Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast cover art

Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast

Safari Conversations - the Singita podcast

By: Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard
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 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
  • Exploring Ebony with Mmangaliso Nzuza

    Exploring Ebony with Mmangaliso Nzuza
    Feb 5 2026
    Across countries and cultures, art forms an integral part of African identity – shaped by our natural and cultural heritage and expressed in powerful, distinctive ways. Through our 'Africa Is…' series, we’re exploring art, design, craftsmanship, and storytelling from across the continent to showcase the depth and diversity of talent found here.

    In this episode, Singita’s in-house writer, Michael Schapiro, speaks with South African artist Mmangaliso Nzuza ahead of his artist-in-residence programme at Singita Sabi Sand. Their conversation moves through stillness as a creative necessity, the multi-faceted importance of community, Mmangaliso’s process in the context of his debut solo exhibition, and nature as a teacher rather than a subject.

    Recorded in two parts – before and after Mmangaliso’s two-week stay at Ebony – the episode reflects on how his time in the Sabi Sand unfolded beyond expectation, and how those experiences transformed into a new body of work, marked with oil paint, patience, and stories drawn from the people and landscapes that shaped it.

    Mmangaliso was joined along the way by videographer Julian Robinet, who captured his experience in a video that will be released as part of our upcoming 'Africa Is… Mmangaliso Nzuza' series. You can stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter, Stories from Africa.

    If you enjoyed this episode, you can read more about Mmangaliso’s experience in his own words in the latest volume of the Singita Magazine, themed around Symbiosis, and follow his journey on Instagram. Read the Singita Magazine · Browse our Africa Is... series · Explore Singita Ebony · Follow Mmangaliso on Instagram · Singita website
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    35 mins
  • Saving a Species: Leopards - Spot on. Panthera's Mission to Protect Leopards

    Saving a Species: Leopards - Spot on. Panthera's Mission to Protect Leopards
    Jan 1 2026
    Big cats always captivate guests on safari, but they’re disappearing from the wild. In this episode, Lucy Stofberg (field guide at Singita Sabi Sand) chats to Dr Nikki Balme of Panthera (coordinator of the Sabi Sand Leopard Project) about leopard conservation. They explore why leopards are thriving in the Sabi Sand while drastically declining elsewhere.

    Did you know leopards have disappeared from about two-thirds of their African range and a shocking 85% in Eurasia? Or that there are seven other subspecies spanning from Arabia to Russia and China?

    Leopards are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Nikki breaks down the major threats: prey depletion, over-harvesting, and poaching for ceremonial garments. She highlights how the Sabi Sand research informs global conservation and the vital role that ecotourism plays in protecting these shy cats.

    Learn more about Panthera’s incredible work with DNA technology, genetic profiling, and long-term research. The innovative Furs For Life project (synthetic fur skins) has saved 18,500 leopards to date!

    The Sabi Sand success story is built on Panthera’s research. In 15 years, over 850 leopard life histories have been reconstructed here, along with 90,000 data collections from leopard sightings (it’s the best-studied population worldwide). Singita Lowveld Trust supports Panthera’s leopard research in the Sabi Sand and more.
    Learn more: https://www.singitalowveldtrust.org/project/panthera-partnership-leopard-research/

    Panthera helped change national policy to protect leopards from poor hunting practices - that was a direct result of the Sabi Sand work. Nikki highlights that conservation interventions can work quickly, which gives us all hope! Who is Panthera? · Panthera Sabi Sand Leopard Project · To Skin a Cat · Singita Lowveld Trust · Donate to Singita Lowveld Trust - USD500 - sponsor the · Conservation at Singita · Singita Sabi Sand · Jane Goodall - Reason for Hope · Singita website
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    22 mins
  • Conscious Travel - A Ripple Effect That Continues After Your Visit to Rwanda

    Conscious Travel - A Ripple Effect That Continues After Your Visit to Rwanda
    Dec 3 2025
    Every great story is made up of many smaller ones.

    Ross Couper (Singita’s Resident Content Creator) chats to Martin Tuyisenge (Singita’s Community Liaison Manager) about the ripple effect of every guest’s stay on local livelihoods and conservation at Singita Kwitonda and Kataza House.

    Rwanda is truly a bucket list destination, for gorillas, golden monkeys, the food, and culture. But what really captures your heart is the spirit of its people. This is where Martin’s work comes in - as the Community Liaison Manager, he leads projects across six nearby villages, benefiting nearly 5,500 people. 18 years on - from schoolteacher to park ranger – he’s found his passion.

    Ross and Martin discuss some of the long-lasting community projects, made possible by Singita guests.
    Some highlights:
    - Rainwater tanks for 84 households and three schools
    - Upgrading volleyball and basketball pitches for young people
    - Supporting a chicken farming cooperative – contributing 800 chicks, a coup and training
    - Training a dance troupe (35 people) to celebrate traditional song and dance, while creating new income
    - Singita Community Culinary School – empowering students through culinary training. 23 students employed at Singita
    - Annual donation of a fully furnished house and two cows to a local family
    - Reforestation efforts – transforming ex-farmland to a thriving buffer zone, seeing wildlife returning
    - Providing access to health insurance for 2,571 people
    - Since 2005, every gorilla trek in Rwanda contributes 10% to communities, as well as a new tourism levy introduced in 2025.

    This is a ripple that continues outwards long after a Singita guest leaves Rwanda. Tune in to explore how ecotourism has the power to change lives — far beyond one gorilla trek. Singita website
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    26 mins
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