The success of this event led to the creation of a virtual safari series to continue in this year. AWF recently announced the additional events – guided online tours to Uganda which commenced January 28, and a third in Zimbabwe in March. 

The primary goal of AWF Virtual Safaris is to engage its supporters with special access and offerings providing tangible takeaways about the connection between the tourism industry, wildlife, and community livelihood in African communities working to protect endangered and threatened wildlife. This unique formula has made a difference over the past year and helped the organisation to conduct a highly successful emergency response to COVID-19.

Carter Smith, safari programme manager, AWF, said, “We launched the virtual safaris series for our members and future travelers but realized along the way that there were benefits for other stakeholders. These virtual safaris are not only a creative way to take our folks on safari during this strange time of restricted travel, but they are a terrific way to show solidarity with our partners in the safari industry as well as to highlight the important work that we are doing.”