Born of Nature
This is not a story about the kind of nature that sits still.
This is a story of nature at its most profound, vivid, moving, otherworldly.
Wildflowers in impossible colors.
Sunlight so bright it feels surreal.
Nights so dark they overwhelm the senses.
It’s the kind of nature you don’t just admire, you feel it, deeply. This is the nature we wanted to celebrate, and from this feeling, Réserve en Afrique was born.
In 1934, Etienne’s grandfather arrived in Senegal from the Lebanon, seeking refuge and in hopes of a better life.
That same year, a nearby forest became a protected reserve. His family stayed in Senegal, and for decades, worked on conservation efforts in that very forest.
Growing up, Etienne learned that scent was deeply tied to his experiences of nature.
Together, with his wife Valeria, they share the same profound appreciation for those sensory stories.
Based in Dakar, they founded Réserve en Afrique, where botanicals tell the story of an otherworldly nature.
The house's debut collection, Afrique Extraordinaire, is an homage to the rich and diverse landscapes of the African continent, celebrating its exceptional botanicals, from Madagascan vanilla and Somali opoponax to Nigerian ginger and Moroccan rose, honoring their remarkable scents and the communities that cultivate and nurture them.
5% for Conservation
At the heart of our brand is a deep respect for nature.
We donate 5% of our profits to conservation efforts across Africa.
We focus on supporting local nonprofit organization that empower local communities in their work, including Nature Communautés Développement in Senegal and Madagasikara Voakajy in Madagascar.
Eco-conscious perfumery
From responsibly sourced naturals and upcycled ingredients to a beetroot natural alcohol base, every element is selected with care for both its quality and its provenance.
We are PETA-listed vegan and cruelty-free and our fragrances are created in partnership with suppliers who offer transparency, measure social impact, and work to contribute to positive impact initiatives.
Our products are developed without silicone, mineral oil, petroleum derivatives, paraffin, added parabens, phthalates, GMOs, or SLS/SLES, and are crafted in accordance with European Union cosmetic regulations and the standards of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA).
