Privately owned 10,000-acre ranch in northern Sonora, Mexico, is only 2 hours from the U.S. border, and is an important linkage connecting the vast wilderness of the Sierra Madre Occidental to the southern wildlands of the United States. The area is home to jaguars, ocelots, cougars, and bobcat
s - “cuatro gatos” - in all, over 30 threatened and endangered species. Supporting Carlos Robles (toasting to conservation of jaguars and ocelots, left) and his family through eco-tourism is key to encouraging other ranchers to protect the cats on their lands, and implement similar conservation efforts.
The ranch house has 8 bedrooms which sleep at least 2 people each. There are huge porches all around the house, for outdoor sleeping if you bring your own cots, and plenty of space around the house and below for tents or car camping. Full meals or partial meals and cook can be provided, or the house can be self-catered.
 

Rancho Aribabi, Sonora, Mexico

IMPORTANCE:

  1. BulletEco-tourism

  2. Bullet Science-tourism & citizen science

  3. Bullet Hunting-tourism

  4. Bullet Private land conservation project

  5. Bullet Community conservation project

  6. Bullet Endangered wildlife

  7. Bullet Traditional cultures


LINKS:

  1. •El Aribabi Website (Spanish)

  2. •Sky Island Aliance, Northern Mexico Program

TRIPS & CLASSES HERE:

  1. • Overland Experience Field Trip:  Sonoran Safari Aribabi

DIY BOOK A CUSTOM TRIP:

  1. •Book a custom trip to Rancho Aribabi

  2. •Fully catered (approx. $50 per person per day for groups, depending on size) or self-catered

  3. •Enquire about full hunting trips - whitetail, upland quail (firearm importation handled by Aribabi).

  4. •ConserVentures will handle your booking. Email us with your dates, number in party, and services needed.

El Gran Desierto / Pinacate Biosphere Reserve in extreme northern Mexico was one of the first Biosphere Reserves in Mexico; it is now part of the “Alto Golfo de California” UNESCO “Man in the Biosphere” program. One of the most arid places on Earth, it is over 600 square miles of volcanic craters (over 400), dunes, beaches, and many threatened and endangered wildlife, including
the Sonoran pronghorn. People in the region eke out marginal livings as fishermen, farmers, ranchers, or small industry / government workers. In 1970, the Apollo 14 crew trained in the Pincate’s lunar-like landscape. Today it is a beautiful protected area, with a small network of roads, many of which are difficult to pass without four-wheel-drive. Because of rampant off-road driving creating erosion and habitat loss, ATVs and dune buggies have been banned from the park, which is administered by a tiny crew from the state of Sonora’s natural resources division. Park fees and purchasing food and supplies locally help to support this fragile, beautiful location just an hour from the U.S. border.
 

gran desierto / El pinacate biosphere reserve, Sonora, Mexico

IMPORTANCE:

  1. BulletEco-tourism

  2. Bullet Science-tourism & citizen science

  3. Bullet Hunting-tourism

  4. Bullet Private land conservation project

  5. Bullet Community conservation project

  6. Bullet Endangered wildlife

  7. Bullet Traditional cultures


LINKS:

  1. •Gran Desierto / El Pinacate

  2. •Parks in Peril Program

TRIPS & CLASSES HERE:

  1. • Overland Experience Field Trip:  Gran Desierto

DIY BOOK A CUSTOM TRIP:

  1. • n/a

The South Rift valley of Kenya covers an area of approximately 850,000 hectares, spanning from the Maasai Mara Reserve to Amboseli National Park. The area is home to the Maasai, who move across the region in search of pasture for their livestock. Ecologically, the area is one of the most diverse in Africa, home to some 65% of the region’s famous wildlife. From the Rift Valley alkaline lakes and semi-desert savanna
up to Nguruman Forest on the rift escarpment, the region is one of the most important savanna conservation zones in all of Africa. The South Rift is home to the last of the great Pleistocene herds; large fenceless migration routes; high species and ecosystem diversity; and dramatic vistas. Rare species like the wild dog, lesser kudu and beisa Oryx are found here, as are the “big five” (elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, lion). All this has led to the establishment of community-based tourism and a science resource centre in the Maasai lands, called “group ranches.” Flanked by two of the world’s most famous national parks—Amboseli and Maasai Mara—the region is nevertheless extremely poor, since most of the tourism dollars stay in the parks or with government.

ConserVentures has been working with the all-Maasai group of landowners, the South Rift Association, to help them establish tourism through a new driving circuit, and establishing community-run camps and the science centre, owned and managed by the women of the village of Olkiramatian. Local men, women, and youth staff the Centre and are being trained as resource associates (above left). In just the first year the women have banked over $6,000 USD from fees the researchers pay to utilize the tented camp. This is significant income. Bringing more ecotourism and “science tourism,” from institutions like Cincinnati Zoo and Miami University, will help build even more income.


 

SOUTH RIFT RESOURCE CENTRE & CONSERVATION PARTNERS, KENYA

IMPORTANCE:

  1. BulletEco-tourism

  2. Bullet Science-tourism & citizen science

  3. Bullet Hunting-tourism

  4. Bullet Private land conservation project

  5. Bullet Community conservation project

  6. Bullet Endangered wildlife

  7. Bullet Traditional cultures


LINKS:

  1. •South Rift Resource Centre

  2. •African Conservation Fund

  3. •Amboseli Conservation & Research (under construction)

TRIPS & CLASSES HERE:

  1. • South Rift Adventure Safari

DIY BOOK A CUSTOM TRIP:

  1. •Book a custom trip to Kenya’s South Rift region; area also very well suited to educational groups & college classes

  2. •Enquire about vehicle rentals; we can help you plan, including waypoints and site contacts

  3. •ConserVentures will help with your booking. Email us with your dates, number in party, and services needed.

Whistling Thorn Conservation Camp is a private project, owned by Tanzanian Hagai Kissila (below, left). He owns a small, conservation-minded tourism company
called Destination Africa Safaris. He has worked extensively with the small villages around the camp, which he leases from them, on the edge of Tarangire National Park. The Maasai here are exceedingly poor, and see almost no revenue from the massive tourism pouring in and out of the park.
ConserVentures has helped build a small base of international support for Whistling Thorn Conservation Camp, through African Conservation Fund. By booking a safari through Destination Africa Safaris, you will not only book with one of the finest operators in northern Tanzania (and Kenya, as Mr. Kissila is licensed in both countries), you will contribute greatly to community-based conservation.
At Whistling Thorn, the first step is helping the local community rise out of staggering poverty. Whistling Thorn is a classic tented camp, with en suite toilets and showers. Wildlife roam amongst the tents, and you’ll be woken by the sound of hundreds of birds and perhaps lions roaring. It’s a perfect base for exploring the vast Tarangire National Park and the nearby Lake Manyarra, and a great start to the classic circuit taking in Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater.


 

WHISTLING THORN CONSERVATION CAMP, TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

IMPORTANCE:

  1. BulletEco-tourism

  2. Bullet Science-tourism & citizen science

  3. Bullet Hunting-tourism

  4. Bullet Private land conservation project

  5. Bullet Community conservation project

  6. Bullet Endangered wildlife

  7. Bullet Traditional cultures


LINKS:

  1. •Whistling Thorn Conservation Camp

  2. •African Conservation Fund

TRIPS & CLASSES HERE:

  1. • Migration Safari (in development) or custom safari (see below)

DIY BOOK A CUSTOM TRIP:

  1. •Book a custom trip to northern Tanzania (and Kenya).

  2. •Enquire about guiding services.

  3. •ConserVentures will help with your booking. Email us with your dates, number in party, and services needed.