2022 South Africa Rhino Conservation Safari
With Community Outreach
Oct. 29-Nov. 5, 2022
Join us on a unique safari experience by our friends at:
SOLD OUT! CHECK BACK FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES SOON.
Wildlife • Conservation • Community • Culture • Landscape
Your Epic Adventure Details:
✈︎ Pre-Safari Arrival Day: October 29:
Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will be greeted by a City Lodge Hotel representative who will safely escort you to check-in for a good night’s rest before you set off to the camp. (International flight not included.)
• October 30 - Wildlife Safari Game Drive
In the morning, we will take a brief scenic flight to Hoedspruit airport. We will then be transported to Leopards Bend Bush Camp where we will unpack and settle in for the week ahead. This upscale and intimate newly-built camp is located within the Blue Canyon Private Game reserve, opposite Kapama Game reserve in the Hoedspruit area. Lunch will be provided upon arrival.
After lunch, we will head off on our first safari game drive. We never know what types of magnificent creatures we will stumble upon but Nkombe Rhino’s expert guides will be on the lookout for rhino, elephant, giraffe, big cats, wild dogs and so much more.
OCTOBER 31 - A HALLOWEEN TREAT!
Pass out something much more meaningful than candy this year!
After an early morning breakfast and safari, we will visit a local community to learn about their customs and cultures. Thanks to YOUR participation in this safari, we will be able to deliver food or goods to help them with their basic needs.
“One of our biggest requirements when booking safari guests is to ensure that they know about socio-economic issues in South Africa. We share experiences with guests by taking them into the community. This gives us the opportunity to support small businesses and projects that focus on the upliftment of members of our community.
In addition to tourism support, we focus on key projects to best implement sustainability.”
~ Nkombe Rhino
Watch this video of a previous community outreach effort coordinated by Nkombe Rhino.
After our visit, we will break for lunch. At the end of another afternoon safari drive, we will enjoy sunset drinks out in the bush with the animals. Then we will head back to camp for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
November 1 - Help to save a dying species
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you will never forget!
We will have the unique opportunity to provide hands-on assistance to the Nkombe Rhino team and the local anti-poaching unit as they carry out a life-saving conservation mission. Due to the highly sensitive nature of this operation and the complex circumstances surrounding it, we request that you watch the following video in its entirety.
You can find more information on Nkombe Rhino’s website and YouTube channel.
“At the beginning of the 20th century, 500,000 rhinos roamed Africa and Asia. By 1970, rhino numbers dropped to 70,000, and today, around 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild. Very few rhinos survive outside national parks and reserves due to persistent poaching and habitat loss over many decades.”
Watch these videos for more info and examples of similar events:
You’re probably going to need a stiff drink and a meal after this emotional excursion!
Enjoy an afternoon sundowner in the bush complete with a gin bar (included in price). Afterwards, we will head back to camp for dinner.
November 2 - Witness nature at its finest through God’s Window
After an early morning breakfast, we will head out for a full-day adventure of scenery, culture, and crafts. First, we will explore the Blyde River Canyon, the 3rd largest canyon on earth and one of the most popular places in South Africa. The famous viewpoint called “God’s Window” is known as "A place so beautiful even God has a window". We will visit the 3 rondavels viewpoint, Bourke's Luck potholes, and the Graskop lift where we will soak in breathtaking panoramic views of the lush green valley surrounded by soaring canyon walls that have been carved out over the centuries by a winding river. We will stop for some cultural adventure and curio shopping in the afternoon before we head back to camp for dinner.
November 3 - Enjoy a relaxing morning at camp
Sleep in a bit and then enjoy a liesurely breakfast by the fire. Afterwards, we will head out to visit with a conservation patrol unit. We will then enjoy lunch followed by another amazing afternoon in the bush on a safari drive. Dinner at camp.
November 4 - Another day in paradise
Sit back and witness the unpredictable beauty of nature unfold around you as we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided… as usual.
November 5 - On our last day in South Africa
We will enjoy breakfast together followed by a morning safari. Afterwards, we will head to the local airport for a charter flight back to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your departure back home.
*Itinerary subject to change since we have no control over the wildlife and nature.
Base Safari Package
Offered by our travel partners at Nkombe Rhino
Cost = R58000
Approx. $3750.00.
Check current exchange rate here.
Payment will be processed in South African Rand. Price is based on sharing a room with someone. Contact us for single occupancy rates. We must book 6 guests to complete this trip. Non-refundable deposits of 50% will be collected when this requirement is met. Recruit a few friends to join you!
Includes:
1-night accommodation at City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg - double-occupancy
6-nights accommodation at Leopards Bend Bush Camp - double-occupancy
Roundtrip flights between OR Tambo - Hoedspruit airports with transfers in-between
A Nkombe Rhino safari guide throughout the trip
All park & conservation fees
All meals and soft drinks during the safari time (Not at the airport/hotels)
All rhino conservation activities
All community activities
All game safari activities
All mentioned excursions and safari game drives
Excludes:
Passport and visa costs (if applicable)
Travel vaccinations (where required)
International flights into and out of OR Tambo International Airport
Gratuities, donations, and items of a personal nature
Additional nights accommodation
Alcoholic drinks and meals not specified
Transfers not specified
Travel insurance
COVID testing before and after travel
All other costs/activities not listed as inclusive
Dates:
Oct. 29 through Nov. 5, 2022
Availability:
Sold Out!
Check back soon for another opportunity.
***All safari travel is managed by and booked through our partners at Nkombe Rhino. Your friends here at Adventure Artists International have simply chosen this amazing adventure to embark upon and we would love for you to join us. So, in other words, we're not liable if you get eaten by a lion (or anything else along those lines)! Although we are not affiliated with Nkombe Rhino, we will receive a travel credit by referring you to them. ***
View current COVID-19 travel requirements here.
After your trip is over, your philanthropic journey will just begin!
We can brainstorm with you on ways to lend a helping hand to the people and animals that you visited by raising awareness and funds. Ask us how!
DON’T LET THE ADVENTURE END HERE!
Since you’re already halfway across the globe, why not extend your stay by joining us in Kenya for another week of fun?!
Watch this video of Adventure Artists International’s co-founder, April Howland, as she helped in a rhino de-horning project.
This is where she connected with the great people that run Nkombe Rhino
Meet Your Adventure Artists International Hosts
We’re here to help you along every step of your journey!
★ Contact us to ask all of your pre-booking questions.
★ Once you are ready to book, we will connect you with our travel partners at Nkombe Rhino to finalize the booking.
★ Join us on a series of three video conference calls with your travel group to prepare you for take-off.
★ Access a private Facebook group where you can ask questions, meet your fellow guests and share photos and memories
★ We will both be on this adventure with you! Although the crew at Nkombe Rhino will take care of you throughout the trip, we can help to provide additional assistance when needed. Please note that we will both be working on our own artistic crafts but we are happy to offer up photo and artistic tips whenever we can.
April Howland
•Adventure Artist co-founder
•Fine Art Painter
•philartripist
April Howland has been been a professional artist for over 15 years. Inspired by nature and animals, April’s primary focus remains steady in her thriving wildlife series and domestic animal portrait business.
As she travels the globe from Alaska to Africa for inspiration, April’s eye for composition and design combined with her love of color enables her to create rich and unique art pieces. Her one of a kind style is a successful blend of contemporary and realism. She uses a variety of materials to accomplish her works but her methodology remains consistent. “To me, each piece of art is a beautiful learning experience with amazing shapes and tones working together to tell a story.”
April has been featured in a variety of publications and television news programs for her artwork which include Phoenix Home & Garden, Uptown Magazine, Images Magazine, Voyage Magazine, Scottsdale’s Foothills Focus, The Arizona Republic, PBS Horizon Arizona, Phoenix People, The Barking Beast San Diego and many local NBC, FOX and ABC news programs. April has many collectors both national and abroad and when she isn’t in the studio you can find her raising money for the Africa Foundation helping to support conservation and sustainability and also at the Phoenix Zoo as a committee member and co-founder of the “Art on the Wild Side” program that supports the zoo’s mission in conservation and caring for the natural world.
Website - HowlandStudios.com • Insta - @howland_studios • FB - @HowlandStudios
Susan Schmitz
•Adventure Artist co-founder
•wildlife photographer
•philartripist
Susan Schmitz is an award-winning photographer/digital artist that specializes in stock imagery designed for the marketing needs of the animal and travel industries. Her work can be seen in publications and on products around the globe.
Susan has developed two separate bodies of work that portray her passions and compassion in unique ways.
Her domestic animal stock photography library features fun, whimsical, and conceptual images of thousands of different pets. Most of the animal models used in her work were photographed through her Good-Focused Photo Program which was developed as a way to help animal welfare organizations to find fur-ever homes for pets by providing them with high-impact photos that give adoption ads greater visibility.
Her wildlife photography library features both documentary style and creatively composited images that are representative of her wanderlust spirit, awe of nature, and devotion towards animals of all kinds. A portion of proceeds of sales through this brand’s direct website are donated to various wildlife and nature conservation organizations worldwide through her Good-Focused Donation Program.
Fine art prints of select animal and nature photos are available for purchase on her website.
Website - GoodFocused.com • Insta - @begoodfocused • FB - @begoodfocused
“Our mission is to curate epic adventure opportunities that inspire global impact through creativity, connection and conservation.”