Lindblad Expeditions Acquires Wineland-Thomson Adventures, Expands Safari Offerings
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS ACQUIRES WINELAND-THOMSON ADVENTURES, EXPANDING SAFARI OFFERINGS IN EAST AFRICA. THE ACQUISITION MARKS A STRATEGIC MOVE TO TAP INTO THE GROWING DEMAND FOR AUTHENTIC AND IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., a recognized global leader in expedition cruises and adventure travel, has announced its acquisition of Wineland-Thomson Adventures, Inc. This acquisition, conducted through its subsidiary Natural Habitat, Inc., includes several esteemed adventure travel offerings, notably Tanzania safari specialist Thomson Safaris and the award-winning Gibb’s Farm lodge.
Gibb’s Farm, situated on over 80 acres of organic farm and family coffee plantation, boasts a historic legacy on the forested outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater. Wineland-Thomson Adventures encompasses a range of established and respected travel offerings, with Thomson Safaris leading the pack. With over 40 years of operation, Thomson Safaris focuses on socially responsible and positively impactful light-treading safari tours. The brand has earned its place among the world’s top safari outfitters. It has garnered consecutive accolades from esteemed publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
Lindblad Expeditions: Expanding Footprint and Enhancing Adventures
Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder, CEO, and Board Director of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., expressed excitement about the acquisition. He highlighted company’s potential to expand the footprint and create more opportunities to preserve the wonders of the natural world. He emphasized the esteemed reputation of Judi Wineland and Rick Thomson, pioneers in the adventure travel industry.
Ben Bressler, Founder and President of Natural Habitat Adventures, echoed Lindblad’s sentiments, emphasizing the strategic importance of the acquisition. He sees it as an opportunity to further enrich Lindblad’s land offerings in East Africa. The company aims to tap into the growth potential of small-group safaris in Tanzania’s Great Plains and beyond.
Maintaining Legacy and Values
Judi Wineland, co-founder of Wineland-Thomson Adventures, expressed satisfaction in passing the baton to Lindblad Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures. She emphasized the importance of finding a company that shares their values, believing in tourism as a force for good, benefiting local communities, preserving the environment, and fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
Continued Growth and Commitment
Since joining the Lindblad Expeditions family in 2016, Natural Habitat Adventures has experienced exceptional growth. The addition of Wineland-Thomson Adventures further solidifies Lindblad’s commitment to expanding and enriching its adventure travel offerings. Operations will continue as stand-alone offerings, with Lindblad Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures leveraging their experience and resources to accelerate the growth of Wineland-Thomson’s offerings.
About Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is a leading expedition travel company, renowned for ship-based voyages under the Lindblad Expeditions brand and land-based travel through subsidiaries like Natural Habitat, Inc., Off the Beaten Path LLC, DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co., and Classic Journeys, LLC. Collaborating with National Geographic, Lindblad Expeditions promotes global exploration and environmental stewardship. Their educational voyages facilitate engagement with scientists, naturalists, and researchers, utilizing state-of-the-art exploration tools. Specialized offerings include polar bear tours by Natural Habitat, cultural walking tours by Classic Journeys, bike tours by DuVine, and guided adventures to national parks by Off the Beaten Path.
About Wineland-Thomson Adventures, Inc.
Established in 1981, Wineland Thomson Adventures (WTA) is the oldest U.S.-based tour operator specializing in Tanzanian adventure travel. Committed to giving back to Tanzania, WTA partners with the African Wildlife Foundation and Focus on Tanzanian Communities. WTA’s affiliates include Nature Discovery, offering Mt. Kilimanjaro trekking experiences, and Gibb’s Farm, a lodge nestled in the Ngorongoro Highlands.
