Sojourner Glamping Company is bringing the first luxury glamping retreat to Greene County, Virginia which borders the Shenandoah National Park. A stay at Sojourner will allow you to enjoy the best of camping with resort-style amenities. Our 1, 2 and 3-bedroom tents, the same ones used by billionaire Richard Branson for his 5-star, exclusive Moroccan resort, offer kitchens, living spaces, bathrooms and private decks. From hiking in the national park to relaxing in the spa, Sojourner will be one of your most unique vacation experiences.

We want to show the world just how amazing Sojourner will be, and we want you to be a part of our journey. We are launching this Indiegogo Campaign to help build our first demonstration tents and build an exclusive club of supporters who will help shape the Sojourner Glamping experience. Pre-purchase a stay with us and receive:

Discounted Rates: Early supporters will enjoy stays at a discounted rate. Purchase however many nights you want now to get locked into these rates for future stays. 

Early Access: Get early access and book your stay at Sojourner before we open to the general public. 

Discounts for life: Receive 15% discounts on direct bookings on our website, at any Sojourner property, for life!  

Shape the future: Play an important role in shaping the experience of future Sojourner guests by providing feedback during your initial stay to our team. You will positively impact the creation of this experiential retreat that will be a prototype for future Sojourner retreats!

Donation/Gift Certificate:  If you do not want to select one of our perks, you can donate any amount by using the “Back It” button. If you contribute more than $199 (our minimum night stay), the amount you pay will be applied to your future stay or any other activity/event at a Sojourner Retreat, such as a wedding, corporate retreat, dinner, etc. (Anything less than $199 will be considered a donation. Thank you!) A $10 or more donation will get you added to our 15% for life discount. We’ve included a chart of our rates above, but there is no ceiling for the amount to donate.

Because we deserve a bit of indulgence in an environment that also allows us to connect with nature.  Nature heals us and centers us. It allows us to connect mentally, physically and emotionally, both for ourselves and with loved ones. But immersing ourselves in nature shouldn’t require extra work on our parts, as traditional camping does. Our Sojourner Retreat was designed specifically with this in mind. Guests will enjoy all of the benefits of being in nature, connecting with yourself or friends and family, and maximizing your wellness while enjoying the amenities and comforts of a unique and luxurious stay.

We want to democratize support for Sojourner and allow those who believe in our vision or who are simply excited about this to take part in our journey. In the U.S., only accredited (a.k.a. wealthy) investors can help fund companies like ours – unless you have a crowdsourcing campaign. We know a lot of folks who are NOT accredited investors but still want to support us and be part of our journey.

To us, glamping is camping with resort-style amenities. It’s luxurious accommodations in nature. Glamping is for people who want to enjoy all the good things about being outdoors, without all the hassles of packing for a traditional outdoor stay.

The Sojourner location in Greene County, VA will be primarily a luxury tented property, with a smaller percentage of unique alternate accommodations (think multi-room treehouses and hobbit houses) for a total of approximately 144 accommodation units. Our retreat will be designed with an intentional approach to sustainability, from sustainable sourcing to reduced water and carbon footprints, and will include the following:

Our Greene County retreat will be located North of Charlottesville in Stanardsville, VA, less than a 2-hour drive from DC, and Richmond and just minutes from the Swift Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park. Our location will be less than a 30 minute drive to:

• Wineries
• Breweries
• Shenandoah National Park
• University of Virginia

We met in business school and have been friends for 18 years. Between us, we bring decades of experience in the hotel industry, conservation, and community-based tourism to the table. In addition, we have built a highly experienced and capable team to establish and grow Sojourner. Our high-powered and diverse team and advisors will help us scale the business. Here are some specifics on each of us:

Andy is the cofounder of Zaina Lodge, the first safari lodge built in West Africa and the highest-rated property in Ghana on TripAdvisor. We will be using the same tent company for Sojourner that Andy used in Ghana. We know they are the highest quality tents in the world, and because they are insulated, they can be heated and cooled easily. Inside, it will feel more like a spacious, upscale boutique hotel room. There is a certain level of service that comes with the African hospitality of a safari lodge. We plan to bring that same spirit of service to Sojourner.

We are friends and fathers who share a love for travel and nature. We want to create places that connect families and friends to nature and each other. We are parents who believe that:

As we looked at what was being offered in the market, we felt most outdoor opportunities were aimed at the adventurous traveler and those looking for a “slightly fancier campground.” There are many more people who want to enjoy the outdoors, without the typical hassles of staying outdoors. Sojourner is the place for them. We offer all the benefits of being nestled in nature with the comfort and amenities of a resort.

Sojourner has been designed by conservation-minded founders. We plan to be the first glamping company in the United States to issue a verifiable sustainability report, measuring our sustainability progress and reporting transparently to the public.

Our goal is to preserve the rural areas in which we operate and protect the natural surroundings. Accommodations will be built on wooden decks, allowing water to pass and reducing disturbances to wildlife. We will preserve as much of the tree cover on the property as possible. And, because we love the night sky, we will use dark sky lighting principles in our design to ensure optimal stargazing. Finally, we will work to minimize water and energy use, prioritize renewable energy, and, where possible, use solar and electric vehicles. 

The site has received zoning approvals and is under contract. Sojourner plans to develop multiple properties. In fact, we are currently working on two sites in Central Virginia. If we develop another property before our Greene County retreat, or if plans for the Greene County retreat do not materialize as expected, supporters will get early access to another Sojourner property of their choosing with the same perks.​

Our goal is to be outside of every metro area in the US and internationally. Share in the comments where you would like us to go next!

While our intent is to raise funds to support our initial tents at our pilot or first site, we have the ability to use the funds in any way that supports the mission and objectives of Sojourner Glamping.