Live the Magic of Africa

January 7, 2010

Graham & Meri Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's back to work we go! The two week holiday season was fantastic for me and my family. Christmas was exactly as it should be - relaxing, good food and surrounded by family. Here's a photo of Graham and I on Christmas Day. In honor of tradition, the "Hills" of Africa (that means Sandy and I, plus our families) all drove down to Hilton Head Island the day after Christmas to spend a week there with my sister and her family. It was colder than normal, but we didn't let that stop our evening cocktails on the beach, and the kids certainly didn't let it stop their playing on the beach.

Lucy & Abby Believe it or not, we are really excited to be back at work, in the Hills of Africa offices, and get 2010 rolling. We have some really exciting things planned and we know it's going to be a great year. I can't reveal anything yet, but I can give you a hint that all our plans have something to do with "changing lives, one journey at a time... every time!"

Cocktails on the beach

Change is in the air. It's a new month, it's a new year and it's a new decade. It's only been 2 months since we hired Mark Homann, but he has certainly brought about a lot of change here. Thanks to Mark's expertise in East Africa, we have a whole new part of the continent for which we are instant experts. While we have always sold Kenya and Tanzania, we now confidently promote it too. So, in the spirit of change, I hope you enjoy this week's article about Kenya and a few of the amazing eco-tourism projects you can visit, which will change your perspective on life.

Enjoy,

Meredith Hill

Online Marketing 101 for Travel Agents

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What Do Visitors To Africa Remember The Most?

Children's Painting Program Although every traveler to Africa comes home with various highlights from their trip, it’s safe to say that some of the most potent memories that visitors return with are the ones comprised of the African people and their eclectic cultures.

One of the most exceptional places in Africa to discover local traditions, lifestyles, and cultures is in Kenya. Thanks to a variety of thriving community projects, you can have a rare and highly-exclusive look into the local communities and lifestyle as you interact with locals, and visit popular community spots.

When you participate in an eco-tourism tour, you’re often guided by a local who is certified and highly-knowledgeable of the area. When these locals are employed, they are able to provide for their family and give back to the economy.

Below are a few projects happening in Kenya today, where you can discover the beauty and joy of what eco-tourism efforts can provide for local communities:

Maasaai Children Interact with the Samburu people in a local community near Ol Malo. When you take part in one of Ol Malo’s community tours, you’ll discover the cultural lifestyle of the Samburu people as you interact with local children and learn about the current community projects. One such project, the L’chekuti Children’s Painting Program, is one of the most inspirational and empowering projects occurring in Ol Malo today. Children ages four through ten can come to the Sampiripiri Arts Workshop to paint and socialize with the other kids. Thanks to this program, over 600 children have remained happy and healthy.

Touring these community projects is often the highlight of many travelers who visit Ol Malo.

Maasaai women Simultaneously help to protect the wildlife of the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem and The Maasai residents of Mbirikani Group Ranch: The Maasailand Preservation Trust (MPT) is an organization established to create a balance between sustaining the local economy and the local eco-system.

With a population of 10,000 individuals, the Maasai community depends greatly upon their agricultural lifestyle. And when wildlife impedes on the success of this lifestyle, the economy begins to fail and food is scarce. The MPT was established in order to help locals thrive as well as sustain the environment. Through economics, education, and ecology, locals have discovered a balance between their lifestyle and the residential wildlife.

The Mbirikani Conservation Model is comprised of four key sections:

Predator compensation fund: This fund works to provide compensation to farmers who have lost their livestock due to residential predators. The fund gives farmers new livestock, which greatly helps to discourage farmers from killing these predators and endangering their population.

Community game scouts: Game scouts are employed to physically prohibit acts against the environment. The game scouts are deployed into the field to help stop poaching, protect the endangered black rhino population, reduce human-wildlife conflict, protect river systems, offer general security, and monitor the operation of the Predator Compensation Fund.

Education: One of the MPT’s most influential programs is their education program. They offer the Wildlife Scholarship Program, which helps provide individuals with primary, secondary, and tertiary education. In addition to this scholarship program, MPT has helped provide for the establishments of two primary schools in the Mbirikani Group Ranch, and works to educate over 300 students per year.

These educational programs were established with the hope and conviction that students will use this knowledge and understanding to the advantage of the local community, and therefore shape its future.

Field research and additive conservation programs: These programs hire Lion Guardians, who are locals employed to monitor lion movements using advanced tracking equipment, and reduce human-wildlife conflict by lending their services to the community. Many times, conflict between humans and wildlife can be reduced by the Lion Guardians’ efforts to find lost livestock, and help build sturdier fences around livestock areas.

Hills of Africa Travel Recommends

Azura Trip Name: Kruger Safari and Beaches of Mozambique
Length of travel: 12 days
Countries Visited: South Africa and Mozambique

Highlights:Tintswalo, a charming riverside safari lodge in the private Manyeleti Game Reserve, gives animal lovers plenty of opportunity to enjoy elephants, lions, and buffalo in their native habitat. The Big Five are often spotted during game drives and walking safaris. Relax from your safari and enjoy time alone in a private beach villa with private pool on the white-sanded beaches of Benguerra Island.
Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

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Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.

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Hills of Africa Travel is a team of extraordinary travel agents and tour operators who are passionate about sharing the magic of Africa through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. Our expert knowledge, experience, and passion for our customers allow us to create a personalized safari adventure of a lifetime for all travelers.

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The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com