The Grounded Safari: When Walking through Singita Kruger Changes Everything
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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38:18
Wild and Free: The Evolving Safari Traveller and Going Solo
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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34:18
Wheels Through the Wild - The Wagora Bike Ride for The Grumeti Fund's Anti-Poaching Heroes
Saddle up and get ready to be inspired!
In this episode, we're joined by two amazing colleagues from The Grumeti Fund (GF), Singita's conservation partner in Tanzania. Skyler Nuelle (Head of Partnerships & Impact Analysis, GF) chats to Matt Perry (GM: Grumeti Fund) and Glen Steyn (Head of Anti-poaching, GF) about the Wagora Bike Ride.
They talk about how the event got its name, the route, and the epic adventures you could have along the way with the anti-poaching scouts.
Matt shares the emotional story of Kitaboka Wagora, an incredible scout who sadly lost his life while on duty, and how this five-day event honours his legacy and raises awareness of the vital work of The Grumeti Fund. The event also raises crucial funds to support the Anti-Poaching scouts and dogs. These people sacrifice so much to protect this landscape for ecotourism.
We dive into the details with Glen – the dangerous work of the scouts; their daily routine of long hours and far distances day and night, 365 days a year; facing wildlife on foot and the role of the dogs in anti-poaching. Hear how Glen planned the scenic routes for the ride (three-day bike ride, 50km per day); what to expect; what to pack; as well as the security briefings and medical support on-site.
It’s not a race, nor do you need to be experienced. It’s for anyone who wants to join the scouts on an epic ride through the Serengeti - pedalling for a purpose!
The annual Wagora Bike Ride is from 27 October - 1 November 2025 (five-day event, staying at Singita Sabora Tented Camp).
Conservation is essential for our very well-being, according to Matt. Join us for an inspiring look at the power of ecotourism with Singita and The Grumeti Fund.
Email enquiries@singita.com if you are interested in riding. Wagora Bike Ride 2025 · Travelling with a Purpose · Grumeti Fund · Donate to the Grumeti Fund · Conservation Serengeti · Singita Conservation · Singita website
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25:25
Saving a Species: Lions - The EWT’s mission to Protect the Pride of Africa
Big cats captivate guests on game drives, but they are also in great danger. In this episode, Marnus Roodbol (Lowveld Project Manager of the Carnivore Conservation Program for the Endangered Wildlife Trust) (EWT), chats to Bernard Stiglingh (field guide at Singita Kruger) about lion conservation in Africa. They discuss the critical role lions play in ecosystems, conservation efforts, and what's driving their alarming decline.
Marnus highlights that wild lions are now only found in 10 strongholds across Africa, with populations declining by 48% in the last 20 years.
We uncover the African lion crisis – the major impacts of poisoning, snares, habitat loss, and illegal poaching for body parts. Bernard provides insights into the cultural use of lion parts in traditional medicine while Marnus mentions the demand for lion bones in Asian markets.
Learn about the EWT’s research work in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) – one of the vital strongholds of lion prides in Africa, important to the future of the species. Marnus believes that ecotourism (especially job creation) and involving local communities signals hope for the future.
Supporting SANParks, the EWT’s work includes lion counts and veterinary sampling to determine the presence of tuberculosis or feline aids. Every donation funds field staff, salaries, fuel, maintenance, or tracking collars. The Singita Lowveld Trust supports the EWT's carnivore conservation work across the Greater Kruger with crucial, unrestricted funding each year.
We need to protect lions (and other endangered species) because it's our heritage. It’s also part of our duty to share this planet with animals. Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) What We Do · It's a Matter of Pride - Marnus Roodbol · Donate · USD 1,700 - Lion or Wild Dog collar · Saving a Species of Concern · Conservation at Singita · Wildlife reports from Singita Kruger · Singita website
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31:06
Cooking Up Dreams - Inside Singita's Community Culinary School with Prue Leith Culinary Institute
A tasty tale today. Meet three phenomenal chefs with different roles but they agree that the Singita Community Culinary Schools (SCCS) gives them goosebumps.
Chef Adele Stiehler-van der Westhuizen, managing director of Prue Leith Culinary Institute, hosts a chat with Chef Nande Magojo (Chef Skills Developer at Singita Kruger) and Chef Andrew Nicholson (Singita’s Group Executive Chef).
SCCS, partnering with Prue Leith Culinary Institute, trains youth from communities near Singita's lodges in South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda. With over 100 graduates since 2007 and a 92% employment rate – it’s really cooking! In Tanzania, 100% of the graduates are still thriving in our six lodges. Andrew highlights how successful female graduates are, taking on leadership roles.
From simmer to sizzle. Adele and Andrew discuss the growth from Singita Kruger to Tanzania and Rwanda, with plans for Zimbabwe, and Botswana! Adele and Nande (who runs the classes) chat about the life of students and how they progress through theory, exams, and learning from seasoned chefs; graduating with talent in a year. Some even met Dame Prue Leith!
The Prue Leith Institute shares these aims with Singita: To create culinary excellence in Africa; to be conscious of our impact (zero waste); to create chefs in touch with nature and respect ingredients; and to be connected to their cultures. We want them to share the continent's abundance on their plates. They all believe that chefs should be culinary conservationists.
Guests can book a cooking class with the students at the lodge, which helps support their studies. Let them teach you to make chakalaka - a favourite!
Relax, pour a glass of wine, and let us serve you a story that's equal parts inspiration and education, with a sprinkle of humour.
"Ukudle kamnandi" (eat well) Singita Community Culinary School · The Prue Leith Culinary Institute · Cooking Class · Donate · One student per year costs $12,000 · South Africa · Rwanda · Follow Prue Leith Instagram · Singita Lebombo SCCS · Singita website
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.
South Africa