Lara Dendy Young discovered the tourism industry while working at a lodge in South Africa, where she witnessed how travel could both support local communities and protect the natural environment.

A South African entrepreneur with a focus on ecotourism and technology, Dendy Young co-founded Conservio, an innovative online booking platform dedicated to nature-based travel experiences.

Launched in 2020, Conservio makes it easier for travelers to access natural destinations while contributing to environmental preservation. Partner accommodations commit a portion of their revenue to support local conservation initiatives, employment creation, and circular economy efforts.

The platform actively promotes responsible tourism practices among its partners and ensures that each booking delivers tangible benefits to nearby communities. Conservio currently lists more than 500 accommodations—including lodges, cabins, farms, floating houses, and glamping sites—spread across South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia.

“By selecting sustainable and stylish accommodations, from intimate cabins and farm stays to luxury lodges in nature reserves, Conservio offers travelers access to getaways beyond city limits, where every booking directly supports nature conservation,” explains Lara Dendy Young.

In January 2025, Conservio raised $1 million in a funding round led by E4E Africa, with participation from Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures, and several angel investors.

Lara Dendy Young holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hartwick College (2015, United States) and a master’s in the same field from the African Leadership University (2021).

She began her career in 2012 as operations manager at Deluxe Coffeeworks. In 2015, she joined Classic Portfolio, a network of independent lodges and camps in Africa’s wild regions, as an international sales executive. In 2019, she was promoted to head of sustainability, a position she held until founding Conservio in 2020.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum