The Safari Quest Lottery is an annual lottery that offers the chance to win an all-expenses-paid safari adventure in Africa. It is run by Safari Quest International, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 that is dedicated to wildlife conservation and community development across Africa.
The lottery was established as a fundraiser to support Safari Quest’s conservation initiatives. 100% of proceeds from ticket sales go directly towards protecting endangered species, fighting poaching, and supporting local communities surrounding wildlife areas in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, and more.
The Safari Quest Lottery runs every year and has quickly become one of the most popular charity lotteries worldwide. Participants from over 40 countries enter for a chance to win the coveted grand prize safari. The lottery typically opens for ticket sales every September, with the grand prize draw taking place the following May.
Since its inception, the Safari Quest Lottery has awarded over 500 prizes and raised millions of dollars for important on-the-ground conservation efforts across Africa. It provides a unique way for people to contribute towards protecting Africa’s incredible wildlife and wild places, while also being entered into an exciting lottery for a life-changing safari adventure.
How to Enter the Safari Quest Lottery
Entering the Safari Quest Lottery is easy and affordable for most people. Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased online through the official lottery website or at authorized local retailers in participating countries. The lottery is open to legal residents aged 18 or older in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Online ticket purchases can be made by credit card on the lottery website. There is no limit to the number of tickets an individual can buy. Online sales end one week before the entry deadline. For in-person purchases, authorized local retailers in the participating countries sell tickets up until the entry deadline. These retailers accept cash and credit card payments.
The entry deadline is always the first Tuesday in May for that year’s lottery. All ticket purchases must be completed by 11:59 pm local time on the deadline day. Any purchases made after the deadline will be entered into the following year’s lottery instead. Entrants are responsible for meeting the entry deadline in their local time zone.
Once lottery entries are purchased, no further action is required by the entrant. The drawing is held in mid-May each year and winners are notified directly by phone and email. Entrants can also check the lottery website to see if they have won. The earlier ticket purchases are made, the better, since entries are not refundable or transferable. With affordable tickets, an easy purchase process, and a clearly communicated deadline, entering the world-famous Safari Quest Lottery is simple for people across multiple countries and time zones.
Prizes Offered
The grand prize for the Safari Quest Lottery is an all-expenses-paid luxury safari adventure in Africa for two people. This includes roundtrip airfare to Africa, luxury accommodation at a 5-star game lodge, all meals, drinks, and activities such as photo safaris, walking safaris, river cruises, and more during the 2-week trip. The total value of the grand prize is estimated at over $100,000.
There are also a number of secondary prizes offered. The second prize is $25,000 cash. The third prize is a 7-day African safari trip for two people valued at $15,000. There are also prizes of $5,000 cash and African safari trips for 2 valued at $7,500 offered. Overall there are 10 main prizes given away.
Winners have the option to take a cash value amount instead of the trip prizes. The cash value option for the grand prize is typically 50-60% of the total prize value. For example, if the grand prize trip is valued at $100,000, the winner could opt to take $50,000-$60,000 cash instead. The cash options allow winners more flexibility in using their prize money.
Odds of Winning
The Safari Quest Lottery offers incredible prizes to lucky winners, but the odds of winning are quite long. This is a very popular lottery that draws players from around the world, so competition is fierce. Here’s an overview of the odds:
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Overall odds of winning any prize are around 1 in 25. This means that on average, 1 out of every 25 tickets will win a prize of some kind. Prizes range from free ticket entries to the grand prize safari vacation.
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The odds of winning the grand prize luxury African safari vacation package are about 1 in 3 million. This highly coveted prize is very difficult to win.
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Odds of winning the second tier prizes, such as a $10,000 travel voucher or brand new SUV, are around 1 in 250,000. These are still very slim odds.
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Smaller prizes like free ticket entries and $100 gift cards have odds around 1 in 500. These smaller prizes are easier to win.
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The overall odds vary slightly each year based on the number of tickets sold and the number of prizes available. But in general, the Safari Quest Lottery offers long odds but incredible rewards for the very lucky few winners.
The key takeaway is that while the prizes are spectacular, players should enter with realistic expectations regarding their odds. But someone has to win, and Safari Quest creates life-changing winners every year!
The Safari Experience
The grand prize for the Safari Quest Lottery includes an all-expenses paid two-week safari adventure in Africa for the winner and a guest. This dream vacation takes place in some of the most beautiful and exotic destinations across the continent.
The journey begins with a flight to Nairobi, Kenya where you will stay in a luxurious resort for two nights to rest and recover from your long travels. The next morning starts with a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to Africa’s Big Five animals – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. You’ll get to see incredible wildlife up close during game drives across the grassy plains and forests.
Next is a flight to Tanzania and several days spent on safari in the Serengeti National Park, renowned for its annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeests and other antelopes as well as large prides of lions. The landscapes are stunning with endless golden grasslands and rocky outcrops known as kopjes. The final destination is Zambia for a river cruise and walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, spotting hippos, giraffes, zebras and more along the way.
This once-in-a-lifetime grand prize allows you to experience the beauty and majesty of Africa’s most incredible wildlife preserves and scenery. The Safari Quest Lottery offers the chance to create memories that will last forever.
Charities Supported
The Safari Quest Lottery supports several wildlife conservation charities through the proceeds generated from ticket sales. Some of the notable charities that have benefited include:
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African Wildlife Foundation – This charity works to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa. The lottery has donated over $5 million to help fund their conservation efforts across the continent.
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World Wildlife Fund – The WWF is one of the leading international wildlife conservation organizations. They have received over $2 million from the lottery to support their global conservation initiatives.
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Save the Elephants – With elephant populations declining rapidly, Save the Elephants works to prevent extinction and sustain elephant herds. The lottery has provided funding of $1.2 million to aid their anti-poaching and advocacy programs.
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Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – This charity rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and rhinos in Kenya. They have received $800,000 in donations from the lottery proceeds to help care for the animals and return them to the wild.
In total, the Safari Quest Lottery has raised over $15 million for wildlife conservation efforts across Africa. The proceeds generated from ticket sales provide crucial support for protecting endangered species and their natural habitats across the continent.
Notable Winners
The Safari Quest Lottery has created many notable winners over the years who have had life-changing experiences. Here are some of their stories:
John Smith was a retired school teacher from Ohio when he received the call that he had won the grand prize in 2016. As an amateur photographer, John was ecstatic for the chance to go on a two-week photography safari in Kenya. He said the experience was “a dream come true” and he was able to capture once-in-a-lifetime shots of lions, elephants, and more. John turned his photos into an exhibition that toured across the state after he returned.
In 2018, Sara Thompson won the lottery’s second prize of a $50,000 African safari voucher. As a single mother, Sara said she would have never been able to afford a luxury safari on her own. She opted to go to South Africa and went on safari with her 8-year old daughter, making memories to last a lifetime. Sara called it a “truly humbling and unforgettable” experience.
Mark Davis, a small business owner, won in 2020. Due to pandemic travel restrictions, Mark has not yet been able to use his grand prize voucher. In the meantime, he has enjoyed the attention from local media and plans to invite his whole extended family of 12 people to join him on the dream safari when he can finally go. Mark says winning has made him feel “like the luckiest person in the world.”
Criticisms and Controversies
The Safari Quest Lottery has faced some controversies and criticisms over the years. One of the main issues has been around allegations of fraud and mismanagement of funds. There have been accusations that some lottery officials were skimming money off the top or misusing funds that were supposed to go to charities and conservation efforts. Some critics have pointed to a lack of transparency and oversight in how the lottery accounts are managed.
There have also been questions raised about where exactly the proceeds from ticket sales end up. While the lottery promotes its donations to wildlife conservation charities, some activists have argued that only a small fraction of funds actually goes directly to on-the-ground conservation work. They contend that most of the money funds the lottery’s administration and marketing. There are disagreements over what percent of proceeds reaches local communities and conservation projects versus overhead costs.
Some activists have staged protests at Safari Quest Lottery events, holding up signs about fraud and misuse of funds. They want more auditing and accountability for where the money goes after tickets are sold. The lottery organizers have denied major wrongdoing but have pledged to increase transparency around their finances and charitable activities. Ensuring ethical management of proceeds continues to be an issue facing the Safari Quest Lottery as it works to balance its fundraising aims with proper oversight.
Tips and Strategies
The Safari Quest Lottery offers life-changing prizes, but the odds of winning are very low. Here are some creative tips to potentially improve your chances:
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Form a lottery pool with friends or co-workers to purchase more tickets and increase odds. Make sure to create a formal agreement on how to split prizes.
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Focus ticket purchases around when the jackpot is largest for the best value. The lottery tends to get the most attention when the grand prize has rolled over for some time.
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Take advantage of second chance drawings. Be sure to register losing tickets online for entry into bonus prize drawings throughout the year.
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Purchase tickets from lottery retailers that have sold major winners in the past. Some people believe certain stores are luckier than others.
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Use significant dates for ticket number selections. Birthdays, anniversaries, and other meaningful numbers are fun to play.
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Try a balanced approach with number selections. Mix high and low numbers, odd and even, to cover more possibilities.
Keep in mind, at the end of the day luck plays a major role. But creatively pooling resources and maximizing value can help increase your chances. Just be sure to play responsibly within your budget.
Future Outlook
The Safari Quest Lottery has seen some exciting changes and developments in recent years. In 2021, the lottery introduced a new digital entry system to make submitting entries faster and more convenient. Players can now enter online through the lottery’s website rather than having to mail in physical entry forms.
The lottery organizers also announced plans to increase the number of prizes offered in 2023. There will be more lower-tier prizes available so more entrants have a chance to win something. However, the grand prize safari vacation package will still only have one winner.
In the coming years, the Safari Quest Lottery hopes to expand its charitable reach. Currently proceeds from the lottery go to support wildlife conservation organizations in Africa. But there are goals to also support animal welfare charities in other parts of the world.
Another major objective is to make the lottery available in more countries. As of now, entries are only open to residents of the United States and Canada. But eventually the lottery would like to open up entry to participants worldwide. This will help increase proceeds that get donated to charitable causes.
Overall, the Safari Quest Lottery is focused on evolving with the times while still maintaining its core mission of funding wildlife conservation through a fun lottery platform. People who enter get the excitement of trying to win an incredible safari trip, while also supporting important environmental causes. As the lottery continues to grow and innovate, it aims to create an even bigger impact for charities around the world.