Animal Works Expeditions
At Animal Works we LOVE Africa! We also want to be able to share with you some of the great conservation initiatives that we support and to give you the chance to not only see them for yourself, but also to ‘give back’ while you’re there. So this year, we are teaming up with The Classic Safari Company and Barefoot in Africa safaris to give you the chance to experience something very unique – the chance to go on an amazing safari to some of our favourite parts of wild Africa – Zimbabwe & Kenya – but also to give back a little by contributing to our conservation projects while you’re there. These safaris include a donation to the projects you visit that are supported by Animal Works, and the operators/camps chosen reflect our conservation ethos, so these safaris directly benefit local people and wildlife.
Zimbabwe – 9 nights, 27 September 2012
Imagine this…. You make your way to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and from there you are transported to Humani in the Save Valley Conservancy. Over the next few days, while based at the superb Turgwe Camp on the river of the same name, you’ll experience “the real deal” Africa – not just the wildlife (this is Big Five country), but you’ll also get to know the locals who call the place home.
This safari is unlike any other in that you have the opportunity to “give back” while you’re there. You can go on anti-poaching patrols to remove snares from the bush and physically help with building/painting projects at the Humani Primary School. You’ll also spend some time with Karen Paolillo at Hippo Haven, one of the few places in Africa that you can sit comfortably beside wild hippos and watch their natural behaviour.
From there, you fly to Hwange National Park, which in my view has some of the best game viewing you’re ever likely to see. It’s renowned for it’s large herds of elephants. In the words of author Peter Allison recently (of “Whatever You Do, Don’t Run” fame), “I stopped counting at a thousand”. You’ll be looked after in Hwange at Davisons Camp, a classic tented safari camp in one of the best game viewing areas in the park. You’ll go on daily game drives or walks and just absorb being in nature at its finest.
And to top off this safari, you’ll drive up through the park to the incredible Victoria Falls, which, if you haven’t seen it, really is a once in a lifetime, not to be missed opportunity. Here sunset boat rides with a nice vino while watching the hippos and the crocs are the order of the day.
Your guide on this safari is Michael Jeh of Barefoot in Africa safaris. He’s a Brisbanite with a serious passion for Africa who has been leading safaris in Africa for several years. He’s also a certified game ranger, which helps if you’re in the bush and a rhino’s charging at you! Animal Works will be running two Zimbabwe safaris this year, including one starting 1st June and the other on 27th September, both for 10 days. Animal Works co-founder Dr Tammie Matson will be joining the Humani leg of both. Places are limited to just 10 people per trip. So get your place while you can by dropping us a line at animalworksaustralia@gmail.com . The June trip is now sold out but there are still a few places left for the September expedition.
Kenya – 11 nights, from 10 June 2012
Author Frank Coates, best-selling writer of Softly Calls The Serengeti and Tears of the Masai, is your tour leader on this amazing Animal Works expedition to Kenya, which includes the Masai Mara, the Great Rift Valley and the Samburu game reserves.
On this safari, not only will you have the chance to visit places that feature in Frank’s books, but you it also includes visits to two conservation projects supported by Animal Works, Oria Douglas-Hamilton’s Elephant Watch Camp linked to Save the Elephants and the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (elephant & rhino orphanage).
Your safari cost includes a donation to these projects and the chance to ‘give back’ while on safari. Click here to see the full itinerary and get in touch with us at Animal Works if you’d like a costing!
