The Africa Adventure Company

About The Africa Adventure Company

The Africa Adventure Company (AAC) is headed up by Mark and Alison Nolting.

Mark has spent over 25 years exploring and researching the African continent and is the author of Africa's Top Wildlife Countries, an excellent guide book in which Mark chronicles every aspect of the safari experience. He is also writes the all-in-one book to take on safari, African Safari Journal, a wildlife guide with illustrations, maps, diary pages, and phrases.

Alison was born and raised in Zimbabwe and spent many years managing safari camps before joining Mark 19 years ago. She thrives in the development of refreshingly new safari programs for our repeat AAC travelers as well as working with sponsorship and volunteer programs.  

Together with their office tribe,  they offer the highest level of expertise for arranging low-impact and personalized travel to over 14 countries in Africa. They stay ahead of the herds with professional and dedicated consultants who strive to offer outstanding guidance on trip planning. As they look to the future, the Africa Adventure Company will continue to do what it has done best! Focus on small groups and independent travelers, promote camps that are symbiotic with nature and the community, and offer exquisite game viewing with top notch guides. They look forward to the continuing tradition of "safari for a lifetime"!

Staff Profiles

  • Mark Nolting - President
  • Born in Minneapolis, grew up and educated in Florida.

    Author of 2 award-winning books, "Africa's Top Wildlife Countries" and "African Safari Journal." Known in the industry as the "Travel Expert of Africa" Mark founded The Africa Adventure Company in 1986 after spending 2 years traveling through 16 countries, from Cairo to Cape Town, gathering material for his books and establishing contacts with safari companies and tour guides.
    Though Mark has essentially covered the African continent in his journeys, he continues to travel to Africa yearly to update information and explore new areas. Hard to find information on Africa is always at his fingertips, and he loves to take the time to talk to people about the many adventures that can be found on the continent. His latest trip was visiting Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.
    Exploring is his lifestyle and Mark loves to plan trips that will have clients adventuring to parts of Africa they only dreamed of.
  • Alison Nolting - Director of Tours and Marketing
  • Having grown up in Zimbabwe-Africa, worked in a safari camp and traveled with Mark and their two boys as a family, Alison has over 20 years of experience in the travel industry.

    After running a safari camp for over 2 years and working in London, Alison moved to the USA to join the tribe at the Africa Adventure Company in 1991. Beyond going on numerous safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, Alison has been canoeing on the Lower Zambezi, gorilla and chimp trekked in Uganda, adventured in the Skeleton Coast, and had her honeymoon in the Seychelles. Her trip in July 2008 was traveling to Botswana and Zimbabwe with her 15 year old son Miles. She most recently returned from another visit to Uganda and is working on efforts to increase our support of the schools and communities around Kibale Forest and Bwindi Forest.
    Beyond Africa, Alison has traveled to India, much of Europe, the Caribbean, Australia+New Zealand, and the Azores (stopping there sailing the Atlantic Ocean from Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton).
    Active in her community, Alison is past President of the Florida Chapter of the Association for the Promotion of Travel to Africa (APTA) and streamlines all our sponsorship of scholarships for children in Africa.
  • Bill Rivard - Vice President Operations
  • Born in Cumberland, RI.

    As VP of Operations Bill also oversees our air department. He joined The Africa Adventure Company in November of 1990. Bill has been on several safaris through Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the Seychelles. In March of 2009 he traveled through Namibia and March of 2010 returned from Australia and his DownUnder safari!
    Other than Africa, Bill has visited Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, England, France, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, The Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Slovakia, St. John, St. Thomas, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, and Venezuela.
  • Lynne Glasgow - General Manager/Senior Safari Consultant
  • Born in Glasgow, Scotland.

    Lynne has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years and took her first safari in 1990, and her love affair with southern Africa began. Having specialized in this region for the past 17 years, Lynne has traveled extensively in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, as well as having the opportunity to travel in East Africa. Apart from Africa, Lynne has also traveled to most European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
  • Elena Theodosiou - Senior Safari Consultant
  • Elena was born in Cyprus.

    Elena moved with her family to South Africa as a toddler and grew up in Johannesburg. She has lived in Florida for 10 years and joined the Africa Adventure Company in February of 2005. Elena's previous travel experience includes living in Turkey and Germany for a year and a half, and she has visited Greece, Cyprus, most of the Greek Islands, Austria, Mauritius, Brazil and Australia.
    Her most recent travel adventure was back to South Africa and visiting Botswana with her 16 year old daughter. Her previous travel was a great stay in Cape Town, safari at Singita in private game reserves of Kruger, and a visit to Livingstone in Zambia.
  • Kyle Witten - Senior Safari Consultant
  • Born in Marysville, OH Kyle joined AAC in May 2005.

    Kyle's safari destinations include Private Game Reserves in South Africa, Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, northern circuit in Tanzania and most recently the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Kyle has also travelled through the Cape Peninsula with time in Cape Town and Knysna and experienced Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia. Kyle is equally happy in Cape Town as to walking with elephant in Mana Pools!
    Other countries that Kyle has visited include, England, France, Hungary and Slovakia.
  • Szilvia Hegyi - Safari Consultant
  • Szilvia was born and raised in Hungary.

    She joined the Africa Adventure Company in March of 2007. She has visited Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and Tanzania. Beyond Africa she has traveled to Germany, Austria, Romania and Czech Republic. She has lived in the USA for the last seven years. In her spare time she completed her MBA (May 2009).
  • Janet Coffigny - Senior Operations Coordinator
  • Born in Matanza, Cuba.

    Janet joined the Africa Adventure Company in June, 2006. She previously worked for South African Airways. Have traveled to South Africa, Kenya, France, Spain, Italy, Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, Bahamas. And several US Virgin Islands (lived in St Criox, visited St Thomas, St John, Virgin Gorda) have traveled throughout the US.
  • Ian Carlo Flores - Travel Consultant
  • Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    Ian was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and joined the Africa Adventure Company in May of 2008. He previously lived in Australia for four years completing his Masters Degree in Environmental Policy. Since joining AAC he has traveled to Namibia for a specialized mountain biking trip. He has also traveled to Australia, Canada (British Columbia), Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Peru, Samoa, Switzerland, Thailand and parts of the continental US.
  • Kerry Purcell - Senior Assistant - Sales & Operations
  • Born in North Kingston, Rhode Island.

    Kerry lived with her family in South Africa for 18 years and then relocated back to the USA. In October 2008, she joined the Africa Adventure Company with 15 years of travel experience. She has visited Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Mauritius, Comores, and Dubai. Kerry has lived in Iceland and Taiwan to. Other travels include UK, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Malta, Greek Islands and Turkey. She also worked on a cruise ship for 6 years and got to visit ports around the USA, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska.
  • Sarah Taylor - Special Projects Coordinator
  • Born in Michigan.

    Sarah joined AAC in April 2000 and worked her way up to Senior Safari Consultant. She enjoyed four passionate years before taking some time off to travel. We welcome her back in the capacity of assisting with Special Projects. Sarah’s numerous adventures to Africa have taken her to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa and Egypt. She has also traveled the globe including trips through Asia and Europe, circumnavigated South America and sailed around the Caribbean.
  • Saskia de Gouveia - Travel Consultant
  • Born in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Saskia joined the Africa Adventure Company in April 2006. She previously worked in London for two years and lived in Belgium as a small child. Saskia has traveled to Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, and her most recent safari was visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
  • Karen Liza - Graphics Coordinator
  • Born in Lima, Peru.

    She has been working at AAC since 2001. Karen previously worked for the Nolting family. Her main focus is on graphics for the safari itineraries, the website, the two guide books and marketing materials. Her future travel wish is to see the gorillas in Rwanda!
  • Irene Groden - Accounts Supervisor
  • Born in Buckinghamshire, England.

    Irene has been with The Africa Adventure Company since July of 1997. She has visited South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania. Beyond Africa, Irene has traveled to London, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, France, Germany, Holland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Cypress, Bahamas, and Bermuda.
  • Elia Valdovino - Accounting Specialist
  • Born in Mexico City and raised in Kansas City.

    Elia joined the AAC family in November 2007. She comes to us from the Cruise line industry with over 15 years of experience. Her travel experience includes places such as the Eastern and Western Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras. Italy, Sicily, Spain, Malta, Tunisia as well as many states in the U.S. Since joining AAC, Elia has gone on safari to Kenya and Tanzania along with her teenage son.
  • Tony Gray - Accounts Supervisor
  • Born in Richmond, Virginia.

    Tony joined the Africa Adventure Company in October, 2005. This year he has been at the forefront of our new software program. He is derserving of his first safari trip! Tony's travels have taken him to Mexico, St Thomas, Puerto Rico, and numerous states with in the USA.
  • Cinthia Liza - Assistant Travel Consultant
  • Born in Lima, Peru.

    Cinthia has been working at AAC since 2005. She joined us full time this year after working part-time while in High School and Junior College. Her main focus is assisting the operations and sales departments. Her future wish is to go on safari and experience this once in a lifetime journey. Cinthia has traveled to Peru, and Puerto Rico.

About The Company

Our team of safari consultants have all traveled to Africa, and will combine their first-hand knowledge of each country with your ideas, to help you plan your wildlife safari down to the very last detail. What we can offer you is valued advice with a customized approach.

"The key," says Mark "is to understand the travel style of the client and also the personal experience each individual wants in Africa, then to match those with the optimum itinerary. This can be accomplished only if the person advising the client has extensive on-site experience in all the safari countries. Office training cannot substitute for actually having been there."

Africa is going through its own evolution of eco-conservation and for over 24 years The Africa Adventure Co.(AAC) has partnered and developed relationships with local ground operators and guides, camps and lodges, and communities that see the merits of low-impact travel. One of our common goals is the long-term conservation of habitats for the protection of wildlife, through support of research and field work, support of private concessions that have partnerships with local communities, and support of accommodations with low utilization of energy resources". "We are committed to sustainable tourism and eco conservation.

- We are members of TIES (The International Ecotourism Society), ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association), AWF (African Wildlife Foundation), National Geographic Society, and others like APTA (Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa) and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)

- We support camp portfolios that have ongoing training to utilise guides and staff who are employed from local communities

- We are supporting eco lodges and camps that pay conservation fees direct to local communities

- We feature camps and lodges that are utilizing lower energy resources and encourage small local entrepreneurships like vegetable gardens, seed and re-forestation programs, and local craft and curio production 

- We are providing scholarships to guides children and other children living around the parks to enable them to go to school.  This encourages them to support conservation of wildlife and have the choice of a career in tourism.  At this time we sponsor over 400 children in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

- We encourage ongoing voluntourism in Community and Conservation where guests spend a day/days in a school reading books or teaching science or computer, visiting a township or village orphanage to deliver donations, building projects, traveling with a researcher collecting field data, and longer two week eco-tourism stays at camps that benefit community and conservation efforts

Mark and Alison and their loyal staff have met many of your guides, so once on the ground you are always in excellent hands and you will immediately feel our extended-family attention. These guides know how hard we work to really personalize your safari and the extra mile we have gone to service your travel arrangements. They in turn, offer the very best as they draw you into their natural world in remarkable ways.

Whether you want a scheduled tour or a tailor-made itinerary, the Africa Adventure Company has the expertise to precisely fit your needs. The experience will surely exceed your personal expectations! Click on our AAC Blog to see more.

Acknowledgements

Budget Travel Magazine - March 2010 - selected in Dream Trips 2010. Botswana: See the Big Five.

Conde Nast Traveler - August 2009 - selected as one of their "World's 128 Top Travel Specialists" for a 7th year in a row. What an honor and testament to the entire staff at The Africa Adventure Coompany

National Geographic Adventure - January 2009 selected as one of their "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth".  The recognition that we outfit trips supporting sustainable tourism using eco-friendly accomodations and community projects, and that our clients' feedback on the safari journey is an exceptional experience!

USATODAY - January 2009 article  "Expert Advice for African Safaris" that also appeared in other newspapers around the nation as an Associated Press interview

Bloomberg Markets - January 2009 article  "African Odyssey"

National Geographic Traveler - Travel-Planner has us selected as one of their "Africa Experts" and "Tour Operators" 

Recommend Travel Magazine - "Family Fun in Africa", March 2006

Conde Nast Traveler - "10th Annual Hot List - Botswana Vumbura Plains Camp", May 2006

Outside - "Best Trips 2005: Fishing and Diving Adventure to South Africa and Mozambique", February 2005

Outside - "48 Trips of a Lifetime - South Luangwa Walking Safari", March 2004

Mens Journal - "How to Plan the Perfect Safari", February 2004

National Geographic Adventure - "The 25 Greatest Adventures to Do Now", November 2003

Tanzania Tourist Board - 2003 Award winning tour operator, October 2003 Travel World News

Outside Magazine - Featured vendor in August, 2003 article "Honeymarooning"

Outside Magazine - Featured vendor in March, 2003 article "Walking with Bushmen"

LBK Magazine - Featured vendor in 2003 article "African Safari"

Rough Guide to Kenya and other African destinations - Preferred US Operator for Africa

Architectural Digest - preferred vendor in March, 2002 article on Botswana's Jao Camp

Making a Difference

An AAC safari is more than just game viewing! Listed are some of the hand-selected charities that we passionately support. We are especially thrilled to assist students’ education as it is our hope they will continue in the wildlife, conservation or tourism field.

Tanzania schools:- Our clients traveling to Tanzania are incredibly generous! Two schools that are visited on safari include Rhotia Primary School near Gibb’s Farm and Teneguru in Arusha which we proudly sponsor from Rotary Fort Lauderdale. Many times our clients ask to make donations in monies or supplies before they travel on on their return. AAC will match the amount and arranged for supplies to reach the students if clients can get them to Arusha.

Tanzania scholarships:- for 2010 we have continued a scholarship fund for over 29 children of the Tanzania guides who take our clients out on safari.  There are opportunities to pledge to these starting at $400.00 for a student in school for a year.

Tanzania guides:- We run an annual Guide of the Year award.  For 2009 the winner was Ephata Lotashu.

Kenya scholarships:- Providing an education to a child in Africa is something magical. For years AAC has ongoing sponsorship of a committment of four years for four high school students at the Moi High School near Tsavo (Kenya). $550.00 per student each year covers the cost of tuition + boarding. Discoverycentre@originsafaris.info

Zimbabwe scholarships:- Day to day living is a struggle in Zimbabwe, let alone paying for twin daughters’ tuition needs. AAC has been blessed with sponsoring twin, high school students and meeting their tuition and boarding school needs for 2007-2010. Anyone who has had the Wilderness Safaris road transfer from Kasane to Victoria Falls has probably had the opportunity to meet Mike Gorasi.. AAC has stepped in and assists with the $4,800.00 per child tuition, allowing the girls to continue with their education. If you are interested in donating directly to a child, we would be delighted to match you with a needy participant in two schools around Victoria Falls - Chamabonda and Chinotimba. Further afield is Monde school. Typically sponsorship is $250.00-$400.00 per year for the elementary schools

Zimbabwe schools:- At this time of June 2010 we continue to sponsoring 460 children at three schools near Hwange. $4.00 a month feeds each child a meal a day when at school getting their education. Our anual donation of $10,000 has gone along way to the Children in the Wilderness program, which allows under-privileged children a chance to participate in conservation. www.childreninthewilderness.com. 

Botswana guides:- We sponsor the opportunity for camp guides to work up their specialist knowledge providing them with private guiding opportunies with our clients through the year.  For 2009/10 it continue to be Brookes Kamanakao.

Wilderness Safaris Trust:- We are major supporters of Wilderness Safaris in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa. Beyond the outstanding safari experience they deliver, we know that for every bed night we book with them a portion of the price goes to the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust. For over 15 years, the Trust has managed a variety of research and education projects in southern Africa – everything from saving endangered wildlife to educating local communities. www.wildernesstrust.com/trust/main.jsp.

Nairobi orphanages:- Nairobi’s Nyumbani Children’s Home shelters, feeds and educates HIV/AIDS orphans and abandoned children. Contact us to set up a tour for you during your time in Nairobi. www.nyumbani.org.  We may also arrange a visit to the Nairobi Children’s Orphanage and Street Kids project (highly recommended). http://www.kenyachildrenshome.org.uk/

Cape Town orphanage/community:- Contact us to set up a tour for you during your time in Cape Town. We have been supporting an ongoing community project in New Rest.

Uganda - Kibale. We have started a sponsorship program of a school in Fort Portal for 2010.

Supporting Africa

In conserving Africa’s ecosystems there are many projects helping protect species through research and this has often increased the amount of land under conservation protection. Also in supporti ng Africa, community projects are strong conservation partners in sustainable tourism. The following are a small selection of projects websites that are making a difference in conservation and community. 

Botswana      Wilderness Safaris Rhino Reintroduction Project

Botswana      Wilderness Safaris Wild Dog Research Project

Botswana      Wilderness Safaris Lion Monitoring in the Jao Concession

Botswana      Kalahari Lion Research www.ckgrlionresearch.org .(attention Kevin MacFarlane)

Kenya             Grassroots Logistics is a regional organization supporting projects aimed at empowering local communities www.originsafaris.org/

Kenya             Campi Ya Kanzi partners with Maasai www.maasaitrust.org

Kenya             The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy encourages education and conservation of wildlife  http://www.lewa.org/education_trust.php

Namibia          Wilderness Safaris Doro !Nawas Conservancy

Namibia          Wilderness Safaris Save the Rhino Trust

Rwanda/Uganda International Gorilla Conservation Program http://www.igcp.org/

Rwanda          The Diane Fossey Gorilla fund http://www.gorillafund.org/

Rwanda          The women in Rwanda are getting a helping hand to rebuild their lives with Women for Women International. www.womenforwomen.org

Seychelles    Wilderness Safaris North Island Rehabilitation

South Africa Wilderness Safaris Makuleke Community and Mammal Reintroduction

Tanzania        Ndarakwai supports the http://www.kiliconservancy.org/

Uganda           Support of conservation www.ugandacf.org

Zambia           Wilderness Safaris River Club and Simonga Village

Zambia           Chiawa Camp supports  http://www.conservationlowerzambezi.com.zm/

Zimbabwe     Friends of Hwange http://www.hwangetrust.com/

Zimbabwe     Bushlife Conservancy in Mana Pools sign up for Membership through Vundu Camp

Zimbabwe     Children in the Wilderness is supporting rural villages and communities near Hwange.. http://www.childreninthewilderness.com/ (attention Sue Goatley)

The Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation www.janegoodall.org/ 

African Wildlife Foundation www.awf.org/section/safaris/destinations 

www.VillageBanking.org a solution to poverty using small loans to create big changes in entrepreneurship

AIDS in Africa:  Sources for statistical data and to learn more on what you can do in the fight against AIDS in Africa visit: www.data.org and www.avert.org

ONE is a grassroots campaign and advocacy organization backed by more than 2 million people who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.  www.one.org

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5353 N Federal Highway, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, USA
Telephone 1.954.491.8877 / 1.800.882.9453 · Fax 1.954.491.9060
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