Making an Impact: What Guests Leave Behind

“Just to travel is rather boring, but to travel with a purpose is educational and exciting.” – Sargent Shriver

A holiday can be a transformative experience. The desire for this may be the driving force behind more travelers seeking to leave a tangible, positive impact behind them.

When we organize journeys for our travellers, we have the privilege of witnessing the life-changing effects that thoughtful giving can have on local communities and conservation efforts. And how, equally, leaving something behind can add incomparable meaning and value to our guests’ holidays.

Ubuntu: “I am because we are”

Many guests are surprised by how much they have in common with people they meet while travelling.

The similarities guests begin to perceive between themselves and the humans they encounter are profound, often generating a strong sense of connection and empathy. Compassion and a strong desire to help usually follow.

IMPACTFUL ITINERARIES

As part of our commitment to positive impact travel, we offer our guests the opportunity to include meaningful, giving-centered additions to their itineraries.

We believe this is a crucial step for guests who want to have a long-lasting, positive influence while traveling. On request, we can include visits to projects that most resonate with our guests’ interests, enabling them to see, firsthand, the needs of local communities, wildlife and conservation efforts and how they can make a difference.

These experiences come in different forms, from visiting non-profit organizations, to contributing to food security community development projects or partnering with game ranger crews to tag endangered wildlife. One guest even bought a washing machine and jerseys for a primary school, making a massive difference in the daily lives of under-resourced children.

REAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT GUESTS LEFT BEHIND:

An act of kindness provides water for an entire village - Two of our guests raised an impactful donation of $32,000 for a local village to gain access to fresh water soon after their first visit to Africa.

Another couple booked a 40th birthday celebration in East Africa and left a $10,000 donation for a school.

Yet another guest adopted an elephant orphan in Kenya, which not only supports the conservation of the animal but also contributes to the local community's sustainability.

CUSTOMISED IMPACT

Our team Timeless Africa Safaris is a group of connectors who continuously nurture relationships with agencies, communities and individuals who have an on-the-ground perspective and experience of various communities' needs.

We also work with non-profit organisations that work to link communities up with donors or philanthropists who want to make a difference.

This is essential for ensuring that our guests’ contributions make it to the pockets of those with a proven track record when it comes to managing donations well and the efficacy of their work.

Whether it's purchasing new boots for game rangers or providing fresh water supplies to villagers, our guests can leave a positive impact that will last long after their luxury vacation.