Over the years we’ve been involved with, and have had links to a variety of social and environmental responsibility projects and organisations. We are very aware of our privileged position in the economy of Southern Africa and we realise that we have the potential to support worthy causes and NGOs by committing to monthly contributions (as we do with Home from Home) as well as connecting international visitors and their generous dollars to organisations such as UTHANDO and Hoops 4 Hope. We have partnered with preferred suppliers to support Rhino protection funds as well as Gorilla Habitat Regeneration initiatives. Being a small team that has been together for a long time, we’ve taken on causes and charities that resonate with the individuals in our office, for example a family Soup Kitchen operation and the Santa Shoebox Project.
If you’d like to know more or get involved, read on…
Malachite Foundation
Every journey makes a difference
As luxury safari specialists, we believe in giving back to the communities and environments that make our travel experiences so unique. The Malachite Foundation is our way of making a real difference in Southern Africa. A small contribution is added to every traveler’s bill, ensuring that together, we can support meaningful causes. From helping local communities to conserving wildlife, your journey with us does more than just create memories – it creates impact. The funds raised go directly to causes that resonate with our team, ensuring that every contribution is personal, purposeful, and powerful.
How it works
For every trip booked with Southern Destinations, a contribution of $10USD is automatically added to your invoice. This contribution is our commitment to making a difference, and yours too.
The funds are then pooled and directed towards causes that our team feels passionately about. We don’t tie ourselves to one organization; instead, we choose projects and initiatives that speak to us personally. This allows us to be flexible and responsive, making sure the money goes where it’s needed most, whether that’s supporting local communities, wildlife conservation, or helping someone build their first home.
Explore a few of the causes we are currently supporting or have supported in the past.
Learn more about our Malachite Foundation
Home from Home
We make a monthly donation to Home From Home – a network of small family homes that provide support and supervision (community-based foster care) for children in disadvantaged communities left vulnerable through neglect or abuse. Our monthly donation and awareness raising initiatives greatly assist Home from Home in supporting two home facilities and an educare in Khayelitsha. These facilities will provide home language counselling, fun and education to children that are in desperate need of it. With the correct emotional support and mentoring it is truly amazing how much a child can grow and catapult to the next level!
Visit the Hoops From Home website
We are connected to Home From Home via UTHANDO. UTHANDO (meaning ‘love’) is an amazing Cape Town based organization that links international visitors on sensitively curated Philanthropic Excursions of a broad range of innovative, inspiring and well managed community development projects in and around Cape Town.
Visit the UTHANDO website
Santa Shoebox Project
Towards the end of each year our office becomes a colourful Santa Shoebox packing zone as we frantically shop for, sort, pack and decorate as many shoeboxes as we can. It has become a tradition amongst our team to support this worthy local cause and the giving spirit is catchy! The Santa Shoebox Project distributes the personally labeled boxes filled with gifts, educational supplies and useful items to thousands of underprivileged children who would not normally receive a Christmas gift.
Visit the Santa Shoebox Project website
Tree planting in Rwanda
The Rwanda Park Expansion and Reforestation Program is a Wilderness Safaris and Bisate Lodge initiative aimed at increasing the natural habitat of the endangered Mountain Gorilla. Southern Destinations have adopted a 1 hectare plot of land dedicated to planting indigenous trees on behalf of our VIP clients whether they be regular repeat guess or refer us to their friends, colleagues and family. Each tree is geo-located and clients can visit their trees and track their progress as they grow.
Visit the Wilderness Safaris website
Hoops 4 Hope
Our connection to Hoops 4 Hope goes back more than 25 years – as long as H4H founder, Mark Crandall and SD founder Vanessa Ratcliffe have been friends! We’ve put trips together for visiting school groups where the emphasis is on social outreach and have facilitated projects and donations from clients travelling to Africa and wanting to connect and / or donate to social development organisations. The African term ‘Ubuntu’ (meaning ‘human kindness’) truly encapsulates the incredible work that Hoops 4 Hope does in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
We’ve devised a fun and effective way for clients who are travelling to Africa to donate much needed balls and sports gear. Get in touch to find out more.
Hoops 4 Hope has created a cost effective model to provide organized sports and life skills education to more than 7500 kids in 60 schools and children’s shelters in Zimbabwe and South Africa!
H4H trains and employs local coaches who engage community volunteers to manage the teams, leagues and events that support young people in safe fun environments. H4H coaches also deliver an innovative curriculum that helps youngsters make better choices as they navigate the many challenges of growing up in communities faced with obstacles like poverty, crime, drugs and HIV/AIDS.
Visit the Hoops 4 Hope website
Why choose Southern Destinations
We are Trusted
We are an established DMC with a healthy balance of agent and referral business. Our offices in New York and Cape Town offer clients banking solutions and a point of contact in the traveller’s timezone.
We are Passionate
We love Africa and are passionate promoters of sustainable tourism that conserves animal kingdoms and uplifts communities.
We offer Value
Booking with us won’t cost you more. On the contrary, our first-hand expertise will add tremendous value to your trip and the partnerships we’ve developed over many years provide you with the best price guarantees
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