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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: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• 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:

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• 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.

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