Frequently Asked Questions

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Does A2A Safaris support environmental, community and wildlife conservation programmes in Africa?

We have selected our strategic partners in Africa based not just on the quality of their safari offerings, but also on their commitment to sustainable tourism, local community involvement, and their roles in preserving Africa’s remaining wilderness areas.

A2A Safaris, together with our partners, take our contribution to sustainable conservation seriously. We are all driven by the need to share the wonders of Africa with our clients, but understand clearly the need to help protect the parks, reserves and wilderness areas and the wildlife that draws us there. We also believe in the need to uplift and empower the communities living closest to the safari camps and lodges we support, and help ensure that these people can derive direct benefits from wildlife-based tourism.

Our partners recognised many years ago that communities who live in, or border on wildlife areas have key conservation roles and undeniable rights. Wherever possible, they have involved these communities in wealth generation through tourism, training processes, the transfer of skills, and in the decision-making process. A win-win situation is entirely feasible where communities are directly involved in the protection of their environment.

Closer to home, with our roots in Asia, where the majority of the demand for elephant ivory and rhino horn originates, A2A is in a unique position to supplement western-funded, conservation-focused NGOs by educating our client base on the importance of protecting the land they long to explore. Indeed, since inception, we have set aside significant – and still growing – funding to educate the Asian market on conservation.

We host several road shows around major Asian cities every year and showcase experts on conservation, endangered species, anti-poaching and sustainable tourism. In 2013, A2A Safaris took one of the authors of 'Africa’s Finest' – a groundbreaking book on the 'most sustainable and responsible safari destinations' – to present his findings to our influential clients around Asia. For 2014, the company is stepping up its awareness programme in mainland China.

We also believe that Africa's wildlife and wilderness areas should be preserved for future generations to enjoy and we support programmes that focus on educating the youth. Children in the Wilderness, a programme introduced by Wilderness Safaris in Botswana in 2001 is an 'edutainment' programme that hosts under-privileged and disadvantaged children from across southern Africa on a week-long stay at their lodges. The programme gives these children an understanding and greater awareness of their precious natural heritage, of which they are the future custodians. The passion created at the end of the programme inspires them to explore career opportunities in ecotourism. Should you be interested in supporting this programme please visit www.childreninthewilderness.com for more information or email us at inquirynyc@atoasafaris.com.

All of the safari operators we work with run strict no-hunting policies in all the reserves they operate in. A2A Safaris directly and indirectly supports many conservation, community and township programmes all over Africa and you will be pleased to know that a significant portion of the cost of your safari will help sustain various worthwhile projects.