In this episode we chat with Mark Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer of Business Development for &Beyond and Cliver Rioja, General Manager of the &Beyond Amazon Explorer about the launch of this luxury expeditionary yacht onto the waters of the Peruvian Amazon. From the exciting features and activities guests can look forward to, to the unique design elements of the craft and its interiors, from the wildlife the jungle has to offer, to the sustainability approach adopted in developing the ...
Feb 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 87
Andrea Perez Hoyos, the Creative Director of Adriana Hoyos, talks about being the team selected to work on the innovative design of the Galapagos Explorer, &Beyond’s first expeditions yacht. Find out how the unique beauty of the Galapagos served as inspiration and hear about the unusual elements that the team incorporated to create an authentic sense of place. Andrea describes the challenges of maintaining a sense of luxury and exclusivity while also keeping the design practical and function...
Jul 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 86
Lebogang Matlakala, Future Leaders Program Manager for Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) is a paradox. A girl who grew up in the dry and dusty interior of South Africa who is an avid diver and oceanographer. An impressive academic and public speaker who advocates for simple and effective communication of complex issues to local communities. A mentor and inspiration for others who remains thoroughly grounded and humble. Listen to her tell her story of personal growth and communi...
Mar 04, 2024•48 min•Ep. 85
In September 2023, during Climate Week, we were joined by travel expert and writer Jessica Nabongo (our host) and panellists Amanda Ho (Regenerative Travel), Javier Arredondo (Virtuoso), Costas Christ (Sustainable Travel Pioneer), Tshewang Wangchuk (Bhutan Foundation) to discuss the power and agency that individual travelers have to turn the switches, move the dials, and catalyse positive change within the travel industry. The goal of this event was to bring together industry experts, travelers,...
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 84
Co-founders and editors of African magazine Anja Hanke and Jelena Moro talk about all things conservation and describe their experiences trekking gorillas in Rwanda. Find out about the threats to the survival of mountain gorillas, hear what is being done to ensure their survival and come along as Anja and Jelena describe their gorilla trekking adventure.
Sep 19, 2023•47 min•Ep. 83
Archie Voorspuy, manager of Suyian Conservancy, paints a picture of this wild and untamed part of Africa and the exceptional game viewing opportunities that it offers. Learn more about the Laikipia Plateau, where Suyian is situated, and find out about the rare and endangered species that make this region their home. Get a glimpse of how this working cattle ranch and wildlife conservancy operates, as well as what travellers to this secluded destination can hope to see and do.
Sep 07, 2023•29 min•Ep. 82
F ind out all about Punakha River Lodge, &Beyond’s new home-away-from-home in the kingdom of Bhutan. &Beyond Asia Managing Director Suhail Gupta talks about the challenges encountered and overcome during the building of the lodge. Renowned travel writer Gisela Williams shares warm and poignant memories from her first trip to Bhutan and delves deeper into the country’s unusual model of tourism. &Beyond Sales & Touring COO Ryan Powell describes the emotions of being one of the firs...
Aug 30, 2023•53 min•Ep. 81
Heli pilot and Director of Tropic Air Helicopters, Ben Simpson, shares his experiences of flying above Africa, from creating exhilarating experiences for travellers to shooting natural history documentaries in remote destinations and translocating elephants and gorillas for conservation initiatives. Listen to him speak about his adventurous career and describe his latest helicopter routes in Tanzania.
Jul 21, 2023•47 min•Ep. 80
John Corse, Managing Director of the Serengeti Ballooning Company, talks about the wonder and magic of soaring over one of the planet’s best-known landscapes in a hot air balloon. Hear John describe what it feels like to take off into an African sunset and find out why a balloon safari is a must on any wildlife adventurer’s bucket list.
May 11, 2023•46 min•Ep. 79
Cristi á n Saucedo, Wildlife Director at Rewilding Chile, introduces us to the country’s unique wildlife species, from the renowned puma and condor to the lesser known huemul and guanaco. He explains the importance of rewilding and describes the work done by Rewilding Chile, touching on how the organisation is carrying on the legacy of conservationists Kristine and Douglas Tompkins. Cristi á n also shares his thoughts about the similarities and differences between conservation in Africa and Sout...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 78
In conversation with writer and sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman, five voices across three continents came together to share tales of their unforgettable travel experiences to enlighten, enrich and inspire, with interconnected musings on a topic that has never been more vital. Discover epic stories, epic adventures and epic solutions about how travel can make a positive impact. Listen now to discover how travel may not only be life-affirming, but authentic and yes, epic, as it leaves our wor...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 77
Have you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about cheetahs? These iconic big cats are one of Africa’s most important predators; playing a crucial role in all the ecosystems in which they are occur. Cheetahs have been extirpated from 90% of their range across Africa and Asia, but people like Vincent van der Merwe are working tirelessly to see the species rebound. In this podcast, we hear from Vincent on the history of cheetah and the challenges which are facing the species, as well a...
Nov 25, 2022•49 min•Ep. 76
andBeyond Regional Guide Trainer Dux Mareja unravels the wildlife wonders of Botswana. Find out how the Chobe River in the north attracts abundant animal species, from vast numbers of buffalo to thronging herds of elephant. Discover the mysteries of Savute, whose life-giving channel and marsh fluctuate seemingly unrelated to the seasons. Learn about the varying faces of the Okavango Delta and find out how the flow and ebb of the delta waters influences the wildlife of this unique ecosystem....
Oct 27, 2022•59 min•Ep. 75
Damen Pheiffer is a specialist guide at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve – a reserve that is close to his heart for many reasons. Listen in as we catch up with Damen and learn a little more about him, the events that brought him to Phinda, and hear some of his wild stories and wildlife experiences from his time as a guide.
Oct 07, 2022•36 min•Ep. 74
Barry Mthembu has done it all. After starting in Phinda’s star-in-training programme back in 2003, he eventually went on to become a butler, camp manager, tracker, ranger, head ranger, and now he is Phinda’s Habitat Field Manager, a job which keeps him on his toes and very busy. Barry is a passionate advocate for conservation with local land custodians at its heart, and we chat to him about his background growing up in the communities near andBeyond Phinda, his journey with andBeyond, his day-to...
Aug 18, 2022•45 min•Ep. 73
Phinda conservation manager, Simon Naylor, has been based at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve for 16 years, and he has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to conservation and management of lions. In this podcast we focus on the successes and challenges of lion conservation and management in private, fenced reserves like andBeyond Phinda, but we delve into an abundance of other topics such as the importance of lions in their ecosystems, their conservation status a...
Aug 03, 2022•44 min•Ep. 72
Dr Andrew Venter, CEO of Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) looks back at 30 years of the NGO’s achievements and highlights the key successes of the past years. Find out what changes have taken place in the past three decades and discover what new projects are to come. Share the excitement of the spirit and vision that will drive Wild Impact ahead for decades to come.
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 71
In this podcast, we chat to andBeyond Group Sustainability Manager, Jonathan Braack, and architect, Jack Alexander, about sustainability in the design and rebuild of the new andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge. We hear about Jack’s inspiration for the new lodge, and learn about what sustainability in lodge design actually means in terms of architectural choices, building materials, overall design, and environmental considerations. We also chat to Jonathan about the inclusion of new, exciting...
Jul 08, 2022•28 min•Ep. 70
Thulani Mbazini is an inspirational individual who has worked at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve for thirteen years. He started out as a contractor in the habitat team; clearing alien vegetation and working on the reserve. He then studied and qualified to become a professional tracker, a role he delighted in for almost nine years. He always had his heart firmly set on becoming a guide at andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge; and now, as an established guide within the team at andBeyond Phinda, Th...
Jun 29, 2022•42 min•Ep. 69
Dr. Andrea Marshall is a co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation and the principal scientist for their Threatened Species Programme, she’s also a National Geographic Explorer, owner and tour leader for Ray of Hope Expeditions, and the Champion of the Inhambane Seascape Hope Spot. This Hope Spot encompasses the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Mozambique, as well as much more of the surrounding waters and coastline. We chat to Andrea about a host of interesting subjects including her b...
Jun 20, 2022•55 min•Ep. 68
East Africa Regional Manager for Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) Crispo Ndembeka speaks about his background as a medical doctor, describing how it motivated him to join the organisation and work towards improving the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of the region’s rural communities. Crispo describes Wild Impact’s work in Kenya and Tanzania, focusing on the provision of healthcare and describing their projects' impact during the Covid-19 pandemic. Listen as he descri...
Apr 01, 2022•54 min•Ep. 67
Peter Chadwick is a conservationist with a vast wealth of knowledge in both the marine and terrestrial worlds, ranging from law enforcement and reserve management, to conservation photography, wildlife ranger training and development, and even the intersection of conservation and human rights strategy and training. We chat to Peter about the world of marine rangers, the crucial role they play in protecting ecosystems, the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis, and what is being done to supp...
Mar 18, 2022•56 min•Ep. 66
Driven and passionate, Nancy Iraba is an eloquent advocate for any number of things – marine conservation, biodiversity preservation, access to the oceans, diving, woman power and so much more. As the Oceans Without Borders Project Manager at Mnemba Island off Zanzibar, she is also responsible for an initiative aimed at restoring the area’s precious coral reefs to their full glory. Listen as Nancy talks about her journey in marine conservation, talking about how her passion for the world’s ocean...
Mar 14, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 65
&Beyond Social Media Specialist Josh van der Ploeg looks back at his career as a guide in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, from his initial training course to his years at &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp and the many research and travel opportunities that came his way. Find out how a childhood spent in Cape Town resulted in a love for the outdoors. Hear about a project to create an ID kit for leopards in the Sabi Sand led to a camera trapping adventure in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Listen to Josh’s ...
Feb 25, 2022•59 min•Ep. 64
Founded in 1934, Rwanda’s Akagera National Park boasts a history as long and illustrious as some of the continent’s most renowned wildlife areas, yet it remains little known in a country that is much more famous for its gorilla trekking than it is for its only Big Five game reserve. African Parks Regional Ops Manager for Rwanda Jes Gruner talks about Akagera’s diversity and natural beauty, tracking the park’s history since its establishment and through the ravages of Rwanda’s tumultuous past unt...
Feb 17, 2022•46 min•Ep. 63
What does it take to move 30 rhino across more than half the length of Africa? Simon Naylor, Conservation Manager at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve speaks about translocating a Boeing 747 full of rhinos from South African to Rwanda to create a new breeding stronghold in Akagera National Park. Find out why the largest rhino translocation ever took place and what challenges it entailed, as well as where the rhino came from and what awaits them in their new home....
Dec 10, 2021•14 min•Ep. 62
In this second episode of a two-part series with &Beyond shareholders, Africa Foundation supporter Jessica Getty discusses her love for Africa, from her early days working as a chef at &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge to deciding to make South Africa her family home. Discover her dedication to growing and developing staff members, and find out how she and her husband have contributed to the educational and healthcare needs of rural communities, even having a local school named after them. Fin...
Dec 03, 2021•29 min•Ep. 61
Tara Getty, &Beyond shareholder and trustee of Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation), speaks about his enduring love affair with Africa. From his early years working at &Beyond (then Conservation Corporation) to the home he has created near &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve . Listen to him reminisce about the early years at &Beyond Phinda, speaking about the development of &Beyond’s unique business model and the growth of Africa Foundation, which has recently ...
Nov 26, 2021•29 min•Ep. 60
Marine scientist Ryan Daly and fisheries biologist JD Filmalter speak about the marine predator tagging project running in the Bazaruto Archipelago , explaining what species are targeted, how they are tagged and monitored, and what information is gathered. Discover how tracking the movements of the marine world’s top predators can lead to an enhanced understanding of their lifecycle and contribute towards the management of marine reserves along the entire coastline of Africa. Learn how you too c...
Nov 19, 2021•43 min•Ep. 59
What does it truly mean to give nature a chance? Is it enough for us simply not to interfere or is a more active approach required? &Beyond CEO Joss Kent talks about the meticulous planning and management that is necessary to drive the regeneration of the world’s wild places. How can the travel industry navigate the return of tourism while balancing growing environmental awareness with the demands of travellers starved for new destinations and experiences? Find out what themes and topics are...
Oct 29, 2021•30 min•Ep. 58
