Partners

Knyphausen Founda­tion for Sustain­ability, Nature Conser­va­tion and Education

In November 2015, our team member in Botswana, Theda Gräfin Knyphausen, launched the Knyphausen Foundation for Sustainability, Conservation and Education. The foundation mainly operates in Botswana and develops own educational projects which primarily address children and young adults. Its aim is to encourage people, through education, to take responsibility for themselves and for their environment.

In cooperation with local schools in Maun, the Knyphausen Foundation conducts regular training courses on waste recycling and prevention, sensitises children to the unique nature of Southern Africa and the need to protect it as part of the "Junior Ranger" programme, and each year awards a scholarship to young adults from Botswana for joining a one-year training course to become a professional safari guide.

For the future, the foundation aims at transporting its conservation and education projects to neighbouring countries and, thus, at creating and strengthening cross-border awareness for environmental protection and personal responsibility among the young generation in Africa.

CONSA­FARITY

CONSAFARITY, founded in 2013 by our team member Theda Gräfin Knyphausen, is a safari operator based in Maun/Botswana specialising in tailor-made safaris focusing on Botswana. Within the framework of individually arranged tent, lodge or horse safaris, guests can experience the diversity and timeless beauty of Southern Africa up close and, if desired, also take advantage of the German-speaking company of Theda Knyphausen.

Each CONSAFARITY booking furthermore supports the affiliated Knyphausen Foundation for Sustainability, Nature Conservation and Education which aims at encouraging children and young people in Maun to take over responsibility for themselves and for their environment by means of educational projects.

Since CONSAFARITY has joined Natucate in 2016, our team has been strengthened with competent safari consulting and planning in Botswana. The perpetual focus: personal consulting, considering individual wishes and, thus, creating a unique and unforgettable travel experience.

Conscious Explorer

Conscious Explorer is a platform that promotes conscious and environmentally friendly traveling. Its mission is to encourage travellers to explore the world mindfully, while respecting nature and actively supporting local communities. With a select network of authentic nature experiences, unique accommodations, and trusted partners, Conscious Explorer creates inspiring content that promotes a special connection to the environment.

In addition, partners like NGOs, travel operators, and other organisations have the opportunity to present their adventures and nature conservation projects on Conscious Explorer. This creates space for co-operations that are committed to protecting the environment and preserving ecosystems.

The Conscious Explorer magazine and informative service articles offer insights into the topics of travel, nature, and a conscious lifestyle - for all those who want to organise their adventures responsibly and learn more about wildlife, travel destinations, and nature conservation. Let yourself be inspired here!

Alan McSmith Safaris

Founded in 1999, AMS offers meaningful trips with unique discoveries in the African wilderness. With decades of experience in safari organisation and a deep love of African wildlife, unforgettable adventures are offered in fascinating regions of the continent with Alan McSmith Safaris.

The tailor-made tours, led by Alan Mc Smith and his team, allow up-close encounters with Africa's majestic wildlife. From Kenya and Tanzania to South Africa - the possibilities for true wilderness experiences are thus endless.

A commitment to sustainability and conservation is at the heart of every safari. This allows local communities and conservation projects to be supported to preserve these treasures for future generations.

Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme

The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) is a research-based conservation charity dedicated to studying the whale shark and fostering community-focused conservation initiatives in the Maldives and the greater Indian Ocean. What initially began as a scientific expedition in 2006, the MWSRP has grown to become the only long-term organisation dedicated to study the iconic, yet vulnerable whale shark species in the Maldives.

Their goal is simple: seeking to advance the field of whale shark knowledge and advocating for sound conservation policy in the Maldives. By encouraging and valuing community and industry stakeholder participation, MWSRP is able to leverage the scientific research to safeguard the rich biodiversity and fragile marine ecosystems that are the basis for not only whale sharks, but also life, livelihood and culture in the Maldives.

Game Rangers Inter­na­tional

Game Rangers International (GRI) is a non-profit organisation established in Zambia in 2008. GRI works in close partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to empower rangers and local communities to conserve nature.

We embrace a holistic approach to conservation, and empower rangers across three core thematic areas: Resource Protection, Community Outreach, and Wildlife Rescue.

American Conser­va­tion Experi­ence

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and protection of the natural environment in the United States. With its dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, ACE is passionate about conserving landscapes, biodiversity, and natural resources. Through a variety of programmes, ACE offers opportunities for volunteers, interns, and professionals to gain hands-on conservation experience and make a positive impact on the environment.

From working in national parks to restoring ecosystems in rural areas, ACE strives to create a sustainable future for generations to come. In particular, we are in constant dialogue through the environmental volunteer project in California. Learn more about ACE here.

Future of Tourism Coalition

We are proud to be a signatory of the Future of Tourism Coalition, joining a global movement to reshape tourism’s impact and prioritize destination needs. By committing to the Coalition's Guiding Principles, we are dedicated to fostering conscious travel practices that respect the unique cultural and environmental assets of each destination.

The Coalition, through its network of forward-thinking travel operators, encourages collaboration, the sharing of best practices, and the exchange of resources to ensure that tourism contributes positively to local communities and ecosystems. By aligning our recovery strategies with these principles, we aim to support the development of tourism that benefits travelers and communities alike, creating a responsible path forward for the future of travel.

ANIMON­DIAL

ANIMONDIAL’s mission is like ours: To bring compassion to tourism!

ANIMONDIAL are a unique consultancy, established to realise the ambitions of its founders, to identify solutions to the recurring problems facing ‘animals of the world’ caused by tourism and deliver meaningful change.

They provide impartial advice, guidance and support to animal charities, tour operators and travel associations across the globe, to better manage tourism’s impact on animals, people and the natural environment. They also work closely with travel associations including ABTA, having co-wrote their industry leading guidance for Animal Welfare in Tourism.

They offer a full-service approach including everything from developing new animal welfare policy, guiding and training staff, to sourcing responsible product from NGO partners, auditing animal facilities, and even the enhancement of brand through inspiring marketing and PR support.

ANIMONDIAL’s industry-leading support is proven to inspire customers, employees and help organisations of all shapes and sizes make genuine, positive and sustainable impact for better animal welfare in tourism. Many partners and testimonials and contact details can be found on their website.

Born to Live Wild

The "Born to Live Wild" campaign, launched by Blood Lions and supported by Natucate, aims to raise public awareness for the problem of canned hunting and the targeted breeding of lions and other predators.

So far, the so-called "Born to Live Wild" pledge has been signed by more than 170 tourism providers worldwide. By signing the documents, they pledge not to support attractions, institutions or organisations that contribute to the maintenance of the greed-driven practice of breeding, gate hunting and exploitation of predators. Included here are (especially) petting farms and facilities that offer "walks" with lions and other cats of prey.

As Natucate has also signed the "Born to live Wild" pledge, we commit to securing the survival of big cats in the wild and promoting Africa as an authentic and ethical tourism destination.

Campaign Against Canned Hunting

Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) is a non-profit organisation registered in South Africa to combat the lion breeding industry in Southern Africa.

According to CACH, volunteer agencies have a particular responsibility in the selection of project partners. The breeding projects for baby lions which are in great demand in many countries, do not serve the reintroduction of the animals, as is often mistakenly stated, only serve to produce lion cubs to entice tourists and to use them for canned hunting later on. As soon as they are too big to be petted or walked with they are put into a fenced area where tourists shoot them in a trophy hunt.

The travel industry is in a unique position to influence the behaviour of tourists and volunteers and to create an awareness of ethical travelling and species conservation. It can help turn tourists' means of payment into leverage by promoting ethical projects only. Only in this way, monetary supplies can be cut off and the industry slowly brought to a standstill.

As the first German provider, Natucate was recommended as an ethical volunteer agency by Campaign Against Canned Hunting. We see it as our duty to select our project partners with utmost care. By signing the strict code of conduct, a signal is given against the misuse of the help of volunteers for the cruel interests of the lion breeding industry.

Matthias Kern Photog­raphy

Matthias and Natucate first met in 2017, when the passionate nature and wildlife photographer joined our guide programmes in Southern Africa and successfully completed his training as Field Guide Level 1 and Backup Trails Guide. In the following months a close partnership developed – so far, Matthias accompanied several Natucate Private Wilderness Experience tours and perfectly captured unique wilderness moments as well as the magical atmosphere on film.

Matthias supports and shares our commitment to sustainable and responsible travelling. The sensitive behaviour towards animals and their habitat is always in the centre of his work. The burden on nature and wildlife should be avoided at all costs, according to which his credo is: Better no picture at all, than taking too much of a risk.

Some people say he is an adventurer – he calls himself "above-average curious". Since his trip from Alaska to Argentina he never got rid of wanderlust and travel fever. When not travelling around the world, he tries to discover the secrets of nature in his home country: beautiful Switzerland.

His works and further details can be found at matthiaskern.net.

Carina Kramer

Carina Kramer is a wildlife artist from Germany. When travelling, she creates wonderful artworks of the natural world surrounding her – for example, during her time as a Natucate guide student in Southern Africa. She says about herself:

“I am fascinated by wildlife. That seems quite obvious as I joined a Field and Trails Guide training in Africa, but I really mean it! Everything about those beautiful creatures from anatomy and behaviour to the sounds they make captivates me. I create oil and watercolour paintings as well as drawings featuring them to express my deep admiration and weave it into a sometimes delicate and sometimes rather painterly picture of what I see. My work is always realistic, so that my audience can relate and maybe join me in that marvelling appreciation I find myself in…”

Visit Carina’s website to take a look at her work and to learn more about her and her Africa experience.

Katrin Klewitz

In 2018, Katrin successfully completed her Field Guide Level 1 course with Natucate. At that time, the bush fever got hold of her – just a couple of months after coming back to Germany, she decided to return to Southern Africa and join our one-year Professional Field Guide course.

Not only did Katrin find her passion for the African bush and its wild inhabitants, she also got inspired to write a book about her African adventures. With her background in combat choreography, acting, directing, giving driving lessons and guiding in the African bush, Katrin has collected life experience in numerous different fields. In her books as well as in her coaching seminars she shares her experience with others and guides the participants with different techniques, old rituals and unique experiences through conflict situations and challenges.

On her website you can learn more about conflict management, combat fighting and Katrin herself.