Better World

The world’s largest migration of fish, South Africa’s annual Sardine Run features billions of sardines and all the accompanying marine predators, from dolphins and whales to sharks and sailfish, as well as dozens of marine bird species. Shark specialist and scuba diving guide Walter Bernardis from African Watersports talks about the Oceans Without Borders Marine Migration Expedition, which allows guests to experience the magnificent spectacle as the sardines form into tight shoals known as bait balls, prompting thrilling feeding frenzies. A highlight that deserves to be on any diver’s bucket list, find out what it’s like to experience this underwater migration.

William de Jager, manager of &Beyond Phinda Homestead, talks about what makes a sole-use safari lodge such a great travel option. Find out how the team at &Beyond Phinda Homestead takes hospitality to a new level, ensuring a tailor-made experience for travellers of all ages. Learn more about the lodge’s exceptional design, from the layout, which was done with guest comfort in mind, to the many interior design features that pay homage to the culture of its Zulu setting. Find out about the sustainability factors that ensure the Homestead leaves a light footprint on the environment and discover the touching memorial feature incorporated in its rebuild. Read more about &Beyond Phinda Homestead.

Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia speaks about how he got to know the rich natural diversity and cultural wonders of Sri Lanka. Listen to his personal recollections of working on wildlife documentaries. Find out about the filming of Disney’s charming Monkey Kingdom about the troops of macaque monkeys living among the ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Discover a world of varied and unique wildlife, from leopards and elephants to whales and dolphins, as well as a plethora of amphibians, birds, and butterflies. Find out what comes next for Sir Lanka’s
wildlife and revel in a vivid and beautiful description of this exotic destination. Find out more about Sri Lanka. Read about how you can see the macaque troops made famous in The Monkey Kingdom.

Guide Damen Pheiffer speaks to Craig Sholto-Douglas, ecologist at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, about the research and monitoring, as well as the day-to-day conservation management that goes on at the reserve. Find out how cheetah populations are meticulously managed through the introduction of new bloodlines and hear about how and why rhino are dehorned to protect them from poaching. Celebrate the reversal of a local extinction with the pangolin reintroduction project and discover the link between local communities and conservation.

Links: Find out more about &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Join in a conservation-based safari that allows you to experience some of Phinda’s conservation initiatives at firsthand. Follow the story of some of the cheetahs most recently relocated to Phinda. Read more about the cheetah population at Phinda. Find out more about the project to reintroduce pangolins to KwaZulu-Natal. Read about the steps taken to protect rhinos from poachers through the practice of removing their horns. Find out the local communities that surround Phinda support rhino conservation. Read more about Phinda Ecologist Craig Sholto-Douglas.

What is the secret behind creating just the right level of luxury for complete comfort? Find out how designers Fox Browne Creative combine the latest trends with classical design pieces, always keeping guest comfort top of mind. Hear about the inspiration behind their upcoming project in Bhutan, andBeyond Punakha River Lodge. 

Travel specialist Melanie Dannhauser eliminates the mystique surrounding family travel to Africa. She answers frequently asked questions, from the best destinations and times to travel to how to keep your little ones busy and at what age your children can first go on a game drive. In between, she shares heartwarming stories about how travel has changed the course of both her family’s life and those of others. Find out how to create an African travel itinerary that includes something for every member of the family. Find out more about Melanie’s experiences as a Travel Specialist. View &Beyond’s specially tailored family itineraries in South Africa and Kenya.

Born and raised along Mozambique’s tropical coastline, a passion for the ocean runs in Leo Gungulo’s veins. Follow his story from scuba instructor to marine ranger at Vamizi Island and, ultimately, Field Operations Manager for Oceans Without Borders. Find out about the work being done on Africa’s eastern coastline and discover the world of Africa’s marine caretakers, who combine a deep knowledge of the creatures of land and air with a scientific dedication to data collection and long hours of work alongside local communities. Find out more about Oceans Without Borders. Play your part in marine conservation and take the Oceans Without Borders pledge. Find out more about the destinations where Oceans Without Borders operates - &Beyond Benguerra Island, &Beyond Mnemba Island, and &Beyond Vamizi Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago.

Andrew Campbell, CEO of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, talks about the crucial role played by the men and women who dedicate their lives to caring for the continent’s wild place. Find out about the specialist skills required to care for and maintain Africa’s biodiversity and ensure the conservation of its natural treasures, from game parks to marine reserves. Discover the threats and challenges that they face in the field and find out how you can help support the guardians of wild Africa.

From their place as part of the famous Big Five to tales of early explorers and even popular culture such as Disney’s Lion King, lions have enjoyed the title of Africa’s most iconic predator. Sought after by safari visitors from around the world, they are an important drawcard for the continent’s tourism industry. But the species is in dire danger, with lion populations having declined by 50% in just 25 years. Peter Lindsey, Director of the Lion Recovery Fund, speaks about the threats that have brought about this crisis, describing how they can be managed and what is being done to ensure the survival of the king of the beasts. Read more about the Lionscape Coalition here.

What does the future hold for tigers in India? Toby Sinclair from &Beyond Asia speaks about how wildlife conservation has developed and changed on the subcontinent over 40 years, from the establishment of the first tiger reserves to the growing successes of Project Tiger. Discover what new and thrilling wildlife discoveries are being made throughout the region. Find out what ecotourism means in India and what role it has to play in the future of wildlife conservation.