our storya journey with purpose
A 29 year legacy of conservation and communities
Our Story
The founders and owners of Isibindi Africa Lodges, Brett and Paige Gehren, both come from a strong conservation background. This family owned and run luxury safari, island and beach collection of wilderness lodges is positioned in exceptional ecosystems in Southern Africa. Twenty-nine years of pioneering sustainable wildlife lodges, that is built on the bedrock that they include and empower our neighbouring communities.
“We aren’t just offering the safari of a lifetime, we’re offering a future”
Our mission statement
To partner our wilderness lodges and neighbouring communities with supportive rural programs in education, farming, child nutrition, health and employment through micro business support. We aim to uplift our communities by investing in resources and skills training, while emphasising the importance and value of conserving protected areas for future generations.
“Our natural responsibility,
JOURNEY WITH PURPOSE”
Our Vision
Our vision is to invest in our communities -to create human fences between our protected areas and neighbouring communities, allowing for the flow of benefits within the communities to prioritise conservation.
Our Values
Integrity • Respect • Accountability and Transparency • Commitment • Responsibility
“ Travel is powerful when it connects us to a purpose and a community.”
- Tom Brown Jr.
Connecting to our eco-conscious community
Our purpose drives us all at Isibindi Africa Lodges, and so we are commited to incorporating eco-conscious systems and initiatives wherever possible, this includes:
Removing single use plastics which includes replacing plastic water bottles with a reusable bottle for each guest
Investing in large solar energy farms
Creating micro-economies in neighbouring communities to supply our lodges
Recycling unused lodge food into feeding schemes for neighbouring creches
Refusing to serve seafood that is not ethically harvested
our familyat the Isibindi Foundation
The foundation family is committed to partnering our conservation authorities and communities to ensure our protected areas maximise their flow of benefits to our neighbouring community projects.
Vusi Khanyile
PATRON OF THE ISIBINDI FOUNDATION
The Isibindi Foundation is delighted to have current chairperson of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),…
Paige Gehren
DIRECTOR AND MAIN TRUSTEE
Paige practiced as an Environmental Economist for 9 years working for the Bureau of Natural…
Brett Gehren
TRUSTEE
Brett completed a B.Comm degree at Stellenbosch University, but his love for the outdoors soon…
Luke Martin
MANAGER OF THE ISIBINDI FOUNDATION
Luke attended St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg and then went on to complete his Bcomm…
Nunu Jobe
TRUSTEE
Nunu Jobe, otherwise known as the rhino whisperer, hails from the Kwa-Jobe area in Northern…
Blessing Mngomezulu
FOUNDATION MEMBER
Blessing was born in Mnyayiza and is one of Isibindi Africa’s first employees. Blessing’s journey…
Rob Campbell
TRUSTEE
Originally hailing from Underberg Rob is a passionate conservationist and fly fisherman. A Chartered Accountant,…
Abednego Nzuza
Project Coordinator
Abednego Nzuza, Project Coordinator at the Isibindi Foundation, is a passionate conservationist who brings a wealth…
Saneliso Mathenjwa
MARINE MONITOR
Saneliso Ndumiso Mathenjwa was born in Mabibi Village, Northern KZN. He attended Mabibi Primary School…
