'Beyond the Hour'

Our partners at Sanctuary Retreats’ lodges and camps in Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania all eagerly supported Earth Hour on Saturday, 26 March between 8:30 and 9:30 local time, switching off generators and all the lights in and around the camps. In line with Sanctuary's theme this year the lodges and camps all managed to “Go Beyond the Hour"! Here, they share the efforts and celebration with us.

The staff at Sanctuary Olonana, our tented camp in the Masai Mara, spent Saturday afternoon at the nearby Enkereri Primary School where Julius, one of our staff members, gave a talk on sustainable practices. Sanctuary Olonana donated 50 trees to the cause and each of the students planted their own tree. All these trees were tagged with the students’ names and we believe this will create a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Later that evening, guests in camp celebrated Earth Hour with a candlelit dinner and even asked if the lights could stay off after 9:30 pm… Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp’s staff and guests also commemorated the day with a tree planting session. The camp staff then launched their ‘Conservation Club’ who will ensure that though various practices they not only conserve power but also come up with innovative practical ideas on environmental sustainability at the camp.

Hundreds of candles and lanterns were lit at all of our lodges and camps during dinner, with traditional song and dance performances by the staff providing the background music and entertainment for an unforgettable night under the African stars.

In Botswana Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero staff built a tree using recycled items and spelled “Earth Hour” with candles on the lawn in front of the lodge. At Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma in Zambia, the guides led a stargazing presentation well into the night - showcasing Sanctuary’s pledge to “Go Beyond the Hour”. Want to visit one of these great eco-lodges? Give us a call to plan your trip!

Photos courtesy Sanctuary Retreats

AAC and AfricAid

Last month, AfricAid held their inaugural 'Art & Soul' event in Denver. Africa Adventure Consultants were proud to be a major sponsor of the event. Our sponsorship provided funding to break the cycle of poverty for one girl and her family through the Kisa Project; providing the education and financial support necessary for her to become a powerful leader and voice for change in her community and the generation of girls to follow her.

The event was attended by nearly 200 people, including some of our own staff members. The evening was filled with food and drink, great live entertainment and beautiful artwork, and the gala raised nearly $40,000 for AfricAid's ongoing educational work in Tanzania.

AAC has an ongoing partnership with AfricAid. Kent Redding serves on the Board of Directors, we have sponsored events, and we are also offering a unique Tanzanian safari in 2011 to help with scholarships for girls in Tanzania.

AfricAid's Tanzania safari visits many of the 'must see' sights in Tanzania, where you will have amazing animal sightings, as well as lodgings in spectacular settings. This safari will also offer an in-depth cultural experience like no other - with visits to local schools, a remote village and to one of the scholars and her family.

Don't miss this chance for a life-altering experience; both for the traveller and the AfricAid student whose education will be funded through your visit! Call us for details or to reserve your spot on this amazing trip.

Photos courtesy AfricAid

One Small Step: Join Us in Observing Earth Hour

Africa Adventure Consultants has a long-standing commitment to protecting the environment. For years we have offset 50% of the carbon emissions for all of our safaris, while encouraging our clients to offset the other 50%. In 2010 we decided to go all the way: Now all of our safaris are 100% carbon neutral. Our US-based office is also 100% carbon neutral, and we strive to work with partners in Africa who share our passion for best practices and preserving critical habitats.

For 2010 we are also adding special Green Itineraries, such as our Tanzania Green Safari and the Mozambique Green Safari, which debuts this April. These trips utilize lodges and camps that stand out as having the most sustainable environmental practices in Africa. These include recycling, composting, using alternative energy sources (solar and wind power), water conservation, organic farming, giving back to the local community, and protecting wildlife habitat.

This Saturday, March 27th, we urge you to join us in observing Earth Hour. This is a worldwide call for action on climate change by doing something simple: turning off your lights for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. So far 26 US States and 115 countries have signed on to observe Earth Hour to show their solidarity for climate reform. Celebrities such as Edward Norton, Gisele Bundchen, and Tom Brady are on board, and we hope you will be too!

Virunga Lodge in Rwanda

News from Rwanda! In this, the UN Year of the Gorilla, the Virunga Lodge in Rwanda celebrates with an extensive refurbishment. Virunga Lodge has long been described as one of the finest lodges in Africa, with a stunning setting on top of a hill surrounded by the Virunga volcanoes and the volcanic Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. Read more about our Rwanda 4-Day Group Gorilla Tracking Safari featuring Virunga Lodge.

The refurbished Virunga Lodge will remain in the organic bush-chic style of Volcanoes Safaris' lodges, but the bandas are being upgraded to provide greater elegance and comfort for guests. Phase 1 of the refurbishment is complete - decorative external stonework has been added to reflect the local style and new larger terraces added so that guests can enjoy the spectacular views from their room.

In phase 2, taking place in the second half of 2009, the bedrooms are being redecorated and luxury eco-friendly bathrooms with full facilities (flush toilets, they were formerly composting ash drop-toilets) being added. The lodge's commitment to being ecologically sensitive remains strong and they will continue to use water collected through their own rainwater collection facilities for guest and staff use and they are adding more storage tanks for this purpose. Grey water - water from showers and basins - will be recycled for use in the garden. Power will continue to be provided by solar panels, but the capacity of these will be increased significantly to enhance lighting in the rooms. The lodge remains open during the refurbishment as one banda is being worked on at a time and disruption to guests is being kept to a minimum.

The beautiful gardens are also redesigned to bring out the magic of the unique vegetation of this area - especially the beautiful wild flowers that grow in the area. Guests will be welcomed at a new reception area and terrace overlooking Lake Bulera. At the main lodge building, a new terrace overlooking the volcanoes is being built from which to enjoy the stunning scenery with a sundowner.

In phase 3 in 2010 two honeymoon bandas will be added to the lodges' existing 8 bandas. These will be more spacious and include two terrace areas and a fireplace.

Through the Volcanoes Safaris Trust , Virunga Lodge and the guests will continue to support the local Mwiko School. A large water tank has recently been built there so that they can store enough water for all the pupils.


Photos courtesy Volcanoes Safaris.