Africa Adventure Consultants Explores New Directions in Sustainable Travel

 
Taking the commitment to people and planet seriously, Africa Adventure Consultants walks the talk with 100% carbon-offsets on all safaris, new „green‰ safari itineraries, responsible travel practices for ground partners, and per guest donations to humanitarian projects
 
DENVER, CO Feb. 25, 2010 ˆ Africa Adventure Consultants (AAC - http://www.adventuresinafrica.com/), takes corporate social responsibility to heart both at home and on safari. The Denver-based purveyor of hand-crafted, luxury safari adventures is dedicated to leaving a small ecological footprint and making a large impact socially wherever they go.
 
„In our increasingly threatened and fragile world, to know and not to act in the best interests of people, communities and the environment is totally unacceptable. If the world is to survive and thrive, a business must look beyond the bottom line and place equal importance on humanity and sustainability,‰ said Kent Redding, AAC co-founder and president.
 
True to Redding‚s beliefs, AAC is green and getting greener at home and abroad. New this year, AAC will now offset 100% of each trip through the purchase of carbon credits.
 
„Based on the success of past years where we offset 50% of each trip, we decided to go all the way and now offer 100% carbon-neutral safaris across the board,‰ says Redding.
 
In the field, AAC‚s African partners are selected on the basis of sound environmental records and policies. With these partners AAC helps to implement solar and wind power projects, reduce wood burning, protect land to create carbon sinks, and more.
 
At home in their Denver office AAC has reduced its use of printed materials by 75% by going nearly paperless, is committed to the reuse-recycle of all office paper, disabled the majority of unneeded office lights and installed long life/low energy use bulbs wherever feasible.
 
Redding explains that ACC ground partners are expected to follow these guidelines:
          Employ local people and offer solid training and education programs for these employees.
          Institute and maintain business practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote healthy and responsible use of resources.
          Provide environmentally friendly accommodations that utilize conservation methods such as solar-powered lights and local, low-impact construction materials.
          Procure supplies from local sources thereby supporting the local economy.
 
„We‚re always on the lookout for ways that ACC and our partners can positively impact the communities and individuals we encounter,‰ said Redding.  ACC makes a $25 donation on behalf of each guest to support a variety of African conservation and humanitarian organizations.
 
AAC recently donated $3,700 to the non-profit organization Mwangaza (www.mwangaza.org). Formed in 2000, it spearheads an effort to improve the quality of life for individuals in underserved communities in Tanzania supporting health-related projects, particularly those impacting the physically disabled. Donations are used to fund responsible development through the support of grassroots, community-based projects that foster long-term self-sufficiency.
 
Another effort supported by company donations is the Serengeti Cheetah Project, the only continually running long-term study of wild cheetahs in the world. The Serengeti Cheetah Project is dedicated to furthering knowledge about this endangered species. Funds go to support basic research and conservation. For more information please download: www.serengeti.org/deutsch_neu/download/Cheetah_Project.pdf
 
New for 2010 will be a series of carefully designed, low-impact safaris utilizing small-footprint camps and lodges that have innovative eco-friendly programs and social projects. The first to launch this year is the Tanzania Green Safari, a 10-day eco/socially responsible safari to Tanzania‚s best parks (http://www.adventuresinafrica.com/adventures.trips.aspx?trip_id=204). The trip will also benefit the Tanzania Land Conservation Trust with a $100 per guest donation.
 
About Africa Adventure Consultants
 
„We have an edge doing business in Africa as an American company because we serve as a bridge between these two distinct cultures. Our staff knows what North American travelers expect and can deliver on target. We know the travel obstacles and best practices as well as those very special places off the tourist track.‰ ˜Kent Redding, Africa Adventure Consultants
 
Denver-based Africa Adventure Consultants, Inc. (AAC) organizes exclusive, customized, 100% carbon-neutral safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa. The company conducts business only in destinations they know intimately and offers Africa‚s best local camps, lodges and guides. They are definitive experts with years of relationship building and travel in the countries where they orchestrate safaris. This in-country expertise and depth of knowledge differentiates ACC from other safari providers. AAC offers full service trip planning, from flights and safaris, to travel insurance and safari gear.
 
AAC organizes safari adventures in 13 countries across East and Southern Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and The Seychelles.
 
Recent company accolades include:
·         National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth 2009/2008
·         National Geographic Adventure Best 25 New Trips for 2009
·         Conde Nast Traveler Top African Travel Specialist 2007/2006
·         Tanzania Tourist Board Tour Operator Humanitarian Award 2004
 
For more information please go to: http://www.adventuresinafrica.com/ or call 303-778-1089, toll-free at 866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.
 
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