Conservation Through Responsible Travel
Private Tour of Dig Site at Olduvai Gorge
Rangers Discuss Progress on Black Rhino Project
Safari Professionals Tracking Giraffe
Ranger Educating Group at Tarangire
Safari Professionals Inspecting Ranger Station-Ngorongoron Crater
We, at Safari Professionals, promote wildlife conservation in destinations throughout the world by providing affordable and responsible Wildlife Conservation Travel for the accredited institutions of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
We believe the AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and the travelers we serve are important members of their communities supporting wildlife conservation, science and education. These zoos and aquariums provide their respective communities with direct “up close and personal” experiences with wildlife, nature and other cultures, which can transform perceptions and lead to more informed, caring and engaged communities. In addition, they promote community involvement in conservation through a wide range of educational opportunities, such as interactive on-line programs, classes, lectures and institutional tours. Wildlife Conservation Travel can be one of the most effective ways to engage people in “real world” wildlife conservation.
Private Tour of Dig Site at Olduvai Gorge
Rangers Discuss Progress on Black Rhino Project
Safari Professionals Tracking Giraffe
Ranger Educating Group at Tarangire
Safari Professionals Inspecting Ranger Station-Ngorongoron Crater
Safari Professionals combines three important elements to define Wildlife Conservation Travel:
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1. The recognized principles of Responsible Travel, including supporting communities, protecting wildlife and their habitats and honoring community culture and traditions.
2. Active financial support of in-situ conservation and community development projects, through the Safari Professionals Impact On… programs.
3. Customized and affordable small-group safaris, specifically designed to meet your needs and interests.
Thank you for visiting Safari Professionals and we invite you to join with us in unifying wildlife conservation, local community welfare and responsible travel in Wildlife Conservation Travel.
P.S. Please explore the various sections of our website to learn more. We have selected a limited number of exceptional wildlife destinations – places we know well – places where responsible wildlife conservation travel can – and does – make a difference. And we continue to add more destinations. If you have a favorite wildlife location we have not shown, please let us know. We’ll be happy to explore how we may work together to include it in our Wildlife Conservation Travel destinations.
We, at Safari Professionals, promote wildlife conservation in destinations throughout the world by providing affordable and responsible Wildlife Conservation Travel for the accredited institutions of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
We believe the AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and the travelers we serve are important members of their communities supporting wildlife conservation, science and education. These zoos and aquariums provide their respective communities with direct “up close and personal” experiences with wildlife, nature and other cultures, which can transform perceptions and lead to more informed, caring and engaged communities. In addition, they promote community involvement in conservation through a wide range of educational opportunities, such as interactive on-line programs, classes, lectures and institutional tours. Wildlife Conservation Travel can be one of the most effective ways to engage people in “real world” wildlife conservation.
Safari Professionals combines three important elements to define Wildlife Conservation Travel:
1. The recognized principles of Responsible Travel, including supporting communities, protecting wildlife and their habitats and honoring community culture and traditions.
2. Active financial support of in-situ conservation and community development projects, through the Safari Professionals Impact On… programs.
3. Customized and affordable small-group safaris, specifically designed to meet your needs and interests.
Thank you for visiting Safari Professionals and we invite you to join with us in unifying wildlife conservation, local community welfare and responsible travel in Wildlife Conservation Travel.
P.S. Please explore the various sections of our website to learn more. We have selected a limited number of exceptional wildlife destinations – places we know well – places where responsible wildlife conservation travel can – and does – make a difference. And we continue to add more destinations. If you have a favorite wildlife location we have not shown, please let us know. We’ll be happy to explore how we may work together to include it in our Wildlife Conservation Travel destinations.
“Custom is Key”
“Adding a zoo host to an off-the-shelf itinerary limits the experience. Having guided numerous safaris, I appreciate being able to share what Naples Zoo is doing in a country versus visiting with NGOs or naturalists we have no connection with that also speak to every safari. Safari Professionals has both the knowledge to customize a safari to fit your travelers’ high expectations and the flexibility to work with you to meet your goals and engage with your conservation partners in the field. What’s extraordinary is you get that customization at costs competitive with pre-designed tours. So, your guests get a more meaningful experience and an up-close connection to what their zoo is doing to help wildlife. Having been active in AZA since 1982, Tom LaRock understands the needs of our community and can help present your safari to potential travelers in person. I’ve had the experience of working hard to challenge companies and their preferred properties to get truly custom itineraries. Talking over my options with Tom made me feel like a kid in a candy store. That’s the difference Safari Professionals offers!”
Tim Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation, Naples Zoo
“Adding a zoo host to an off-the-shelf itinerary limits the experience. Having guided numerous safaris, I appreciate being able to share what Naples Zoo is doing in a country versus visiting with NGOs or naturalists we have no connection with that also speak to every safari. Safari Professionals has both the knowledge to customize a safari to fit your travelers’ high expectations and the flexibility to work with you to meet your goals and engage with your conservation partners in the field. What’s extraordinary is you get that customization at costs competitive with pre-designed tours. So, your guests get a more meaningful experience and an up-close connection to what their zoo is doing to help wildlife. Having been active in AZA since 1982, Tom LaRock understands the needs of our community and can help present your safari to potential travelers in person. I’ve had the experience of working hard to challenge companies and their preferred properties to get truly custom itineraries. Talking over my options with Tom made me feel like a kid in a candy store. That’s the difference Safari Professionals offers!”
Tim Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation, Naples Zoo
“Connecting People With Wildlife”
“Partnering with Safari Professionals on a conservation travel program is a fantastic way for the Oklahoma City Zoo to deliver on our mission of connecting people with the world’s vanishing wildlife to inspire conservation action.”
Dr. Dwight Lawson, Executive Director/CEO of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
“With their customized website, in-person travel events and constant communications, Safari Professionals has made the process of promoting our travel program easy and a big reason why the safaris have sold out quickly.”
Dr. Rebecca Synder, Senior Director of Conservation, Education and Science, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Humble Beginnings
Michael Hutchins, PhD.
Founding Partner, World Safaris
Director, Conservation & Science, Safari Professionals
Founding Partner, World Safaris
Director, Conservation & Science, Safari Professionals
With over 50 years of combined conservation travel experience between them – and over 50 years as members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Dr. Michael Hutchins and Tom LaRock launched a division of Safari Professionals – World Safaris – in 2013 in order to serve the unique wildlife conservation travel needs of the zoo and aquarium community. One of the goals was to offer accredited AZA institutions some of the most exciting wildlife conservation travel destinations in the world. At the same time, the pair wanted to continue their personal and professional commitments to wildlife conservation, through support of both in-situ and ex-situ programs, along with community development initiatives, in countries within which they worked.
Michael passed away in 2018, while on his way to lead a safari in Tanzania – one of his many passions. Shortly after his passing, Michael’s family launched the Dr. Michael Hutchins Impact On Wildlife Fund as a legacy to his commitment to the role of science in the conservation of wildlife.
Michael Hutchins, PhD.
Founding Partner, World Safaris
Director, Conservation & Science, Safari Professionals
Founding Partner, World Safaris
Director, Conservation & Science, Safari Professionals
You can learn more about the Dr. Michael Hutchins Impact On Wildlife Fund here https://www.impactonwildlife.org.
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In 2020, World Safaris merged back into the fold of Safari Professionals in order to maximize our effectiveness in promoting Wildlife Conservation Travel among each of our audiences.
With over 50 years of combined conservation travel experience between them – and over 50 years as members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Dr. Michael Hutchins and Tom LaRock launched a division of Safari Professionals – World Safaris – in 2013 in order to serve the unique wildlife conservation travel needs of the zoo and aquarium community. One of the goals was to offer accredited AZA institutions some of the most exciting wildlife conservation travel destinations in the world. At the same time, the pair wanted to continue their personal and professional commitments to wildlife conservation, through support of both in-situ and ex-situ programs, along with community development initiatives, in countries within which they worked.
Michael passed away in 2018, while on his way to lead a safari in Tanzania – one of his many passions. Shortly after his passing, Michael’s family launched the Dr. Michael Hutchins Impact On Wildlife Fund as a legacy to his commitment to the role of science in the conservation of wildlife.
You can learn more about the Dr. Michael Hutchins Impact On Wildlife Fund here https://www.impactonwildlife.org.
In 2020, World Safaris merged back into the fold of Safari Professionals in order to maximize our effectiveness in promoting Wildlife Conservation Travel among each of our audiences.