Destination of the Week: Zimbabwe
Photo courtesy of African Bush Camp
This week’s Destination of the Week takes us to Africa with Beks Ndlovu, founder of African Bush Camps, as the safari company celebrates its 20th anniversary. Ndlovu shares lessons from his journey from safari guide to business owner, the importance of conservation and community, efforts to create opportunities for women in safari guiding, and why his native Zimbabwe remains one of Africa’s most memorable destinations for travelers.
Congratulations on 20 years of African Bush Camps! When you look back to 2006, did you ever imagine the company would grow into what it is today?
Of course, I hoped it would, but I could never have imagined just how far the journey would take us. Looking back, what stands out isn’t simply the growth of African Bush Camps, but everything we’ve learned along the way and the remarkable people who have shaped that journey.
One of the greatest lessons has been that there was never a predefined roadmap. Every destination, every landscape and every community has taught us something different. We’ve learned to listen first, to understand the needs and aspirations of the communities we work alongside, to appreciate the conservation status of the places we’re privileged to operate in, and then to respond with the next step in a way that creates lasting value for both people and wildlife. That has made the journey incredibly exciting because it has always been one of collaboration, learning and evolution rather than simply following a business plan.
Like any business, we’ve faced our share of challenges, but every obstacle has taught us something. We’ve been fortunate to have the trust and support of our guests, partners, local communities and, above all, our incredible team. They have all played a part in shaping African Bush Camps into what it is today.
Twenty years is a milestone I’m incredibly proud of, but I honestly feel like we’re only getting started. As we look ahead, our growth won’t be measured simply by opening more camps. It will be about deepening our conservation impact, strengthening our partnerships with communities, and continuing to create authentic safari experiences that leave Africa better than we found it. If the last 20 years have taught me anything, it’s that the best opportunities come from listening carefully, adapting thoughtfully, and growing with purpose.
You started your career as a safari guide before becoming a business owner. What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned over the past 20 years?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that success is never about one person. I often say it's not just about the journey, it's about who you choose to take with you.
Whether it's your team, your partners or the communities you work alongside, having people who share your values and your vision makes all the difference. Early on I realised that before entering any partnership, it's important to understand whether you're aligned in purpose, not just in business goals.
For us, that shared purpose has always been conservation and community. When everyone is working towards the same dream, it's amazing what can be achieved together. That's been one of the greatest lessons of the past 20 years.
Community and conservation have always been at the heart of African Bush Camps. Why has that been so important to you from the very beginning?
When I founded African Bush Camps in 2006, I didn't simply want to build a safari company. I wanted to build a team of people who believed in protecting Africa's wild spaces while creating meaningful opportunities for the communities who call these places home.
From four people in the beginning to the hundreds we employ today, that purpose has never changed.
Tourism has an incredible ability to transform lives. When local communities benefit directly from wildlife and conservation, it creates a real sense of pride and stewardship. People begin to see the value of protecting these landscapes, not just for visitors, but for future generations.
That's what continues to inspire me. Conservation is about people as much as it is about wildlife. If we can improve livelihoods while protecting these extraordinary places, then we've created something that will last long into the future.
One of the things you're known for is creating opportunities for local people, including women through your Female Guide Program. What makes you most proud when you look at the impact you've had?
The Female Guide Program is something I'm incredibly proud of because it's about creating opportunities where they didn't always exist.
For many years, safari guiding was seen as a profession for men. We recognized that there were talented, passionate women who simply hadn't been given the training or the platform to pursue this career. Our female guides program provides the education, practical experience, and mentorship needed to become professional safari guides.
What makes me proud isn't only seeing women qualify as guides. It's seeing the ripple effect they create.
One recent story that comes to mind is Jess, one of our trainee guides in Botswana. She says she only joined the program because she was inspired by Bae, one of our qualified female guides. Jess now hopes that one day she'll inspire another young woman in the same way.
That's what this program is really about. Women inspiring women, opening doors for the next generation, and proving that there are no limits to what they can achieve. Being part of those stories is incredibly rewarding.
As you celebrate this milestone, what's next for African Bush Camps, and why should Zimbabwe be a destination on every traveler's bucket list?
The future of African Bush Camps is about continuing to grow with purpose. We'll keep investing in conservation, our communities and creating extraordinary safari experiences that connect people with Africa in meaningful ways.
As for Zimbabwe, it will always hold a special place in my heart because it's home.
Some of my greatest memories as a guide were made there, whether canoeing along the Zambezi River, walking through the floodplains of Mana Pools, tracking lions on foot in Hwange or spending time with elephant bulls beneath the acacia forests. Those experiences shaped not only my career but also my love for Africa's wild places.
Zimbabwe also has a remarkable guiding heritage. It developed one of Africa's earliest and most respected guide training systems, producing guides who became renowned across the continent for their knowledge, professionalism and respect for the wilderness. While there are now exceptional guides throughout Africa, Zimbabwe's legacy remains something we're incredibly proud of.
For me, Zimbabwe offers something truly special. It combines world-class wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and some of the most authentic safari experiences you'll find anywhere. It's a place that stays with you long after you've left, and one I believe every traveler should experience at least once.
