Will Bolsover

My career has been built on firsts: the first to lead gorilla treks in Gabon, the first to place a guest in front of a Siberian tiger, and the first to secure drone permissions in South Georgia in Antarctica. To me, true luxury isn’t something you buy—it’s something you earn through rare access, raw experiences, and an unfiltered connection to nature. I’ve climbed volcanoes in search of gorillas with Dian Fossey’s legendary tracker, fallen asleep in awe under a blanket of stars in a crumbling Korowai village, and felt the untamed spirit of Chad, where nature reveals her resilience and beauty on another level.

My journey began with a deep fascination with primates. In 2005, that passion led me to establish World Primate Safaris, which later evolved into World Big Cat Safaris and World Bear Safaris before merging into what is now Natural World Safaris (NWS). Today, NWS operates in over 40 countries, offering rare and extraordinary wildlife encounters—many wouldn’t think possible! From swimming in Arctic waters alongside orcas to photographing polar bears in Svalbard to tracking jaguars in the Pantanal, I’ve always sought out experiences that push the boundaries of what a safari can be.

I’ve built a team composed of former guides, conservationists, lodge managers, wildlife rehabbers, and beyond—crafting exceptional journeys, sometimes with me at the helm. My team and I work shoulder to shoulder-with carefully selected experts in their fields, including journalists, historians, glaciologists, photographers, documentary filmmakers, and biologists. These individuals don’t just inspire NWS—they enhance our clients’ journeys. Some of the world’s most iconic wildlife images have been captured on NWS trips, with photographers like David Yarrow and Christopher Michel leading the way. On a recent conservation expedition with a polar expert, guests helped fund a polar bear monitoring den—proof that travel can be more than just an experience; it can be a force for good. It’s no surprise that global brands like Leica and Disney entrust NWS to orchestrate their most creative wildlife adventures—ensuring they are in the right place at the right time, down to the second.

I’ve been fortunate to be recognized in the industry, earning a place on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of Top Travel Specialists and the Travel + Leisure A-List. Under my leadership, NWS has been named by CNT as “Best in Next-Level Wildlife”—but for me, accolades matter less than impact. As a member of AECO and one of only four founding travel partners of African Parks, I’ve worked at the intersection of tourism and conservation, witnessing firsthand how travel can either destroy or preserve fragile ecosystems. I approach wildlife conservation with thoughtfulness and creativity, helping to transform tragic situations—such as the underreported trend in Asia where elephants were slaughtered for blood bead jewellery—into tourism opportunities for positive change, providing locals with stable, legal alternatives that support wildlife protection.

At my core, I am driven by an unrelenting desire to explore, protect, and share the raw beauty of the planet’s most extraordinary places. With an uncanny ability to recognize the magic of overlooked destinations while reimagining iconic ones, I’ve transformed the way travellers experience the world—from the fringes of the Arctic to the heart of the Himalayas—putting less familiar places on the map and turning them into experiences that not only connect travellers to them but help protect them for future generations.