If you’ve traveled with us before, you know we focus on quality and value. We offer the world’s greatest nature adventures and, as such, our trips aren’t cheap—after all, getting “way out there” safely and comfortably comes at a price.

Now for the first time in our 25-year history, we’re offering a one time “Conservation Credit” to make it easier for you to continue traveling with us through these difficult times.

So why are we making this substantial offer to our guests? Because when times are tough, travel is one of the first “luxuries” people forgo.

But please consider this: For the people, places and wild things around the planet that directly rely on tourism to survive, travel is not a mere luxury.

When practiced thoughtfully and responsibly, tourism can be a real source of good in the world. For example, did you know that when you visit wild mountain gorillas in Uganda your trip fees provide direct support for the protection of gorillas on a day-to-day basis? And you also send a clear message to the government of Uganda that saving gorillas matters and that, when protected, these wondrous creatures can be a source of much-needed tourism revenue.

In fact, I believe that without tourism, mountain gorillas would be extinct. And this same scenario is playing out all over the world time and time again—tourism and conservation go hand in hand. (To read about our conservation efforts in conjunction with World Wildlife Fund
please click here.)

So when our partners in Africa—owners of small camps and lodges—contacted me to express their concern about how they were going to weather this difficult time, together we came up with this one time “Conservation Credit." Not only does your participation help to support the people and places that need it most, this special offer will give you a once-in-a-lifetime nature travel experience at a once-in-a-lifetime price!

I sincerely hope you’ll take us up on this one time offer. Here’s how:

• Click here and take a very brief eco-tourism and travel survey; it will help us and our partners in Africa make sure we’re providing you with the best adventures. We will then mail you your Conservation Credit certificate.

• Book your scheduled 2009 African Safari and send in your certificate and let us know whether you’d like to apply the credit towards your trip cost ($1,000 off per person on any scheduled 2009 Southern African Safari or $500 off per person on any scheduled 2009 East African Safari) or whether you’d like to use it to receive 50% off of a Classic Galapagos Adventure departing through May 31, 2010. Everyone in your party will receive the discount on the safari or the Galapagos adventure.

There are a few rules and restrictions, but not many, and they are listed below. To see a full list of our award-winning African Safaris click here. Or to learn more about our Classic Galapagos adventures click here.

I hope this offer will help you to keep traveling in the coming year, not only for your own enjoyment and life-enhancement, but also so, together, we can continue to protect our fragile planet.

I hope to see you out there!

Ben Bressler
Founder and Director

P.S.  You must take the survey by April 30th, 2009 to receive your Conservation Credit certificate so do it today!