In this episode of I Am Tourism, host Big Ambitions sits down with Tinolla Rodgers, Owner and Managing Director of African Monarch Journeys, for a conversation that moves far beyond safari logistics and occupancy rates.

What began as African Monarch Lodges — operating inside Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park — has evolved into something far more intentional. After losing her husband and business partner in 2022, Tinolla made a decision: she would not just continue the business. She would redefine it.

The result? A safari company built not only on conservation and community partnerships, but on transformation — for guests, staff, and the communities surrounding it.

From revenue-sharing conservancies to recycling waste into jewellery and eco-bricks through the Sijwa Project, Tinolla shares how purpose-driven leadership is reshaping her corner of African tourism.

This episode is part leadership masterclass, part sustainability case study, and part deeply personal reflection on what happens when you drop ego and lead from the heart.

Key Takeaways:

Tinolla Rodgers

• “When you drop the ego and step into your true purpose, everything aligns.” 
•  “It’s not about the gold taps. It’s about whether your guest feels seen and heard.” 
•  “Look after your team. They are your greatest asset — without them, you have nothing.”