Boston, MASS – Thomson Safaris has been selected by Outside, America’s leading multimedia active-lifestyle brand, as a recipient of its first-ever Active Travel Awards. For its magnificent treks of Mount Kilimanjaro and its timeless safari adventures, Thomson Safaris was honored as being named to Outside’s “Hall of Fame” all-time favorite trip list. The full list of award winners will be published in the April issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands March 13, 2012 and online at Outside Online.
“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by Outside,” says Judi Wineland, Thomson Safaris’ co-founder and co-director. “Travelers first started going on adventures with us in Tanzania more than 30 years ago. Today you will find the beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti to be as breathtaking and boundless as ever.”
For their 2012 Travel Awards, Outside recognized Thomson Safaris exclusive climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, The Grand Traverse, a 10-day trek that virtually circumnavigates Africa’s greatest mountain on a remote and stunningly scenic route. In addition, Thomson Safaris adventurous Explorer’s Safari, which includes 12 days of exploring the famed wilderness of Tanzania, also made it on Outside’s all-time favorite trip list. From standing atop Kilimanjaro to hiking across the Great Rift Valley with Maasai warriors, this Hall of Fame adventure simply has it all.
To select this year’s awards, Outside tapped our global network of correspondents to showcase a definitive roundup of the best new adventures, exotic retreats, beaches, local food, bars with a view, on-time airlines, screaming deals, gorgeous islands, and more. The awards reflect more than just a collection of unforgettable trips—it’s a road map to life-changing experiences. The issue also highlights a list of the best online travel tools as well a roundup of Outside’s all-time favorite destinations.
“Outside magazine has long been one of the world's most trusted advisors for active and adventurous travelers," says Outside editor, Christopher Keyes. “This year we've bottled up 35 years of collective wisdom to select our first Outside Travel Awards, an annual edit franchise that honors the best trips, hotels, lodges, luggage, islands, and new destinations that will be an invaluable travel resource for years to come.”
In celebration of the Outside Active Travel Awards, Outside will launch the “What Trip Are You?” Facebook promotion, which will allow members of the Outside community to take an adventure travel quiz to determine what type of vacation best suits their adventure style from five categories. The categories include: Enlightened Explorer, Powder Hound, River Runner, World Traveler, and Adrenaline Junkie. Participants will be able to choose between a series of travel favorites—Hotel or rustic lodge? Tropical escape or powdery heaven? Guide or no guide?—that will lead to their ultimate adventure travel escape.
Five grand prize winners (one per category) will get the chance to go on their dream adventure provided by Outside’s travel partners. Trip options include: Dory or raft trip down the Grand Canyon with OARS, Heli-ski in AK's Chugach range with Valdez Heli Ski Guides and Tsaina Lodge, Safari in Botswana with Wilderness Safaris and South African Airways, Multi-sport in Machu Picchu and Galapagos with REI Adventures, and an Andes to Amazon multisport trip with BikeHike Adventures. In addition, participants who take the quiz can come back for daily adventure travel gear prizes.