Experience


Get Involved

The way we travel has changed.

Few of us board a plane today without considering the impact we leave behind. Yet meaningful travel goes beyond reducing footprints; it’s about connection, exchange and shared benefit.

Across Africa, VAST members are shaping a new standard for responsible travel through genuine partnerships with local communities and measurable contributions to conservation, from supporting anti-poaching patrols in Botswana to restoring coral reefs off Mozambique’s coast. These are journeys built on connection and purpose, honouring Africa’s people and the landscapes they protect.

Explore how VAST members are giving back and shaping a future where travel truly matters.

Plan Your Trip

Where to go:


Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences across the continent and get involved the right way.

Namibia
South Africa
Mozambique
Kenya
Seychelles
Republic of Congo
Madagascar
Tanzania
Ethiopia
Namibia
Help protect the fragile ecosystems of the NamibRand desert and Namibia’s local communities.
More
Namibia

The NamibRand Private Nature Reserve is owned by a group of philanthropists dedicated to the conservation of the fragile area. And for the team at the Wolwedans Collection, sustainability is not simply a side arm; it is their heart and soul. They are committed to promoting conservation, contributing to the development of Namibia and its communities, and also driving Rural Revival, the building of a sustainable, Desert Based Economy.

South Africa
Take your safari to the next level with a hands-on, conservation-focused experience.
More
South Africa

Sustainable travel is certainly a buzzword in today’s travel lexicon, but there are only certain experiences that are worth the hype. These are the ones that truly give back to the local communities in an ethically-responsible way, or play a meaningful role in conservation and research. Together, we can protect Africa’s most vulnerable places and these are the experiences that will contribute.

Mozambique
Mozambique offers a rare chance to get involved in both marine and land conservation, combining safari adventures with coastal initiatives.
More
Mozambique

For travelers looking to do more than just explore, Mozambique provides hands-on opportunities to engage with both wildlife and marine conservation. In Gorongosa National Park, visitors can witness groundbreaking restoration projects, support local education initiatives, and join researchers tracking key species like lions and elephants. Along the coast, marine conservation programs focus on protecting endangered dugongs, sea turtles, and vibrant coral reefs. Whether assisting with wildlife monitoring on safari or learning about sustainable fishing practices from coastal communities, Mozambique offers a truly immersive experience where you can actively contribute to the preservation of both its land and sea ecosystems.

Seychelles
Get involved in the protection of the exquisite natural wonders of the Outer Seychelles.
More
Seychelles

The Seychelles were the first country in the world to include conservation efforts in their constitution and, with around 60% of their land mass being protected, they have the highest proportion of protected space in the world. The Blue Safari team is highly knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate about the protection and conservation of the exquisite Outer Islands and their natural wonders and are dedicated to raising awareness through various initiatives.

Republic of Congo
Safeguarding the precious Congo
More
Republic of Congo

The Republic of Congo is home to travel companies who are working hard to establish sustainable, low-impact tourism ventures aimed at safeguarding pristine natural regions and uniting communities, through research-based science and under the umbrella of conservation. Every guest’s stay contributes through various fees allocated for park conservation, gorilla research, community development, wildlife monitoring, and the sustainable operation of the remote lodges.

Where to stay:

We currently don’t have any VAST properties in this area

Please get in touch with us and we’ll point you in the direction of our favourite places to stay and help you plan your VAST journey.

Madagascar
Protect and preserve the forests and communities of Madagascar
More
Madagascar

Masoala Forest Lodge is the largest tourism contributor to the operational costs of Masoala National Park, through park fees paid by every guest. In the small local village of Ambodiforaha, Masoala Lodge has focused efforts on education and women’s empowerment.

Where to stay:

We currently don’t have any VAST properties in this area

Please get in touch with us and we’ll point you in the direction of our favourite places to stay and help you plan your VAST journey.

Tanzania
Promoting values of love and respect for Tanzania’s delicate ecosystem.
More
Tanzania

Tanzania has been a land decimated by illegal logging, poaching, and overgrazing. Human settlements and agricultural activities had overtaken natural wildlife corridors, leaving animals stranded in pockets and cut off from their ancient migratory routes. Future-proofing this beautiful country is a large part of why to travel here.

Where to stay:

We currently don’t have any VAST properties in this area

Please get in touch with us and we’ll point you in the direction of our favourite places to stay and help you plan your VAST journey.

Ethiopia
An opportunity to get involved in a deeply authentic and often overlooked world.
More
Ethiopia

Ethiopia is best suited to travellers who truly understand and value the concept of wild and immersive journeys. The luxury offered is access to extraordinary places and experiences that are only available to a few discerning travellers each year.

Where to stay:

We currently don’t have any VAST properties in this area

Please get in touch with us and we’ll point you in the direction of our favourite places to stay and help you plan your VAST journey.

A VAST Inspiration


 

Rhino conservation at Kwandwe

As the world of conservation integrates with technology and the power of AI, Kwandwe have embraced leading tech applications to preserve and protect their rhinos – and this is your chance to get involved over a three-night, four-day Rhino Conservation Safari.

This initiative is supported by the Kwandwe Rhino Conservation Trust , a dedicated non-profit focused on long-term rhino protection and community conservation in the Eastern Cape.

Where to do it:
Experience Pangolin Conservation Up Close

Affiliated with the Gorongosa Resoration Project, the Pangolin Project stands out as one of success and hope for wildlife conservation.

The Pangolin Project at Gorongosa National Park was established with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintroduce pangolins into their natural habitat. Each animal receives expert care and rehabilitation before being released into protected areas. Supported by round-the-clock ranger monitoring and satellite tracking, the program plays a vital role in the global conservation of this endangered species.

Where to do it?
Aerial patrol at Tanda Tula
Fly high over the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve on an aerial patrol with the conservation team and see what you can spot. As part of the Fair Trade Tourism–accredited Tanda Tula collection, this experience offers a rare insight into conservation in action.
Where to do it:
Visit the Rhino Orphanage at Solio

Just five minutes from Solio Lodge, the Solio Rhino Orphanage cares for orphaned rhinos rescued from the reserve. Guests are welcome to visit, meet the dedicated keepers and see the young rhinos’ daily routine. Visits are managed responsibly and include a voluntary donation that supports the orphans’ care.

Through the Footprint Trust,The Safari Collection funds conservation, education, and community projects across Kenya — including rhino protection at Solio.

See Wildlife Restoration in Action

At Gorongosa National Park, three new hyenas were reintroduced from Karingani Game Reserve on November 12 2024, strengthening the park’s recovering predator population. Since 2022, fifteen hyenas have been released as part of Gorongosa’s science-led rewilding program, restoring balance to this dynamic ecosystem. Learn more through the Gorongosa Restoration Project.

How guests get involved: Each visit contributes to ongoing rewilding through conservation levies and community-led projects. Guests can explore the park with expert guides and witness restoration in motion.

Where to do it?
Planting spekboom

Planting spekboom
Spekboom (Portulacaria afra), native to the Eastern Cape and abundant at Kwandwe, is a succulent thicket plant among the world’s most effective carbon-capturing vegetations. Guests can join re-planting efforts to help restore degraded landscapes and support carbon sequestration. Learn more on the Kwandwe Giving-Back page.

Where to do it:
Marine conservation

Join Blue Safari in the Seychelles Outer Islands and take part in ICS conservation activities.

Join scheduled beach clean-ups, monitor turtle nests, and help record manta rays in partnership with the Manta Trust. Each visit contributes to research and protection led by the Island Conservation Society and the Alphonse Foundation.

Where to do it:
Leave your mark in the Namib
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a fragile desert ecosystem; you can support its protection by adopting a fairy circle. For a donation you receive a numbered disk and GPS coordinates of your circle, and all funds go directly to the NamibRand Conservation Foundation. Wolwedans, a Long Run member committed to sustainable tourism, helps steward this unique landscape. Adopt your fairy circle.

Where to do it:
Experience community engagement first hand
At Azura Retreats you can engage directly with the island’s community and ecosystem. Each stay helps support The Rainbow Fund (which provides local scholarships and environmental projects) and contributes to the Bazaruto Marine National Park levy. Guided walks and snorkelling adventures give insight into the marine reserve’s rich flora and fauna, while local-community excursions reveal the vibrant culture of the island’s residents. Learn more about our giving-back programmes.
Where to go:

How to do it


Discover the best of Africa’s hands-on experiences and get involved in vital conservation work with our curated selection of itineraries:

4+ nights

Conservation @ Kwandwe


A rare opportunity to help in the conservation of South Africa’s  rhino, darting, notching and collecting vital data on the species alongside Kwandwe’s conservation team.

Available from all villas & lodges on Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

7 nights | Mozambique

Gorongosa Safari Explorer – Stay 7, Pay 5


For the ultimate Gorongosa experience, a seven-night stay is highly recommended. Enjoy four nights at one camp and three at the other, with one complimentary night at each camp—perfect for immersing yourself fully in the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

7 nights Gorongosa Safaris

*Note: Stays of 5 nights or more qualify to take part in the Pangolin foraging walk