SERIES eight
Inspiring African Travel Podcast
Africa’s Transformational Travel Power
Welcome to our latest series with Inspiring African Travel and thanks for joining us!
We’re excited to bring you a series where we explore what transformational travel really means, why it’s becoming more prevalent in our conversations, and whether it’s just another industry fad or something genuinely profound.
Africa – we believe there’s something inherently transformative about travelling to this continent. During this series we’ll be interviewing some really fascinating people in the travel space. People who’ve grown up in the tourism sector, some of our regular repeat guests, incredible guides, and we’ll be exploring some completely different angles this season. We’ll also be looking at transformational travel from the perspective of travellers who’ve discovered the life-changing virtues of coming on holiday in Africa.
Series 8, Episode 6 | 1 hr 11 min
The Salt Pans Ultra: Finding Transformation on the World's Hardest Flat Race
Welcome to the final episode of our series on Africa’s Transformative Travel Power, and perhaps our most personal one yet.
On 27th September 2025, hundreds of runners from around the world gathered on the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for one of the most extraordinary ultramarathons in Africa. The Salt Pans Ultra – 50 or 100 kms across the largest collection of salt pans in the world. No shade. No respite. Just endless horizons of crunchy pans, relentless heat, and your own determination to keep moving forward.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans hold profound personal significance. It’s where James scattered the ashes of his amazing wife & co-founder of the podcast, Julia.
In this episode, you’ll hear from many of these people involved and the story behind the event. This isn’t just about running. It’s about pushing personal boundaries, connecting with an extraordinary landscape, and the shared human experience of testing ourselves against something far greater than us.
Whether you’re an ultrarunner, an adventure traveller, or simply someone who appreciates stories of human resilience and transformation, this episode will inspire you.
About the Salt Pans Ultra:
Taking place annually in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans across what was once a lush lake 200,000 years ago – the birthplace of modern humans. Today it’s a vast expanse of crystallised salt that can only be described as feeling like the moon. For 2026 race information, visit saltpansultra.run
This episode concludes our series on Africa’s Transformative Travel Power. We can’t think of a more fitting way to close this chapter for now.
Series 8, Episode 5 | 48min
A Life Coach's Guide to Transformative Travel with Linda Jean
For episode 5 James talks to Linda Jean a life coach with a fascinating take on what makes transformative travel truly transformative.
Linda is actually James and Stuart’s life coach and has played a significant role in guiding them through some of life’s toughest moments.
What makes this episode really interesting is the deep dive into the transformative travel process in Africa from multiple angles. Not just from a traveller’s perspective but also exploring the travel planner and travel specialist as facilitators of these incredible transformative moments.
Like the safari guide’s role discussed in the previous episode how do travel professionals help bring these life-changing experiences to life? During their conversation Linda shares wonderful anecdotes from her travel moments as a youngster and in present day with her family in Cape Town. They discuss how travel in Africa can be such a profound experience in today’s busy overstimulated world.
What makes this episode even more special are the lessons for those working in the travel industry. Linda shares what she’s learned over the years through her travel experiences as a professional in that space and importantly how burnout in the industry is affecting people and how it can be prevented.
Travellers will also find value in the conversation as they explore their part in the journey as well.
If this episode speaks to you or you feel like you could use some support or guidance in feeling overwhelmed or burntout feel welcome to get in touch with us or to Linda directly.
You can follow Linda on LinkedIn or check her website at acorn-consulting.co.za.
Series 8, Episode 4 | 51 min
Professional Safari Guide's take on Transformative Travel in Africa
For episode 4, James joins Dave Carson, a professional safari guide since the late nineties and founder of Kazuma Trails. Dave is incredibly well recognised in his field, not only for his phenomenal understanding of the natural world and how he interprets it for travellers, but also for the support he provides to guides across Africa.
Dave runs Kazuma Trails from his intimate safari camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe – a special place with phenomenal elephant interactions and excellent walking safari opportunities.
He also holds a guide licence in Botswana, which allows him to craft distinctive cross-border mobile safaris that combine two of Africa’s finest wilderness destinations.
In this episode, they explore what makes the safari guide’s role so pivotal in creating transformative travel moments.
They discuss the importance of stripping back the layers to connect closer with Africa’s wilderness, and the profound experiences Dave has witnessed with his travellers over the years – as well as the lessons he’s learned along the way.
They talk about how high-end safari lodges often add unnecessary layers that ultimately distract from what’s most appealing about being in the African wilderness, and why simplicity creates the most meaningful safari experiences.
Dave also runs the Safari Insight Podcast, featuring fascinating conversations from a guide who rowed across the Atlantic in record time to discussions about the life inside an eggshell and everything in between. Well worth a listen!
Series 8, Episode 3 | 46 min
A Hike with a Mic with Andrew Flatt
For episode 3 James caught up with Andrew Flatt long-time contributor to the podcast and good friend and colleague for many years. Andrew is a through-and-through Botswana boy so talking to him about transformational travel in Africa was absolutely made for him.
In this conversation they got together in James’s new home of Devon and ventured into Dartmoor National Park – James’s go-to place for wilderness whilst at home. They walked across the moors and talked about the transformative experiences in Africa that led Andrew to live and flourish in the beautiful city of Cape Town.
They touched on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and how an almost uncomfortable experience of nothingness out on the pans leaves him feeling so nourished and at one. And they spoke about his third most transformational travel experience – getting involved in the Local Ocean Conservation project in Watamu on Kenya’s Swahili coast making conservation and transformation so accessible and touching for travellers not just for him.
Enjoy their walk and talk or their “Hike with a Mic” as Andrew shares his love for everything the continent has given him and what makes travel here transformative.
Series 8, Episode 2 | 58 min
The meaning of Transformative travel
What does transformative travel actually mean beyond the marketing jargon? Is it genuine substance or just another industry trend following sustainable responsible and eco-tourism messaging?
Travel industry expert Lindsey Walter joins James for a fascinating exploration of transformative travel and what makes African experiences uniquely powerful. With over 20 years in the Africa travel sector Lindsey brings insights from co-founding tour operators, leading marketing for lodges and currently running Impact Travel Lab.
In this episode Lindsey shares her most profound travel moments: her first Kenya safari that challenged long-held assumptions about conservation and colonisation and the intoxicating energy of Maasai cultural encounters.
She also reveals how a work trip to India shifted her entire worldview. We dive deep into why transformative travel feels different from often guilt-laden sustainable travel messaging – focusing instead on the positive impact Africa can have on travellers themselves.
Lindsey shares her biggest wish for tour operators and travel companies selling Africa travel and what they should truly be looking out for.
This conversation perfectly captures what our series explores – going deep into understanding what makes African travel genuinely transformative.
Series 8, Episode 1 | 51 min
Introducing Africa’s Transformational Travel Power
Welcome to our brand new travel series exploring transformational travel in Africa! In this inaugural episode, we dive into a topic gaining momentum in travel circles:
What does transformational travel actually mean? Over the years, we’ve encountered numerous travel buzzwords—responsible travel, ecotourism, sustainable travel, even revenge travel after COVID. So is this just another industry term, or is there something genuinely profound happening when people travel to Africa?
James catches up with Stuart as they drive across South Africa in a Tread Lite Jimny from Bonamanzi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to the birders paradise of Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga. During their journey through stunning South African countryside, they each share their three most profound transformational travel experiences in Africa—moments that went far beyond amazing wildlife sightings to create deep, lasting changes.
Africa has a unique ability to transform people in ways that typical holidays simply cannot match. In upcoming episodes, we’ll chat with travellers, guides who witness these transformations firsthand, and industry insiders who understand what makes Africa so special.
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OUR OTHER SEASONS
SERIES 1: Women in Travel
From remote villages to luxury lodges, we spotlight the changemakers using tourism to uplift, protect, and empower their communities.
SERIES 2: Local Heroes in Tourism
From remote villages to luxury lodges, we spotlight the changemakers using tourism to uplift, protect, and empower their communities.
SERIES 3: Local Guide Stories
Meet the legends behind the lens — the local guides whose passion, wisdom, and stories bring Africa to life in every step.
SERIES 4: 2022 The year of Travelling to Africa
A deep dive into Africa’s tourism comeback post-COVID, with stories of resilience, innovation, and the new future of adventure.
SERIES 5: African Travel Tips
Your essential guide to unforgettable adventures — insider advice, local insights, and hidden gems from Africa’s most spectacular destinations.
SERIES 6: A Fundraising Year for Julia
Our most personal season yet — honouring Julia Spry-Wilson through inspiring stories and a fundraising mission supporting Africa’s grassroots heroes.