October 27, 2025by mvhuyssteen

Jane Goodall: The heart of conservation

Childhood dreams come true

What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make ~ Jane Goodall

Across the world, a handful of extraordinary women have changed the course of conservation. Among them Dian Fossey, Florence Bailey, Wangari Maathai, Sylvia Earle, Saengduean ‘Lek’ Chailert and Dame Jane Goodall. These pioneering women have been instrumental in safeguarded endangered species and helping reshape how we think about our environment and view our place in nature.

Mantis is deeply rooted in conservation. We ascribe to a model that is built on meaningful community partnerships, biodiversity preservation and wildlife management. Many of our properties are proud recipients of the Humane Tourism Certification™ from Global Humane, a reflection of our commitment to care for both people and the planet.

We continue to champion responsible tourism and honour Dame Jane Goodall, whose life-long commitment to conservation, groundbreaking research on chimpanzees and advocacy for our planet is an inspiration. Her life reminds us that true hospitality extends beyond people, it embraces wildlife, ecosystems and the future we share.

Jane Goodall died earlier this year, aged 91. We know her legacy will endure through the millions she inspired to see animals not as resources but beings deserving of respect and compassion.

The greatest danger to our future is apathy ~ Jane Goodall

As a child, Jane was given a stuffed toy chimpanzee named Jubilee, an alternative to the usual teddy bear and this sparked her early love of animals. As an avid reader, books like Doctor Doolittle and Tarzan and the Apes, had her dreaming of one day living in Africa with animals and writing about them.

At 23 she turned that dream into reality when she first stepped onto African soil, met anthropologist Louis Leakey and began her study of wild chimpanzees in Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world ~ Jane Goodall

Human traits

Jane’s close observation of chimpanzees changed our understanding of what it means to be human. She discovered they share many of our human traits such as affection, complex emotions – even aggression and form deep social bonds, pass knowledge across generations and use tools with remarkable skill.

Her decision to name, rather than number, the chimps she studied was radical at the time. It reinforced her belief that they were individuals with personalities, emotions and intelligence, a concept that changed science forever.

Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have? ~ Jane Goodall

Trailblazer for science and compassion

Despite no university degree or formal scientific training (she later earned a PhD in animal behaviour) and working in the male-dominated world of primatology, Jane’s discoveries redefined humanity’s relationship with animals. She blazed her own trail, becoming a role model for women wanting to enter the world of science.

From the early years at Gombe Stream National Park to founding the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots youth programme, her life was dedicated to protecting species, empowering communities and mentoring a future generation of environmental stewards.
Her message was simple: Humans are part of the animal kingdom, not apart from it. And, perhaps surprisingly, she often said her greatest teacher wasn’t a chimp but her beloved dog, Rusty.

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves ~ Jane Goodall

A global icon

Jane received countless tributes, honours and awards from local governments, schools, institutions and charities around the world for her environmental and humanitarian work. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2003 and named Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2019.

Among her other recognitions:

United Nations Messenger of Peace (2002)
Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication (2022)
Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau (2023)
Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by US President Joe Biden (2025)

And other interesting info

Mattel released a Jane Goodall Barbie in 2022, made from sustainable plastics, dressed in khaki and holding binoculars
She had prosopagnosia (face blindness) – the inability to recognise familiar faces
Was a vegetarian for ethical, environmental and health reasons
She wrote 32 books, 15 of them for children and was the subject of over 40 films

Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved ~ Jane Goodall

A legacy that lives on

The young British girl who once dreamed of Africa, changed the world. Her message of hope is as powerful as ever: That each one of us, in our own way, can make a difference.

YouTube link to Dame Jane Goodall’s final interview

At Mantis we are inspired by her life and will continue to champion conservation, foster meaningful connections with local communities and create travel experiences that protect and celebrate the natural world.

Yes, there is hope. It’s in our hands, it’s in your hands and my hands and those of our children. It’s really up to us ~ Jane Goodall

Walking in Jane’s footsteps

If, like Jane, you’re fascinated by chimps (our closest relatives) then chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is an experience not to be missed. The adventure offers the rare chance to observe these remarkable primates in their natural habitat in the Nyungwe National Park.

The best time is during the rainy season. Unlike mountain gorillas, chimps are more active, mobile, stubborn and noisy, spending their time on trees, eating and jumping from one place to another. This trek can be challenging, along terrain that is steep, so it requires you to be fit and over the age of 15.

The Nyungwe National Park is home to over 1 000 plant species, 80 mammals (with the greatest number of primates) and 310 bird species, including the Albertine endemic species.

Guests at Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel can enjoy unforgettable excursions into the Park, including the Canopy Walkway, Adventure Trail, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Colobus Monkey Trekking.

You aren’t going to save the world on your own. But you might inspire a generation of kids to save it for all of us. You would be amazed at what inspired children can do ~ Jane Goodall