Inspiring African Travel Podcast

In this episode of Untamed Routes, we take you to Lake Natron, an accessible, yet very remote and breathtaking location in Tanzania. Far from the typical safari circuit, Lake Natron offers surreal landscapes and cultural experiences that make it a hidden gem for adventurous travellers. We share insights into the unique setting with the iconic Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano as the backdrop and the incredible interactions we had with the local Maasai people as we uncover why Lake Natron should be on your travel radar. 

Some of the highlights include: 

Conquering the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and its challenging ascent.

Hiking through the Ngare Sero Gorge, cooling off in natural pools, and exploring its hidden waterfalls.

The greatest flocks of flamingos we’ve ever seen. 

Getting to know the local Maasai community—we’ll share our personal experiences and conversations with these wonderful people, plus what it was like to spend time in their villages and learn about their culture.

Our tips of some of the other fun and unique Adventures. 

Staying at Lake Natron Camp:
We discover Lake Natron Camp, one of the best eco-friendly lodges in the area, and why it’s the perfect base for exploring this off-the-beaten-track destination.

Whether you’re an intrepid hiker, a culture seeker, or simply want to immerse yourself in a an awe inspiring landscape just to take it all in then learning about Lake Natron in this episode is for you!

You can learn more on https://www.lake-natron-camp.com 
Follow our guide & friend on Instagram Loy Lebanguti. 

Also a big thanks to our friends at https://www.bluebaobabsafari.com who helped us put these trips together if you are looking for support in planning your trip to Tanzania! 

Welcome back to Inspiring African Travel! You’re tuning in to Episode 3 of our series Untamed Routes.

In this series, we dive into off-the-beaten-path adventures—those that take you beyond the typical bucket-list destinations. Untamed Routes is all about uncovering the second biggest, the oldest, the longest—whatever it might be—that offers a different kind of thrill and connection with Africa’s wild places.

In our last episode, we shared why trekking Tanzania’s second-highest mountain might just be the adventure for you.

Today, we’re heading off to Botswana—a destination famous for its epic elephant herds, the Okavango Delta, the famous Chobe River safaris, and the Kalahari Desert. But what you might not hear about as often is that Botswana is also home to Africa’s second-biggest zebra migration, a remarkable event that many haven’t heard about when planning their trip.

We’ll be covering where and when to see this incredible migration and exploring the history behind how it’s been reestablished. If you’re curious for more details or have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re always here to help.

We hope you enjoy this insightful conversation as we delve into another one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.

Welcome back! This is episode 2 of our series, Untamed Routes.

Today, we’re venturing into Tanzania to explore Mount Meru, the country’s second-highest peak, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Kilimanjaro. 

Untamed Routes is about seeking out destinations that aren’t necessarily on everyone’s radar. We’re drawn to places that might not be the highest, biggest, or most visited—but are rich in beauty, culture, and experience.

Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second highest summit at 4,566 meters (14,980 feet) and the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, but it offers something truly special: a quieter, more intimate trekking experience, stunning landscapes, and a rewarding sense of accomplishment. James was lucky enough to hike it with his friends in March 2024. Meru is more than just a warm-up for Kilimanjaro; it’s a formidable peak in its own right.

Imagine deciding to travel to Tanzania and opting to hike Meru instead of Kilimanjaro. Our minds often default to thinking, “Why go all that way and not aim for the highest or most famous peak?”

Well, maybe it’s not just about reaching the highest point on the continent; it’s about embracing the journey, the challenge, and the incredible sights along the way. What does travelling on an adventure like this mean to you? Is it about ticking off a bucket-list item, or is it about truly experiencing the climb and everything that comes with it?

We’re excited to share our insights and experiences with you, and as always, we’re eager to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out to us on social media or drop us an email at hello@inspiringafricantravel.com 

Lastly, we’d like to give a shout-out to Summits Africa, the incredible team we climbed with. Their commitment to professionalism and empowering local women in senior roles made our journey even more meaningful. If you’re planning a trek in Tanzania, we highly recommend them—check them out at summits-africa.com 

We also highly recommend a stay after the climb at the cosy https://www.africaaminilife.com/en/hillside-retreat 

Welcome back to Inspiring African Travel and the kickoff of our brand-new travel series! Hard to believe, but we’re now in Season 7—we’ve outstripped Breaking Bad and Ozark in terms of seasons! We’re feeling pretty pumped over here!

This season, we’re excited to bring you Untamed Routes: Discovering Africa’s Hidden Treasures. Over the next two months, get ready for some incredible adventures as we delve into Africa’s lesser-known wonders. From unexplored hikes in East Africa and fascinating mammal migrations to off-the-beaten-path destinations in Namibia, we’ve got plenty of hidden gems lined up for you.

In Episode 1, we’re kicking things off with a destination special. Think Top Gear meets Inspiring African Travel. Stuart and James are hitting the road in a Suzuki Jimny to explore the majestic Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of a self-drive adventure in Southern Africa but weren’t quite sure, this episode is just what you need. We’ll also be giving you a taste of the Lesotho travel vibe, so if you’ve never been, you might just find the inspiration you need to visit this captivating country. And if renting a Jimny has been on your radar, our experience might just tip the scales!

As well as co-founder at Inspiring African Travel, Stuart is owner and founder of Tread Lite. Tread Lite specializes in crafting off-the-beaten-track self-drive adventures in Suzuki Jimnys. With a growing fleet of 14, it’s clear these rugged little 4x4s are up for the challenge. James was eager to test drive one and see firsthand what it’s like to explore Southern Africa in one of these iconic vehicles.

Before we dive into our Lesotho adventure, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Julia’s fundraising year thus far. We’ve received generous donations from Switzerland, across Africa, Canada, the U.S., Australia, and beyond. We’re nearly at GBP 9,000 and working towards our goal of GBP 30,000 by the end of the year to support three amazing projects in Africa. For more information or to contribute, visit our website and check out previous episodes to learn more about the work.

So, buckle up and enjoy our Lesotho special with Stuart. And just a quick heads-up—expect some soothing running water sounds, so if you need a break… well, you’ve been warned! Enjoy the ride!

Links in this episode for further information on what we referred to: 

Further information on booking a tread Lite adventure: https://treadlite.co.za/

We stayed at Sani Mountain Lodge on the first night:  https://www.sanimountain.co.za/

We also stayed at https://maliba-lodge.com/

Stuart also referred to https://www.semonkonglodge.com/ – another spectacular option to combine on a self-drive in Lesotho. 

Factcheck alert: Thabana Ntlenyana is the highest peak in Lesotho (and Southern Africa) and stands at 3,482m abs! 

We also saw a Sloggetts Ice Rat which is endemic to Southern Africa and they are most often found in the high reaches of the Drakensberg mountains mainly at the summit of the Sani Pass. They are usually found over 2600m above sea level and in snowy cold areas which makes Lesotho the perfect place. 

In our official relaunch and opening episode to series 6, we are so thrilled to welcome you back to Inspiring African Travel.

This episode is our heartfelt dedication to our beautiful co-founder, Julia Spry-Wilson, and a glimpse into our 2024 fundraising plans in her memory.

With mixed emotions, we’re excited to resume our podcast, sharing our enduring passion for African travel. However, our hearts are heavy as we remember Julia, our co-founder, inspiration, and of course, James’ wife. Her passing on January 26, 2023, left a massive void. Beyond the podcast, she was a cherished friend and colleague to many listeners, leaving such an great impact.

After a year of healing and reflection, we’re back. Stuart and I will continue uncovering the wonders of Africa, just as we have from the beginning.

In other news, we’ve officially launched a fundraising campaign, a testament to Julia’s vision. Inspiring African Travel has always championed positive impact, responsible travel, community upliftment, and conservation. Julia’s dream, as we discussed before her passing, is now a reality. You can learn more about our fundraising projects on our website as well as donate and join our mailing list!

Navigating life without Julia is an ongoing struggle, a daily journey of grief and adjustment. Yet, amidst the pain, there’s gratitude for the love she shared and her profound impact on so many people.

As we embark on this new chapter, exploring Africa and engaging with inspiring individuals, we invite you to join us—whether you’re returning or joining for the first time.  

Thank you for coming back, and thank you to Jules. Our eternal inspiration!

Your spirit lives on in every adventure we undertake.

Welcome, everyone, to Episode 2 of our relaunch series of Inspiring African Travel. Our main goal here is to honour the memory of our co-founder, my incredible wife, Julia. 

We’re also thrilled to update you on our fundraising project for the three amazing grassroots projects we’re supporting. First and foremost, a massive thank you to everyone who has donated thus far.

Our target was to raise GBP 30,000 this year, and we’re already approaching GBP 5,000! That’s nearly US$6,000 already – an astonishing response. The feedback celebrating Julia’s legacy has been incredibly generous and heart-warming. If you haven’t already, do check out our relaunch episode, just before this one.

We’ve been sharing more details about the projects we’re supporting on our social media channels and will continue to do so. If you haven’t already, please follow Inspiring African Travel on Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Welcome back to Inspiring African Travel! In this episode, we bring you Episode 3 of our podcast relaunch, recorded in Zanzibar last year at the Divepoint Scuba Centre, situated at Sunshine Marine Lodge on the east coast of the island, directly opposite some of the best diving sites in the area.

We had the pleasure of meeting up with Frank Mollel, also known as Frank the Masai Diver, who initiated a project in Zanzibar a few years ago called Linda Bahari.

As part of our fundraising project dedicated to Jules, we’ll be contributing towards their work, which involves rehabilitating coral in their operating area, as well as providing crucial training and support to the local community in conservation efforts while creating employment opportunities.

Frank is one of Julia’s closest friends, and we’re so excited about spending more time with him in Africa in the future. He is a wonderful human! 

The conversation was recorded early in the morning before our last dive in the coral nursery, where we delved into Frank’s friendship with Julia and discussed the legacy we aim to create in her honour.

If you’re interested in learning more about Frank, you can listen to our first episode featuring Julia, Stuart, and us back in 2021. Podcast episode in features in series 3 – Guide stories or on youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfvlCiQ3HTo

Once again, everyone, thank you for the incredible momentum behind our fundraiser. We’ve raised nearly GBP 6,500, and a portion of these funds will be directed towards supporting the valuable work of Linda Bahari on the island.

Thank you for listening, everyone, and we hope you enjoy the episode!

Welcome to our fourth episode of the podcast relaunch where we’re now bringing you closer to the West African portion of the fundraiser beneficiaries. The Awutu Winton High School in Ghana. 

A portion of the funds raised from the Inspiring African Travel fundraiser will be going towards this wonderful school and we can’t wait to share the work that’s been done as the year progresses. 

James & Max teamed up for this episode and brought together three things that form a great part of their lives. Walking and being in the outdoors, passion for being in Africa and making a difference and of course their love and admiration for Julia. 

During their walk across the hills of Devon in the South-West of the UK there was so much to cover. 

They talk about how much Jules meant to us and her lasting legacy. They discuss their connection to the school in Ghana and what has been achieved now and plans for the future. 

And expect to feel and hear the sounds of the beautiful Devon countryside while they go about it. 

To learn more about where our funds from the Inspiring African Travel fundraiser will be going check out the www.edp-trust.org