$9,000 KENYA SAFARI UP FOR GRABS IN IEXPLORE’S PHOTO SAFARI CONTEST;

$9,000 KENYA SAFARI UP FOR GRABS IN IEXPLORE’S PHOTO SAFARI CONTEST; PRIZES AWARDED EVERY WEEK TO JUDGE’S FAVORITES

Enter Now through April 22

New York, NY, February 2011 – Award-winning travel site iExplore has kicked off a new contest for those who love to document their travels with photographs – no matter where in the world they were shot.  The “Photo Safari Contest” winner, as judged by nine award-winning travel photographers, media writers, and popular vote, receives a $9,000 “Classic Kenya Safari” for two.  A paradise for animal lovers, the Kenya safari includes three nights in a luxury tented camp at Masai Mara, two at a deluxe lodge at Elementaita with easy access to Lake Nakuru National Park, and one in a top hotel; as well as being escorted by expert guides on game drives and walks, leaving plenty of free time to view an incredible array of wildlife.  A second place winner takes home “His & Her” ExOfficio Storm Logic Jackets and a $500 iExplore travel voucher; prizes are also awarded to all finalists as well as  50 “Judge’s Favorites.”  The contest runs from February 8 through April 22, 2011. No purchase is required for entry.

The process for entry couldn’t be simpler: visit http://photocontest.iexplore.com/, register, upload your best photograph, and then spread the word.  Entrants can easily share entries with friends and family via social media tools like Facebook, twitter, instant message or word of mouth to encourage vote-getting.  20 finalists are chosen by popular vote (one vote per day per person) and each week one of the judges will select five to six of their favorite shots to display on the “Judge’s Favorites” page.  Those photographer’s whose pictures have been chosen will receive $100 Adventure Center travel vouchers.  At the end of the contest, the top 20 photos with the highest votes move on as finalists.  iExplore’s judges will choose  the winner and runner-up based on creativity, photographic quality and composition. Winners will be notified on or around May 6, 2011.  Contestants can enter more than once by registering with a different e-mail address.

Anyone feeling inspired by the world-class photos on display can head over to iExplore’s website to check out hundreds of adventure tour offerings.  Although there is no purchase requirement for the contest, iExplore adventures, such as exploring India on a nine-day cultural tour ($1,879), sailing off to the White Continent (Antarctica) for 13 days ($5,690), or taking in some of the best of Brazil for 12 days ($1,748), will surely tempt any visitor to the site -- especially after seeing some of these destinations highlighted in the photo entries.

Founded in 1999, iExplore has won numerous awards for “Best Adventure Travel Website” by Forbes Magazine, Travel + Leisure and Time Magazine and is the leading North American website for adventure and experiential travel with over one million unique visitors each month.  www.iexplore.com.

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