Located in South Africa’s Western Province, a 45-minute drive from Cape Town and near the picturesque town of Paarl, Ashia is an African name meaning ‘Hope and Life’. As such, the name perfectly reflects the two sides of the project – giving hope for the future of the cheetah species through Ashia’s Cheetah Reintegration, Reintroduction and Research Programs, and offering the best life to the animals in need of care. Founded in 2016 as a non-profit conservation organisation, Ashia is successfully reintegrating, relocating and reintroducing carefully chosen cheetahs to game reserves and national parks in Africa.

A 2018 interview conducted by Naturecrazi’s CMO with Ashia’s founder, Chantal Rischard, can be read here.

Baines’ River Camp is a sanctuary for those attuned to natures’ melody. Set upon the banks of the mighty Zambezi, nestled perfectly near the Lower Zambezi National Park and opposite Mana Pools, Baines’ is the paragon of luxury African Safari destinations.

In a land where simplicity could have sufficed, no expense has been spared in crafting Baines’ to perfection. The resplendent suites and refined yet spacious central enclave stand as a sanctuary to rejuvenate and unwind after each day.

With eight idyllic suites and a two-bedroom family haven, Baines’ River Camp is ready to host a total of 20 discerning guests. Each chalet is an ode to beauty, exquisitely decorated and outfitted with every amenity to ensure your stay is both lavish and tranquil.

Founded in 1996, Bush Ways was born from an intense love for the African bush. By providing tourism safari experiences based on personalised attention, Bush Ways offers genuine cultural encounters and authentic bush experiences for our guests.

Through the Bush Ways Foundation the business continuously strives to ensure that their activities have a positive impact and contribute to a sustainable development of our natural wonders.

As a proud member of Pack for a Purpose you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of local children and families of communities at your travel destination. By saving just a few kilos of space in your suitcase you can take supplies for schools or medical clinics in need.

Headlining our Careers category, Bushwise is the tourism industry’s most comprehensive provider of internationally recognised courses for field guides. Located in South Africa’s Big Five territory of Limpopo and a division of GVI Global, Bushwise courses are aligned with the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) and accredited by South Africa’s Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).

In partnership with Bushwise, our career travel programs are ideal for future guides, nature enthusiasts, gap year students, and people who just want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Physical attendance courses range from 1 week to 24 months while online courses vary from 8 to 12 weeks.

Naturecrazi is proud to partner with GVI in offering their Africa-based volunteer programmes for our voluntourism category. Besides providing award-winning, career-empowering, and life-enriching sustainable development projects for volunteers, GVI’s high-quality programmes are accessible to everyone. Through the GVI Foundation, eligible Naturecrazi clients can apply for Grant funding towards their program fees based on their motivation and circumstances. GVI’s goal to assist passionate change-makers by allocating up to £2 million worth of grants each year. The grant also ensures that their volunteering and internship programmes always have enough participants to deliver on project work globally, while meeting the impact goals of NGO partners around the world.

Expanding on our Journeys and tying-in with our Voluntourism trip categories, GVI Expeditions provides rare and unique opportunities to go behind the scenes of wildlife and marine conservation in Africa and to experience nature like never before. These 5- to 8-day immersive experiences are led by conservation experts in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. As the leader in ethical and sustainable conservation experiences, GVI has over 25 years of experience with research stations across the world.

GVI’s Teen Expeditions caters to youth between the ages of 15 to 18. As the world leader in purpose-driven teen travel GVI has welcomed over 35,000 participants over the past two decades.

Located in South Africa’s North West province, in the heart of the Big Five Madikwe Game Reserve, Inzalo Safari Lodge is a rustic and intimate un-fenced camp – the only one of its kind in the reserve.

This family owned and run eco-lodge firmly follows “thrills over frills”, following ecotourism principles which allow you to tread responsibly in the African bush.

Besides Big Five game viewing, activities at Inzalo include river picnics, bush walks to view bushman paintings, on site birding, tree identification, track and sign identification, and watching the baboon troop come to roost at sunset.

Our ground handling partner in Zambia’s pristine South Luanga region, Kufunta Safaris offers our nature loving clients unmatched comfort and excitement, with outstanding game viewing at Kafunta River Lodge, the adventurous wilderness of Island Bush Camp, and the stunning views and unique sleep-outs at Three Rivers Camp. Kafunta practices responsible tourism through its LCCF levy, whereby a portion of nightly rates are invested in programmes that focus on community welfare, education, and conservation. On a yearly basis Kafunta raises close to $40,000 USD and redistributes the funds to three organisations; Project Luangwa, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, and Conservation South Luangwa. In addition, Kafunta is a member of Pack For A Purpose.

Kuzuko, meaning ‘Place of Glory’ in Xhosa, is a 35 000-acre Private Game Reserve in the greater Addo area of South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Built high up on a hill, Kuzuko Lodge offers 24 luxury chalets, each with wooden decks affording breath-taking views over the Karoo valley below. Kuzuko practices ‘Impact Investment’ – a business philosophy that aims to create jobs and solve  social issues, which they do through the Kuzuko Foundation. All game drives at Kuzuko are 100% carbon neutral by being offset by 26 million spekboom plants, which have captured 1,182 tonnes of carbon dioxide to date and are projected to capture a further 1.5 million tonnes. In addition, the reserve has reintroduced 23 wildlife species, rewilded 14 cheetah, and protects 8 endangered fauna species.

Within close proximity of Kuzuko, Lalibela Game Reserve covers 26,000 acres of rehabilitated Albany Thicket, Indigenous Forest, Fynbos, and Nama Karoo fauna biomes. With one of the densest populations of free roaming lions in South Africa, Lalibela’s fauna includes the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal and lynx. Besides being 5-Star rated by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), and having been awarded numerous industry accolades, both properties contribute extensively to sustainable tourism criteria. With seven luxury lodges and impressive conservation, research, and land management projects, Lalibela has been extensively reviewed by Naturecrazi’s CMO.

Mosetlha Bush Camp and Eco Lodge is a tented oasis positioned in the heart of the spectacular Welgevonden Game Reserve – a 34,000 ha Big Five protected wilderness within the malaria-free UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere of South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Conservation projects abound at Welgevonden, which maintains a low human footprint by limiting the number of lodges and guests that are allowed within the reserve. Besides Welgevonden Game Reserve’s bio-monitoring and environmental awareness programmes, the reserve is also home to WildEarth – a TV channel and app that immerses 7 million people in the wilderness every single month. It offers the restorative power of virtual nature experiences to a global audience of nature lovers.

Ideally positioned in southern Mozambique’s Maputo National Park – one of earth’s richest eco-regions, Ponta Membene Resort is nestled in the core of the special reserve’s coastal forest biome, behind the sand dunes in the tropical bush, and a few steps away from the long fine white sand beach and the warm Indian Ocean. Coupled to the co-owned Sky Island Resort in nearby Ponta Do Auro, both resorts are renowned for their sustainable tourism initiatives and lauded for their rehabilitation of endemic flora and fauna species conservation. Naturecrazi’s self-drive Beach & Bush journey package provides a unique opportunity for nature lovers to view, and learn about, the endemic marine and land-based fauna and flora, from whale sharks to elephants, and seaweed to milkwood trees.

Owned and operated by Sun Safari Destinations, Sky Island Resort is ideally located near Ponta Do Auro in southern Mozambique’s Ponta Malongane region. Like the co-owned Ponta Membene Resort, Sky Island is just a few steps away from the long fine white sand beach and the warm Indian Ocean. Here, guests can indulge in snorkeling and worry-free swimming experiences as the gentle waves and shallow depths make the beach safe for all, including inexperienced swimmers. Experiences include diverse activities, such as paragliding, scuba diving, ocean safaris, dolphin swims, and Elephant Reserve day trips. Enjoy gourmet cuisine at the Sky Island restaurant overlooking the captivating vista of the swimming beach just steps away.

Our mobile safari partner, Safari Selections Botswana, is owned and operated by Ren Mbulawa and Anthony Cavill Taylor, both esteemed figures in Botswana’s safari industry. Drawing from their deep-rooted experience, they envisioned an authentic safari circuit that unites tourism products owned and operated by Botswana citizens under a singular banner while prioritizing wildlife encounters and cultural immersion. Their emphasis lies firmly on the safari experience and the rich cultural heritage of Botswana, rather than opulent hotel-style luxury. In this regard, the founders embrace the concept that while comfort is essential, the true essence of an extraordinary stay is the wildlife encounters, which results in guests vividly recalling the remarkable wildlife more than the room they stayed in.

Calling all fellow adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts, and eco-warriors!   Here at Naturecrazi, we’re passionate about sharing the wonders of the natural world, and we’re thrilled to unveil a brand new way to join our mission: the Naturecrazi Partner Programme.   

Think of it as an exclusive club for eco-conscious creators, businesses, and individuals who share our love for the great outdoors.