(Posted 03rd July 2026)
,
Ten years ago, Green Safaris began with a simple belief: that tourism should leave a place better than it found it. Today, that belief has grown into one of Southern Africa’s most distinctive safari companies.
From a single pioneering lodge on the banks of the Kafue River, Green Safaris has expanded to eight lodges and camps across Zambia and Malawi, including the iconic Livingstone Island experience. Over the past decade, the company has created employment for more than 500 people, supported hundreds of families, invested $2.8 million into conservation and community development, and helped demonstrate that luxury tourism can be a force for lasting positive change.
As Green Safaris celebrates its tenth anniversary, founders Vincent Kouwenhoven and Daniel Allcock are reflecting not only on the growth of a business, but on the impact that growth has made possible.
“I think I am most happy with what we have been able to do in terms of conservation and community development. Those were the core drivers of starting Green Safaris in the first place.” Vincent Kouwenhoven, Co-Founder
Green Safaris has invested approximately US$350,000 annually through the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation, supporting conservation, education, sustainability and community development initiatives across Zambia and Malawi. In total, more than US$2.28 million has been invested directly into the landscapes and communities connected to the company’s operations.
But for Green Safaris, impact extends beyond Foundation programmes.
The company’s growth has created employment opportunities for more than 500 people across Zambia and Malawi, supporting livelihoods in communities that often sit on the front line of conservation. From guides, chefs and hospitality teams to conservation officers, educators, farmers and artisans, the success of the business has created opportunities far beyond its properties.
“People are our greatest asset. Buildings age. Vehicles age. But when you invest in people through training, leadership and opportunity, they continue to grow.” Daniel Allcock, Co-Founder.
Building Conservation into the Business
Conservation has never existed as a separate initiative within Green Safaris. It has been woven into the company’s operating model from the beginning.
Through partnerships with organisations including Panthera, Conservation South Luangwa, Conservation Lower Zambezi and the Zambian Carnivore Programme, Green Safaris has supported more than 200 anti-poaching operations, helped facilitate over 24,000 wildlife protection checkpoint screenings, contributed to the recovery of illegal firearms, and supported innovative human wildlife conflict mitigation initiatives through beekeeping programmes and elephant fencing projects.
At the same time, Green Safaris has challenged long-held assumptions about what safari tourism can look like. The company introduced Zambia’s first electric safari vehicle and the first solar powered safari boat on the Zambezi River, proving that exceptional guest experiences and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Investing in Education and Communities
The Green Safaris Conservation Foundation currently supports ten schools across Livingstone, Nalusanga and Likoma Island, helping provide educational infrastructure, conservation clubs, learning materials and access to higher education opportunities. More than 70 schools have been reached through conservation education programmes, while dozens of students have received support to pursue university and college studies.
Community programmes have expanded beyond education to include nursery school feeding initiatives, women’s empowerment projects, sustainable agriculture, clean cooking solutions and income generating opportunities designed to create long-term resilience.
For Green Safaris, these programmes are not charitable add-ons. They are investments in the people who live alongside the wildlife and landscapes that make Zambia and Malawi extraordinary destinations.
Raising the Bar
Over the past decade, many of the practices that once set Green Safaris apart have become increasingly common across the tourism industry. Electric safari vehicles, solar powered watercraft, regenerative farming initiatives and community led conservation programmes are now gaining traction throughout Africa’s tourism sector.
For the founders, that is a sign of progress.
The goal was never to be the only company pursuing a more sustainable model. The goal was to help demonstrate that responsible tourism can also be commercially successful, creating meaningful employment, protecting natural heritage and delivering exceptional guest experiences at the same time.
Looking Ahead
As Green Safaris enters its second decade, the focus remains unchanged.
For Vincent Kouwenhoven, that means deepening conservation impact and strengthening partnerships that protect some of Africa’s most important ecosystems. For Dan Allcock, it means investing even further in people through leadership development, skills training and creating pathways for the next generation of Zambian and Malawian tourism professionals.
“The next decade is not going to be about getting bigger. It is just going to be about getting better.” Daniel Allcock, Co-Founder
