Great Plains Conservation, a conservation – through – tourism organization, is making waves after five years of successful operation; winning many distinguished awards for their camps and lodges around Africa. Founders Dereck and Beverly Joubert (National Geographic Explorers in Residence,) Colin Bell, safari industry leader, with Mark Read and Paul Harris have teamed up with National Geographic in forming Great Plains Conservation.
South Africa – Last year Great Plains scooped up the top honor in the Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. “Compelling evidence that Africa’s role in promoting environmentally-sensitive approaches to tourism is as strong as ever,” writes Emma Gregg in Travel Africa, Winter issue 2009/10. “Great Plains manages a handful of pristine wildlife reserves in Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania…It aims to preserve iconic wildlife species and expand natural habitats in a practical and sustainable manner, through low-impact, low-volume, high quality tourism businesses that provide direct benefits to local communities.”