Fair Trade Safaris
Fair Trade Safaris is an Austin-based luxury travel company founded in 2014 that designs bespoke African safari itineraries across East and Southern Africa for high-net-worth travelers, families, and couples, donating 100% of profits to conservation and community initiatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Fair Trade Safaris does
Fair Trade Safaris is a privately held, Austin-based luxury travel company founded in 2014 by Saurabh Khetrapal, with co-founders Ali Khataw and Nahid Khataw. The company designs and sells tailor-made, high-touch African safari itineraries across ten countries in East and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), targeting high-net-worth individuals, families, couples, and women travelers seeking purpose-driven luxury experiences. Its defining commercial differentiator is a profit-donation model under which 100% of profits are directed to conservation and community initiatives, supported by an established partnership network spanning organizations such as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, WildAid, PAMS Foundation, SOS Children's Village, Uthando, Born Free USA, and The Kindness Campaign.
The product portfolio centers on fully customized safari itineraries rather than packaged tours, with discovery calls used to personalize each journey. Published itineraries start from approximately $2,750 per person sharing for a 7-day South Africa experience and range up to $4,185 per person sharing for a 10-day Tanzania itinerary, with peak season premiums. The company has progressively broadened its offering beyond traditional game drives to include gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, walking safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, multi-generational family safaris, Mozambique beach extensions, and a women's conscious luxury travel line in partnership with NVE Impact. Bookings are processed through a dedicated online booking platform (bookings.fairtradesafaris.com), supplemented by direct sales, travel advisor referral partnerships, and a Safari Ambassador Program.
Operationally, Fair Trade Safaris runs as a service-led business rather than a technology platform company; no proprietary software stack, AI/ML capabilities, or app infrastructure is disclosed, and the firm operates with an 11–50 employee team. Go-to-market relies on content marketing (SafariInsights blog, SEO), email newsletters, event presence (e.g., the Kindness Campaign Gala), travel advisor partnerships, and brand advocates. Revenue mechanics are one-time payments per booking rather than recurring subscriptions, with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or public financial filings, leaving the firm as a founder-owned, privately financed boutique operator.
Fair Trade Safaris firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fair Trade Safaris
- Website
- https://fairtradesafaris.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fair Trade Safaris is an Austin-based luxury travel company founded in 2014 that designs bespoke African safari itineraries across East and Southern Africa for high-net-worth travelers, families, and couples, donating 100% of profits to conservation and community initiatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fair Trade Safaris industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Safari Travel
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based) (THAAADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators (THAKADAG), Safari & Wildlife Travel Agencies (THAKAFAG), Safari & Game Drives (Land-Based) (THAAAEAC), Safari & Overland Wildlife Adventures (4x4/Jeep) (THAJABAD), Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC)
Keywords
Where Fair Trade Safaris is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Fair Trade Safaris business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Safari Packages: Fair Trade Safaris generates revenue through the sale of bespoke luxury safari itineraries across East and Southern Africa. Each journey is tailored to individual traveler preferences, with pricing varying based on destination, duration, accommodation level, and included activities. The company donates 100% of profits to conservation and community initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Luxury Safari Packages |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Fair Trade Safaris product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fair Trade Safaris designs and sells fully tailor-made luxury African safari itineraries across East and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe). Each journey is custom-built through a discovery call and local-expert planning process, and 100% of company profits are donated to conservation and community initiatives in Africa.
Product overview
Fair Trade Safaris is a purpose-driven luxury travel company offering tailor-made African safari experiences across East and Southern Africa. The core product consists of luxury African safari packages that customers book through a discovery call process (https://bookings.fairtradesafaris.com/). The product portfolio includes destination-specific itinerary products (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe), specialty experiences (gorilla trekking, walking safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, multi-generational family safaris), beach extensions (Mozambique islands), and conscious luxury travel experiences. All journeys are designed around individual travel styles and values, with 100% of profits donated to conservation and community initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Luxury African Safari Packages
Quantifiable outcome
- $2 million+ raised for conservation and community initiatives since founding
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Fair Trade Safaris
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Fair Trade Safaris technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Fair Trade Safaris partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Kindness CampaigncoreFair Trade Safaris partners with The Kindness Campaign (TKC) to spread compassion across continents through ethical travel. The company sponsors TKC's annual gala event and collaborates on initiatives that foster acts of compassion between travelers and visited communities. This partnership exemplifies Fair Trade Safaris' mission of purpose-driven travel that creates positive social impact.
- Teddy Bear FoundationcoreThe Teddy Bear Foundation helps vulnerable children heal and thrive through therapeutic care. Fair Trade Safaris supports this organization as part of its community development initiatives, directing a portion of profits to help children in need.
- SOS Children's VillagecoreFair Trade Safaris collaborates with SOS Children's Village South Africa, providing education and support to orphaned and abandoned children. The partnership supports the organization's mission of helping children build brighter futures through family-based care.
- Al Muntazir SchoolminorPartnership with Al Muntazir School in Tanzania, focused on expanding access to quality education for young learners in local communities surrounding safari destinations.
- UthandocoreUthando is a South African non-profit that empowers communities through arts, culture, and educational projects. Fair Trade Safaris works with Uthando to create authentic cultural exchanges that directly benefit local communities.
- WildAidcoreWildAid focuses on combating wildlife poaching and trafficking while promoting conservation efforts. Fair Trade Safaris supports WildAid's initiatives to protect Africa's unique wildlife and habitats through strategic funding and awareness campaigns.
- PAMS FoundationminorPAMS Foundation works on conservation initiatives across Africa. The partnership contributes to protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable practices in safari destinations.
- Sheldrick Wildlife TrustcoreBased in Kenya, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and rhinos, with the goal of returning them to the wild. Fair Trade Safaris supports this organization as part of its Kenya-focused conservation efforts.
- Trek For JoyminorTrek For Joy, led by Lesa Rossick, is a purpose-driven travel platform that aligns with Fair Trade Safaris' values. The partnership involves collaborative trips and storytelling that showcases ethical, meaningful travel experiences.
- NVE Impact (Nicolette van Exel)coreFair Trade Safaris partners with NVE Impact and Nicolette van Exel (Nico) to offer exclusive conscious luxury travel experiences for women. This collaboration curates intimate, transformative journeys that combine luxury adventure with personal coaching and community engagement, aligning purpose-driven travel with personal growth.
- Born Free USAminorEric Bear and family support Born Free USA's efforts to enhance the lives of monkeys rescued from zoos, labs, and other abusive circumstances. This partnership reflects Fair Trade Safaris' broader commitment to wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
- BK BeautyminorLisa and Paul Jauregui, founders of BK Beauty, participated in a Fair Trade Safaris experience and have become advocates for the company's mission. Their story and endorsement help reach affluent consumers interested in purpose-driven brands.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fair Trade Safaris competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Micato Safaris: Long-established luxury safari operator focused on East and Southern Africa with a strong philanthropic giving model (the 'Micato One-for-One' trip-donation program). Highly comparable on customer profile (affluent, purpose-driven travelers), product (custom multi-country safaris), and impact-led brand positioning.
- African Travel Inc. US-based luxury African safari tour operator (a TUI brand) designing custom journeys across East and Southern Africa. Directly comparable on bespoke itinerary model, US customer base, and luxury price points.
- Roar Africa: Boutique luxury African safari operator focused on high-touch, design-forward, purpose-driven journeys with celebrity/influencer endorsements. Comparable on premium positioning, curated experiences, and impact-led brand narrative.
- Ker & Downey Africa: Bespoke luxury safari operator covering East and Southern Africa with custom itineraries and high-end lodge selection. Directly comparable on bespoke product, multi-country scope, and affluent traveler segment.
- Wilderness Safaris: Largest Africa-focused luxury safari operator with camps across Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Comparable on luxury positioning, conservation partnerships, and multi-country itinerary design.
- &Beyond: Premier luxury safari and travel company operating across Africa and India, with owned lodge portfolio and conservation focus (Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People). Direct overlap on luxury African safaris, multi-country itineraries, and community/conservation positioning.
- Singita: Ultra-luxury African safari brand with owned lodges and reserves across South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Comparable on luxury tier, conservation-led mission, and East/Southern Africa footprint, though Singita's lodge ownership gives it a deeper asset base.
- Go2Africa: Africa-specialist safari travel company offering tailor-made safaris across East and Southern Africa with travel advisor partnerships. Comparable on multi-country itinerary design, luxury traveler focus, and US-facing distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Abercrombie & Kent: Global luxury tour operator with strong African safari offerings alongside worldwide destinations. Overlaps on premium African safaris and luxury traveler base, but its portfolio breadth makes it a broad incumbent rather than an Africa specialist.
Others
- Cheetah Conservation Fund: Namibia-based conservation non-profit. Comparable only as a conservation partner/ecosystem participant — FTS channels funding to similar wildlife NGOs, making CCF a thematic adjacency rather than a commercial competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fair Trade Safaris social profiles
Digital presenceFair Trade Safaris financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fair Trade Safaris leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Fair Trade Safaris funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fair Trade Safaris M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fair Trade Safaris
What does Fair Trade Safaris do?
Fair Trade Safaris designs and sells fully tailor-made luxury African safari itineraries across East and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe). Each journey is custom-built through a discovery call and local-expert planning process, and 100% of company profits are donated to conservation and community initiatives in Africa.
Is Fair Trade Safaris a public or private company?
Fair Trade Safaris is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fair Trade Safaris founded?
Fair Trade Safaris was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fair Trade Safaris based?
Fair Trade Safaris is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fair Trade Safaris make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Safari Packages.
Who are Fair Trade Safaris's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Micato Safaris, African Travel Inc., Roar Africa, Ker & Downey Africa, Wilderness Safaris, &Beyond, Singita and Go2Africa. Abercrombie & Kent is listed as a broad incumbent. Cheetah Conservation Fund is listed as an others.
Does Fair Trade Safaris have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fair Trade Safaris.
What industry is Fair Trade Safaris in?
Fair Trade Safaris's product category is Luxury Safari Travel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAADAD, Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based), with a secondary code of THAKADAG, Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators. Its NAICS code is 561520.