Son Safaris

What Son Safaris does

Son Safaris is a faith-based nonprofit ministry that operates short-duration (two-week) mission trips to private game reserves in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where teams of up to 10 participants engage in wildlife conservation work (alien plant removal, GPS radio collaring, game transects, erosion control) alongside community development projects at local schools and children's homes. The organization was founded in 2003 by Fledge Fiamingo, a former professional safari ranger with field experience across three African countries, and operates as a ministry of New International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 95-4338997) accredited by ECFA and Charity Navigator. The organization is headquartered in Athens, Georgia with a secondary office in Fort Myers, Florida and a South Africa operations hub.

The business model combines recurring donor partnerships, mission trip participation fees, speaking engagements, and merchandise sales. Donor engagement runs through a seven-tier monthly partnership program ($25 to $1,000 per month) plus discrete giving opportunities such as $75 ranger boots, $60 ranger uniforms, and community support funding. Merchandise under the 'Saving What's Left' brand includes hoodies, t-shirts, long sleeves, mugs, posters, devotional books, and greeting cards at unit prices between $12 and $45. Speaking engagements at churches, youth camps, school assemblies, and college retreats serve as the primary demand-generation channel, funneling awareness into mission trip applications (with a $150 non-refundable deposit) and donor commitments. The 'Tracking the Lion of Judah' podcast distributed across seven streaming platforms and a devotional book with QR-coded audio links extend content reach beyond in-person engagements.

The underlying technology stack is light: a Squarespace-hosted website with integrated e-commerce, podcast hosting via CASTOS, and standard social media presence on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. There is no proprietary software, no mobile application, and no disclosed API or integration infrastructure. The competitive position rests on the founder's unique combination of authentic safari ranger credentials and Christian ministry calling, long-standing relationships with South African conservation partners (Wild Tomorrow, Ukuwela Conservancy, Welgevonden Game Reserve, The Fold Children's Home), and an accumulated library of field content, rather than on technological differentiation.

Name

Son Safaris

Legal name

Son Safaris (ministry of New International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)

Website

https://sonsafaris.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Son Safaris is a faith-based nonprofit ministry organizing two-week mission trips to South African game reserves that combine wildlife conservation work with community service. It generates revenue through tiered monthly donor partnerships, speaking engagements, mission trip fees, and conservation-themed merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Conservation Mission Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based) (THAAADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB), Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Christian ministry services
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Mission trip services
• Inspirational speaking
• Nonprofit fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Monthly Partnerships: Tax-deductible donations processed through parent organization New International, with tiered monthly partnership levels (Cheetah $25 to Elephant $1,000) and corresponding annual gift options
2. Merchandise Sales: Apparel and accessories including hoodies ($45), long sleeves ($35), t-shirts ($20-25), mugs ($25), posters ($25), and animal cards ($12) with shipping included
3. Devotional Products: Tracking the Lion of Judah devotional book sold for $15-20 with group discount (1 free book per 5-10 ordered)
4. Mission Trip Fees: Mission trip participation fees cover round-trip airfare, travel insurance, accommodation, meals, and team uniform. Individual team members responsible for minimum 10% of trip cost with remainder raised through personal support networks

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Son Safaris is a Christian nonprofit ministry that organizes two-week mission trips to private game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where small teams of up to 10 participants conduct hands-on wildlife conservation work (alien plant removal, GPS collaring, game transects, erosion control) and community service at local schools and children's homes. It complements these trips with inspirational speaking engagements by founder Fledge Fiamingo, the Tracking the Lion of Judah podcast, a devotional book with QR-coded audio content, conservation-themed merchandise, and tiered monthly donation programs supporting ranger equipment and community development.

Product overview

Son Safaris is a Christian ministry organization offering mission trips to South Africa focused on conservation and community development. The core offerings include two-week mission trips combining wildlife conservation work with community service, and inspirational speaking engagements by founder Fledge Fiamingo. Supporting offerings include merchandise (conservation-themed apparel, mugs, devotional books, posters, and greeting cards) and donation programs (wildlife partnership tiers, ranger equipment, and community support). The merchandise line features the 'Saving What's Left' collection with African wildlife designs across hoodies, t-shirts, long sleeves, youth apparel, and drinkware. The podcast 'Tracking the Lion of Judah' provides daily inspirational content distributed via streaming platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mission Trips to South Africa Two-week mission trips to South Africa combining conservation work on private game reserves with community development at local schools and children's homes. Teams of up to 10 participants engage in wildlife monitoring, alien plant removal, game transects, erosion control, and service projects. Trip fees cover round-trip airfare, travel insurance, accommodation, meals, and team uniform; team members must raise or contribute a minimum of 10% of trip cost through personal support networks and pay a $150 non-refundable application deposit.
• Inspirational Speaking Engagements Inspirational speaking services by founder and former safari ranger Fledge Fiamingo, featuring African wildlife stories interwoven with biblical truths. Delivered at youth camps, VBS programs, sports banquets, college retreats, school assemblies, FCA chapters, campus ministries, Christian veterinary conferences, and church events. Bookings are inquiry-based and Fledge travels from Athens, GA.
• Tracking the Lion of Judah Podcast Short inspirational podcast episodes exploring God's creation through the lens of African wildlife and biblical truth, hosted by Fledge Fiamingo. Distributed on Amazon Music, Spotify, PocketCasts, PodcastAddict, Podchaser, PodcastIndex, and Apple Podcasts.
• Saving What's Left Unisex Hoodies Conservation-themed unisex hoodies featuring African wildlife designs (Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Black Rhino) with 'Saving What's Left' messaging. Made of 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester. Priced at $45 with free shipping.
• Saving What's Left Unisex Long Sleeve Tees Conservation-themed unisex long sleeve t-shirts featuring African wildlife designs (Cheetah, Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Elephant) with 'Saving What's Left' messaging. Priced at $35 with free shipping.
• Saving What's Left Unisex DryBlend T-Shirts Moisture-wicking unisex DryBlend t-shirts featuring African wildlife conservation messaging. Available in Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Spotted Hyena, Cheetah, Elephant, Leopard, and Lion designs. Made of 50% cotton, 50% polyester. Priced at $25 with shipping included.
• Saving What's Left Youth Classic Tees 100% cotton pre-shrunk youth t-shirts in classic fit, featuring African wildlife (Lion, Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Cheetah, Leopard) with 'Saving What's Left' conservation messaging. Priced at $20 with free shipping.
• Saving What's Left Personalized Coffee Mugs Personalizable 15oz ceramic coffee mugs featuring animal prints with 'Saving What's Left' messaging. Lead and BPA-free, dishwasher and microwave safe with glossy finish. Priced at $25 with shipping included.
• Tracking the Lion of Judah - Africa Edition Devotional Book 12-devotion book by Fledge Fiamingo exploring African wildlife traits as metaphors for biblical truths. Features interactive QR codes linking to audio sounds, leading questions for group study, and includes a Son Safaris sticker. Sold for $15-20 with a group discount (1 free book per 5-10 ordered).
• Playing Left-Field Inspirational Poster 16x20 glossy print featuring elephant photography with an inspirational caption about serving on Christ's team regardless of position. Includes biblical scripture reference (1 Corinthians 12:4-5). Priced at $25 with free shipping.
• Magnificent 7 Animal Cards Blank greeting cards featuring African wildlife (Cheetah, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hyena, Leopard). Sold in mix-and-match packs of 10 cards with envelopes, A2 folded size. Priced at $12 per pack with shipping included.
• Wildlife Conservation Partnerships (Magnificent 7) Tax-deductible monthly giving program with seven animal-themed tiers — Cheetah ($25/mo or $300/yr), Leopard ($50/mo or $600/yr), Lion ($75/mo or $900/yr), Wild Dog ($100/mo or $1,200/yr), Buffalo ($250/mo or $3,000/yr), Rhino ($500/mo or $6,000/yr), and Elephant ($1,000/mo or $12,000/yr) — each representing a specific number of $25 monthly gift tracks toward conservation funding goals. Processed through parent 501(c)(3) New International.
• Ranger Boots Donation $75 tax-deductible donation to purchase military-spec army leather boots made locally in Durban, South Africa, for field rangers and anti-poaching unit members working on partner wildlife reserves.
• Ranger Uniforms Donation $60 tax-deductible donation to provide a full ranger uniform set (shirt, pants, hat, and socks) for rangers at partner reserves in southern Africa. Uniforms provide essential equipment and morale support for rangers on conservation frontlines.
• Community Connection Program Tax-deductible donation program supporting local communities near Ukuwela Conservancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Funds support daycare centers, school lunches ($25 covers school lunches for 70 kids; $330 covers monthly lunches), food relief, teacher stipends ($35), and the Green Mambas team of 14 women conducting seasonal wildlife reserve restoration work ($220/week employment).

Quantifiable outcome

• Habitat preservation through alien plant removal and erosion control projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 95-4338997) that processes all donations for Son Safaris. Son Safaris is a ministry of New International. Member of ECFA and Charity Navigator. All donations are tax-deductible and processed through New International's donation platform.
• Wild TomorrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner protecting over 6,000 acres in Zululand, South Africa, with neighboring reserves totaling over 2 million acres. Son Safaris teams assist with GPS radio collaring for elephants, cheetah, lions, and pangolins; alien plant removal; game transects; and erosion control.
• Ukuwela ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wildlife reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal where Green Mambas team (14 women) conducts seasonal conservation work. Conservation and community programs operate in this area.
• Welgevonden Game ReserveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Bradley Schroder has partnered with Son Safaris since 2013, hosting teams in both Botswana and South Africa operations for conservation and community engagement.
• The Fold Children's HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual mission team visits for projects, playing with children, and supporting facility needs. Property managers Philip & Retha Du Plessis coordinate ongoing partnership.
• Christian Veterinary MissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFledge has spoken at three annual conferences hosted at Lincoln Memorial University, bringing together veterinary schools from University of Florida, University of Georgia, Tuskegee University, Auburn University, and others.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conservation South Luangwa: Zambia-based conservation nonprofit running community wildlife programs and ranger support; comparable Southern Africa conservation NGO footprint and donor base.
• Ukuwela Conservancy: Named core partner where Son Safaris' Green Mambas team conducts seasonal alien-plant removal; a comparable nature-reserve operator in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
• Adventures in Missions: Faith-based mission trip operator running short-term volunteer and mission experiences globally; comparable business model of combining faith, travel, and service projects with tiered supporter fundraising.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation nonprofit that runs community-based conservation programs and supporter engagement in the same South African geographies where Son Safaris operates; comparable donor model and conservation mission.
• Welgevonden Game Reserve: Active partner reserve since 2013 hosting Son Safaris mission teams for conservation and community work in South Africa; operates the wildlife reserve underpinning Son Safaris' trip product.
• Wild Tomorrow Fund: Direct peer and named conservation partner of Son Safaris; protects 6,000+ acres in Zululand, South Africa, with overlapping reserves totaling 2M+ acres and runs volunteer/mission-style conservation trips in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• andBeyond: Luxury safari and conservation tourism operator with lodge and community programs across multiple African countries; broader incumbent offering similar land-based safari experiences plus community engagement.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation giant with active programs in Southern Africa focused on species protection and community engagement; broad incumbent that competes for the same donor mindshare.
• Wilderness Safaris: Established commercial safari operator with multi-country Southern and East Africa itineraries and conservation partnerships; broader portfolio but overlapping safari + community product in the same region.
• African Parks: Large-scale conservation NGO managing protected areas across Africa with community and ranger programs; comparable conservation mission but operates at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl3m-sVvu3HWxdWpeFlic4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/sonsafaris
• Xx.com/sonsafaris
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/son-safaris

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 Son Safaris