Sanctuary Swala Camp, part of the Sanctuary Retreats collection, has just re-opened in Tanzania and combines up close encounters with wildlife with luxury amenities. Following a $1.5 million rebuild, the camp now has 12 spacious canvas pavilions, designed around an open-plan model with large living areas, king beds and en suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. Floor to ceiling canvas windows lead onto large private lounge decks that overlook the main watering hole which regularly draws lions, leopards and resident bull elephants.

The camp now also has a new infinity swimming pool and main dining and lounge areas that offer fine dining with views over the waterhole and valley beyond combining luxury with the excitement of the African bush. The camp is located in Tarangire National Park and is home to large herds of elephants as well as more unfamiliar animals like wild bat-eared foxes. To celebrate the opening of Sanctuary Swala Camp, 2009 rates will remain throughout 2010, and rates start at $440 per person/per night, all inclusive. A special launch offer includes a deal that lets you book two nights at Sanctuary Swala Camp and get your third night for free.

Visiting a foreign country, especially one in the third world, often prompts one's philanthropic desires to give back to the places they explore. It's hard to distinguish which causes are worthy of your funds and which giving opportunities truly use your funds for the project intended. Travelers' Philanthropy takes the guess work out of global giving by connecting travelers or simply interested donors to causes that positively impact local communities. Currently this organization is involved with causes in Costa Rica, South America and Africa encouraging travelers to combine their love of the global community with their ability to fund important programs and initiatives. Check out the gallery below for current opportunities and the people they impact.

Epic Change has a unique philosophy toward doing good in the world. They believe that people's stories are assets that can be used as resources to improve their lives. They help people share their stories in innovative, creative and profitable ways to help them acquire the financial resources to create change in their communities. Their first project involves rebuilding and expanding Shepherds Junior, a small pre- and primary school located in Arusha, Tanzania. The school is taught in English but includes courses in the country's primary language, Swahili, and celebrates the culture and history of Tanzania. The school's goal is to give the children in the area a high quality education at an affordable price and charges less than 30% of the cost of private schools of similar quality within the area. They charge nominal tuition to most students and uses income to subsidize the costs of orphans and lower income children who attend the school. The land on which the school is based was sold to a hotel developer. Epic Change is working to help rebuild and expand Shepherds Junior in a new location adding a computer lab, library, cafeteria, playground, classrooms and solar panels for power. An acre of land has been purchased and students are currently attending school in four new classrooms. The Epic Change group and some volunteers are headed back to Tanzania this summer and future story-related projects include a greeting card line that includes pictures of the children and a post card line that includes photos by the children. Epic Change is actively looking for donations as well as volunteers to join them in helping work epic change in the lives of these children.