OCEAN Grove travel agent Nicole Brian is already busy planning her next big trip to Africa this September, with three families signed up already.
“You’ve got to plan early for this sort of thing,” she said.
The tour will cross South Africa, as well passing through Zimbabwe and Zambia, and stopping at the picturesque Victoria Falls.
The trip will focus heavily on conservation and education.
“The reason we are doing it is our kids are very into conservation,” she said.
“I wanted it to be educational – not just a Disney Land trip.”
Nicole has been to Africa on similar trips and is using that experience to pack in as much animal-based fun as possible.
The tour will visit the Jane Goodall Chimp Sanctuary and families can get up close with elephants at the Elephant Whisperers.
“The kids can help feed and wash them,” she said.
“It’s really hands-on.”
The chimp sanctuary rescues chimpanzees that been orphaned, traded in the illegal pet market or traumatised for entertainment in circuses and beach resorts.
The trip also includes a game of soccer with local children, while children on the tour will all get to donate a pair of boots each.
Nicole said the enthusiasm from youngsters had been infectious.
“It’s amazing how many kids have gotten involved,” she said.
“It’s more the kids who are interested.”
Swagman tours, whose owners Tracey and Wayne Hamilton are from Ocean Grove, are co-organising the trip.
The majority of the trip will take place in South Africa.
“We’ve chosen South Africa because it’s somewhere in Africa where people feel more comfortable taking their kids,” she said.
For more information call HelloWorld on 5256 1888.
