Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast Podcast By Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard cover art

Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast

Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast

By: Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard
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About this listen

 Welcome to ‘Safari Conversations’ – the Singita Podcast. 30 years ago, our Founder, Luke Bailes, had a dream of creating a pioneering ecotourism brand that could help save pristine wilderness areas in Africa for future generations. The first chapter of this story started when we built Singita Ebony Lodge, in the Sabi Sand, in 1993. But truly, it began long before that, on a piece of land his grandfather owned and where they spent holidays as a family at Castleton. So much has happened in the last 30 years, to where we find ourselves now – owning and managing award-winning lodges across four countries in Africa. And, we are looking to expand our conservation footprint even further. As a brand we’ve always been devoted to conservation and working alongside NGO partners and guests who share our vision. But at the heart of it all, you’ll find the many incredible people who work at Singita. Welcome to our Podcast – where you’ll meet some of the very talented people who make our life-changing safaris a reality.Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Pamushana Through the Lens of Tatenda Chidora

    Pamushana Through the Lens of Tatenda Chidora
    Jul 1 2025
    What happens when a wildly creative Zimbabwean photographer visits one of the most remote and dramatic landscapes in Zimbabwe to create a short film?
    He captured more than just images — he found stories of belonging, the magic of nature, and discovered how light itself became his muse at Singita Pamushana.

    Tashinga Dzwukutu (Assistant Manager at Singita Pamushana) sits down with Tatenda Chidora, award-winning visual artist, to explore his perspective after his recent visit. Mainly known for his commercial and fine art photography, Tatenda’s storytelling celebrates expressions of Africa and incorporates elements of performance and play exploring themes of identity, place, and manhood.

    Tash asks Tatenda just three simple questions. “Share with us your perspective on…”
    Looking up at Pamushana – the elevation, the light, the sunsets, and basking in the sun.
    Looking down at Pamushana - rocks, landscape, red soil, seed pods, details beneath our feet.
    Looking in – the exceptional people he met; warm, knowledgeable, taking care of every small detail.

    What flows is a beautiful conversation about being welcomed home, connecting with the land and special people, and the inspiration he drew from textures, light, and gazing endlessly at the horizon.

    Tatenda and filmmaker Julian Robinet created a short film and a series of photographs that captured the essence of the Malilangwe Reserve. Tatenda takes us behind the scenes.

    From fallen Baobab flowers, Tatenda also made a mask* and a crown, inspiring an entire series, as well as a seed pod project in the future.

    This conversation reminds us to slow down, look closer, and draw creativity from nature. Because sometimes changing your perspective opens up a wonderful world, when you learn how to see.

    * The podcast cover image was taken by Tatenda Chidora at Pamushana. Follow Tatenda on Instagram · Connect with Tatenda's work · Singita Pamushana Lodge · Malilangwe Reserve · Read Tatenda's interview in the Singita Magazine, Volume 1 · Watch the Malilangwe short film here · Singita website
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    28 mins
  • The Grounded Safari: When Walking through Singita Kruger Changes Everything

    The Grounded Safari: When Walking through Singita Kruger Changes Everything
    May 8 2025
    In this heartwarming episode, former Head Guide, Solomon Ndlovu, talks to Jonathan Lachowitz, a devoted regular guest who keeps returning to the wild magic of Singita Kruger Park (South Africa) to walk all day without a schedule. On his visits Jonathan walks with Solomon and Tracker, Sunday Ndhlovu. After 70 days walking together, the trio has an easy friendship built on trust, shared memories, and inside jokes.

    Jonathan shares what pulls him back time after time – from the therapeutic power of switching off from his busy life, to the perspective only walking safaris provide. It highlights the special bond that's formed while they explore the region, complete with portable espresso machine and a three-legged stool. There's no boredom, as the bush changes with every season, every day and hour.

    It takes an immense amount of trust between Jonathan, Sunday, and Solomon – the guide and tracker who navigate the bush with vast tracking experience, using their senses (hearing the wind, noticing when a giraffe stops chewing, and more!) The adventures have taught each man valuable life lessons. Walking in the Lebombo concession has become something of a soul journey that has helped Jonathan understand his place in the grand scheme of things.

    Join us as two friends chat about the magic of observing nature on foot, conservation, and finding precious moments of stillness in the African wilderness. The perfect reminder of how small we are, nature's wisdom, and why places like Singita matter for generations to come. Nature talks to you. Just listen. Blog · Singita Lebombo · Singita Sweni · Singita Lowveld Trust · Jonathan Lachowitz · Singita Kruger · Wildlife Reports Singita Kruger · Singita website
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    38 mins
  • Wild and Free: The Evolving Safari Traveller and Going Solo

    Wild and Free: The Evolving Safari Traveller and Going Solo
    Mar 17 2025
    Today we dive into an interesting conversation about the changing safari traveller and why the wilderness still calls to a new generation.
    Mandisa Magwaxaza, a travel professional and journalist who works at Singita, chats with travel journalist & Communications Specialist, Ondela Mlandu. They share insights on solo travel; on younger guests who choose to travel consciously; social media’s influence; and how to travel more sustainably. They discuss the rise of multi-generational travel. Solo travel has emerged as a trend, travellers ditching stereotypes and seeking life-affirming adventures. Rwanda appeals to solo female travellers because they can (safely) travel alone without feeling alone. Exploring and learning are key to any Singita experience.

    Hear more about a few of the community programmes Singita supports via its conservation NGOs - The Singita Lowveld Trust and The Grumeti Fund. Mandisa’s favourite programmes are the three Singita Community Culinary Schools training new generations of chefs, and the Early Childhood Development schools improving education for community children aged 0 to 5 years old.

    Nature is incredibly special. The discussion beautifully explores how nature provides mental wellbeing, healing, and rest, suggesting this is why safari experiences continue to be transformative after all this time. There's an innate wisdom in nature that guides us, and each moment at Singita allows guests to reconnect with the simplicity of nature, as well as the people.

    Mindfulness draws us to nature as we escape daily pressures to find peace. For travellers young and old, solo or in a family group, this could be why safari still attracts the wild at heart and connects people to conservation.

    Join us for a conversation about the safari industry and why we believe it still transforms lives. Singita in Rwanda · Setting off Solo · Life Lessons from Nature · Singita Community Culinary School, Tanzania · Singita Community Culinary School, South Africa · Singita Community Culinary School, Rwanda · Cooking Class · Mandisa Magwaxaza · Ondela Mlandu · Cooking Up Dreams - Inside Singita's Community Culinary School with Prue Leith Culinary Institute · Hope for the future, our country, and the world - The Singita Lowveld Trust on Early Childhood Development · Singita website
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    34 mins
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