“A safari that is good for Africa is always the better safari.”
Jonathon Wilson, Co-Founder
Responsible African safaris
Conservation-driven travel
Africa gives us extraordinary experiences. Nothing beats the privilege of watching wildlife in its natural habitat. Then there’s the generosity of people who welcome us into their world. And finally, the space to slow down, reconnect and come home different.
We believe the places and people that make these journeys possible should benefit from them too.
Since founding Encompass Africa in 2009, we have built our business around a deep love of Africa and lasting relationships with the people who call it home. Our approach brings together carefully chosen travel partners, thoughtful journey design and direct support through Hearten Africa, our conservation and community-giving programme.
It starts long before you arrive. And it continues after you come home.
@Sarah Burke
The choices behind your journey
Where you stay, who guides you and how you explore all influence what your journey contributes.
Well-managed tourism can help protect wildlife habitat, support conservation work and create livelihoods in places where opportunities are limited. A camp’s local suppliers, a guide’s knowledge and a community’s involvement are all part of that picture.
These are things we consider when choosing the people we work with.
We look beyond beautiful rooms and impressive wildlife sightings to ask how a property treats its team, manages its environmental footprint and contributes to the surrounding community. We draw on personal visits, trusted relationships on the ground and the experiences our guests share when they return.
Those conversations help us keep learning, reassess our recommendations and support partners whose values align with ours.
Hearten Africa
Our giving has a name.
To hearten means to give courage, confidence and hope. It felt like the right name for a programme supporting the wildlife, wild places and communities that make Africa so special.
Through Hearten Africa, every safari contributes to a small group of conservation and community organisations. We choose them for the work they do, the integrity of their approach and our connection with the people behind it.
How it works
Your safari includes a AUD20 contribution per person, which Encompass Africa matches.
Contributions are brought together and allocated annually to our selected organisations. You can nominate a recipient from our current giving list, connecting your contribution with a cause that matters to you.
We keep the list focused so we can build meaningful relationships and understand the work we support.
Who we support
Our current Hearten Africa giving partners work across wildlife conservation, environmental care and community wellbeing. Click below to go to their websites for more insight.
Free ebookStories from the ground
Meet the people making a difference.
Behind every organisation is a story worth knowing: people responding to a need, finding practical solutions and staying committed to work that often happens out of sight.
Our Impact stories introduce our giving partners and other conservation and community initiatives connected with the places you can explore.
They offer a closer look at what is happening on the ground and why it matters.
Your part in the story
Thoughtful travel begins with small, considered choices. It’s the simple things… Respecting wildlife and your guide’s advice, asking before taking someone’s photograph, buying locally made goods and using water carefully and reducing unnecessary waste.
You do not need to become a conservation expert before you travel. We can help you understand what matters in the places you are visiting and how to approach them with care.
Travel responsiblyWant to do a little more?
Some guests want to learn about a particular conservation project, support a community initiative or make an additional donation.
Tell us what interests you and where suitable opportunities exist along your route, we can help you explore them with our local partners!
That might mean buying directly from an artisan, contributing to an organisation on our giving list or taking requested supplies to a participating project. We recommend checking what is needed before packing anything, so your generosity is useful and welcome.
Any visit or involvement should be guided by the organisation and the people whose work you are supporting.
Talk to us about getting involvedRefer and Reward
When Africa changes you ever so powerfully, it’s only natural that you want to share it with others.
Our Refer and Reward programme is how we thank our guests for spreading the word and introducing their family and friends to Encompass Africa. For each qualifying referral, we donate AUD100 to an organisation of your choice from our current Hearten Africa giving list.
Your recommendation helps someone else begin their own journey to Africa while bringing additional support to work we care about together.
How Refer and Reward worksA closer look at Hearten Africa
Discover more about our giving programme, the organisations we support and the people behind their work.
Our Hearten Africa ebook brings these stories together, giving you a little more insight into how your journey can contribute.
@AirAdventure_Wings over Tanzania
Come home different.
Africa has this kinesthetic way of changing what we notice, what we value and what we carry home.
For us, designing a safari means caring about both sides of that experience: what the journey gives you and what it contributes to the places you visit.
We would love to help you discover an Africa that stays with you and support the people working to protect its future.