Gifts That Give!
The holidays are fast approaching, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift ideas this holiday season for the safari aficionado, wildlife enthusiast or nature lover in your life.
Many of these gifts allow you to give twice this holiday season when you buy products that not only bring joy to the recipient, but also help support wildlife conservation and empowerment of local people.
Adopt an Elephant from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
This is one of our staff favorites when it comes to giving (and receiving) gifts. There is nothing more special than knowing your contribution to this reputable conservation organization is supporting the rehabilitation of a young elephant. A one-year adoption is just $50, and when you purchase as a gift, the recipient will receive an official adoption certificate, monthly watercolor digital prints, and regular updates on their elephant’s activities and progress.
“The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife and habitats. Working across Kenya, our projects include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown.”
You can also choose from a fantastic selection of other Sheldrick merchandise to support this organization, found on their Online Store. Items range from holiday ornaments, hats and socks to jewelry, clothing, notebooks and more.
The Wild Source Foundation Guides Calendar
Guiding is the heart of The Wild Source operation. To recognize the hard work and talent of our amazing guiding team, we are pleased to announce the third annual edition of The Wild Source Guides Calendar.
Inside these pages, our guides share some of their favorite photos captured on safari along with many of the stories behind the shots. This collection of stunning images will transport you to Africa and make a lovely gift for yourself or anyone who loves wildlife.
Proceeds from this calendar will help support The Wild Source and our ongoing mission of local empowerment and wildlife conservation. We thank you for your support!
Recycled Flip Flop Art from Ocean Sole
For kids, adults, ocean lovers or art aficionados, Ocean Sole’s clever and environmentally friendly flip flop waste turned beautiful animal and art figurines bring a splashy look to recycled gifts.
Ocean Sole started in Kenya using the washed up flip-flops found along the beaches and waterways. Inspired by the toys children were making out of the flip-flop debris, founder of Ocean Sole Julie Church encouraged their mothers to collect, wash, and cut the discarded flip-flops into colorful products to sell at local Kenyan Markets as another means of income for their families.
“At Ocean Sole, we are a registered non-profit, whose mission is to clean polluted beaches and provide careers to Artisans in high-impact communities.”
“We turn discarded flip-flops into artwork & functional products, which in turn raises visual awareness of the pollution problem at hand.”
Choose from a number of different collections and products to find the perfect gift for the wildlife lover in your life.
Ethically Handcrafted Home Decor from Tribal Textiles
Zambia’s Tribal Textiles sells beautifully crafted, handmade linens, pillow cases, wall hangings, tote bags and more, with rich designs inspired by the wildlife, culture and people of the South Luangwa. Your gift purchase supports upliftment and empowerment of local people through fair employment and medical care, gender equality and an educational work environment.
“Tribal Textiles works to create sustainable impact in South Luangwa, Zambia through creativity and craftsmanship by going beyond fair wages, reinvesting in community strengthening initiatives, and supporting local wildlife conservation.
We are on a mission to design a community in which the wildlife and people of Zambia thrive and live in prosperous harmony. Providing employment and a source of income to people in a region where wildlife roams the land and jobs are scarce decreases the risk of poaching and deforestation. People living off the land are more likely to lay snares or cut down trees than those with a steady stream of income who are able to pay for basic necessities and put food on the table for their families.”
Cabernet for Conservation: Painted Wolf Wines
Supporting conservation tastes delicious when you gift your holiday party hostess or the budding sommelier in your life with these South African wines that support conservation efforts for the African wild dog, also known as painted wolves. African wild dogs are one of the most rare and endangered carnivores in the world, with only around 5,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
From the 2019 chenin blanc and 2018 pinotage in the Den Range, to the viognier and Syrah in the Pack Range, there is surely something to suit every palate. Visit the online shop to find your perfect varietal. Donations from sales support the work of conservation organizations such as the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Tusk.
“We are dedicated to the production of authentic, distinct and delicious wines, and to the conservation of African Wild Dogs and their natural habitat.”
Anti-Poaching Snare Wire Jewelry
Our staff is a big fan of both wearing and giving this beautiful, handmade metal jewelry from Mulberry Mongoose. The unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings are crafted from the wire of snares set in place by poachers, and collected by rangers, in the South Luangwa of Zambia. Local women artisans based in Mfuwe handcraft the jewelry and in turn, the income allows them an active role in supporting their families and preserving the unique place that inspires this work.
“Tragically snare poaching causes the slow and painful death of wildlife in the South Luangwa where we are based. Thankfully brave rangers collect in these snare traps before they harm our iconic animals.
With skill and strength we transform this brutal snare wire into beautiful jewellery. With every piece of jewellery sold we donate back to funding more anti-snare patrols.”
Children's Conservation Books by "Rhino Dave"
Kids will love following the conservation journeys of Sissy Sally Sassafras – a young girl who wants to make a difference – from the jungles of Nepal, to the zoo in Denver, to the Arctic!
Currently three books are available for purchase: Zodiac Kids, highlighting a different endangered species for each month of the year; Narayani: The Unicorn of Nepal, the story of a young rhino princess who meets Sissy Sally Sassafras; and The Elephants of Denver, Sissy Sally’s first story about her one true love – animals.
Friend of The Wild Source and zookeeper at the Denver Zoo, Dave Johnson (fondly known as “Rhino Dave”) authored these children’s books that helped him launch a non-profit, the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF). Katie was a budding zookeeper who tragically lost her life to cancer in 2014.
“The mission of KACF is to help empower the people of our planet to work together to save our remaining ecosystems and all of the creatures they contain.”
Prints for Nature
A beautiful fine art print is a gift that any photographer, or wildlife or nature lover, can cherish for the rest of their life. The prints are expertly crafted by a fine art studio and printed on archival rag paper. 100 percent of net proceeds will support core Conservation International initiatives.
Browse the stunning portfolio for the sale and simply click on the image or images you want to order.
“The Prints for Nature sale features some of the world’s finest photographers working to protect people, wildlife and the environment. This is a chance to collect some of the most inspiring photography out there and support tremendous conservation work.”
The Ultimate Gift: A Safari!
Want to go big with your gifting this year? Imagine your loved one’s surprise and delight when they receive the ultimate gift — a personalized safari planned and booked just for them.
Work directly with one of our planners to develop a customized safari trip that you can gift to your spouse, a friend or that special person in your life. Not only do they receive a trip of a lifetime, but their travels directly support our ongoing mission of wildlife conservation and local empowerment. We’ll provide you with their personalized digital itinerary, or a bound and printed copy you can stuff in their stocking!
If you’d prefer to plan the safari with your gift recipient to make sure you get everything just right, we’re happy to provide you with a themed wildlife photo or card you can gift them, and then work together to plan their perfect trip. We can help you come up with fun ways to present the gift too. Either way, Contact Us today and we’ll connect you with your own dedicated safari planner, Annie or Emily.
Happy Holidays, from our family to yours!
