Luxury safari outfitter African Travel, Inc., (ATI) has announced that it will offer 95 ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ Experiences across all of its 2024 itineraries to ensure guests’ explorations leave the continent more vibrant for future generations to enjoy.
Described as ‘conscious travel experiences,’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER excursions are carefully chosen for the positive impact on the wildlife and local communities ATI explores as well as for their clients who experience them.
These immersive experiences directly advance the Sustainability Development Goals set by the United Nations. African Travel is also pleased to introduce two new wildlife conservation experiences in South Africa and Namibia which help protect near-extinct and endangered animals including vultures and cheetahs.
“We are thrilled to have surpassed our 2025 goal by offering 95 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences across all 2024 itineraries since sustainable travel is at the heart of everything we do and conservation tourism is a force for good while also educating our guests on ethical wildlife experiences,” says Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc.
“In collaboration with our TreadRight Foundation and partners, we are supporting the protection of the world’s wildlife, and our guests can experience conservation firsthand on our journeys and their visits directly contribute towards community development and wildlife conservation,” Banda adds.
African Travel Inc., is supporting these new wildlife conservation efforts:
Vultures Breeding Program, Shamwari Reserve, South Africa
On the 10-day South Africa’s Natural Wonders safari, clients will discover the wildlife kingdom of Shamwari Private Game Reserve with seven lodges and three rehabilitation and education facilities. The reserve is not only iconic as a safari destination, but also famous for successful conservation initiatives.
Vultures play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and well-balanced ecosystem. However, they encounter numerous human-made threats with some populations having decreased by over 90% in the past 30 years and several species facing possible extinction. In partnership with Vulpro, an organization whose mission is protecting African vultures through collaboration and innovation in South Africa, the Vulture Breeding Program at Shamwari Centre opened on January 23, 2024 as part of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre experience. As Africa’s largest vulture relocation, 160 Cape and African White-backed vultures settled into their new home at Shamwari. Guests can visit the centre during their stay.
Cheetah Conservation, Namibia
On the 10-day, Namibia Luxury Train Journey, clients will board the luxurious Rovos Rail, exploring stunning vistas while stopping in Kimberley and Fish River Canyon. Guests will observe giraffe, lion, elephant, lion, leopard and the black rhino in their natural environment with numerous waterholes.
They will also visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)’s Research and Education Centre. CCF is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to save the cheetah and its ecosystem. In the past century, 90% of the cheetah population has declined worldwide. The centre is located near the city of Ojiwarongo which overlooks the scenic Waterberg Plateau.
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