Giving back to the communities we visit
Travel creates powerful connections between people, and many of our guests return from their African safaris determined make a positive change in the lives of the people they've met on their travels. Since 1991, Bushtracks and our travelers have contributed financially and in-kind to innovative programs, including Ebenezer School in Livingstone, Zambia; the village of Bayanga in the Central African Republic and Timia in the Sahara.
Livingstone is a focal point for many of our Southern African safaris, due to its proximity to Victoria Falls. In 2007, Bushtracks began an ongoing relationship with the school, a part of the Ebenezer Care Trust, which provides services to orphan and vulnerable children in Livingstone. Prior to each Family Safari, our young guests are matched with a similarly aged child at the Ebenezer School, and begin a pen pal relationship that culminates in a visit and soccer game as part of their safari tour itinerary. Through Generosity in Action, a US based charitable foundation, a designated fund has been established for the school, and Bushtracks travelers have directed their donations to improvements including: a babies' home, a security wall, a medical center, school buildings and administrative offices.
In February 2005 a group of Bushtracks' travelers was welcomed by the village of Bayanga in the Central African Republic. Their hospitality made an impression on the travelers, and they eagerly took on the assignment of building "a real basketball court" at the villagers' request. Bushtracks, working with Generosity in Action, handled the travelers' donations and coordinated with David Greer of the World Wild Life Fund to realize the basketball court. In February 2006 another Bushtracks group visited Bayanga at which time the village elders dedicated the court and organized a game against Nola, a village located three hours away.
Timia is an oasis in the Sahara over six hours from the closest airport at Agadez, Niger.
In 2006 Bushtracks built a tented camp for guests traveling on a Sahara safari tour.
Two groups visited the Timia camp and wanted to give back to the community. The Mayor of the Greater Timia region (a territory covering 24 miles by 240 miles) asked for help in constructing a high school, to which 50 travelers happily responded with a gift of $1,255 and closed the gap needed to fund the new school.