Acclaimed Safari Specialist Karin Jones speaks with the continent's most respected visionaries for sustainable tourism, and explores the challenges threatening Africa's wildlife legacy, including:
- OverTourism
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Climate crisis impacts
- Community empowerment
- The future of Ethical Safari experiences
Karin Jones has been recognized by both Travel+Leisure & Conde Nast Traveler magazines as one of the industry's best designers of Custom Safaris, with nearly four decades in the industry, and brings her first-hand knowledge and long-time contacts to the conversation.
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls and the Great Elephant Comeback
What does it take to transform a decimated wilderness into one of the highest elephant densities on Earth—in just one decade?Recorded on the banks of the Zambezi, host Karin Jones sits down with Sara Gardiner, founder of Matetsi Victoria Falls, for a raw look at "Matetsi Magic." This isn't just about luxury; it’s a story of taking back a poached-out landscape and turning it into a thriving sanctuary in the heart of Zimbabwe.In this episode, we explore: 🐘 The Elephant Explosion: How Matetsi went from a single skittish kudu to a world-leading elephant density in just over ten years. 🐾 The Frontline: Inside the canine anti-poaching units and the ambitious roadmap for rhino reintroduction in Zimbabwe. 💧 Beyond the Falls: How tourism dollars are delivering clean water, solar power, and school infrastructure to rural communities. 👨🍳 The Human Heart: The story of Prosper—from dishwasher to Class One Chef—and why owner-operated lodges change lives differently. 🌍 The Future of Travel: Why meaningful, value-driven trips are the only way forward for responsible Africa travel.Come for the wildlife. Stay for the mission. Subscribe and join the movement:________________________________________Watch more conversations with Africa's conservationists, safari innovators, and changemakers in the full Safari ChangeMakers series: https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakers/podcastsSubscribe to our YouTube channel for future episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakersLearn more about Artisans of Safari: https://artisansofsafari.com/Featured in this Episode:We go deep into the conservation efforts of Sara Gardiner and the team at @MatetsiGameLodge (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCGZiJKSSoIyoAtY6HpMrcrA) Experience this Journey:To book a bespoke immersion that includes the regions and conservation projects discussed in this episode, visit: https://artisansofsafari.com/zimbabwe-and-zambia/For more Intel Link to "Safari Briefings" Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7333253534911500288#conservation #africansafari #artisansofsafari
15 Jul 2026
South Africa: When Lodges Buy Local, Wildlife Wins | With Rob More
Nearly 100 years of conservation — and safari tourism is the only reason it still exists. If you think going on safari is just about seeing lions and elephants, this conversation will change everything you thought you knew.Rob More, fourth-generation custodian of Lion Sands in the legendary Sabi Sand Game Reserve, sits down in person with host Karin Jones to share an extraordinary family legacy stretching from 1933 to today — and reveals how community empowerment is the secret weapon protecting Africa's most iconic wildlife.Key takeaways from this episode:🌍 Why conservation in Africa cannot survive on philanthropy alone — and how ecotourism fills the gap🤝 How Lion Sands is shifting 40% of its purchasing to local community businesses within 5 years🦁 The real link between unemployment, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict — and how safari travel breaks the cycle👨👩👧👦 Why a multigenerational family safari is one of the most powerful conservation acts you can take🌱 Real on-the-ground examples of community businesses being built from the ground up in rural South AfricaYour safari dollars are doing more than you know. Subscribe and join the movement at artisansofsafari.comWatch more conversations with Africa's conservationists, safari innovators, and changemakers in the full Safari ChangeMakers series:https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakers/podcastsSubscribe to our YouTube channel for future episodes:https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakersLearn more about Artisans of Safari:https://artisansofsafari.com/For podcast companions, Safari Briefings, field notes, and deeper stories from inside the world of African safari, join Safari ChangeMakers on Substack at the link below: https://safarigal.substack.com/?r=1kmrdl&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklistFeatured in this Episode:We go deep into the conservation efforts of Rob More and the team at @MCSafarichannel (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCPe6BxkbGcWf3i7mQZ_DIWg) https://www.youtube.com/@UCPe6BxkbGcWf3i7mQZ_DIWg Experience this Journey:To book a bespoke immersion that includes the regions and conservation projects discussed in this episode, visit: https://artisansofsafari.com/south-africa/For more Intel Link to "Safari Briefings" Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7333253534911500288#conservation #africansafari #artisansofsafari
1 Jul 2026
Tanzania: When Safari Goes Underwater, Pemba Island, Zanzibar Wins.
Most travelers know Zanzibar. Almost none have heard of Pemba — and that may be exactly why Pemba still has a chance. In this episode, host Karin Jones explores what happens when an island chooses a different future before mass tourism writes it for them.Matt Saus of Manta Resort shares the deeply human story behind the Kwanini Foundation — built on community trust, local employment, and one essential Swahili question: Why should tourism be here, and who should it serve? Then Gary Lotter of Blue Alliance reveals how a single protected reef became a 27,000-hectare Blue Economy Corridor, and how the principles of African safari guiding are now being taken underwater through the Coral Reef Safari.🏝️ Why Pemba's under-visited status is its greatest conservation advantage right now 🐠 How a 1km no-take reef zone grew into a 27,000-hectare Blue Economy Corridor 🤿 How the Coral Reef Safari brings naturalist safari guiding beneath the ocean's surface 🌊 Why most marine protected areas exist only on paper — and how reef-positive tourism funds real protection 🤝 Why community comes before conservation branding: village banks, microfinance, and local enterprise.This is not a beach extension after safari. This is what safari becomes when it goes underwater — and when a place still has the power to choose its own future.________________________________________Watch more conversations with Africa's conservationists, safari innovators, and changemakers in the full Safari ChangeMakers series: https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakers/podcastsSubscribe to our YouTube channel for future episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@safarichangemakersLearn more about Artisans of Safari: https://artisansofsafari.com/Featured in This Episode: We go deep into the conservation work of Matt Saus of @mantaresort (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCvWVSPX0fb9ABmczcqv87Dw) and Gary Lotter of @BlueAllianceMPAs (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCeKViFcUHxc2wFDuQsGl9ow) For Podcast Companions, Safari Briefings, Safari Intelligence, and deeper stories from inside the world of African safari, join Safari ChangeMakers on Substack: https://safarigal.substack.com/?r=1kmrdl&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklistExperience This Journey: To book a bespoke immersion that includes Pemba Island and the marine-conservation experiences discussed in this episode, visit: https://artisansofsafari.com/indian-ocean-islands/For more safari intelligence, follow The Safari Briefings newsletter on LinkedIn.#conservation #africansafari #artisansofsafari
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