Stawi

What Stawi does

Stawi is a regenerative travel platform headquartered in Stone Town, Zanzibar, that bundles an eco-lodge (Tarawanda House, 11 rooms across 3 apartments) with conservation, community, and cultural programming. The company serves conscious travelers, digital nomads, and volunteers by packaging accommodation with paid activities that include coral restoration, seaweed farming, species monitoring, heritage walks, and the annual Cultural Heritage Festival. It also runs structured volunteer placements across conservation, education, and tourism operations, and counts 50+ local partners and 500+ community members in its ecosystem, including Roots & Shoots (JGI Zanzibar), Sauti za Busara, PPIZ, Msonge Farm, SchoolCentral, and North & Ivory.

Name

Stawi

Legal name

Stawi.earth

Website

https://thrivestawi.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Regenerative travel platform based in Stone Town, Zanzibar, operating the 11-room Tarawanda House eco-lodge and packaging conservation, community, and cultural programs for conscious travelers, volunteers, and local partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-Tourism Hospitality

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Lodges (Low-Impact, Nature-Integrated Lodging) (THAAAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Off-Grid & Eco-Sustainable Stays (THAMADAI), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Services (Restoration, Wildlife-Safe Operations) (THAAANAH)

Keywords

• Regenerative travel
• Eco-lodge hospitality
• Conservation tourism
• Community-based tourism
• Sustainable accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Stone Town

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Hospitality Accommodations: Tarawanda House offers eco-lodge accommodations with room bookings across three apartments (Suza, Sauti, and Karibu) featuring 11 named rooms. Revenue is generated through nightly and multi-night stays, with bookings made via their Guesty platform integration or direct enquiry system with 24-hour response time.
2. Conservation Contributions: Travelers and supporters can make direct contributions to forest restoration and conservation projects. These are one-time or recurring donations that fund ecosystem restoration activities including tree planting, biodiversity monitoring, and habitat protection.
3. Volunteer Program Fees: The company accepts volunteers for forest conservation, community education, and sustainable tourism programs. While described as opportunities for contribution, volunteers may pay program fees or cover costs associated with their participation.
4. Event Participation Fees: Community events such as the Cultural Heritage Festival charge participation fees (e.g., 10 USD per attendee). These events generate revenue while supporting cultural preservation and community engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stawi operates Tarawanda House, an eco-lodge in Zanzibar, Tanzania that combines boutique accommodation with on-site conservation and community programs. The offering targets regenerative travelers seeking stays that fund ecosystem restoration, ocean conservation, and local community initiatives in East Africa.

Product overview

Stawi.earth is a regenerative travel platform built as a living ecosystem of interconnected offerings. The core product is Tarawanda House, a sustainably crafted eco-lodge in Stone Town, Zanzibar, offering accommodation across three themed apartments (Suza, Sauti, Karibu) with 11 culturally named rooms. This hospitality hub is complemented by Conservation Projects focused on forest restoration, coastal ecosystem protection, and biodiversity monitoring in the Muyuni-Jambiani region. Community Programs provide educational, cultural, agricultural, and development initiatives engaging 500+ community members. Volunteer Programs offer structured opportunities in conservation, education, and sustainable tourism. Ecosystem Giving enables direct financial contributions to verified restoration work. Regenerative Travel Experiences connect travelers with immersive activities that support ecological healing and community empowerment. North & Ivory, a luxury property stewardship partner, emerged from Tarawanda House operations and focuses on boutique hospitality across East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tarawanda House: Research accommodation space and eco-lodge in Stone Town, Zanzibar, offering immersive conservation experiences with 11 named rooms across three apartments (Suza, Sauti, Karibu). Operated by Stawi Africa Foundation.

Products and services

• Tarawanda House Eco-Lodge Accommodation Boutique eco-lodge in Zanzibar providing nightly accommodations for travelers, with rates contributing to conservation and community programs. Designed for regenerative travelers, conservation-minded visitors, and digital nomads seeking meaningful stays in East Africa.
• Stawi Conservation Programs Conservation-focused programs at Tarawanda House centered on ecosystem restoration, marine conservation, and environmental stewardship. Targeted at guests who want to participate in or fund conservation activities during their stay.
• Stawi Community Programs Community-based programs that connect lodge guests with local Zanzibar initiatives, supporting economic development and cultural exchange. Designed for travelers seeking meaningful community engagement.
• Volunteer and Internship Programs Structured volunteer and internship placements where participants contribute to lodge operations, conservation, or community programs in exchange for accommodation and learning experiences.
• Events, Catering & Banquet Services Private events, banquets, catering, and corporate retreats hosted at Tarawanda House, leveraging the lodge's regenerative-travel positioning for group bookings.
• Stawi Experiences Curated activities and excursions for guests staying at Tarawanda House, including regenerative-travel-style experiences, cultural engagements, and conservation participation.
• Ecosystem Giving (Donation Program) A donation and giving program where supporters contribute to the broader Stawi ecosystem of regeneration projects in Zanzibar.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ trees planted and maintained through forest restoration projects
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• North & IvorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth & Ivory is a luxury property stewardship company providing operational expertise for boutique hotels and heritage hospitality spaces across East Africa. Their stewardship model was developed through operating Tarawanda House, Stawi's impact hospitality hub in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The partnership enables Stawi to maintain high operational standards while integrating regenerative practices into property management.
• Roots & Shoots JGI ZanzibarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key partner in forest restoration and conservation initiatives, implementing sustainable environmental practices. Joint forest restoration projects and environmental education programs connect Stawi's conservation efforts with the international Roots & Shoots network founded by Dr. Jane Goodall.
• Sauti za BusarasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner preserving and promoting local cultural heritage through music and arts. Partnership creates unique experiences for travelers including cultural events and community engagement programs that celebrate Zanzibar's rich artistic traditions.
• PPIZ and Msonge FarmsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing authentic eco-conscious travel experiences and sustainable agriculture education. Collaborative sustainable farming workshops and eco-tourism activities connect travelers with local agricultural traditions.
• SchoolCentralsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner delivering accredited training, professional certifications, and entrepreneurship programs. Through this partnership, Stawi provides skills development and capacity building for community members seeking sustainable careers.
• Local Conservation GroupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with various local conservation organizations to protect and restore natural habitats. Biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration projects are conducted in partnership with community-based conservation groups.
• Community AssociationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local community groups ensure tourism benefits reach local residents directly. Programs include skills development and economic empowerment initiatives that strengthen community resilience.
• Stawi Africa FoundationcoreOthersThe foundation that stewwards Tarawanda House as a hospitality project under Stawi's regenerative travel ecosystem. The foundation enables travel to become an opportunity for learning, contribution, and discovery of people shaping a sustainable future for Zanzibar.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Basecamp Explorer Kenya: Eco-lodge operator in East Africa combining community-owned camps, conservation programs, and adventure travel. Highly comparable to Stawi's integrated hospitality-plus-regeneration model, though at larger scale in Maasai Mara.
• Emboo River Camp: Carbon-negative boutique safari camp in the Maasai Mara marketed on measurable sustainability and community impact. Closely aligned with Stawi's regenerative eco-lodge positioning and impact-led storytelling approach.
• Asilia Africa: Safari camp operator with strong community and conservation partnerships across East Africa, including the 'Sayari' and 'Olakira' brands. Comparable in combining high-touch eco-lodging with measurable conservation and community investment.
• Responsible Travel: Booking platform curating holidays from sustainable tourism operators worldwide. Direct distribution and demand-generation peer for Stawi's target segment of conscious travelers seeking verified eco-lodges.

Broad incumbents

• andBeyond: Established luxury lodge and safari operator across Africa with integrated conservation (Africa Foundation) and community programs. A scaled version of Stawi's model, demonstrating the long-term potential and challenges of impact-led hospitality at scale.
• Singita: Ultra-luxury lodge group in Africa with deep conservation (Singita Grumeti) and community development arms. Comparable regenerative tourism philosophy but operating at significantly higher price points and larger footprint.
• Wilderness Safaris: Large safari operator with dedicated conservation, community, and research programs across Southern and East Africa. Comparable impact framework, though at a much larger and more commercially established scale than Stawi.
• Airbnb: Dominant alternative accommodation marketplace with an emerging eco-stay curation program. Indirect competitor for direct bookings and the primary alternative channel for travelers searching unique eco-stays globally.

Emerging players

• Kind Traveler: Booking platform connecting travelers to properties that fund measurable community and environmental impact. Functionally comparable to Stawi's 'every booking funds impact' value proposition at the platform layer.
• BookDifferent: Hotel booking platform that filters for verified sustainability certifications and offsets stay emissions. Comparable distribution channel for sustainability-curious travelers, and a credible comparator to Stawi's claimed eco-credentials.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stawi