Safari Planning 101 + How to Build Your Life Around Travel with Scott Brills

32 snips

Sep 18, 2025

Scott Brills, a seasoned digital nomad and co-founder of Pamoja Safaris, shares his journey from early travels to creating a thriving safari business in Tanzania. He offers insider tips on planning unforgettable African safaris, like choosing the right guides and destinations. Listeners can learn about the cultural richness of safaris and practical advice on safety, costs, and timing for the best wildlife experiences. Scott’s story is an inspiring testament to building a travel-centric life, showing that it’s possible to thrive without traditional roots.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Early Nomads Paved Today's Path

Early digital nomads like Scott built location-independent lives before mainstream tools and communities existed.
That history shows remote travel lifestyles now benefit from easier tech and larger support networks.

ANECDOTE

How Pamoja Safaris Was Born

Scott met his future Tanzanian partner Josh on a safari and proposed a joint business combining Josh's guide skills with Scott's remote business know-how.
They formed Pamoja Safaris as a 50/50 partnership and grew it organically without paid marketing.

ADVICE

Book Local Operators Directly

Avoid booking companies that subcontract heavily because each layer raises cost and can reduce quality on the ground.
Seek locally run operators to pay less and get more direct service and accountability.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

What does it take to plan an unforgettable African safari? How can one trip lead to building a life and business around travel?

Scott Brills is a long-time digital nomad, international entrepreneur, and co-founder of Pamoja Safaris, a locally run company offering custom wildlife safaris in Tanzania. Over the past 20 years, he’s lived at the intersection of travel, business, and service — running trips, participating in charities, and creating a location-independent lifestyle before “digital nomad” was a common phrase.

This episode is both a guide to planning a world-class African safari and a behind-the-scenes look at how Scott built a thriving travel-based business from scratch.

Whether you're dreaming of lions in the Serengeti or wondering how to design your own unconventional lifestyle, this conversation delivers both practical insights and personal inspiration. If a safari is on your bucket list, you’ll learn how to plan smart: when to go, where to go, what it should cost, and what red flags to avoid. And if you’ve ever dreamed of building your life around travel, Scott’s story is proof that it’s possible, even without outside funding, marketing spend, or a fixed address.

What would building your life around travel look like, and what’s one step you could take today? What element of a Safari is the most important to you? I'd love to hear what you think and hope you will share by sending me an audio message.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

Tune In To Learn:

What makes Tanzania a world-class safari destination

How Scott co-founded a safari business through a single serendipitous encounter

Key factors that affect safari pricing and how to keep costs down without sacrificing quality

When and where to go for the best wildlife, weather, and experience

Why guide quality is the single most important factor in a great safari

What to look for in ethical safari operators (and how to avoid greenwashing)

How Scott ran his business for over a decade on referrals alone

The origin of his travel obsession and how it shaped everything

What “building a life around travel” actually looks like, practically and emotionally

Advice for travelers considering a leap into remote work or entrepreneurship

And so much more

Resources:

Learn about Pamoja Safaris

Scott’s website

Pamoja on Instagram

Scott on Instagram

Want More?

9 Ways Travel Will Change You + Lessons from Cycling Africa and Visiting 95 Countries with Alex Hennock

Adventure and Conservation: A 6000 km Tuk Tuk Journey Through Africa

5 Surprising Experiences in Africa, How to Transition to a New Career After Travel, and Exploring the African Diaspora With Jay Cameron

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.
Smart Travel Podcast - Before you book, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars. Follow Smart Travel on your favorite podcast app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices