“The Secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”-Socrates. Africa Change Makers (ACM) has one goal, to safeguard the future of the continent. Two of Africa's leading safari operators and founding partners of ACM, Beks Ndlovu, CEO of African Bush Camps, and Tristan Cowley, Managing Director of Ultimate Safaris, are leading the way. they are both firm believers in the power of collaboration and share a deeply felt concern for the continent, its people, and remaining wilderness areas.

Continuity is key, and to build on the great work already accomplished by Africa's tourism industry pre-pandemic, they are championing the ACM movement which aims to build a reserve of funds to tackle inevitable future challenges. They are hoping that other industry colleagues and members will follow their lead as change is vital for development and growth in Africa.

Through ACM, partners will contribute a proportion of the value chain towards an ACM “war chest,” which can be accessed when a crisis emerges. Co-investing USD 5 each per bed night sold is the basis of the movement's long-term financial support model for the people, wildlife, and their future. The movement is working for sustainable travel in Africa and encourages everyone with interest to join.

Africa is a continent that has inspired so many; from explorers and environmentalists to broadcasters and royalty. The rich variety of ecosystems in Africa make it one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Despite being one of the world's most sustainable destinations, Africa has less than 5% of global tourism revenue. A contribution to Africa is a contribution to the survival of our planet. By encouraging more conscious travellers, we can work together to better protect earth's natural resources and prepare for likely future challenges.

The ACM movement was established by the necessity to build a more resilient future for people and wildlife resources alike. The success of this much-needed initiative is dependent on the shared passion and collaborative effort of all parties working across Africa's tourism industry to ensure a long-term sustainable outlook for the continent. A key pillar of creating a thriving tourism industry includes investment in community and conservation projects in some of the most fragile wildernesses on earth. In creating the ACM fund, the hope is to further protect Africa's wild places long into the future.

“The pandemic has accelerated fundamental change in the travel industry and in Africa itself” said Beks Ndlovu, a safari guide who founded African Bush Camps in 2006. “We need a stronger commitment from travel products and the travel trade to build a resilient future for Africa, its people, and its wildlife resources. When united, we have the power to give back even more, helping secure a wholesome future for Africa's wildlife and its people.”

“The last two years have shown that we need to ensure conservation continues even if travel and tourism temporarily doesn't.” said Tristan Cowley, of Ultimate Safaris. “With Africa Change Makers, we are now inviting our partners in travel, to assist us with this to ensure conservation resilience for times of tourism distress. Our next crisis could be around the corner. Where we are leading, others need to follow. The success of ACM is dependent on many, not just the few, and together we can triumph.”

As well respected, leading authorities in the safari industry, both Beks and Tristan hope that by actively demonstrating their support and commitment to Africa Change Makers, others will follow their lead and become part of this incredible programme to safeguard the future of the continent the industry relies on.  “It is without question that we want to be involved in ACM. As a collective, we can achieve so much more.” Said Tristan.

“It is totally understood that many safari companies throughout Africa are already affiliated or part of organisations and foundations that are significant to them, however, Africa Change Makers is about a collective change to rebuild and conserve Africa and its incredible wildlife, ecology, and communities.” Commented Beks. “We are stronger together.”

For more information, visit africachangemakers.org and participate in the #africachangemakers conversation on social media.

About Africa Change Makers

The Africa Change Makers movement was established by the need to build a more resilient future for Africa, its people and wildlife resources. Through the #africachangemakers fund, every trade partner will be able to contribute a minimum of US$5 per bed night which will be used as a 'war chest' to tackle future challenges. In so doing, every potential visitor to Africa, travelling with an #africachangemakers partner, will have the opportunity to get involved in the long-term sustainability of our majestic African continent.

All Africa Change Makers partners commit to the long-term sustainability, preservation and protection of the African continent, its wildlife, and communities. Through contributing, each partner will be building their crisis fund along with a co-partner for future calamities that arrives on Africa's doorstep to help build a more resilient future.

About Beks Ndlovu

Beks Ndlovu founded African Bush Camps in 2006. He was a professional safari guide born and raised in the village of Lupane on the outskirts of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. From the start of operations, Ndlovu's mission has been to operate a portfolio of luxury tented camps and lodges across Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia that reincarnate the fantasy of 'Old Untouched Africa' while treating guests to authentic, adventurous, and professionally guide-led experiences and bespoke safaris that can only be found in the bush. In 2005 Ndlovu founded the Conservation and Wildlife Fund, a non-profit organization funded by the contributions of safari operators in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Beks Ndlovu is a leading voice in the tourism and conservation spheres, advocating for tourism to be used as a vehicle to transform African communities and to conserve its wildlife. 

About Tristan Cowley
Tristan Cowley is the managing director and cofounded Ultimate Safaris in 2008. Today, Ultimate Safaris is a multi-award-winning Namibian Conservation Travel Company with five luxurious safari camps and a team of almost 100 employees. Born in Namibia, Tristan knew from a young age that he wanted to work in the tourism industry with a specific focus on enhancing conservation to protect the Namibian environment. Tristan has dedicated much of his career to pioneering and enhancing conservation work in Namibia. He became a peer-reviewed published conservation field researcher and founded the Conservation Travel Foundation in 2006, a non-profit foundation that drives rural development and conservation initiatives, raising almost US$ 1 million annually. He has been part of numerous committees and organisations dedicated to protecting Namibia's rich wildlife including serving as Chairman of the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA), co-founding the NATH Education Trust which grants bursaries for aspiring safari guides in Namibia, and being involved with the granting committee of the Lion Recovery Fund, a Wildlife Conservation Network and Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation initiatives which has invested over US$ 20 million in lion conservation programmes across Africa.