The Slow Fund: Conserving Africa's Iconic Species & Landscapes With African Parks

Recognizing the impact the pandemic has had on conservation funding across Africa, which has historically relied heavily on tourism, B&amp;R has partnered with African Parks, pledging US$50,000 per year to specific parks across Africa for the following three years, commencing 2022.

<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">African Parks</a>&nbsp;is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks was founded in 2000 in response to the crisis facing Africa's protected areas. Their vision is to effectively manage Africa's protected areas and national parks on behalf of governments to benefit wildlife and local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their business model created a new paradigm for conservation, playing a major role across the continent in helping African governments turn their failing parks into ecological, socio-political, and economic strongholds for their countries. It's a solution to one of Africa's most pressing challenges. In 20 years, they've built the largest and most ecologically diverse portfolio of parks of any one organization in Africa. With 19 parks in 11 countries spanning more than 36 million acres, their footprint is the equivalent of half of the land in the US National Parks system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National ParkOur nominated park for 2022 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/akagera" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Akagera National Park</a>, Rwanda. Akagera is Central Africa's largest protected wetland and Rwanda's last remaining savannah ecosystem. It is, therefore, the only protected area in Rwanda suitable and prepared to sustain black rhino and lion populations. 20 years ago, it was on the verge of being lost forever. Following the 1994 genocide, Akagera was a depleted landscape overrun by more than 30,000 cattle. In 2010, African Parks assumed management of Akagera in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, shifting the park's trajectory. In just five years, poaching was mostly eliminated, and over two decades experienced a dramatic transformation and remarkable revival. Wildlife populations have increased by 48% since 2010, among them 43 lions and 28 black rhinos.&nbsp;&nbsp;The park also offers a secure and healthy ecosystem that can one day be a stronghold for black rhinos and contribute to the conservation of the species on a regional level as a source of individuals and genetics for rewilding and reinforcing populations in other areas. Before the pandemic, when the park took a hard hit on its tourism revenues, Akagera was well on its way to becoming African Parks' first financially self-sustainable park. The park remains an inspiring conservation story that will enthral us for years to come with every re-introduction.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National Park is often included as an extension when planning a&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rwanda-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Rwanda Bespoke</a>&nbsp;trip. Sighting lion, rhino or any of the endangered species here is an emotional experience when one understands the remarkable journey of transformation the region has undergone in twenty years.&nbsp;

Photography credit: Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Scott Ramsay / Giraffe in Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Marcus Westberg

Recognizing the impact the pandemic has had on conservation funding across Africa, B&R has partnered with African Parks, pledging US$50,000 per year to specific parks across Africa for the following three years, commencing 2022.

Conserving Africa's Iconic Species & Landscapes With African Parks

Discover Africa

Butterfield &amp; Robinson has been going deep into the heart of Africa for decades, and its aura can only truly be felt when experienced first-hand. Alive with the vibrancy of vivid colours, rich cultures and traditions, breathtaking landscapes and wildlife—its energy is palpable.&nbsp;&nbsp;Travel in Africa is dynamic. With diverse representations in music and fashion, delicious food and wine, hiking trails and safaris, hotels and lodges set in unreal locations, there is no better place on earth to unplug from hassles of modern life and reconnect with yourself, others and the planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;Africa offers endless possibilities for exploration—from Morocco to Tanzania to South Africa and beyond.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Where the energy is palpable 

The heart of Morocco is off the beaten path – and we’ve weaved together breathtaking walks that lead right to it. Hike along the Plateau du Kik and drink in the views of the High Atlas Mountains. Sip mint tea in Berber villages at the foot of Jbel Toubkal. Stroll the fragrant Valley of Roses. And put your feet up at exquisite hotels – just in case the heart of Morocco is hiding out by the pool.

The cradle of civilization, Egypt is a land where Pharaohs, Pyramids and King Tut’s legacy have captivated curious travellers since ancient times. While it’s not hard to find every moment stirring in the grandeur of the world’s oldest civilization, we focus on the special bits that bring history to life. Whether you’re cruising down the mighty Nile or exploring Cairo’s shimmering museums with the family, the world’s oldest treasures await around every corner. Beyond the historical wonders, Egypt's natural beauty beckons with the Red Sea's sandy beaches, sleeping under the stars and camel rides through the white-sand desert. Get inspired and let us craft a timeless adventure tailored just for you.

Historic Sites

Authentic Food

Larger Than Life

Egypt is ancient history with a pulse—pyramids at sunrise, Nile cruises at golden hour and tombs that still leave you speechless. Wander Cairo’s glittering museums, snorkel the Red Sea and toast under desert stars. With pharaoh-worthy sights and modern magic at every turn, this is one epic tale you get to step into.

Where past and present collide

A treasure trove of wonder

Egypt Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Morocco is one of our oldest friends—the land, in fact, where the idea of a B&amp;R expedition was born. We saw a stunning country beautifully suited to our penchant for pedalling, and knew we absolutely had to introduce it to our travellers. Today, we give you the very best that a luxury Morocco bike tour has to offer—magical Marrakech, Berber villages, stunning oases, fabulous food, a Kasbah hotel, the High Atlas Mountains and an absolutely unforgettable riad stay in incredible Essaouira.

Incredible Rides

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Insider Access

Morocco serves up a varied array of mountains, deserts, and coastlines so readily, you'll swear it’s showing off. Pedal from the snow-dusted High Atlas to surfer-chill Sidi Kaouki, through crimson valleys, sacred villages, and candlelit desert dinners. Along the way, meet locals who’ll happily share their stories, their mint tea, and the kind of magic that can’t be Googled.

From the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

Preview the itinerary

Experience Designer

From gravity-defying granite boulders to wildlife-rich plains, Zimbabwe is a land where the beauty of Mother Nature shines like nowhere else on earth.&nbsp;Adapt to the gentle pace of safari life as you follow in the footsteps of the Big Five, canoe safari along the Zambezi River and marvel at the natural wonders of Matusadona National Park, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba—spotting giraffe, elephant, cheetah and more.&nbsp;In between game drives, you'll connect with conservation organizations that are working to safeguard wilderness areas and inspire a new vision for our oldest continent.

Unveiling Nature's Masterpiece

Zimbabwe Conservation Safari

Have the experience of a lifetime on a bike or, if you prefer, an amicable camel. Go from bustling&nbsp;souks&nbsp;to Berber villages and crumbling&nbsp;kasbahs. Lose yourself overnight in the silky Saharan dunes at a breathtaking tented camp, and luxuriate at Kasbah Tamadot, Dar Ahlam and Riad Farnatchi (exclusive to us). You’ll think you’re walking toward a mirage, but trust us, it’s all real.Please note! For the October departure, you will stay at Kasbah Tamadot instead of Olinto.&nbsp;For information about the hotels assigned to your departure, kindly contact your Travel Advisor. You can also download the detailed itinerary to view the complete hotel lineup.

Unforgettable Experiences

From dining beneath the stars to cycling through palm-lined oases, Morocco brings the magic. Pedal desert trails, hike to a hidden Amazigh village, dine under Saharan stars, and explore Marrakech with our friend Mohammed. With luxe camps, ancient souks, and tagines that will linger in your dreams, this adventure is as bold and unforgettable as the land itself.

Journey into the Sahara

Can’t find your dates? 

Go Bespoke

Have the experience of a lifetime on a bike or, if you prefer, an amicable camel. Go from bustling&nbsp;souks&nbsp;to Berber villages and crumbling&nbsp;kasbahs. Lose yourself overnight in the silky Saharan dunes at a breathtaking tented camp, and luxuriate at Kasbah Tamadot, Dar Ahlam and Riad Farnatchi (exclusive to us). You’ll think you’re walking toward a mirage, but trust us, it’s all real.

Bustling souks, breathtaking Berber camps, crumbling Kasbahs and camel rides over the silky Sahara: no, this isn't a mirage—it's a dream come true.

Ultimate Morocco: The Sahara to Marrakech Biking | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

It’s hard to believe that so much beauty, diversity and wine can be found so close to Cape Town. Not to mention the spectacular lodges and biking and hiking routes. This journey is not dissimilar to many of our European jaunts, as we pop easily from one elegant hotel to the next - enjoying vineyard tastings, art gallery visits and animal sightings along the way. Pedalling past dramatic vistas, we move from the Cape Peninsula to the winelands then finish with a few days of witnessing the&nbsp;“Serengeti of the Sea" on marine safari.

Exploring the Cape and beyond

Local Connections

Morocco does anniversaries like it does everything else—spectacularly (and often over mint tea). Hike Atlas foothills, lunch with Amazigh locals (and yes, they’re amazing), and trade stories in remote villages. Cruise the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, watch Sahara sunsets by camel, and toast it all with a private charter finale in Casablanca. For our 60th, we’re not just doing Morocco—we’re doing Morocco at its most memorable.

South Africa’s many colours are reflected in the kaleidoscope of art, music and cuisines in her cities, the 12 official languages she boasts and in the faces of her people (Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, descendants of British, Dutch, French and Cape Muslims, to name a few). Here, you can sip the finest new world wines, bike through fynbos-bedecked hills, swim with sharks or spend the day tracking the Big 5 before watching the sunset below the horizon with a sundowner in hand. B&amp;R’s South Africa blends the colours in a canvas of people, experiences and sensations that we hope will take your breath away. So breathe in the pure African air, and let us plan your ultimate South African safari.

Land of Striking Contrasts

Unique Gastronomy

Yes, it's a long flight—but there is (quite literally) no place on earth like South Africa. One moment you’re biking through fynbos hills, the next you’re tracking lions before toasting the sunset with a chilled Chenin. With wild coasts, big skies and even bigger wildlife, it’s a feast for the senses. Come for the views, stay for the vibes—and let us tailor every jaw-dropping detail.

Come for safari, stay for Ubuntu

It’s by no accident she’s known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

South Africa Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Modern Rwanda is a nation rooted in its past, yet firmly set on its future. This wave of optimism has made the country's beauty all the more captivating: lush cloud forests home to some of the world's last mountain gorilla, coffee plantations draping the hills in glistening green, mountain ranges dominated by volcanoes, undiscovered national parks—and most importantly, the people who are eager to share the story of their nation's journey and resilience.

In the Wild

Luxurious Stays

In Rwanda, every step tells a story—of resilience, wild beauty, and a future written with hope. Trek lush forests, cross dizzying suspension bridges, and lock eyes with chimpanzees and silverbacks in their misty mountain homes. From coffee-covered hills to the shores of Lake Kivu, this journey is stirring, stunning, and unlike anything else on Earth.

Explore the 'land of a thousand hills'

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details. 

Our Limited Edition Rwanda Hiking trip offers an unparalleled journey through the Land of a Thousand Hills, blending extraordinary wildlife encounters with exclusive cultural experiences. Over nine days, you’ll explore Rwanda’s lush landscapes, home to tea and coffee cooperatives, rich history, and vibrant culture. The stars of the journey are undoubtedly the primates—you’ll have multiple opportunities to track both chimpanzees and Silverback gorillas in their natural habitats, getting within metres of these magnificent creatures while learning about their behaviours and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect them.&nbsp;Beyond the primate encounters, you’ll have access to B&amp;R exclusive hiking routes at the Twin Lakes with views of the Virunga Volcanoes and immersive trails along Lake Kivu and into Nyungwe House. Along the way, you’ll also meet conservation experts and a former gorilla tracker, gaining rare insights into the impactful work being done in Rwanda to preserve its wildlife and ecosystems.&nbsp;

Contemporary Rwanda is a country moored by its recent past, yet firmly set on its future. Everywhere you look, the country is churning and forward-looking. With this influx of optimism the exceptional beauty of Rwanda has never been more intriguing: cloud forests that house some of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, burgeoning coffee production which carpets the hills with shiny green leaves as far as the eye can see, incredible mountain ranges comprised of volcanoes, National Parks ripe for discovery, hidden inland beaches—and most importantly, people who are welcoming and eager to share the story of their country and their resiliency.

Trip price is inclusive of a $1,500 Gorilla Permit.

Vibrant Culture

Conservation Efforts

Kenya is safari in its purest form—and so much more. From the cultural hub of Nairobi to the traditions of the legendary Maasai Mara, you’re in for a wild ride. Elephant trails, savannah sunsets and stories written in dust and hoofprints. Escape the 4x4 and track wildlife on foot, then sleep under the canvas where lions lull you to sleep. From mobile camps to mountaintop villas, fashion to food, this is adventure that runs wild—and goes deep.

Kenya Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

A Sensory Experience

Breathtaking Landscapes

In The Wild

Tanzania is East Africa in high definition—sweeping savannahs, crater floors and Kilimanjaro towering over it all. Watch wildebeest thunder across the Serengeti, meet the proud Maasai and toast the day’s sightings by lantern light. With 130 cultures, world-class wildlife and landscapes that stop you mid-sentence, Tanzania isn’t just a safari—it’s a full-sense awakening.

Where the wild and the heart transcend

Bespoke travel lets you take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

In Zambia, abundant wildlife, remote locations, limited access and incredible natural beauty bring amazing paybacks to the intrepid safari-goer. This is a land of easy smiles and generous moments, where small planes are used as taxis to deliver you to isolated camps that are as wild as they are luxurious. Old-style safaris done by foot remain one of the best ways to get amongst the game. From South Luangwa National Park—nicknamed “the crowded valley” for its prolific wildlife—to the impressive waterways of the mighty Zambezi River, let us craft the Zambian safari of your dreams.

home of the legendary walking safari

Adventure for All

Rwanda is raw beauty and quiet power—where misty hills hide mountain gorillas and every step tells a story. Trek through Volcanoes National Park, meet locals rewriting their future and dive deep into Kigali’s vibrant soul. With wildlife, resilience and awe in equal measure, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips… that somehow feels like just the beginning.

Rwanda, so much more than its primates

Rwanda Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Though small in size, Morocco offers a strikingly varied landscape, ranging from golden dunes and dry plains to the Atlas Mountains, cedar forests and deep blue waves of the Atlantic. Thanks to our incredible local team (with whom we've been working since the nineties), you'll experience the best of it. Explore the Sahara Desert and stunning oases by foot, bike and camel, and discover the Souks, museums and incredible dining of its dynamic cities on a bespoke trip in Morocco.

Morocco is colour, contrast and a whole lot of soul. Trek the Atlas, ride camels into Saharan silence and sip mint tea with Amazigh guides (no, that's not a typo—but yes, they're also capital-a Amazing). From riads to kasbahs, souks to sand dunes, this is travel that stirs the senses—and lingers long after the last call to prayer. Adventure here is anything but ordinary.

Explore the stunning contrasts of Morocco

Marvel at Morocco's stunning beauty

Bespoke travel lets you take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to create your tailor-made trip.

Morocco Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

Zimbabwe is an Africa of distinct but complementary charms. Wildlife-rich Mana Pools inspire canoe safaris amongst submerging hippos, basking crocodiles and bathing elephants, while the vast waterways of Lake Kariba explode with birdlife and superlative sunsets. In Hwange National Park, your quintessential safari comes alive—early morning game drives, incredible guides, prolific wildlife and stars that blanket the heavens. The other-worldly landscapes of the Matobo Hills safeguard ancient stories painted into granite walls, as teetering boulders stand sentinel. Amongst it all, the tumult of Victoria Falls maintains a perpetual rage, while the mighty Zambezi powers relentlessly on. Let us weave your own African narrative—below are some ideas to help guide you.

Big five territory

South Africa Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

Embark on a journey of unparalleled beauty and luxury in the heart of Botswana with Butterfield &amp; Robinson. Drift through the serene waterways of the Okavango Delta, where the gentle rhythm of mokoros and the distant roar of lions creates an intoxicating symphony. Experience the vastness of the Kalahari Desert, with its endless horizons and star-studded skies, where every sunset paints a masterpiece. Nights are spent in exclusive tented camps, where opulence meets wilderness, and days are filled with adventures that capture the essence of this pristine paradise. With Butterfield &amp; Robinson, Botswana is not just a destination; it's an invitation to indulge in nature's grandeur with unmatched luxury.

Traverse the intricate waterways of the Delta by mokoro, or embark on a thrilling safari through Chobe National Park, experiencing luxury and adventure that intertwines Botswana's natural wonders and cultural richness.

Sip on world-class wines under the vast African sky or indulge in traditional brews, each beverage telling a unique story, complementing the country's rich tapestry of experiences.

Delight in an exquisite culinary journey that celebrates Botswana’s flavors, where locally sourced ingredients meet gourmet craftsmanship, resulting in meals that linger in memory long after they're savored.

Engage with Botswana's heart and soul, the vibrant local communities, sharing stories around campfires or learning age-old traditions, forging connections that enrich and define your journey in this magical land.

Dive into the mesmerizing tableau of Botswana, from the shimmering waters of the Okavango Delta reflecting azure skies, to the vast expanse of the Kalahari, painting portraits of untouched splendor at every glance.

Bask in the intimate luxury of boutique tented camps, enveloped by wild savannas and echoing calls of the wild, promising nights under the stars and mornings with captivating African sunrises.

Botswana's Majestic Canvas: A Luxury Escape

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Botswana Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Even by Africa's standards, Namibia is vast—and sparsely populated, explaining the country's peaceful, almost 'soulful' feel. The world's oldest desert, the Namib, resides here, and there are few more stirring landscapes on the planet. Persimmon-hued sand dunes, white salt pans and burnt mountains paint the horizons. Black rhinos, big cats and elephants roam freely in Etosha National Park. Meet with the Himba people in the far northwest and the San in the east and see the country's complicated colonial past immerge as you wander the architecture and museums in Swakopmund (fondly known as "Little Bavaria"). Discover Namibia on a private, bespoke trip—tailored-made your way. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

Africa

The Slow Fund: Conserving Africa's Iconic Species & Landscapes With African Parks

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