling at the best of times,” she said.
“In many countries, animal abuse and tourism are intrinsically linked and often well-meaning travellers unwittingly contribute to animal abuse,” she said.
“Thanks to this new partnership, travellers can join these four new trips, safe in the knowledge that World Animal Protection has reviewed the carefully-crafted itineraries and given them their stamp of approval.
“The new adventures will focus on wild animal encounters in Kenya, India and Thailand as well as an itinerary in Romania which focuses on the amazing work being undertaken at a Bear Sanctuary and homeless dog shelter.
“In addition, World Expeditions is donating a percentage of each trip to World Animal Protection to support their work to save animals from abuse and neglect,” Ms Lawrence said.
“World Expeditions has set a high standard for protecting animals through tourism. Last year we worked together to create a comprehensive Animal Welfare Code of Conduct. Now with these new trips, they are offering tourists the opportunity to experience wildlife in a positive way and improve the lives of animals everywhere, by supporting our work,” says Josey Kitson Executive Director at World Animal Protection Canada.
Ms Lawrence said the four new itineraries will offer travellers some of the world’s best wildlife encounters.
“If animal encounters are high on your list for your next adventure and you want to make sure your experiences aren’t harmful, then these adventures are perfect for you.”
Wild Animal Encounters in India
On this 14-day adventure, travellers will set off on wildlife excursions in some of India’s best National Parks spotting tigers, jungle cats, various species of deer, sloth, otters, rhesus monkeys and much more – all in their wild habitat and displaying their natural behaviors. The itinerary also includes visits to some of India's most famous landmarks and cities including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the Pink City of Jaipur and the bustling city of Delhi.
Wild Animal Encounters in Thailand
A 12-day itinerary journeying by 4WD and foot through Thailand’s National Parks spotting wild elephants, gaurs, tigers, gibbons, langurs, macaques, barking deer, flying foxes as well as a plethora of birdlife. The itinerary includes a tour of a wildlife rescue center and culminates at the Surin Islands, an archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea - known for beautiful beaches, pristine ocean, amazing sunsets, intriguing Moken culture and diverse marine life.
Animal Encounters in Romania
This carefully crafted 11-day adventure includes a visit to a bear sanctuary in Brasov and a dog shelter in Constanta, both supported by World Animal Protection. There’s also a four-day walk exploring the stunning mountain landscapes, deep forests and preserved mediaeval towns of Transylvania including the famous Bran Castle, connected through folklore to the fictitious character, Dracula.
Wild Animal Encounters in Kenya.
Visit some of Kenya’s most sustainable national parks and conservancies on this 11-day adventure. Wildlife sightings will be plentiful and natural. Travellers can expect to see rhinos (black, northern white and southern white), lions, cheetahs, the elusive leopard, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, caracal, bat-eared fox, African wild dogs, elephant, zebra, flamingo, antelope, giraffe, impala, mongoose, porcupine, yellow baboon and more. This adventure culminates at the David & Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.
World Expeditions has been operating small group trekking and adventure travel holidays for more than four decades and is widely recognised for its ground breaking Responsible Tourism initiatives. This includes developing an Animal Welfare in Tourism Code of Conduct (in conjunction with World Animal Protection) and a Responsible Travel Guidebook.