Episode 63 Future of Travel with South Africa’s Jonathan Oppenheimer

Jonathan Oppenheimer is a South African businessman and philanthropist paving the way for the future of tourism. Born and raised in South Africa during the Apartheid years, he has dedicated his life to, as he says, leaving “fingerprints for good across the continent” — evident through his participation in major think tanks like the Brenthurst Formation and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He’s the Executive Chairman of Oppenheimer Generations and also owns Tswalu Kalahari, the largest private game reserve in South Africa offering three of the most elegant, luxurious safari camps in the country. Tswalu was also featured in Safari Style, Melissa’s book that highlights the most exceptional lodges and camps throughout east and southern Africa.

Melissa and Jonathan explore ideas of resilience, sustainability, and complexity as he details the extraordinary story of Tswalu and all he and his team have accomplished in conservation over the last 25 years. Jonathan gives a glimpse of the magic one can expect on the 282,000 acres of delicate ecosystems, such as rare pangolin sightings and special interactions with on-site scientists, as well as a sneak peak of their newest, intimate micro camp Loapi. He also reveals an exciting startup he’s working on that, he says, might disrupt the tourism industry in years to come. Tune in to learn more about how high-end luxury tourism models can create lasting impact in conservation and why safari experiences spark global change.

Lighting Round with Jonathan:

1. What’s your favorite spot at Tswalu? Rogella Pan
2. Most memorable wildlife sighting? Pangolin at night at Tswalu
3. What activity/ experience do you recommend to first-time visitors and why? Walking so you can ‘feel’ the land
4. A conservationist that inspires you? My mother – Strilli Oppenheimer
5. What are 3 words to describe Tswalu? I have two words “soul restoring”