Elephants africa
Elephants on the savannah

African SafariFeaturing Botswana, Zambia, and Victoria Falls

Explore the natural wonders of Africa on safari with our experts
Starting at $7,857
Including airfare, airline taxes & departure fees
Call 855-330-1542
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 Patricia Hostiuck
A popular and respected naturalist, Patty Hostiuck is well-versed in tropical as well as polar ecosystems - she began her career in Alaska as a ranger; since then she has worked as a freelance naturalist and lecturer on numerous expedition ships.

Patty’s high-latitude work has taken her to every northerly nation from the Canadian High Arctic, Greenland, and Iceland to Svalbard, Norway, and Russia. Over 20 trips to Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego, and Patagonia make for a nearly pole-to-pole career! Patty also leads trips to the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Honduras, the Caribbean, and Baja California, as well as Australia, and Borneo.

Patty has led over 50 trips with Smithsonian Journeys. Fun to travel with, she has shared her expertise in mammals, birds, insects, and plants aboard ships and on the trail with thousands of fellow explorers in dozens of remote areas. Patty will lead the June 2013 departure.

Grant Nel
Grant Nel holds a BSc (Hon) degree in Zoology, has worked in the African wild for two decades and has also traveled widely internationally. For the past 12 years Grant has lived a few hundred meters from the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers (both of which feature prominently in your itinerary). Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park are virtually in his back yard. He is a highly respected professional guide and conservationist in the region. He is a former CEO of The Selinda Reserve, and sits on the boards of two local environmental organizations. Grant will be on the August and October 2013 departures.

David Clapp
David Clapp is a respected naturalist and teacher who worked extensively in land conservation and habitat management. David has taught at Northeastern University, lectured on strategies for land protection in the United States, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and consulted for an array of governmental and conservation agencies. He spent his professional career working for the Massachusetts Audubon Society and has led Smithsonian Journey adventures for about thirty years.

His research has included studies in avian populations and breeding birds of various species. Although natural history is his primary focus, David is interested in cultural history, geology, and evolution as well. He has been involved in ecotourism for more than 30 years and has led tours throughout the world.

Especially through his involvement with ecotourism he has been able to train naturalists, provide natural history materials and work with conservation organizations worldwide. His lectures run the gamut from plate tectonics and the history of the world to flight and migration as it relates to sites being visited. A naturalist of unusual breadth and depth, he has led Smithsonian Journeys practically from pole to pole. David is also an extremely gifted photographer. He is a popular study leader and our travelers consistently express their appreciation for his efforts and enthusiasm. David will lead the September 2013 departure.