Did you know?
• Just 50 years ago there were around 450,000 lions in Africa, today there are only 20,000.
• Lion numbers throughout Africa are plummeting.
• There are only 1,000 tigers left in India.
• Elephant ranges are under threat.
• There are fewer than 750 mountain gorillas anywhere.
• Tropical rainforests are under siege.
• In 50 years there will probably not be a viable fishery in the tropics.
*The above facts were taken directly from the Great Plains’ website.
Extremely dedicated to the conservation of Africa’s unique wildlife, Hills of Africa Travel is proud to partner with some of the greatest conservation tourism companies in all of Africa. As active African conservationists ourselves, we know the affect both natural and human impacts have had on Africa, and we’re dedicated to making a difference. One of our favorite and most admirable tourism companies in Africa is the Great Plains group. Great Plains is “a conservation organization that relies on low impact, high quality tourism, carbon trading, and community upliftment to make conservation sustainable.”
Created from a team of four individuals who are dedicated to the conservation of Africa’s fragile nature, Great Plains is making a huge difference in Africa, the Indian Ocean, and soon, in India. Their efforts in these regions’ threatened habitats can be seen through their numerous, active projects including Elephant Footprint, Conflict Between Human And Wildlife—Lions, Tropical Rainforests & Mountain Gorillas, Fisheries Of The World, and Bengal Tigers (India).
Great Plains’ inspiration to create these highly beneficial projects came from their observations of threats on Africa’s precious wildlife, parks, and forests. Many animals that were once thriving are now highly endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and hunting. Animals extremely susceptible to these threats include the African wild ass, African wild dog, black rhinoceros, pygmy chimpanzee, cheetah, gorilla, mountain zebra, pygmy hippopotamus, and many more species.
Because of the rapid growth of these threats, we are beginning to see more and more of Africa’s wildlife and nature being valued less and protected less. Great Plains strongly believes that in order for the future of Africa’s natural world to be saved, there must be continuous, proactive conservation efforts across the globe. In order to make an impact, these conservation efforts must be sustainably funded by “low volume, low impact conservation-ecotourism, often combined with carbon credits and even in some instances with a small number of villa or bush-home sales.”
Great Plains’ overall mission is to create a formula that will integrate conservation, communities, and commerce.
Once a strong model is in place, the community, businesses, tourism companies, and governments can come together to ensure stable and thriving wildernesses across the African continent, surrounding bodies of water, and neighboring continents.
In a nutshell, Great Plains embodies the concept of Conservation Tourism in its purest form: “Take stressed environments and surround them with compassionate protection and intelligent management.”
The fate of Africa’s natural world appears unfortunate, but with the support of eco-tourism companies, you can lend a hand to wildlife conservation in Africa. Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you a customized itinerary around your every preference, and experience the sheer magic of Africa. Contact us today at (800) 940-9344. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .
