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March 2025
The HEREandNOW Trail: 11-18 September 2025

Join us in the majestic Okavango Delta in Botswana exploring the luxury of time, space and belonging. On foot and by vehicle, in a vast wild concession as a slice of our heaven.
A CONSCIOUS DISCONNECTION on a journey of awakening.
Connect with simplicity, integrity and harmony with the environment in all ways. Meaningful encounters and conversations emerge from this space.
Max 8. Rates from USD3135 per person sharing. Includes all accommodation, activities and concession fees Maun to Maun. Drinks excluded.

Details at: https://www.alanmcsmith.com/hereandnow-trail.html

March 2025
CONVERSATION TOUR EUROPE: 7-28 June 2025

Don't miss the chance to bring our transformative, nature-infused conversations to your organization or community. Alan’s Europe 2025 Tour promises to be a rare opportunity to explore leadership, sustainability, and human connection from a perspective that’s as ancient as it is forward-thinking.

Details at: https://www.alanmcsmith.com/impact-speaker.html
Tour calendar is available at: https://www.alanmcsmith.com/tour-calendar.html

TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD

February 2025
TRAILS OPERATION CONSULTING, Onguma Game Reserve Namibia

Three weeks of pioneering trails operations consulting with Onguma Safari Camps, at Etosha, Namibia. An absolutely unique trails camp, the first of its kind in Namibia, soon to be launched in April 2025…What a thrill to be involved!
With a max of only 8, the camp offers an exclusive wilderness encounter for curious wildlife enthusiasts seeking to plug-in a little deeper than the norm. Walk, track and drive your way around this stunning reserve alongside the iconic Etosha National Park.
Pic by David Rogers Travel

November 2024
INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT RAMSAY

Thank you friend and conservation-colleague SCOTT RAMSAY for untangling my thoughts and skilfully crafting a meaningful dialogue and interview. Scott is a leading conservation writer, photographer and traveller and it's a privilege to be included in his portfolio. Looking forward to more campfire time again soon.

Please visit Scott's website scottramsay.africa/interview-with-alan-mcsmith/ to discover more

30 Oct 2024
ON AN ELEPHANT PATH with ALAN @ UMLANI BUSHCAMP

Join us in 2025 on an epic elephant discovery to one of our favourite all time destinations in Timbavati, South Africa. A short safari uncovering the wondrous behaviour and habits of the largest walking mammal on the planet.

Dates are: 18th - 22nd April / 1st - 4th July / 25th - 29th September

More at: https://www.alanmcsmith.com/on-an-elephant-path-with-alan-umlani.html

Oct 2024
CONVERSATION TOUR TO THE NETHERLANDS
1 - 10 Oct 2024

After a remarkable and meaningful chapter, I find myself in London with a familiar large grey friend over my shoulder. A sincere thank you to you all for making my speaking and lecture tour such a profound adventure. To many friends, old and new, for your support, hospitality, conversation and availability. Gratitude. To the trail ahead!

I believe that the principles of nature are the gateway to modern leadership. The laws of ecology and inter-connection are deeply relevant in our lives and businesses, for they are the basis of inter-living.

And look forward to a return 7 - 28 June 2025.

16 Sept 2024
I am honoured to speak at The World CIO 200 Summit 2024 Grand Finale in Johannesburg on September 16th. To share wilderness stories from the heart to 200 global IT leaders and influencers. The Summit is a groundbreaking event to platform the urgency of being different with our planet. With GEC Media Group.
The IT industry is an essential role-player as never before has information and content been available to so many people. Therefore we have a huge opportunity and responsibility to ensure that this has well-being in mind.

And this year’s theme? Elephants. Do coincidences exist …

Alan

August 2024
BEYOND THE FRONTIER
6 unplugged days on trail, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Walking and tracking to our hearts content. Unlimited solitude. Glorious moonlight nights camping around the fire. Warm camaraderie with like-minded curious co-travellers. Conversations from the heart. Fine humour. Stories from an old kettle. Elephants. Solo night watch with our thoughts. Stared at by a lioness. Simple pleasures.

Sounds like life changing luxury right?
In association with NATUCATE and African Guide Academy

Aug/Sept 2024
GOLD STAR WILDERNESS TRAIL MOMENTS
10 days of walking wild on Chief's Island

Okavango Delta + Being available to solitude + Remote seclusion + Big game
+ Camping wild + Unplugged + Lion roars nearby + The edge + Coffee at the fire before daybreak + Out before the sun + Tracking on foot + Conversations from the heart + Simple pleasures + Exhilarated humility + Eat, sleep, repeat.
TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD

ITS A WRAP. August 2024, Okavango.

The 2024 instalment of a profound adventure: The Private Wilderness Experience in the magical Okavango Delta, Botswana.

14 immersed days with a wonderful party of curious explorers. Unhurried conservation discussions and wildlife encounters. This is our sightings list for the trip.

Many thanks to all! In proud collaboration with NATUCATE and African Guide Academy

SET 2025 DEPARTURE DATES ARE LIVE !
Sign up up for one of our signature wilderness encounters.

For more info about each trip, go to:
On an Elephant Path with Alan: Umlani
2024 Okavango Wilderness Trail
2024 Private Wilderness Experience

ROLLING BACK THE YEARS!
To rustic, raw, real & relevant

8 Days in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, personally guided by Alan McSmith

- Spend quality time plugged-in to the sensational Okavango
- Home at a secluded tented base camp
- Open skies & campfires
- Flush Loos & bucket showers
- Massive concession
- Drives & walks
- Unlimited doses of enthusiasm!
- In search of elephants, lion, wild dog and other conversations from the heart

Two departures in September 2024: 11th - 18th AND 18th - 25th

REMEMBERING VOORTREKKER, THE DESERT ELEPHANT
25th June 2019

It's been 5 years ago today that the majestic elephant bull Voortrekker, pioneer of the Ugab River herds in Namibia, was senselessly shot by trophy hunters. So, lest we forget, here is my annual ode to this magnificent being. And what was lost
Why do I post this every year?
Many elephants have a story to tell, but Voortrekker’s is especially meaningful, one that transcends our understanding of elephant biology and behaviour. This gentle giant, revered by community members within a tough landscape of escalating human/elephant conflict, was a diplomat of co-existence and eco-tourism. He was actually showing us the way if we had just taken a moment to realise it
For me, all of this addresses one of the most crucial fallacies of elephant conservation, trophy hunting, and the notion of sustainable consumption: that older bulls have no value to elephant society and conservation, and can be hunted under the banner of ecological/commercial benefit. As the senator bull, his death was not only a tragedy for desert elephant conservation, but also within a landscape of viability and possibility.
Another casualty of that day, possibly most significantly, was man’s inability to associate Voortrekker with sustainable tourism value, community benefit or ecological integrity. Or indeed a sense of wonder. Instead he was killed under the banner of short term greed, stupidity and consumptive madness.

RIP Sir Voortrekker … i apologise for what my kind has done

CAN YOU HEAR THE MOON?
Article published in New Financial Magazine, June 2024

Perhaps the art of discovery lies in the empty spaces of not. Not doing, not speaking, not knowing. Just being present. Difficult in our society right? But something valuable that we can learn from the wild. This is what my story is about.

EXCERPT:
... "The milky way hung low in the Kalahari night, this in the land where the sky meets the earth. In the quiet black we were all silent now, alone with our thoughts. The glow of the fire, like a cozy cocoon in the darkness, seemed like all there was. It was then that the old Bushman eventually spoke again. Touching my arm lightly to get my attention, he looked upward toward the vast empty sky. “Can you hear the moon?” he asked softly.” ...

Read full story in English at: https://alanmcsmithjournal.weebly.com/can-you-hear-the-moon.html

ON AN ELEPHANT PATH with Alan
Umlani Bushcamp, Timbavati. 7-11 June 2024

What a privilege to follow the largest walking mammal on earth for 5 days. This with 6 amazing folks who were open to the trust, immersion and vulnerability. I feel profoundly touched. Thank you you to a crew of perfect clients … the interactions we had emerged from your energy and open-ness. Unhurried discussions and patient encounters afforded us many intimate and treasured elephant moments. And along the way encountering 23 species of other mammals including lion, white rhino, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and others.
Holding space with these magnificent animals challenges our perceptions: that other beings have the right to co-create alongside us. That perhaps our understanding of elephants, and therefore the very notion of intelligent connection, needs refining.

GUIDE TRAINER MENTORING
May 2024
One massive privilege to spend some days on a mentoring program at the sensational Kwapa Camp, the African Guide Academy training bush campus.
Mentoring, for me, is not just about the knowledge, figures and scientific jargon. There’s so much more. It's about the feeling, the realisation of home, the great connection that we all search for. To see and be seen. To know and be known. Then to wrap this all up in a conservation-culture, one that declares that the well being of nature cannot be separated from the well being of our own selves.
This deep within the Okavango Delta in Botswana, one of the most delicate wild systems on the planet. And at a time of the worst drought in over 40 years. It's a sensitive time to tread lightly and with grace on our planet. And with one another.

PRIVATE WILDERNESS ENCOUNTER TO UMLANI BUSHCAMP
Timbavati

April 2024
A huge thrill to be back at Umlani, one of our all-time favourite camps, with a special group of folks from The Netherlands. Umlani is special as it has a sense of place, epitomised by simplicity and soft edges. Made from wood, reeds and thatch, there are no hard or straight edges, no metal or glass. The effect with natural light is amazing. And the game viewing was sensational! Its a privilege to make use of the Umlani concession and run walks or drives on a flexible exclusive basis. All of this adds up to one thing .... LUXURY!

INTRODUCING: THE HEREandNOW TRAIL
Okavango Delta, Botswana

March 2024
It could be said that the present moment is the address of life. What Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh amusingly refers to as "hereandnow dot com". For us, its where the luxury of time, of space and of belonging come together. Total connection. With the rhythms of the wild and the people around us. Simple pleasures, care, friendship and environmental awareness. Plugging in to the grand operating system of the universe: that of consciousness.
CLICK HERE for more

5-WEEK MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Onguma Safari Camps, Namibia

March 2024
Super-thrilled to return to a special part of the world in northern Namibia, alongside the iconic Etosha National Park. Onguma is a private game reserve, heavily committed to conservation and wild land rehabilitation. As an on-going guide mentorship project, we run experiential and facilitated encounters, primarily on foot. Natural leadership however, is not only confined to the guides but relevant for all departments of the safari and conservation operation.

A VOICE FROM THE WILDERNESS
Keeping the Conversation Going;
Netherlands speaking tour, 5th to 15th February 2024

Alan is travelling to The Netherlands again on a. massive meaningful adventure awaits. Two weeks of conversations from the heart with visionary business leaders, folks who understand the significance of integrating living principles into commerce. Patterns of the wild: renewal and inclusiveness. Patterns of the human spirit.
What a privilege to be part of the conversations; to offer ideas of innovation from Wilderness.
Follow the trail at HERE to keep the conversation going!

25 years of walking with the wild

ALAN McSMITH SAFARIS TURNS 25
17 January 2024.
In 1999 Sarah and i left Tanda Tula to embark on an amazing journey. A journey of exploration, discovery, privilege and deep personal meaning. One that has taken us through the wild-lands of 7 African countries in search of the ultimate wilderness and wildlife encounter. For us, this has always been under canvas, at a distant and remote bush camp, preferably at the end of a distant dirt track, and always around an isolated campfire. Often under only the stars themselves. It could be said that this is the address of life, the luxury of time, of space and of belonging. Just perhaps, home happens when we realise that we belong to the land, and that the land does not belong to us. Click HERE to read the story.

GUIDE MENTORING WORKSHOP

October 2023: Ten days of walking and unplugging in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Thank you to the management and guides of Savanna Lodge, Dulini, Idube, Inyati and Ulusaba.

Sharing conversations about meaningful wilderness guiding within the intensive game drive culture of the reserve. Impactful encounters, awesome company and great humour. Thank you Neil Whyte from Savanna for your passion!

CONNECTIONS IN THE WILD

What is luxury? The space to plug-in to what is truly important. Deep relevance and companionship. Meaningful conversations from the heart. Inter-being with wild rhythms.

And through this all, the solace to come home to yourself. For this is the space from which inspiration emerges.

Deep bush dive with Dark Green PR (darkgreenpr.com) at Kwapa Camp / African Guide Academy. On behalf of NATUCATE.

CONVERSATION WITH FOREST ME

October23: During a visit to The Netherlands I was fortunate to have some nature time with Merel van der Lande of ForestMe.

Discussions on nature and leadership emerged, and i'm very grateful for Merel to publish on such meaningful conversation

Read full article at: https://alanmcsmithblog.weebly.com/forestme.html

FAMILY SAFARI/TRAIL
BOTSWANA AUGUST 23

12 days of exploring the mind-blowing landscapes and wilderness space of Botswana with the beautiful Hoving family. From the dry otherworld of Makgadikgadi with pan sleep-outs, quads, sublime game viewing, meerkat interactions and a walk with legendary Bushman guide Mr Cobra Kepile. A seminal experience. Then onto boundary pushing with a 5 day wilderness trail in the Okavango walking and stalking on Chief's Island. Finally and grand finale at Little Sable Camp close to the Khwai River.

WILDERNESS TRAIL
OKAVANGO, BOTSWANA

Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve was the location of a 5-day fly-camping wilderness trail in June 23. In association with Rhino Safaris.

Unplugged, slow and connected ... with all game viewing on foot. Wonderful days spent tracking and stalking game on foot. Blissful nights around the fire with elephant, hippo, lion and leopard around camp. Africa under canvas, wild, remote and soul-stirring. It gets no better than this!

2024 WILDERNESS TRAIL DATES TO BE RELEASED SOON!

THE 2023
PRIVATE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE, OKAVANGO, BOTSWANA

IN ASSOCIATION WITH NATUCATE

Hosted at Kwapa Camp by African Guide Academy. A superb location for a 2-week deep exploration of the ecology and wildlife of the magnificent Okavango Delta. What a privilege to share so many meaningful moments and impactful encounters with a group of curious and enthusiastic conservation enthusiasts.
If you are also curious about this unique product, watch the highlight video of the 23 trip here (narrated by Alan)

2024 dates are : 26 JULY - 9 AUG

TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD
EUROPE SPEAKING TOUR 2023

21 EVENTS / 21 DAYS / 16 VENUES

A hugely successful conversation tour to Netherlands and Germany has come to an end.

What a privilege to participate in a meaningful conversations in so many special places with so many amazing people. The tour, in brief, was a rolling conversation about change, about integrating living patterns and principles into our mechanically-minded society and industry systems.

A challenging and daunting task indeed. Where do I start? How do I collaborate? How can I do enough? Is it possible? For me, there is perhaps only one simple answer to unravel these critical and relevant questions: ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME.

But only if the conversation emerges from the heart, and from a space of deep ecological humility. If we take the lead from the wild ...

Many thanks to friends, old and new, for your support, hospitality and trust!

TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD
@ THE THRIVE, ROTTERDAM. NL

TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD: At The Urban Treehouse, Headquarters of THE THRIVE / Rotterdam, NL / 25th April 2023.

What a privilege to participate in a meaningful conversation in such a special space, with amazing people🙏

A conversation about change, about integrating living patterns and principles into our mechanically-minded society and industry systems.

A challenging and daunting task indeed. Where do I start? How do I collaborate? How can I do enough? Is it possible?

For me, there is perhaps only one simple answer to unravel these critical and relevant questions: ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME

But only if the conversation emerges from the heart, and from a space of deep ecological humility. If we take the lead from the wild ...

What a thrill to reconnect again with dear friends Boudewijn Roubroeks, Erik-Jan Hoekstra and Bob Vrijaldenhoven. 15 years ago we were all plonked in the sand around a campfire in the Okavango, surrounded by elephants. The trail is still going strong...what a pleasure!

The TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD conversation tour continues deeper into the jungles of The Netherlands!

This stop: Holtingerveld nature preserve in Drenthe / 19 April.

In proud association with the remarkable Marcel Kampman and the Happyplaces Project. Along with excellent fellow wilderness guide Ritzo ten Cate 🙏

Glorious unplugged moments reflecting on what nature and wild space represent to us. And ultimately what they mean to the well being of the human spirit.

The weather gods smiled at us for a day in the sun, sharing stories of animal tracks, edible plants and indigenous wisdom. Did you know that we can discover more about creating sustainable abundance from a resource by watching how deer feed? So often, the great answers we search for can be found in the most subtle of places...

Many thanks, once again, to Marcel for waving your magic event-wand. It was a sincere privilege!

GUIDE TRAINING AT ONGUMA, NORTHERN NAMIBIA

20 March 2023
It's a privilege to be asked to run a walking guide course on behalf of the local guides at Onguma game Reserve, alongside Etosha in northern Namibia. 10 days of walking, tracking and stalking ... with liberal doses of storytelling!

The dry dusty dramatic landscapes produced phenomenal wildlife encounters with numerous lion inter-actions, elephant tracking and sightings of oryx, springbok, cheetah and the diminutive Damaraland dik-dik.

very humbled to connect with the local guides and discover more bout Onguma. The teacher is always the student perhaps.

THE JOURNEY HAS BEGUN: EUROPE CONVERSATION TOUR, APRIL 2023

4 April 23
After a 24hour delay I find myself on my way to Freiburg Germany for the first of many impact conversations and presentations.... The content? The significance of taking our lead from the wild ... this when addressing the question of leadership in the modern world.

Nature space provides us with our most fundamental aspirations: not that of profit, power or position … but that of stillness and connection.

Many thanks to so many friends, supporters and colleagues for co-creating some wonderful events. All will be revealed ... stay tuned for dispatches from beyond the frontier.

IMPACT CONVERSATION; UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG, GERMANY

5 April 23
Alan's speaking tour to Europe kicked off with a presentation with members of the English Department student council at the uni. Learning institutions are so vitally important in the paradigm of change and disrupting our flawed consumptive systems. But what good is a system change if it is not accompanied by a change in consciousness?
The student council is essentially an interface between innovative and meaningful changes, and university policies. So these young leaders are the pioneering re-writers of a crucial story. That of modern leadership principles. What a privilege indeed. Many thanks to Gert Fehlner.

Follow the 'Taking Our Lead From The Wild' conversation tour on LINKEDIN

TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD
Conversation Tour to Holland & Germany / 4th - 26th April 2023

Alan will soon be returning to European campfires not to provide you with an instruction manual on how to lead a meaningful and regenerative lifestyle, but rather I bring with me the messages I have learnt and continue to learn from the wilderness of Africa. Nature is the master teacher and all the answers can be found in her layers….

My message is an African one, but the chapters of the great book of life are universal. Answers can be found in all nature. Like a whale song travelling the oceans, it's not about one place; its about everywhere, everything, everyone.

The truth is a "how to” manual about leading a conscious interconnected life has already been published. It is revealed within the wild landscapes around us, for our own stories are written in them.

LEADERSHIP RETREAT IN BOTSWANA
SEPTEMBER 2022

Thank you KOELLE SIMPSON and participants for being a part of such a special encounter to Hyena Pan and Little Sable camps in Botswana. Elephant, and elephant awareness, of course came standard! So many magical moments and meaningful discussions along the way.

Transformational wilderness experiences are most impactful around elephants; humbling, enchanting, fascinating and inspiring. These are the keystones to a language of the heart and healing, of infinite wonder.

INTERVIEW WITH KEES KLOMP, THRIVE INSTITUTE, ZANDVOORT JUNE 2022

Exploring the interbeing between ourselves and the natural world … and our fundamental co-dependance. These are the keystones on which to build new systems that change our deeply flawed rules of engagement with the planet, with those of circular purpose.

THE CROCODILE, THE ELEPHANT AND THE TRANSFORMATION

A while back Alan survived a crocodile attack in the Okavango Delta, and what transpired was an episode of deep significance. This is a story of transition and understanding. Find the full article HERE.

Published in The New Financial Forum, December 2022.
Pic by Jens Cullmann.

ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER ON CANVAS ... ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA

What a thrill to receive a special gift from artist Ross Tuck from Mildura in Australia ... a painting of one of Alan's iconic moments during the seminal elephant encounter. We are truly honoured.
Thank you Ross!

AMS LISTED AS "ELEPHANT CHAMPIONS"

We are honoured to be named as supporter on behalf of ELEPHANTS ALIVE. Our immersive encounters with wild elephants platform a great requirement to understand elephant consciousness and the complex conservation issues.

FOR MORE, CLICK HERE

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY LEGEND

Wonderful to bump into legendary photographer JENS CULLMANN (the one with the longer beard!) on safari in Botswana. Jens, in the name of wildlife conservation, has very kindly donated some of his spectacular images to our website

FOLLOW JENS' LENSMAN-SHIP AT:
https://www.instagram.com/jens_cullmann/

MEANINGFUL EVENTS WITH
JELMER TALENT LAB IN HOLLAND

Two memorable evenings spent in proud association with JELMER TALENT LAB (www.jelmer.nl) at Brooklyn Campus, Breukelen, Netherlands on 8th & 9th June 2022.

The topics? The ancient wisdom that nature and Bushman communities afford us. And what its so relevant in modern society. And what its fundamentally crucial to tune into what the natural world is telling us.

PRIVATE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
WITH NATUCATE - JULY 2022

Alan recently returned from another epic 14-day wildlife feast in the Okavango Delta in Botswana ... this is proud association with NATUCATE.

Operated in collaboration with the African Guide Academy, the fortnight was spent exploring the Okavango by vehicle, on foot and by dugout. Fabulous encounters, wild wilderness moments and riveting conservation conservations were all part of the fare. Beautiful people, amazing company. Look out for our 2023 departure dates!

HOW ALAN McSMITH CREATES WILDERNESS SPACE

ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY MARCELL KAMPMAN OF
HAPPYPLACES PROJECT

The wisdom of natural leadership defines what Alan McSmith is all about. He believes that you can develop a compass that helps you make choices that really matter by being in touch with your wisdom and intuition. This requires that you consciously pay attention to what touches and inspires you, make space for what is within you, and see nature not just as a place but as a way of life.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

EUROPE SPEAKING TOUR
MAY/JUNE 2022

Alan recently completed a 4-week speaking tour to Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The subjects? How the inspiring values of nature and solitude can transcend our lives in modern societies.

Perhaps the most fundamental desire a human being strives for is the desire for stillness. Or contentment, or belonging. Nature can provide this.

DISCOVER MORE @
https://www.alanmcsmith.com/speaker.html

ALAN'S TALK
IN AMSTERDAM

Watch Alan's story of stories unfold in a presentation and discussion with Kees Klomp of The Thrive Institute, a leading environmental and sustainability initiator in Holland.

Filmed at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam on 1st June 2022. (https://dezwijger.nl/programma/alan-mcsmith-tour)

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT
THE THRIVE INSTITUTE
AND THEIR VALUABLE WORK @
thrive institute.nl

2022
EUROPE SPEAKING TOUR

Check out the timeline of events and happenings of the tour on our LinkedIn page

CLICK HERE

ARTICLE IN NEW FINANCIAL MAGAZINE

EXCERPT: Tracking places us in the present moment, allows us an opportunity to peek back and learn from the past, and simultaneously glance ahead and scan the future.

READ @
www.alanmcsmith.com/articles

PRIVATE SAFARI GUIDING WITH NATURAL SELECTION

It is a sincere privilege to be listed as a private guide in such prestigious company with one of the leading safari operators in the world: Natural Selections.

This means more exclusive access to some of the most productive age viewing regions and camps in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and beyond.

VISIT THE LINK @
https://naturalselection.travel/private-guides/

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

A new article published in New Financial Forum about the ancient wisdom of traditional Bushman communities, and the impact of ecological and nature-inspired philosophies on leadership and social impact. The origin of the Ubuntu philosophy.

READ @
http://newfinancialforum.nl

2021 SPECIALIST ELEPHANT SAFARI DEPARTURES

@UMLANI BUSHCAMP

Spend 3 nights/4 days with Alan at UMLANI BUSHCAMP following the Timbavati elephant herds. Discover more about their fascinating behaviour on foot or by game viewer. A donation for each safari is made to ELEPHANTS ALIVE in direct support of conservation projects

16th to 19th October
and
29th October to 1st November

Discover more details HERE

ANOTHER ESSAY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW FINANCIAL MAGAZINE

EXCERPT: Knowledge emerges from within. Look deep into the eyes of a seasoned Bushman tracker, a wise Indian shaman or an aboriginal elder and you will see the difference.

FIND THE ARTICLE @
https://www.alanmcsmith.com/articles

EUROPE SPEAKING TOUR

It is a huge honour to be visiting Holland in May/June this year to co-create meaningful wilderness presentations in collaboration with the beautiful & inspiring organisations THRIVE INSTITUTE and THE THRIVE.

ARTICLE PUBLISHED

Check out Alan's article NATURE & 2021 in the NEW FINANCIAL FORUM. The following is a teaser ...

In fact, I cannot be sure where my job ends and my personal space begins, or where the boundary of my office and my home actually is. Or if it even exists at all. My life is a declaration to share both, and to respectfully suggest that the human experience cries out for harmony with nature

Read full article HERE

Inspired by Willem Vreeswijk, NFF is a leading natural-leadership focussed platform that promotes new and regenerative financial models.

SPECIALIST ELEPHANT SAFARI
@UMLANI BUSHCAMP

Alan recently led and hosted a specialist elephant-interest safari at one of our all time favourite camps, Umlani in Timbavati.

4 days of walking driving and stalking, discovering more about the fascinating behaviour of elephants, as well as their intrinsic ecological value in maintaining wild and vibrant ecosystems.

This in collaboration with ELEPHANTS ALIVE platform a greater awareness of elephant conservation. Proceeds of the safari are donated to the EA project fund

OKAVANGO DELTA
PRIVATE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

We are thrilled to have co-led a unique wildlife and wilderness experience in the Okavango Delta in Botswana in July/Aug. Proudly in partnership with NATUCATE and The AFRICAN GUIDE ACADEMY.

14 days spent on foot and by vehicle exploring a vast and exclusive concession, this unravelling animal behaviour and ecology, with meaningful conservation conversations as part of the fare. Our mammal sightings list included an incredible tally of 36 species.

2022 departure dates coming soon!

WILDERNESS GUIDES ASSOCIATION

As an invited member, Alan is the first African guide to register with the European Wilderness Guides Association. The group facilitates networking structures for leadership programs, wilderness encounters and conservation initiatives around the world.

VISIT
WEBSITE

ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

AMS has teamed up with Rhino Grohmann's Rhino Safaris to operate interactive elephant awareness safaris in the Great Kruger, SA. This is collaboration with leading conservation organisation Elephants Alive. Proceeds of the safaris are donated to their operational and fieldwork costs.

JULY ELEPHANT SAFARI @ UMLANI

DISCOVER MORE

VIDEO

ALAN AT TEDX AMSTERDAM, 2011
Remote campfires are normally the place, but much like Crocodile Dundee, Alan occasionally ventures out into the big smoke to speak at European boardrooms and events.

SEMINAL ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
Alan's incredible interaction with a wild bull has over 50M views. Discover the story HERE

A MESSAGE FROM NATURE
The most advanced species ever known has been brought to our knees by a virus, which technically is not even a living organism. Why?

INTERVIEW WITH ALDITH HUNKAR
Exploring the jungles of Amsterdam and bringing a stone from the Motherland to 600 people at the TEDx event.

WHAT CAN NATURE TEACH US?
The earth is the prime source of understanding and knowledge. The gateway to this is simple attention: a little space between our mental and physical worlds; our intentions and consequences. A redemptive stillness to reflect.

SPECIALIST ELEPHANT SAFARIS
One such safari is based from Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati. The safari may focus on elephant, but the slow pace and attention to detail provides us with clues about the whereabouts of other game.

SNIPPETS

ZAKOUMA NATIONAL PARK, CHAD

Chad? What's out there? Endless brutal desert, camels and wild nomadic people for sure; only crazy travellers go there. So Alan went. And then there is Zakouma; a most unexpected and spectacular wildlife bonanza! An incredible story of a remarkable transition from despair and extreme poaching to one of bounty, renewal and sensational safaris. Alan is one of a handful of guides to have led safaris to Zakouma in the daunting wet season ... an explorers dream beyond expectations. Inshallah!

ENNEDI NATURAL & CULTURAL RESERVE, SAHARA DESERT, CHAD

Imagine a seep of clear cold water emerging from desert springs in a sandstone gorge, somewhere in the Sahara. A legendary oasis lost in time. The 4 dwarf crocodiles that live here are seeing out time. Evolution before our eyes. "Because of this day, and those crocodiles in the pool below, I commit to living with less impact than before", writes Alan. The primitivity of the desert, and it’s conservation, is essential for us all.

AFRICAN PARKS TRAINING CONTRACT

In 2019 Alan was contracted by the African Parks network to design and lead a guide training course on behalf of the Tinga Camp, Camp Nomade and the community guides. There is no guiding qualification structure in Chad so the mission was to create one as it never been formally done before. An exceptional 6-week long adventure unfolded! Good old fashioned human being-ness was abound in a country once considered as the “dark heart of Africa".

GUIDE TRAINING

A long standing associate of EcoTraining, the largest guide training institution in Africa as a contract trails guide and tracker trainer. Alan's base was in the Makuleke Contractual Park, northern Kruger; the remotest big game enclave in South Africa. These opportunities are invaluable to participate in future legacies within aspiring guides and conservationists.

IN THE NEWS

NEW FINANCIAL MAGAZINE 2021

PERMACULTURE.UK 2017

KOSMOS JOURNAL, 2017

AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC, 2019

ELEPHANTS ALIVE, 2020

CONTACT US

ENQUIRIES

SARAH MCSMITH
WHATSAPP: 0027 (0) 76 183 2040
EMAIL: [email protected]

SPECIALIST GUIDE

ALAN MCSMITH
WHATSAPP: 0027 (0) 83 472 4783
EMAIL: [email protected]

HEAD OFFICE

AMS SAFARIS & SERVICES CC
PO Box 1565, Hoedspruit, South Africa
WEB: www.alanmcsmith.com

WHAT'S NEWS?​

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

March 2025​The HEREandNOW Trail: 11-18 September 2025

March 2025​CONVERSATION TOUR EUROPE: 7-28 June 2025

February 2025​TRAILS OPERATION CONSULTING, Onguma Game Reserve Namibia