Kristina Plattner: Redefining Rainforest Travel With Conservation-Driven Tourism

As the world races towards concrete jungles and glowing screens, the ancient whispers of the forests grow fainter. Eco-tourism is no longer a niche adventure but a necessary journey back to one’s forgotten roots. Taking a step forward, Kristina Plattner is leading transformative eco-tourism operations in the Republic of Congo. Based in Cape Town, Kristina is bringing a unique blend of business acumen and visionary thinking shaped by her upbringing in a deeply entrepreneurial household. 

Growing up, Kristen witnessed her father leading his software company. Early on she was immersed in curious conversations about leadership, impact, and risk-taking. These formative dinner table discussions instilled in her a fearless drive to make meaningful change, whether for people, projects, or the planet. She now thrives as a conservation-driven leader rooted in entrepreneurial values, leading as the Managing Director of Strategy, Sales, and Marketing at Kamba African Rainforest Experiences. 

You switched from pursuing a PhD in physiology/biology to heading a travel company. What prompted this shift?

I completed my PhD in exercise physiology, but after spending so much time in labs and offices, I realized I needed a change. Research felt too slow and niche for me, as I was missing that fast-paced, entrepreneurial energy I grew up with. I wanted to make a real difference, especially on the ground, creating jobs and impacting lives. That’s what led me to travel to Congo, where my mother had started Kamba in 2011, while we were building the lodges, and from there, it just clicked.  

Kamba gave me that sense of purpose and fun. Watching it grow year after year, seeing people discover the destination, improving our offerings, it’s incredibly rewarding.  

I believe, if you love what you do, you give it everything. That’s the difference Kamba made in my life compared to the research world.

Introduce us to Kamba. 

Kamba offers small, intimate lodges with six rooms, providing great hospitality and reconnecting people to nature and themselves through a rainforest journey.

We were the first operators in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, and still the only private concession holder there. We have unique experiences as our guests meet us in Brazzaville, fly in on a private plane, and spend 7 to 10 days exploring the rainforest. They go gorilla tracking, kayak through the park, and walk between lodges, encountering everything from elephants and buffalo to hyenas and birds, with no cars, very little infrastructure, just deep rainforest and true connection. 

"You need a vision to grow something, you have to believe in it, want to make a difference, and stay committed to it"

Tell us about the early years of working at Kamba and key business lessons learnt early on. 

I first got involved with Kamba during the construction of our lodges in Odzala-Kokoua, Republic of Congo, back when the country was not really on the map as a travel destination. I was on-site, helping with furnishing and finishing touches before we opened. Eventually, I moved into a management role. This experience taught me how crucial perseverance is. When things get tough, you have to believe in your dream and push through. I also learned the power of a strong team, only a strong, engaged team can make a business successful. We have such a team at Kamba.

We have another Managing Director who handles operations and finance, and together with our incredible team on the ground, we make it work. No one builds a successful project alone, it takes reliable, trustworthy people, and picking the right partners is key, whether it’s suppliers or stakeholders. You need everyone aligned early on, especially the government, to avoid friction later. At the end of the day, it's all about people, relationships, and a shared vision.

What key responsibilities do you shoulder as the Managing Director of Kamba?

I am one of two managing directors at Kamba, and my role focuses on the big-picture strategy, where we are headed, who we partner with, how we support communities, and how we make an impact. I also lead our sales and marketing. The goal is to bring awareness to Congo as a travel destination, especially highlighting that it’s home to the second-largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon.

With the global travel and hospitality sector evolving constantly, what are your current focus areas in terms of driving growth for Kamba?

We prioritize our operations and hospitality for the guests to feel truly welcomed. Further, we focus on our reach as we have most of our guests from the US, UK, and Central Europe, and now expanding into markets like Dubai, India, the Far East, and more within Africa. It's a big sales and marketing push to raise awareness about Congo as a destination. We are also continuing to drive community impact through local projects, and doing a bit of product development too, to makes sure guests always have some different or new to look forward to. 

How do you foresee responsible travel and hospitality evolving in the near future?  

As people seek meaningful travel experiences, sustainable travel is rapidly growing. Slow and responsible travel is also gaining popularity, as people prefer to immerse themselves, take time, and connect with their destinations.  

At Kamba, part of what guests pay goes directly into conservation and community funds that support the national park and surrounding areas, which matters to travelers now. When guests come to us, they disconnect from the outside world, slow down, go gorilla tracking multiple times, and have space to reconnect with themselves, with others, and with nature. It’s a shift we are noticing, and it’s something we are leaning into and proud to be part of.

Looking back, which core values have driven your professional growth journey?

For me, the core values have been about having a clear vision, believing in something, and committing to it. Perseverance has been huge too, especially when working in a country I didn’t know well. Integrity is also very important to me, as is trust, building a strong team, and then trusting them to do their job. 

Above all, it’s about making an impact on people, on nature, and really doing work that makes a difference.  

Kristina Plattner, Managing Director, Kamba African Rainforest Experiences

Dr Kristina Plattner is the Managing Director of Strategy, Sales, and Marketing at Kamba African Rainforest Experiences, a pioneering eco-tourism company operating in the Republic of Congo. Based in Cape Town, Kristina brings together a deep scientific background, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for meaningful impact through nature and community-based tourism.