About Inspiring African Travel
Our Mission
At Inspiring African Travel, we’re passionate about sharing the most inspiring places across Africa through our podcast. As an established podcast in the African travel space since 2020, we connect listeners with stories of extraordinary destinations, sustainable tourism initiatives, and the people making a positive impact across the continent.
Our podcast highlights both undiscovered gems and experiences that nurture local communities, protect natural environments, and contribute to responsible tourism throughout Africa. We share practical travel tips alongside compelling stories, aiming to inspire travellers to discover authentic African experiences while supporting positive change. We genuinely love what we do and our listeners have told us that they love our fresh perspective on African travel.
Join us on this journey as we continue to discover and share the most inspiring places and initiatives across this remarkable continent.
Our Impact
In 2024, after a short break we relaunched the podcast and dedicated a successful fundraising year in Julia’s memory, raising over US$14,000 for three remarkable projects:
Linda Bahari (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Supporting coral reef rehabilitation and dive training for locals
Together with Linda Bahari, a local non-profit led by the inspiring “Masai Diver” Frank D. Mollel, we helped fund coral reef restoration and essential equipment for community-led dive teams. Donations also supported dive instructor training for young locals, nurturing the next generation of marine conservationists.
Awutu-Winton Senior High School (Ghana)
Sponsoring education for children from rural areas
In honour of Julia’s original dream, we partnered with Awutu-Winton Senior High School—one of Ghana’s only fee-free schools—to sponsor 10 students from rural communities through their entire high school education. This project was inspired by Ghanaian maths teacher Peter Donkor, whose vision continues to change lives.
Human-Wildlife Coexistence Project (Botswana)
Helping communities live sustainably alongside wildlife
We supported Dr. Tempe Adams’ initiative to help farmers live alongside elephants in high-conflict zones. From better tools to data-led solutions, this work is vital to both conservation and community resilience—an issue close to the hearts of Julia, James, and Stuart after years spent in the region.
You can learn more about these wonderful projects in series 6 as we uncover who is behind these amazing grassroots projects and the impact we’ve had.
Ongoing Support
We continue to fund and support these important initiatives through the EDP-Trust, a registered UK charity. Listeners and supporters can contribute to these projects through our partnership with the Trust and please get in touch if you’re interested in supporting meaningful work taking place on the ground in three regions across Africa.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Stuart ParkeR
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Stuart was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. From a young age he enjoyed frequent family vacations to the Kruger National Park, Garden Route and other remote locations across South Africa. It is on these journeys where Stuart discovered his passion for Africa travel. After finishing school he headed for Cape Town where he studied tourism management before joining a reputable online Africa travel company as a journey specialist. His desire to experience more of Africa drove him to Botswana where he managed luxury safari lodges for Wilderness and then join Desert & Delta Safaris in their marketing team.
Now back in his hometown of Johannesburg, Stuart runs Tread Lite, a family business offering tailored self-drive adventures through South Africa and neighbouring countries. What began as a 4×4 rental business with Suzuki Jimny’s has expanded to include fully tailored travel packages that invite travellers to explore Southern Africa from a fresh perspective. Stuart’s deep passion for ecotourism and minimalistic travel continues to inspire both his business and his contributions to the Inspiring African Travel network.
James Wilson
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James was born in Australia and finished his schooling in South Africa, where his passion for Africa would start and only grow stronger. Despite living and working in some amazing places including the Amazon, South of France, UK and Germany, remote Africa was to be his calling! In 2011 he headed for Botswana to join his best mate Stuart and lived in Chobe and Maun (Okavango Delta) for over 10 years.
Since university, James has always had a great passion for Responsible Tourism and it remains a key part of his work with Desert & Delta Safaris and the driving passion behind the Inspiring African Travel podcast. Today James is based in Devon, UK and travels regularly around Botswana and the rest of Southern & East Africa.
Stuart ParkeR
Stuart was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. From a young age he enjoyed frequent family vacations to the Kruger National Park, Garden Route and other remote locations across South Africa. It is on these journeys where Stuart discovered his passion for Africa travel. After finishing school he headed for Cape Town where he studied tourism management before joining a reputable online Africa travel company as a journey specialist. His desire to experience more of Africa drove him to Botswana where he managed luxury safari lodges for Wilderness and then join Desert & Delta Safaris in their marketing team.
Now back in his hometown of Johannesburg, Stuart runs Tread Lite, a family business offering tailored self-drive adventures through South Africa and neighbouring countries. What began as a 4×4 rental business with Suzuki Jimny’s has expanded to include fully tailored travel packages that invite travellers to explore Southern Africa from a fresh perspective. Stuart’s deep passion for ecotourism and minimalistic travel continues to inspire both his business and his contributions to the Inspiring African Travel network.
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James Wilson
James was born in Australia and finished his schooling in South Africa, where his passion for Africa would start and only grow stronger. Despite living and working in some amazing places including the Amazon, South of France, UK and Germany, remote Africa was to be his calling! In 2011 he headed for Botswana to join his best mate Stuart and lived in Chobe and Maun (Okavango Delta) for over 10 years.
Since university, James has always had a great passion for Responsible Tourism and it remains a key part of his work with Desert & Delta Safaris and the driving passion behind the Inspiring African Travel podcast. Today James is based in Devon, UK and travels regularly around Botswana and the rest of Southern & East Africa.
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