Better World

The world’s largest migration of fish, South Africa’s annual Sardine Run features billions of sardines and all the accompanying marine predators, from dolphins and whales to sharks and sailfish, as well as dozens of marine bird species. Shark specialist and scuba diving guide Walter Bernardis from African Watersports talks about the Oceans Without Borders Marine Migration Expedition, which allows...

William de Jager, manager of &Beyond Phinda Homestead, talks about what makes a sole-use safari lodge such a great travel option. Find out how the team at &Beyond Phinda Homestead takes hospitality to a new level, ensuring a tailor-made experience for travellers of all ages. Learn more about the lodge’s exceptional design, from the layout, which was done with guest comfort in mind, to the...

Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia speaks about how he got to know the rich natural diversity and cultural wonders of Sri Lanka. Listen to his personal recollections of working on wildlife documentaries. Find out about the filming of Disney’s charming Monkey Kingdom about the troops of macaque monkeys living among the ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Discover a world of varied and unique...

Guide Damen Pheiffer speaks to Craig Sholto-Douglas, ecologist at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, about the research and monitoring, as well as the day-to-day conservation management that goes on at the reserve. Find out how cheetah populations are meticulously managed through the introduction of new bloodlines and hear about how and why rhino are dehorned to protect them from poaching. C...

What is the secret behind creating just the right level of luxury for complete comfort? Find out how designers Fox Browne Creative combine the latest trends with classical design pieces, always keeping guest comfort top of mind. Hear about the inspiration behind their upcoming project in Bhutan, andBeyond Punakha River Lodge. 

Travel specialist Melanie Dannhauser eliminates the mystique surrounding family travel to Africa. She answers frequently asked questions, from the best destinations and times to travel to how to keep your little ones busy and at what age your children can first go on a game drive. In between, she shares heartwarming stories about how travel has changed the course of both her family’s life and thos...

Born and raised along Mozambique’s tropical coastline, a passion for the ocean runs in Leo Gungulo’s veins. Follow his story from scuba instructor to marine ranger at Vamizi Island and, ultimately, Field Operations Manager for Oceans Without Borders. Find out about the work being done on Africa’s eastern coastline and discover the world of Africa’s marine caretakers, who combine a deep knowledge o...

Andrew Campbell, CEO of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, talks about the crucial role played by the men and women who dedicate their lives to caring for the continent’s wild place. Find out about the specialist skills required to care for and maintain Africa’s biodiversity and ensure the conservation of its natural treasures, from game parks to marine reserves. Discover the threats and chal...

From their place as part of the famous Big Five to tales of early explorers and even popular culture such as Disney’s Lion King, lions have enjoyed the title of Africa’s most iconic predator. Sought after by safari visitors from around the world, they are an important drawcard for the continent’s tourism industry. But the species is in dire danger, with lion populations having declined by 50% in j...

What does the future hold for tigers in India? Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia speaks about how wildlife conservation has developed and changed on the subcontinent over 40 years, from the establishment of the first tiger reserves to the growing successes of Project Tiger. Discover what new and thrilling wildlife discoveries are being made throughout the region. Find out what ecotourism means i...

After 70 years of extinction, jaguars are once again roaming free in Argentina’s Iberá Wetlands. Sebastian Di Martino from Rewilding Argentina speaks about the role of his organisation and describes the six-year process that led to the release of the animals. He details the threats and the challenges faced by jaguar in Argentina, as well as the lessons learned from conservation and translocation p...

What does it take to rescue a pangolin from the dark underworld of the illegal wildlife trade, stabilise it, rehabilitate it and then successfully release it back into the wild? A panel of pangolin experts takes us behind the scenes for a rare glimpse of a pangolin’s journey from rescue to release, beginning with the undercover sting operations during which many of these animals are rescued. Disco...

What is it that has made the shy and secretive pangolin the world’s most trafficked mammal species? With few people around the world having ever seen one, why should we care about the conservation of this oddly charismatic species? Faced with a growing demand for their scales in Asia, as well as the multiple threats of habitat loss, the bushmeat trade, and their traditional use in African tribal d...

Andrew Venter, CEO of Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) talks about the history of conservation in South Africa and the experiences that led him to take up his position at the helm of the community development organisation. Find out how Covid has affected the communities that Africa Foundation serves, and discover the shift in thinking that is taking place as a result of this and...

From white water rafting in Nepal to helping set up some of India’s first safari lodges, Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia talks about his experiences living and working in Asia 40 years ago. Find out about the diverse personalities who guided and inspired him as he set about learning the ropes in India.

Isaac Tembe, Head of Methodology, Monitoring & Evaluation at Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) speaks about the elements required for a successful community development project and explains how travellers can get involved and make a difference. Find out about how Wild Impact's model had been adapted to run projects throughout Africa and what plans they have for the future. Fo...

Babysitting a pangolin might not have been part of the original job description for Phinda Ecological Monitor Charli de Vos, but it’s a role that she’s taken to with her whole heart. Charli tells us about the threats faced by this remarkable animal, the world’s most threatened wildlife species, including the use of its scales in traditional Asian and African medicine, as well as habitat loss and i...

An elegant lodge with a rich history and a lush bushveld setting, Regional Manager Brendan Streak talks about the recent refurbishment of &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp. Discover the fascinating story of the lodge’s namesake, Harry Kirkman, the cattle farmer who became one of South Africa’s foremost conservationists, and hear about how his memory has been preserved in the lodge’s updated design. Find...

What is the difference between working with communities and for them? Listen as Isaac Tembe, Head of Methodology, Monitoring & Evaluation for Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) describes creating a community development model that puts partnership, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart. Wild Impact works hand in hand with Africa’s rural communities, on projects identifie...

Having worked in some of the world’s most remote and challenging destinations, from the Namib Desert to the mountains of Bhutan and the plains of the Serengeti, Chris Browne and Debra Fox share their insights into creating modern designs that blend into rather than overwhelm their setting. Listen to tales of how to overcome the challenges of working in the wild, from flooded work sites to hijacked...

While the link between COVID-19 and conservation may not be immediately obvious to many, the knock-on effects of the pandemic on Africa’s wild places and the communities that surround them is estimated to be immense. With Africa’s game reserves empty of tourists, where is the funding for their upkeep to come from? Our panel of experts brings their insights, learning and experiences to the table to...

It takes a village to save a rhino and what can’t be achieved by a single organisation becomes possible when working together. This engaging panel discussion happened on World Rhino Day 2020. The future of rhino brought together a seasoned group of conservationists, each of who applied their insight, learnings and scientific approach to the complex issue of the poaching of this iconic species. The...

Formerly the Programme Manager for the Community Leaders Education Fund run by Wild Impact (previously Africa Foundation), Nonhlanhla is not only responsible for selecting the recipients of these tertiary education bursaries but often becomes a second mother to them. Having fulfilled a vital support role for many young people from rural Africa who are trying to build a brighter future, she shares...

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve Manager Simon Naylor talks about wildlife management techniques and what it means to be responsible for the day to day running of a private game reserve in Africa. Find out why game reserves need to be managed in the modern world and join us for a behind-the-scenes look into the challenges and successes experienced while running a world-class Big Five game r...

Charli de Vos speaks about her role an ecological monitor at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, from responsibilities such as compiling cheetah ID kits to the joys of witnessing unexpected species interactions. Find out what it takes to work in conservation and hear how these vital researchers help make a difference to wildlife throughout Africa. Links: Charli is an ecological monitor at &am...