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South African travel-booking platform Conservio has successfully secured US$1 million in funding to expand its operations in the nature-based travel sector. Founded in 2020 by Lara Dendy Young and Justin Rijnberg, Conservio focuses on supporting properties that celebrate natural surroundings, protect habitats, and inspire a deeper connection to the planet.
Currently, the platform features over 500 accommodation options across South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia. It addresses common issues such as inefficiency, difficulty, and distrust often associated with traditional booking platforms.
The recent funding round, which raised US$1 million, was led by E4E Africa, with participation from Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures, and strategic angel investors. Among these investors is Jonathan Smit, founder of Payfast, who had also contributed to Conservio’s US$500,000 pre-seed funding round in March 2023.
With this new capital, Conservio plans to expand its portfolio to include over 2,000 properties across Southern Africa. The company also aims to grow its customer base and strengthen its position as a leader in nature-based travel experiences.
Lara Dendy Young, CEO and co-founder of Conservio, highlighted the platform’s mission:
“By curating stylishly sustainable accommodations – from intimate cabins and farm stays to luxury lodges in nature reserves – Conservio offers travelers escapes beyond city limits, where every booking directly supports nature conservation.”
Bas Hochstenbach, managing partner at E4E Africa, emphasized the importance of Conservio’s work:
“We believe in Conservio’s vision to make booking nature-based travel more efficient and enjoyable for travelers, while contributing to quality job creation in rural communities and generating increased conservation income for Africa’s iconic nature.”
With its innovative approach, Conservio is set to redefine nature-based travel while promoting sustainability and conservation across Southern Africa.
