Conservio – a booking platform focused on eco-tourism with properties across South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia – has attracted another US$1 million investment to expand its footprint in Southern Africa.
Founded in 2020, Conservio channels revenue to properties that celebrate natural environments, protect habitats and support local communities. The platform currently lists over 500 accommodation venues with a goal to grow this to over 2 000 Southern African suppliers and properties using the recent investment, which follows US$500 000 secured in the first round of funding in 2023.
Entrepreneur-centric venture capital fund E4E Africa led the funders. Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures and angel investors, including South African tech entrepreneur Jonathan Smith, are among the other investors.
“We believe in Conservio’s vision to make booking nature-based travel more efficient and pleasant for the traveller and to support contributions to quality job creation in rural communities with increased conservation income for Africa’s iconic nature,” says E4E Africa Managing Partner Bas Hochstenbach.
Conservio aims to address some of the challenges of existing booking platforms while raising awareness, driving demand and increasing bookings across seasons – giving properties the opportunity to learn how to become more sustainable and to benefit from that sustainability.
“By curating stylishly sustainable accommodations — from intimate cabins and farm stays to luxury lodges in nature reserves — Conservio offers travellers access to escapes beyond city limits where every booking directly supports nature conservation,” says Conservio CEO and Co-Founder Lara Dendy Young.
“By offering a seamless, user-friendly experience for travellers and eco-tourism businesses, we continue to champion our mission of using tourism as a force for good.”
Conservio Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Justin Rijnberg says the platform is leveraging rapidly growing demand for independent travel within Africa.
“We are seeing a surge in tech-savvy travellers seeking unique stays beyond city centres. These travellers want the convenience of booking and paying online, seamlessly and in one place.”
