Series 3
Guide Stories
Our intention for this series is to introduce you to local guides in the tourism industry who have fascinating stories to share. This series we share insight into the amazing characters you meet when travelling to Africa. They share their love for nature, why they got into the guiding industry and some of the enthralling stories they share with their guests. From local safari guides in Botswana to diving instructors in Zanzibar, we have a fascinating group of passionate individuals who we are looking forward to introducing you to. Stay tuned for more….
About Inspiring African Travel
Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiring African Travel with James, Julia and Stuart.
There are so many entertaining, inspiring, passionate and powerful individuals out there working in and around tourism in Africa that we just don’t hear about. This podcast is about bringing their uplifting stories to you. Stories of female empowerment and local tourism ownership. Stories of conservation heroes fighting to protect our wildlife. Stories of travel adventures and their experiences in travelling through Africa. And so much more…
We will bring you interviews with people who will inspire you about travel through Africa, and the incredible things we can achieve through Responsible tourism!
Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the journey with Inspiring African Travel!
Meet the Creators of Inspiring African Travel
Season 3, Episode 6 | 24 min
Skinner the Master Guide
Season 3, Episode 5 (Part 2) | 27 min
Learn to be a Safari Guide
Today’s episode is Part 2 so if you haven’t listed to Part 1 where we introduce you to Grant Reed and the African Guide Academy then please jump back to the previous episode.
In this second and final part of the interview we’ll discover more about how you can come to Botswana and spend anything from 7-days to a full month immersed in the Okavango Delta learning the art of guiding… but we’ll also dig a bit deeper into how you can give back and support women and local citizen empowerment while having an epic experience in the wilderness.
So please Enjoy!
Season 3, Episode 5 (Part 1) | 26 min
Learn to be a Safari Guide
Season 3, Episode 4 | 24 min
To the top of Botswana
Welcome to episode number 4 of GUIDE STORIES. This episode we’re going to explore an area of Botswana that is a little less known to many visitors to this country. Amongst thousands and thousands of square km’s of flat Kalahari desert you will find two Unesco World Heritage sites. The iconic Okavango Delta and the Tsodilo Hills.
We spent the day with a local guide by the name of Lopang Mojanga. His family were descendants of the river bushman who settled in the area thousands of years ago travelling down the nearby Kavango river which leads into the Okavango.
Other than being the pinnacle point of Botswana towering over 400meters above the Kalahari desert, Tsodilo Hills are an incredibly significant cultural site. Home to some of the highest concentrations of ancient rock art in the world.
In this episode we’ll document our trip hiking up to the top of the highest peak and exploring the area with this remarkable guide, Lopang – we hope you enjoy.
To see the video content from this amazing trip please head to our YouTube channel.
We stayed at Nxamaseri Island Lodge which is the closest lodge to the Tsodilo Hills located on a beautiful stretch of the Okavango panhandle.
Season 3, Episode 3 | 40 min
Frank the Masai Diver in Zanzibar
In episode 3 of local guides in Africa we talk to a guide with a difference. A scuba diving guide and instructor from Tanzania called Frank Mollel. He’s a proud Masai from the mountains near Arusha and discovered an absolute passion for diving 15-years ago and never looked back.
His passion has led him on a crusade to help teach the local communities of Zanzibar to swim, dive and care for the ocean through understanding more about the environment. Frank instructed Julia to become a qualified diver in 2018 and he promises to be there when Stuart learns to dive. He did try to teach James how to put on a traditional masai blanket but that didn’t go so well.
A very, very cool dude and we hope you enjoy our little journey discovering Frank’s love for protecting the environment, for Zanzibar and for diving in the ocean!
Check out:
Linda Bahari project on Facebook to learn more about their work in Zanzibar supporting the community in teaching them to dive and appreciate the Ocean.
Dive Point Zanzibar – a great dive school in Zanzibar also supporting Linda Bahari project.
Marine Lodge Zanzibar where dive point diving school is – a great property near the key diving points in Zanzibar.
Frank the Masai Diver on Instagram.
Season 3, Episode 2 | 26 min
Super Sande on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
For the next 20 minutes we’re going to transport you with legendary desert guide. Super Sande to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Northern Botswana – the worlds most expansive salt pans.
In early June, James and Jules we were so lucky to go and stay at the renowned Jacks Camp. The completely newly built camp is one of a kind in Botswana. Originally an Uncharted Africa property the Jacks Camp Falls under the Natural Selection group of wonderful wilderness properties located in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.
There is a gentleman that works there called Supa Sande – he has been working with them basically all his adult life.
A true custodian of the salt pans and he’s guided and mentored so many people through his time learning and interpreting this incredible landscape.
He’s a difficult man to pin down as he moves around the country private guiding. We basically pulled a map out in a small room near the airport and that was our studio so forgive us for some minor audio glitches.
We’re sure you’ll enjoy our little chat about this truly unique place.
Season 3, Episode 1 | 20 min
Dutch & the spotted Hyena
In episode 1 of series 3 we interview professional guide Bihelang Kasale – known to most as “Dutch”. African Bush Camps generously invited us to their stunning new Khwai Leadwood Camp in the Khwai Concession of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Just a few months old on a beautiful floodplain we spent time with this lovely man and learnt about his total love for Spotted Hyenas!
Season 3, Introduction | 18 min
Welcome to Season Three
James, Jules and Stuart got together for another virtual catch-up. With James and Jules spending some time in Johannesburg we were hoping for a physical meet-up but the revised COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from getting together. In this episode we introduce you to our next podcast series – guide stories. Our intention for this series is to introduce you to local guides in the tourism industry who have fascinating stories to share. This series we share insight into the amazing characters you meet when travelling to Africa. They share their love for nature, why they got into the guiding industry and some of the enthralling stories they share with their guests. From local safari guides in Botswana to diving instructors in Zanzibar, we have a fascinating group of passionate individuals who we are looking forward to introducing you to. Stay tuned for more….
Season Two
Local Heroes in Tourism
In our second series we speak to local heroes in in the Africa travel industry. Follow the six part series with all the episodes, videos and photos on the link below.
Season One
Women In Travel
In our first series we speak to inspiring women in the Africa travel industry. Follow the seven part series with all the episodes, videos and photos on the link below.
Want to Be a Guest?
If you know any women out there who would like to share their story please do get in touch by submitting your details in the contact section below.
Meet The Team
James Wilson
Julia Spry
Stuart Parker
We are extremely passionate about tourism in Africa – A place we are lucky to call our home. As travel industry professionals, our jobs (and personal journeys) take us to some incredible places across the African Continent. But it is the people we meet along the way that leaves a lasting impression. These are the people who’ve inspired us to start this platform.
Get In Touch
If you have any feedback on our podcast, or would like to be featured in one of our episodes fill out the contact form and we will be in touch.
Inspiring African Travel
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Talking Africa travel and sharing the stories of those who continue to make a positive impact in travel. Follow our podcasts on your favourite podcast channel.
