Better World – Details, episodes & analysis

Andrea Perez Hoyos, the Creative Director of Adriana Hoyos, talks about being the team selected to work on the innovative design of the Galapagos Explorer, &Beyond’s first expeditions yacht. Find out how the unique beauty of the Galapagos served as inspiration and hear about the unusual elements that the team incorporated to create an authentic sense of place. Andrea describes the challenges of maintaining a sense of luxury and exclusivity while also keeping the design practical and functional.

Lebogang Matlakala, Future Leaders Program Manager for Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) is a paradox. A girl who grew up in the dry and dusty interior of South Africa who is an avid diver and oceanographer. An impressive academic and public speaker who advocates for simple and effective communication of complex issues to local communities. A mentor and inspiration for others who remains thoroughly grounded and humble. Listen to her tell her story of personal growth and community development as she literally and figuratively learns to swim with sharks, whether in the depths of the Indian Ocean or among the big fish of the scientific community. 

Have you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about cheetahs? These iconic big cats are one of Africa’s most important predators; playing a crucial role in all the ecosystems in which they are occur. Cheetahs have been extirpated from 90% of their range across Africa and Asia, but people like Vincent van der Merwe are working tirelessly to see the species rebound. In this podcast, we hear from Vincent on the history of cheetah and the challenges which are facing the species, as well as the importance of the species and the efforts being made to protect and conserve them. We also learn about the concept of metapopulations, and how this management strategy is crucial to bringing the world’s fastest cat back from the edge of extinction.

andBeyond Regional Guide Trainer Dux Mareja unravels the wildlife wonders of Botswana. Find out how the Chobe River in the north attracts abundant animal species, from vast numbers of buffalo to thronging herds of elephant. Discover the mysteries of Savute, whose life-giving channel and marsh fluctuate seemingly unrelated to the seasons. Learn about the varying faces of the Okavango Delta and find out how the flow and ebb of the delta waters influences the wildlife of this unique ecosystem. 

Damen Pheiffer is a specialist guide at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve – a reserve that is close to his heart for many reasons. Listen in as we catch up with Damen and learn a little more about him, the events that brought him to Phinda, and hear some of his wild stories and wildlife experiences from his time as a guide. 

Barry Mthembu has done it all. After starting in Phinda’s star-in-training programme back in 2003, he eventually went on to become a butler, camp manager, tracker, ranger, head ranger, and now he is Phinda’s Habitat Field Manager, a job which keeps him on his toes and very busy. Barry is a passionate advocate for conservation with local land custodians at its heart, and we chat to him about his background growing up in the communities near andBeyond Phinda, his journey with andBeyond, his day-to-day job as a reserve manager and community liaison, and his goals and hopes for conservation in this region going forward.

Phinda conservation manager, Simon Naylor, has been based at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve for 16 years, and he has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to conservation and management of lions. In this podcast we focus on the successes and challenges of lion conservation and management in private, fenced reserves like andBeyond Phinda, but we delve into an abundance of other topics such as the importance of lions in their ecosystems, their conservation status across Africa and Asia, the challenges facing lions as a species, and why it is crucial that we continue to protect them 

Dr Andrew Venter, CEO of Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation) looks back at 30 years of the NGO’s achievements and highlights the key successes of the past years. Find out what changes have taken place in the past three decades and discover what new projects are to come. Share the excitement of the spirit and vision that will drive Wild Impact ahead for decades to come.

In this podcast, we chat to andBeyond Group Sustainability Manager, Jonathan Braack, and architect, Jack Alexander, about sustainability in the design and rebuild of the new andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge. We hear about Jack’s inspiration for the new lodge, and learn about what sustainability in lodge design actually means in terms of architectural choices, building materials, overall design, and environmental considerations. We also chat to Jonathan about the inclusion of new, exciting sustainable practices in energy and water consumption, and waste management, which are now integral to the running and success of andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge.

Thulani Mbazini is an inspirational individual who has worked at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve for thirteen years. He started out as a contractor in the habitat team; clearing alien vegetation and working on the reserve. He then studied and qualified to become a professional tracker, a role he delighted in for almost nine years. He always had his heart firmly set on becoming a guide at andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge; and now, as an established guide within the team at andBeyond Phinda, Thulani has a remarkable story to tell.