Ecosystems
Thriving Natural Landscapes
Protecting Landscapes & Wildlife​
We send travellers to some of the most world’s most vital ecosystems in East and Southern Africa. These landscapes are not only extraordinary for their biodiversity but also play a critical role in supporting communities and stabilising the global climate. Through our community-led impact agenda we are committed to protecting and restoring these vast landscapes, ensuring they and the people who call them home thrive for generations to come.​
In the last financial year, as part of Nawiri Group, we contributed US$9.8m to nature protection through park and conservancy fees, conservation levies, and infrastructure taxes. These contributions directly support these ecosystems by ensuring crucial funding for conservation efforts.
Greater Ruaha Ecosystem
Covering over 50,000 km² in southern Tanzania, the Greater Ruaha Ecosystem is a biodiversity hotspot with more than 140 mammal species and 570 bird species. It is home to 10% of the world’s lions and supports critical populations of elephants and wild dogs. This region is defined by the Ruaha River, a lifeline for wildlife and local communities. However, climate change and unsustainable water use threaten the river’s flow, underscoring the need for conservation efforts. Our work here as a group supports community-led conservation and initiatives to protect wildlife while securing livelihoods for local people and improving access to education.
Greater Selous Ecosystems
At 90,000 km², the Greater Selous Ecosystem in Tanzania is one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to vital populations of African elephants, black rhinoceroses, and African wild dogs. Its vast miombo woodlands and wetlands play a crucial role in maintainingecological balance. However, pressures from habitat loss and poaching remain significant challenges. ​
Greater Virunga Landscape
The Greater Virunga Landscape extends across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Known for its mountain gorillas, this area is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Its dense rainforests and volcanic ranges are home to rare species like golden monkeys and over 1,000 bird species. Conservation in this fragile landscape focuses on combating habitat degradation and supporting ecotourism projects that provide vital income for local communities.
Serengeti - Mara Ecosystems
Spanning 40,000 km² across Kenya and Tanzania, the Serengeti-Mara hosts the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras and gazelles traverse the landscape. Home to over 500 bird species and apex predators, this ecosystem plays a vital role in biodiversity and climate resilience. Our work has been instrumental in Kenya’s conservancy movement, enabling landowners to lease protected areas, and in Tanzania’s Wildlife Management Areas, where communities manage conservation lands and benefit from tourism revenue, fostering coexistence between people and wildlife.
