Geoffrey Kent has likely done more to shape what modern luxury travel looks like than anyone else. Dating back to 1962—when he founded Abercrombie & Kent and started leading the first photographic safaris in Africa—he has been a pioneer of new destinations and new ways of traveling. Sixty years later, he’s still leading the way and discovering new places to explore. 

Geoffrey’s pioneering adventures began at the age of 16, when he had just been expelled from high school in Kenya. He soon set off on a solo trip by motorcycle from Nairobi to Cape Town—and ended up becoming the first person to complete the journey. Equipped with only some fuel and a few pieces of dried meat, he had several mishaps along the way—including falling into the Zambezi River and getting stuck by the river for more than a month—but he also learned lessons that would shape his view, and the future, of luxury adventure. 

Geoffrey speaks with Bruce about that trip and many journeys since, with revealing tales about how he vowed to never hunt again after killing an elephant, how he coined the term “Shoot with a camera, not with a gun,” and how he argued with Dian Fossey, a fierce advocate for gorillas, about the importance of tourism in Africa’s critical wildlife regions.  

On the subject of tourism and its impact on the planet, Geoffrey acknowledges that it can be detrimental when handled incorrectly. From waterway damage, to trash in nature, to excessive travel emissions, tourism companies need to take it upon themselves to help mitigate the negative impacts. But Geoffrey believes the benefits to properly managed tourism far outweigh the negatives, and he discusses some of the many projects A&K helps fund, from hospitals to wildlife conservation corridors.   

Geoffrey also shares details about some of the upcoming private-jet journeys around the world that he personally leads, as well as what destinations—from Gabon to Eritrea—that he feels are the new frontiers of luxury travel.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.abercrombiekent.com/
LUMA Arles: https://www.luma.org/en/arles.html
Asilia Africa: https://www.asiliaafrica.com

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Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters

Hosted by: Bruce Wallin

Produced by: AJ Moseley

Music by: Joey Salvia

A CurtCo Media Production