Ultimate Safaris vies for top operator spot

With only days left until the winners of the Responsible Tourism Awards is announced, anticipation is growing over who will walk away with the sought after title. The winners are scheduled to be announced on Thursday, 19 May 2016 at the Namibia Tourism Expo, at the Nedbank Unity Village at 16:00.Three companies were shortlisted in the tour operator category, which included car rental companies. The shortlisted companies, in random order, are Ultimate Safaris, Tourvest Destination Management Namibia subsidiary Sense of Africa, and Pack Safari.Ultimate Safaris is a fully Namibian, owner-managed ecotourism safari company, dedicated to the protection, conservation and sustainability of the areas in which it operates.Founded in 2008 when SandyAcre Safaris and Tou Safaris merged, Ultimate Safaris is an ecotourism safari company that specialises in tailor-made private safaris for discerning travellers. It became the first tour operator to receive five Eco Awards Namibia flowers in 2015.The company employs 15 full-time naturalist guides who are experts in their respective fields, ensuring the top standard and quality of service provided to guests. Guides are not only given regular practical and in-house training, but also specialised training such as minimising the impact on the environment while guiding.The emphasis on guide training is underscored by the importance of doing things right. The majority of lodges used by Ultimate Safaris have received four or five Eco Awards Namibia flowers. The company has set up joint venture safaris with communities and it also conducts conservation safaris. These conservation safaris focus on species such as desert lions, black rhino and the desert giraffe.In addition, a percentage of Ultimate Safaris’ revenues goes to the Conservation Travel Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation, and is spent on approved projects. Ultimate Safaris is actively involved in several social responsibility projects and has supported the Grootberg Primary School for a number of years. This includes in terms of installing a computer laboratory, reading and writing lessons and extramural activities conducted by volunteers. Most recently, the foundation donated 200 mattresses and blankets to the school, which has 250 boarders and 100 day learners, in 2015. The three finalist companies stand to win prizes in editorial and advertorial coverage, based on their placing.The first prize winner will walk away with N$250 000 worth of media exposure, with the second and third prizes worth N$150 000 and N$100 000, respectively. These prizes include N$100 000 in cash for community upliftment in the areas where the winners operate in.STAFF REPORTER

Ultimate Safaris vies for top operator spot

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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Ultimate Safaris vies for top operator spot

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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