Through a chance encounter at an Explorer’s Club event, Alan was able to connect with Kate Thompson founder and Executive Director of the Amani Foundation. This foundation was set up to address a critical need in Tanzania. In Tanzania, it’s often poverty—not the absence of living or loving relatives that leads to children being placed in orphanages.

Amani mission is to change that dynamic. This is done through a variety of initiatives to educate children and support their families. Many families in northern Tanzania face difficult choices about their children's welfare when economic means are insufficient. The Amani Foundation utilizes a three-fold approach. First, they conduct critical research into the social consequences (e.g. family breakdown) and their links to human-ecosystem interactions. Second, they create sustainable economic opportunities—through programs like the Livestock Exchange Program—that empower parents to generate reliable incomes, lifting families out of poverty and enabling them to provide for their children. Finally, Amani Initiatives delivers tailored support to vulnerable children in their communities, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and emotional care.

Infinite Safari Foundation provides financial support to this wonderful Foundation so that can continue and expand the critical work that they do.

Through his work with Saving the Survivors, Alan Feldstein was introduced to Kevin Carr Hartley the manager of the Solio Ranch Conservancy. It was love at first sight. Nestled between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, Solio Ranch is famous for its pioneering rhino conservation efforts and is home to the second-largest private rhino population globally. It has bred and translocated over 145 rhinos, making it a cornerstone of rhino conservation in Africa. In addition, it is a great partner and supporter with the local communities.

But it has challenges with orphaned and injured rhino and other wildlife. Through the support of several partners including the Infinite Safari Foundation, Solio has built a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic and has constructed a world class rhino orphanage to take care of abandoned baby rhinos and other wildlife. With dedicated care givers who are with their young wards 24/7 Solio has been able to save baby orphaned rhinos and put them back into the wild.

In addition, the Infinite Safari Foundation has supported Solio’s Women’s Empowerment Program. Guided by Jen Carr-Hartley, this initiative was created to provide opportunities for women from the surrounding areas to learn new skills, earn an income, and build confidence in a supportive environment. One of the core initiatives of the Solio Women’s Empowerment Project is the production of washable sanitary pad kits. These reusable kits provide a simple, sustainable solution to a challenge faced by many girls and women in the surrounding communities.

There is a community near Amboseli National Park that is very near and dear to us. It is where we have built a water well, fed them during the drought and helped them when their homes were flooded by torrential rains after the drought. Yes, climate change is real.

Recently members of the community have started a pre-school for their kids. They realize how important education is. Part of that realization stems from them seeing how we changed Patrick’s life by giving him an education and now they want to do more.

They have started the Majakusi Academy Pre-School. They asked the Foundation for our help, and we could not say no. Thus, we have funded their ability to buy books and other supplies for the school. We will keep you posted on the school’s progress but take satisfaction in the fact that we are helping give these kids a start for a brighter future.

Born in Ongata-Rangai village, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Patrick Olepapatiti, known as “Mirishi” (meaning “brave man whom nothing can stop”), embodies resilience and determination. As a young warrior, Patrick earned his name after surviving a lion attack while defending his livestock, an act of courage that cemented his reputation as a fearless protector. Despite the challenges he has faced—whether a lion, financial hardship, or new business ventures—Patrick’s unwavering spirit has always prevailed.

Patrick has held the honor of being chief (olaiguanani) of his age group, a role in which he oversaw and administered to over 8,000 Maasai warriors. At the age of 40, he became a respected tribal Elder, mediating disputes, supporting his community, and ensuring the well-being of his people.

Patrick’s dedication to education began as a young boy when he sneaked into a classroom at the age of six, only to be sent away because he wasn’t registered. His tears caught the attention of the headmaster, who enrolled him, recognizing Patrick’s determination to learn. However, financial difficulties forced him to leave school after eighth grade, a setback that only fueled his resolve to one day return.

Through his work with Beads for Education founder Debby Rooney, Patrick helped launch a scholarship program for girls in the Amboseli region, enabling over 100 young women to attend school from elementary through college. Recognizing Patrick’s enduring desire for an education, Debby secured him a scholarship to complete his studies.

In 2004, at the age of 27, Patrick returned to school. Despite his esteemed position in the Maasai community, he humbly cut his warrior hair, donned a uniform, and joined a class of teenagers, determined to achieve his dreams. Patrick completed high school, passed national exams, and went on to earn a degree in International Business Administration and a master’s degree from the United States International University-Africa.

Patrick’s connection to Infinite Safari Adventures began when founder Alan Feldstein sponsored his final year of high school, forging a relationship that has grown into a close friendship. Today, Patrick leads a successful anti-poaching operation in the Amboseli region, where he works tirelessly to protect Kenya’s iconic wildlife. Visitors to the region have the unique opportunity to meet Patrick and witness his extraordinary efforts, a testament to his indomitable spirit and lifelong commitment to his community.

The Infinite Safari Foundation proudly supports the vital work of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), an organization dedicated to preserving the cheetah, Africa’s most endangered big cat. With fewer than 6,500 cheetahs remaining in the wild, CCF works tirelessly to protect these iconic animals while educating communities about human-wildlife coexistence.

CCF’s innovative initiatives include the livestock guarding dog program, which helps reduce human-wildlife conflict, and the groundbreaking effort to reintroduce cheetahs to India, restoring a species that had been absent from the region for over 75 years. The organization also combats the illegal wildlife trade by intercepting captured cheetah cubs in Somaliland and providing a sanctuary for their recovery.

With its guiding philosophy to “change the world to save the cheetah,” CCF is making strides in conservation and advocacy. Contributions from the Infinite Safari Foundation have been allocated as a matching challenge grant to amplify the impact of these critical programs, ensuring the cheetah’s survival for generations to come.

In 2022, the Infinite Safari Foundation responded to a devastating crisis in the Amboseli region of Kenya, where the Maasai community faced the catastrophic effects of a prolonged three-year drought. With cattle dying and families unable to access food or resources to sustain their livestock, the community was in dire need of support.

The Foundation launched a GoFundMe campaign, rallying friends, family, and clients to provide emergency relief for those suffering the consequences of climate change beyond their control. Collaborating with Patrick Olepapatiti, a Maasai leader whose college education was funded by Infinite Safari Adventures, the effort raised funds to purchase and distribute food to over 1,500 people in the affected community.

This initiative exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to uplifting African communities in times of need, demonstrating how collective action can bring hope and relief to those facing extraordinary challenges.

In 2014, the Infinite Safari Foundation embarked on a transformative project to address a critical need in the Maasai community near Amboseli National Park, where women faced a grueling four-hour round-trip journey to access water. Recognizing their exceptional skill as bead artisans, the Foundation collaborated with the Maasai women of Ongata-Rangai village to create a sustainable solution.

The women crafted beautiful Maasai Beaded Dog Collars, and the Foundation sold them in the United States, dedicating 100% of the proceeds to funding a water well for their village. Within a year, the initiative had raised 50% of the needed funds. The Foundation then stepped in to cover the remaining balance, ensuring the project’s completion.

By 2015, with the support of the organization A Voice Is Heard, a well was successfully installed just outside the village. The women now enjoy a much shorter journey—just 40 minutes—to fetch water, a time they cherish as an opportunity to connect and converse away from daily responsibilities. The Infinite Safari Foundation continues to support the well with ongoing maintenance and repairs, ensuring this vital resource remains accessible to the community for years to come.

In 2023 the Infinite Safari Foundation organized two transformative trips to the Marataba Conservancy, where participants assisted in the sedation and collaring of rhinos—a critical measure in the fight against poaching. These efforts were conducted in collaboration with renowned veterinarian Dr. Johan Marais, founder of the organization Saving The Survivors.

Dedicated to treating African wildlife impacted by poaching and other traumatic events, Saving The Survivors provides life-saving care to rhinos, elephants, lions, and more. Among its many extraordinary efforts is the case of Seha, a rhino whose face was brutally hacked off by poachers. Dr. Marais and his team undertook the painstaking task of reconstructing Seha’s face, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to these animals. Always on call, Dr. Marais travels across the continent to deliver this essential care.

Through this partnership, the Infinite Safari Foundation continues to support innovative and compassionate solutions to protect Africa’s iconic wildlife from the devastating effects of poaching.

The Infinite Safari Foundation proudly supports Reach The World (RTW), an organization dedicated to connecting K-12 classrooms with global explorers and experts through virtual exchanges. Using web-based technology, messaging, and video conferencing, RTW inspires students by bringing the world into their classrooms. Past collaborations have included virtual connections with expeditions uncovering Ernest Shackleton’s ship, circumnavigating sailors, and researchers stationed in Antarctica.

The Foundation has partnered with RTW to introduce students to the critical issues surrounding cheetah conservation. Through interactive video presentations, journals, and other engaging materials, students will explore topics such as human-wildlife conflict and the innovative solutions implemented by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), including their livestock guard dog program.

This program will culminate in an exciting live broadcast in February, featuring Dr. Laurie Marker from CCF’s headquarters in Namibia. By supporting this initiative, the Infinite Safari Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of conservationists and foster a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Africa’s wildlife.

The Infinite Safari Foundation proudly supports the Olgulului Community Wildlife Rangers (OCWR), an initiative partially funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). These dedicated rangers safeguard over 367,625 acres of critical habitat within the Amboseli ecosystem, protecting iconic wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes, and other migratory species, while also ensuring the safety of local Maasai communities.

This collaborative network connects Maasai villages, conservancies, and the OCWR rangers, forming a united front against poaching and other environmental threats. Among these brave protectors are Team Lioness, Olgulului’s first female rangers, who are leading the charge in wildlife conservation and community security.

In recent years, the region has faced extreme weather challenges, from severe droughts to devastating floods. Despite their own hardships, the rangers continue their vital work. The Foundation’s contributions provide much-needed support to help these dedicated individuals persevere in their mission to protect one of Africa’s most vital ecosystems.

During a trip to Zambia, the Infinite Safari Foundation experienced the transformative power of SEKA Educational Theater, a local troupe renowned for using humor and creativity to address serious issues. Through engaging and laughter-filled performances, SEKA empowers communities to confront challenges ranging from elephant-human conflict to HIV/AIDS education, children’s rights, littering, and natural resource management.

SEKA’s performances go beyond entertainment; they spark conversations and inspire action. Each show motivates audiences to discuss solutions and create plans for meaningful change. The troupe’s ability to blend fun with purpose has earned them widespread respect and admiration throughout the region.

The Foundation’s donation supports SEKA’s actors and covers transportation costs, ensuring their vital messages reach even the most remote communities. By partnering with SEKA, the Infinite Safari Foundation furthers its mission to uplift and empower communities through education and collaboration.

In partnership with DK Grand Safaris, Infinite Safari Adventures proudly supports Brilliant Beauty College, a transformative program in Kenya that provides underprivileged youth with professional training in hairdressing and beauty. Founded by Daniel Kikemu, owner of DK Grand Safaris, the college aims to empower young people—especially young women—with the skills and opportunities to build better futures.

The program serves students who have completed primary or secondary school but cannot afford to pursue further education. Without such opportunities, many of these young women face limited prospects, often becoming house nannies, marrying too early, or raising families before achieving their full potential. By offering quality training, the college equips its students with the tools to create sustainable careers and lead independent lives.

Through DK, the Infinite Safari Foundation has fully funded the tuition for one deserving student, giving her the chance to build a lifelong career and achieve lasting success. This partnership reflects the Foundation’s dedication to uplifting individuals and creating meaningful change in African communities.