South African travel-booking platform Conservio has secured US$1 million in funding to help it scale operations in the nature-based travel space.
Founded in 2020 by Lara Dendy Young and Justin Rijnberg, Conservio channels revenue to properties that celebrate natural surroundings, protect habitats, and inspire a deeper connection to the planet.
With over 500 accommodation venues across South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia, the platform addresses the challenges of difficulty, inefficiency, and distrust in existing booking platforms.
Conservio has raised US$1 million in a second funding round, led by E4E Africa, and also featuring Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures and strategic angels, including seasoned African tech entrepreneur Jonathan Smit (Payfast), who participated in the startup’s US$500,000 pre-seed raise in March 2023.
The startup plans to use the funding to grow to over 2,000 Southern African properties in its portfolio, scale up its customer base, and cement its positioning as the go-to brand for nature-based travel.
“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,” said CEO and co-founder Lara Dendy Young.
E4E managing partner Bas Hochstenbach said his firm invested in ventures that foster sustainable growth on the African continent.
“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 and increased conservation income for Africa’s iconic nature,” he said.
