Simon Teede an African Safari Holiday

The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is a large transboundary conservation initiative in southern Africa, spanning five countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Established to promote wildlife conservation and sustainable development, you would be hard pressed to find a better part of Africa for an African safari holiday.

KAZA faces challenges such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and the impacts of climate change, but there is a very pro-active sales manager of a popular African safari company who is doing his bit to encourage conservation. I spoke with Simon Teede recently, and could tell immediately he was truly passionate about conservation.

Why Visit Kazafrontier for an African Safari Holiday?

RJZ: Why should overseas visitors choose your part of the world for an African safari holiday?

ST: Our region, the Kazafrontier wilderness, is the largest wilderness area globally, linking 32 national parks and spanning the size of France. Unlike congested parks, our African safari company offers exclusive safaris on private concessions. This provides a true wilderness experience without the crowding often found at animal sightings. The only exception is Chobe, but most of the area remains untouched and serene.

Solving Client Needs at Bush Tracks

RJZ: What problems does Bush Tracks solve for clients?

ST: We have been in business for 30 years. As Africans, we have built an African safari company deeply rooted in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. In Africa, connections matter. Our vast network allows seamless logistics across the three countries, and our personal relationships with lodge owners ensure highly personalized itineraries. Overseas travel agents can trust us to craft safari holidays that perfectly match their clients’ needs.

Simon’s Favourite African safari holiday

RJZ: Simon, what is your personal favourite destination?

ST: Mana Pools. It is hard to choose, but Mana Pools holds a special place for me. Its dramatic scenery feels spiritual every time I visit.

The Growth of Luxury Tourism

RJZ: How do you see luxury tourism developing in your area?

ST: Luxury tourism is expanding. East Africa attracts mid-range safaris, but our region sees a growing market for five-star experiences. Most new lodges cater to high-end travellers. There is a gap for mid-range options, but exclusive wilderness safaris, though expensive, offer unmatched value.

Memorable Experiences in an African safari holiday

RJZ: Any fun or memorable personal experiences to share?

ST: I once had a crocodile land in my canoe at Mana Pools. We were photographing carmine bee-eaters near a steep riverbank. A seven-foot crocodile, unseen by us, dove into the water but missed and landed in our canoe. My friend shouted, “There’s a crocodile in our boat!” The croc flailed, tail hitting his head, before finally escaping. We were lucky no one was hurt.

Simon’s Journey into Tourism

RJZ: Tell me about your journey into tourism.

ST: I pursued tourism because I wanted to live in beautiful places. My career progressed from hospitality to operations, and eventually to sales. I am social and love talking about places I am passionate about. Conservation is another driving force. I started a plastic cleanup initiative called Ellie Collection, which transforms plastics into building materials. Tourism helps fund these projects. As David Attenborough said, “People must love nature to conserve it.” I hope I play a role in fostering that love.