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Pawtucket, RI (August 6, 2024) – Collette’s African safari tours bring travelers up close to the continent’s wildlife, while also connecting them to its culture and community. As part of the small group Explorations travel style, maxed out at 19 travelers for this product line, these safaris are designed by Collette’s local experts who maximize value when it comes to experiencing wildlife, as well as local community and culture on a more intimate level.
“Our travelers experience an upscale African safari without the luxury price tag when they choose to explore the continent with us,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote chief executive officer at Collette. “We’ve been designing inclusive safari tours for three decades, allowing travelers to get closer to the wildlife, to nature, to culture, and to picturesque landscapes that they’ve only dreamed about exploring.”
Travelers will enjoy creative comforts in lodges, tented camps, and safari boats in close proximity to parks and game reserves. These hand-picked accommodations not only showcase wildlife but the natural environment as well.
“Wildlife game viewing is top of mind for most travelers when they book one of our Africa tours,” said Roger Clulow, a product designer for Collette’s tours to Africa. “But the people element for us is very important because without them we wouldn't be going to these areas. So the opportunity to meet with locals, to learn from them, to engage with them, to share with them is as important as the game viewing and wildlife because it gives us the opportunity to contribute to local communities, to partner with organizations within them and other remote areas that do a lot of good work in terms of supporting those people in terms of the environment and the wildlife.”
All of Collette’s safaris include Impact Moments – visits to social enterprises, nonprofits, and cultural or environmental conservations groups. These experiences create sustainable economic benefits for local communities.
For example, “African Safari: Kenya & Tanzania” visits the Shanga Workshop, an organization where people who are either physically or mentally disadvantaged can earn a living. Travelers eat lunch at Shanga’s restaurant and can purchase art, paintings, or jewelry created in the workshop, with the proceeds helping fund the non-profit. The visit not only provides travelers perspective, but directly impacts the organization in a postive way.
The Impact Moment on “The Plains of Africa” features a stop at Ocean Sole, an organization just outside of Nairobi that recycles discarded flip flops and sandals from beaches and turns them into colorful sculptures and art. This offers an opportunity for travelers to support a local non-profit that contributes to the community.
“So, again, in terms of supporting people, in supporting environment, supporting wildlife -- anything where an organization is working to support and improve conditions is something that we're really interested in,” Clulow added. “So we have impact moments across the world and in Africa where we are able to share and expose our travelers to some of the good work that these organizations are doing.”
Collette's passion for delivering a high level of customer satisfaction results in seamless and worry-free African journeys where travelers will be inspired and awed not just by the wildlife but by the culture of a destination.
About Collette:
As the longest-running tour operator in North America, Collette is the company travelers can trust. Leading with integrity, Collette’s comprehensive travel protection plan, flexible tour pacing, and strong relationships within the travel space set it apart. The happiness of its travelers has been its roadmap since 1918 and today Collette offers over 170 tours to all seven continents and five distinct travel styles, including small group touring and river cruises. This third-generation family-owned business is dedicated to giving back in both local and global communities through its social responsibility platform. For more information, visit www.gocollette.com or call 1(800) 340-5158.
Media Contact:
Sam LaFrance, Collette
Phone: 401.426.3710
slafrance@collette.com
