Laura Hendrix is the owner and director of African Connection.   She fell in love with Africa while living and working in Uganda, and is deeply committed to contributing to Africa's long-term development.  Laura's personal experiences in Africa as well as her science background and teaching skills have given her a passion for sharing her knowledge of Africa's people, places and landscape with others. 

Opportunities for economic development  and improving the lives of Africans are not abundant in this beautiful yet often heartbreaking continent.  Tourism is one such opportunity, provided it is carried out in a sustainable manner that benefits local communities while conserving natural resources.  We work with development and conservation organizations to offer authentic experiences to travelers while providing employment and financial assistance for local communities .  We strive to educate travelers about the issues facing Africa, and provide them with opportunities to help work towards solutions.  We work with local communities to identify needs and provide the tools needed to conserve the many natural resources they possess. 

Our work is guided by our CORE VALUES and our MISSION STATEMENT:

"CHANGING LIVES THROUGH TRAVEL"

OUR CORE VALUES:

1.  We are committed to the sustainable development of Africa's communities, particularly those surrounding national parks.  We believe that conservation of biodiversity and community development must occur hand-in-hand for either to be effective. 

2.  A percentage of our profits is contributed to carefully chosen conservation and community development programs whose goals are to promote sustainable use of Africa's natural resources while providing services to meet the needs of communities.

3.  We partner with indigenous companies whose values align with ours and whose operations are carried out in environmentally and culturally sensitive ways.

4.  We provide authentic, educational and inspirational experiences for our clients by using a multidimensional approach to developing our travel programs, incorporating elements of service learning, education, biodiversity conservation, cultural studies and social history. 

Whether you decide to volunteer in Africa, participate in one of our extraordinary safari tours in Africa, or if you are a student seeking educational travel in Africa, African Connection will make your travel experience life-changing!

We pride ourselves in our knowledge of African destinations and our committment to Africa's development.  Whether you desire five-star luxury or simple backpacking, we will provide you with an incredible experience in Africa.  As a small company, we have the pleasure of getting to know each of our clients' interests and needs so we can develop highly personalized itineraries.

As a former science teacher Ms. Hendrix is committed to providing outstanding educational programs for students and teachers.  What better way to learn about Africa than being there?  Teachers travel free with seven paid students, and African Connection  guides group leaders expertly through all phases of trip planning and preparation, from interest meetings to post-trip evaluation  Interdisciplinary curriculum materials and references are provided for teachers that can be integrated into existing curricula, taught as a "stand alone" unit or simply used for informational purposes.  Leaders will be fully prepared for what to expect while traveling, from history to animal behavior!

We have also developed the first "voluntourism" program in Uganda.  This innovative volunteer program connects travelers who wish to participate in community development and conservation programs that benefit Uganda's people, places and wildlife.  Make a difference in Uganda while having the experience of a lifetime "off the beaten path" in Africa. Volunteer in one of Africa's most beautiful countries, Uganda!

Contact us for more information!