Southern Africa Wildlife and Birding Tours
Sustain Wildlife and Birding Safaris leads captivating Southern Africa wildlife and birding experiences for small groups, sustainably.
Our explorations offer visceral experiences. Being out in the wilds with us will allow you to see when you look, hear when you listen and feel when you think. Join us on a journey of discovery, of both Nature’s treasure-chest and yourself.
We create and lead superb scheduled and tailor-made eco-tours that explore the magnificent biodiversity offering of the region. We concentrate on birds and mammals, although we take great interest in butterflies, frogs and general ecology too.
At Sustain, we know that no two clients are alike, that bigger is not better and that tailor-made is best. From pure adventure to the lap of luxury, using our knowledge we bring your hopes and dreams to life by creating unforgettable journeys. Hidden gems, extraordinary access, natural wonders, remote destinations – that’s the Sustain way.
Our mission is: to change people’s lives through passion-filled expeditions into the untamed wilderness. We seek to create deep and lasting human connections with nature and the people who conserve it.
Our goals are: to play a meaningful role in expanding or enhancing protected areas and biodiversity; to operate sustainably and responsibly; to help establish viable biodiversity economies and tourism destinations; to promote environmental and cultural education, and to positively transform ecosystems and the communities around them.
Our conservation fund: Sustain was created as a conservation-driven ecotourism company, with a business model focused on creating exceptional and great value safari experiences that give back. Hence, we started to support the 3 chosen conservation NGOs doing amazing work. Learn more about the Sustain Conservation Fund here.
Our Tour Leaders and Staff
Michael Wright – Principal Tour Leader
Michael is a passionate naturalist, conservationist, and adventurer who loves birding, walking trails, and photography. He is a registered professional in natural science, ecotourism, and nature tour guiding with 20 years of industry experience. He has traveled extensively through Southern Africa and North America, and further to his great passion for birds; also enjoys animal behavior, flyfishing, butterflies, herping and trees. Michael currently holds a Southern African bird lifelist of 655 species, a Southern African mammal lifelist of 104 species, a South African butterfly lifelist of 100 species, and a South African frog lifelist of 30 species.
Richard Mckibbin – Tour Leader
Richard is an extremely passionate naturalist, photographer, and public speaker and has been involved in wildlife and conservation his whole life. He is a qualified nature and trails guide with over 15 years of experience throughout Southern Africa and has conducted research on leopards, crowned eagles, and lynx. Richard also loves surfing the ocean waves in his spare time. Richard has not yet listed the number of bird, mammal, butterfly, frog and reptile species he has seen, but it is a very impressive number.
Natalie Wright – Office & Finance Manager
Natalie is a financial and administrative whizz who loves family, staying healthy, the outdoors, and reading. Natalie is our office manager and the administrative heart of the company, ensuring its efficient functioning, and keeping all the good checks and balances in place. Natalie has worked in South Africa and Mozambique and holds diplomas in Bookkeeping and Nature Conservation, and certificates in financial accounting and payroll.
Sustain Wildlife and Birding Safaris
- Is a registered Tour Operator in South Africa with the Department of Tourism.
- Is a registered Birder Friendly Tour Operator with BirdLife South Africa.
- Is a registered Tour Operator with the Umhlanga Community Tourism Organization.
- Guides are all certified wildlife and birding tour guides.
- Is insured through SATIB Insurance Brokers.
Since its formation, Sustain has been supporting the many environments that enrich and delight our lives with many hours of treasured viewing and photography. Sustainable and responsible tourism is a cornerstone value of our company, and it requires us to give back to nature, which never ceases to provide us with immeasurable benefits in return.
In order to better co-ordinate and effectively implement our conservation efforts, we have launched the Sustain Conservation Fund (SCF). Henceforth, a percentage of each tour we lead will be donated directly into the SCF.
Your contribution to this fund does not increase the cost of our tours, as we seek to encourage the sponsorship of the various conservation projects we have committed to support. By simply touring with us, you are ensured that all of your offerings will go directly to conservation!
Our ultimate goal is to support conservation in multi-faceted ways, contributing where we can to preserve the natural world we so dearly love and inviting our guests to partake in this ethos as we travel and appreciate these natural treasures together.
Did you know that with every Sustain tour booked, a percentage of our profit is donated to four organizations very dear to our hearts? The Zululand Conservation Trust, BirdLife South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, and the Wilderness Foundation Africa.
Contributions
If you wish to contribute:
Please contact via the enquiry form below if you would like to make a contribution to one of these Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs). We will assist and pass on relevant documentation for you to donate. We will also ensure that every bit of your donation reaches the cause directly.
If you wish to donate to one of these projects specifically, in your email, please could you identify and inform us of your preference.
Our deepest thanks and gratitude for your contribution and for participating in our journey to help save wildlife, birds and habitats from extinction, and to educating the youth and communities about conservation. We are delighted by your commitment and are humbled to lay a part in these great causes.
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