I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Elizabeth Sadowski, Director of the Time + Tide Foundation to discuss our latest Conservation Journey ideas. It was wonderful to be reminded of how Time + Tide has evolved. Once founder Norman Carr’s vision of conservation through tourism using rustic bush camps, it is now a safari company that supports exclusive private island sanctuaries partnering with world-renowned architects in creating spectacularly designed, award-winning safari lodges across Africa – all the while remaining true to their core focus of conservation through local partnerships, and a strong connection to their family roots.
These are roots that were firmly planted in the 1950s by Carr, who was way ahead of the curve when it comes to travel-driven conservation models. Time + Tide’s four remote bush camps in the South Luangwa, collectively called ‘Norman’s Camps’, are still high on many seasoned safari-goers wish list. Meanwhile, Carr’s tourism/ conservation model has served to inspire many others, namely Chris Liebenberg, who in the 1980s, together with his father, created his own camps on the banks of the Chongwe River in the Lower Zambezi, thereby continuing Carr’s legacy of conservation. These camps also form part of Time + Tide’s circuit of camps in Zambia, which were joined by Time + Tide Miavana in 2017, adding a Madagascar-based island sanctuary and pioneering marine conservation safari destination to the collection.
What a wonderful example of people following their passion, and allowing it to change with the times. Quite fitting that the name Time + Tide originated from the saying ‘time and tide wait for no man.’ It’s a gentle reminder that there is no way to stop the ebb and flow of life’s journey; that each moment presents the opportunity to live wholeheartedly, and to do the things you love. I wonder what Carr would think of the ultra-luxurious Time + Tide Chinzombo Camp being part of his eponymously named collection? On the surface it would seem so different from his rustic bush camps, which catered for those looking for simplicity. And yet, we now book more Time + Tide Chinzombo, and the latest luxury addition to the Zambian collection, Time + Tide King Lewanika, than the bush camps. Why? Perhaps because these two camps make remote Zambian bush life accessible to families and, of course, to those who prefer more comfort in the bush.
Which leads me on to the family-focused Conservation Journeys we’re creating with Time + Tide, children being the next generation of conservationists after all. Seeing the bush, the ocean, its people and wildlife through the eyes of children is a wonderful way for adults to travel, and offers positive life-changing experiences for all. As part of our Conservation Journeys, families will have the opportunity to get involved with conservation projects, from collecting data alongside the Environmental Team at Time + Tide Miavana to joining and/or assisting with classes at rural bush schools. We’re delighted to be partnering with Time + Tide on our family-friendly Conservation Journeys and look forward to see what inspiration and ideas come through for and from our younger conservationists-in-training.
Time + Tide, Miavana, Madagascar