“Explore. Dream. Discover.
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.”
-Mark Twain
You have the opportunity to do just that in 2013! Discover exciting destinations and inspiring eco-tourism experiences with fellow members, donors and friends of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
We work closely with professional tour operators to provide high quality tours to both traditional and unique destinations. Our close friendships with conservation partners around the world mean your itinerary will likely include sights and adventures that few other travelers will ever experience. What’s more, our group tours are limited in size to ensure your comfort and give you the most personal and enhanced experience possible.
Travel with the Zoo and return with memories that will last a lifetime!
Botswana: Animal Kingdom’s Water Wilderness
May 13 To 23, 2013
Escorted by Animal Expert Tom Stalf
The view over the Okavango is spectacular. You fly low enough to witness elephant, giraffe and red lechwe cross the Delta. A wetland wilderness of looping channels, islands forested with palms and wide grassy floodplains, the Delta is home to a magnificent array of exceptional birds and animals. Explore this natural paradise in open 4x4 vehicles, on foot and in mokoros (dugout canoes) before returning to your exclusive, luxury tented camps. Rinse off that safari dust in Zambia at majestic Victoria Falls – one of the seven wonders of the natural world – on an optional post-tour extension. An optional pre-tour extension to Cape Town, South Africa’s “mother city” is also offered.
An Educator’s Trip To Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands
In the Footsteps of Evolution
July 17-27, 2013
Escorted by School Programs Manager Becky Nellis
Study in one of Darwin’s most famous classrooms as you learn first-hand about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Your introduction begins in colonial Quito and your upcoming curriculum includes spectacular views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Hike the slopes of Volcano Cotopaxi and cruise the Galapagos, the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle. His zoological and geological discoveries on that voyage resulted in numerous important publications and formed the basis of his theories on evolution. At Finch Bay’s Eco-Lodge, make a difference by participating in a brown coastal cleaning program that gives back to the community, visit an Ecuadorian school, and learn first-hand about Galapagos conservation projects at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Extend your stay with an optional post-cruise extension in Peru.
Central America Unveiled: Colombia, Panama & Costa Rica
Aboard the 72–Passenger Mega Yacht Variety Voyager
November 30 to December 12, 2013
Escorted by Curator, Kelly Vineyard
The heart of Central America beats wildly from bustling cities in three countries, to Rainforests, to Costa Rica’s rambunctious Arenal Volcano. Discover a world of spectacular wildlife, traditional villages, and the manmade wonder of the Panama Canal, one of the most amazing engineering feats in the world. Indulge in the luxury of the new, sleek Variety Voyager that will make you believe that you are the richest person on the planet. Float in a dug-out canoe through the San Blas Islands, swim in crystal clear waters, and relax in your luxurious hotels and on the white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, and Coiba Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scenic beauty, friendly locals, and delicious cuisine make this a journey you can’t pass up!
TRAVEL INSURANCE
To protect you and your trip investment the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has made arrangements with Travel Insurance Services to offer you a comprehensive travel policy called Travel Insurance Select™. This coverage includes trip cancellation, interruption, and/or delay; baggage loss, theft, damage or delay; accident and/or sickness medical expenses, accidental death; and worldwide emergency medical evacuation and assistance. CLICK HERE to learn more about and/or to apply for this coverage.
Information concerning the Zoo’s exciting 2013 travel opportunities will be available shortly. Call 614-724-3558 or email patti.cattey@columbuszoo.org to learn more or to make a reservation for the Zoo’s eco-tours.