“Does AWF offer safaris to Africa to AWF members?”

-Sean, New York, IA, U.S.A.

Did you know that ‘safari’ is Kiswahili for ‘journey?’ Well, we absolutely have ‘journeys’ available to Africa for our members. In fact, we just announced our 2010 AWF member safari: Kenya’s Best- Height of the Great Migration.

Wildlife, such as this black rhino, may be seen on an AWF safari (Photo Credit: Mark Boulton)

Each year, AWF designs a one-of-kind trip to our Heartlands that is specially tailored for our loyal members. Last year, our members went on a fabulous 13-day trip to Tanzania (for an AWF member account of this trip, go here):

This year, we are offering our members the chance to travel with AWF to Kenya to see one of the great wonders of the natural world, The Great Migration, in which millions of zebra and wildebeest migrate north from the Serengeti to the green grasses of the Masai Mara.

Although the migration is a definite highlight, it’s not the only sight we have in store for you! On this trip, you’ll also be able to visit the Amboseli region, which is right at the mouth of the legend itself, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and home to some of the largest – and most studied – African elephant populations on the continent. You’ll also be taking a trek up to AWF’s Samburu Heartland, where you will meet up with some key AWF staffers, such as Dr. Paul Muoria, Ph.D., AWF’s Grevy’s Zebra Research Scientist, and Benson Lengalen, AWF’s African Wild Dog Researcher, as well as some local Maasai. Also, as a special treat (and this is really the pièce de résistance, folks), AWF is offering our members a special extended four-day trek to Rwanda.  A Rwandan Mountain Gorilla Expedition is a chance to see some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas.  For more details (and an itinerary), visit us here:

If you are unable to join us on our treks this year, please place your jealousy firmly aside and visit us on our website at to view our Safari Planner and plan for the day when you will be able to join us.  The Safari Planner will tell you all you need to know about traveling with an ethic (i.e. choosing the right kind of safari company), safari etiquette, how to take photos while on safari, the different types of trips we have available within our Heartlands and much more.

Author: Erin

Heading up AWF’s membership desk for the past eight years, Erin Keyes has amassed quite a bit of knowledge about Africa’s wildlife and unique wild lands. She’s also an expert on AWF’s membership benefits and programs. She started this blog to share what’s she’s learned and to give AWF supporters another forum for asking questions