2025 Fall Galloping Gnus Newsletter

Greetings AAC friends and family,

We are grateful as the seasons unfold, to journey into Fall – there is a rhythm to travel.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 2026 Safari Planner in celebration of our 40th anniversary! Every destination becomes a canvas for a memory to unfold. Come feed your soul!

Kyle and Elena are traveling in Kenya this week from the foothills of Kilimanjaro to the theater of safari and wildlife in the Mara. And Mark and I with the family will be in Tanzania for Thanksgiving catching up with old friends and colleagues and getting a fresh perspective of being in the Serengeti plains out of peak season migration months.

Our other sales consultants have also been busy on their adventures with Shelley and Miles in Botswana, and Maria in Uganda and Rwanda. By having our team on the ground, we can discover new camps and lodges, revisit tried and true, and continue to empower local communities. Read their AAC TRAVEL BLOG posts.

For our curious clients seeking a less-visited park or a compelling experience, please enjoy reviewing Mark’s Expedition Collection. This highlights some iconic safaris for adventure seekers or those looking for something completely different.

In 1960, Jane Goodall walked into the forests of Tanzania with nothing but a notebook and curiosity. This month we lost an African icon with the passing of Jane. A Conservationist specializing in chimp behavior, she was so much more. Jane was a pioneer in establishing a sustainable relationship between wildlife and local communities. We see this model practiced by current-day guardians and AAC friends, such as Nick and Des Murray in Mana Pools and Dereck and Beverly Joubert at Great Plains Conservation. Jane’s legacy and mission will continue to inspire future generations. Utakosa! (Swahili for“You will be missed”).

We have gone the extra mile to curate our exciting 25 Most Intriguing Places to Stay in 2026! Yes, there are plenty of stunning new safari camps that have opened recently, from iconic corners of Botswana and Kenya to a less-visited park in Mozambique. There are a few with understated elegance and artful décor; those with a balance to sustainable values and where luxury matters; and those who desire reconnecting with nature and traditional cultures one camp and one community at a time. Each of them are intimate and perfect for our AAC safariers looking for that special experience!

Our 24th annual photographic competition is ongoing for 2025 trips so please submit your photos by January 30, 2025. In the meantime delve into our recent Client Trip Reports!

We are thankful for our AAC family and extended circle of friends! AAC remains loyal to the preservation of wildlife, wild places and the people of Africa – to the community we call home. So, for those dreaming of looking for a wilderness experience, either to visit again or yet to visit for the first time, we invite you to explore!