The Rewild Way
We’ve always done things a bit differently.
We operate on a smaller, more personal scale, with deep respect for both our travelers and the animals sharing our world. Our purpose is twofold: to guide you deep into the wilderness and help you rediscover your own sense of adventure, awe, and closeness to our planet. To us, rewilding is about even more than nature – it’s about renewing our own sense of wonder and connection to it. Rewilding souls and spirits through life-changing private escapes from an overdeveloped world. Our name is an invitation – to bring you closer to the world’s wild places and help ensure they thrive for generations. And to come back to life.
Conservation through responsible travel means striving to become a part of nature rather than an interloper.
Our Experience Makes Your Experience
James Ward
Founder, chief exploration officer
A world-class wildlife photographer, James grew up immersed in wildlife through the Zoo and Aquarium field and was introduced to Africa at age 15. Since then, he’s traveled extensively across Africa, Asia and Central and South America, bringing a unique perspective to crafting customized safaris.
“Africa gets under your skin. Seeing the awe on someone’s face during their first African sunset is unforgettable. The special moments on safari – a sundowner, sitting around a campfire listening to the bush, and having coffee as the day breaks – are experiences I’m excited to share.”
Beyond Africa, James is responsible for expanding Rewild exploration across the world, adding new private luxury adventures from Nepal to Patagonia.
James has worked closely with many conservation groups and social enterprises, helping bring their products to the U.S. market. His efforts have created economic opportunities for remote communities and contributed to wildlife conservation. He’s particularly proud of initiatives like jewelry made from reclaimed snare wire and honey that helps protect elephants. One of his most memorable experiences was assisting Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe, where he helped collar painted dogs in Hwange National Park. James is also a trustee for the Painted Wolf Foundation.
As an avid and renowned wildlife photographer, James’s adventures have led to his favorite destinations like South Luangwa, Mana Pools, Amboseli, and Bwindi. He looks forward to sharing his passions for photography and the world’s wild places with Rewild travelers.
Tom LaRock
Safari Consultant, Founder Emeritus
As someone who led his first safari to Africa in 1983, you might call Tom the OG of conservation through responsible travel. Tom’s dedication to conservation stems from a lifelong passion for wildlife and preserving the natural world. As the original founder Safari Professionals, now Rewild Safaris, Tom has seen first-hand how safari travel can support wildlife protection by generating revenue, raising awareness, and creating engagement in conservation efforts. With deep knowledge of wildlife, guides, and accommodations, Tom leads our Planning Concierge Africa team helping travelers create sustainable itineraries tailored to their interests.
“My fascination with Africa began in elementary school, inspired by wildlife photos and the culture of East Africa. I still remember the thrill of hearing a lion’s roar. I’ve designed safaris to many destinations since, but Africa’s unique wildlife and people keep me returning.”
Tom’s expertise ensures personalized itineraries that inspire and exceed expectations while supporting conservation. He’s passionate about helping travelers experience life-changing adventures and sharing his photography skills to help our travelers capture unforgettable moments.
Jen McDonald
Safari Consultant
Jen joined Rewild Safaris in June 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in guest service, hospitality, and zoological institutions, with a focus on designing meaningful wildlife and cultural experiences.
She has built her career in guest experience and education across leading institutions including Walt Disney World, the Smithsonian, and multiple zoological organizations. Jen began her zoo career at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as an interpreter and educator, teaching animal adaptation, conservation, and wildlife career pathways.
She later served as Associate Director of Guest Relations for the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she improved guest communication, accessibility programs, and service recovery across five parks. In these roles, she collaborated with animal care and education teams to design engaging guest experiences that connect visitors to conservation in meaningful ways. She also served as Guest Services Manager at Palm Beach Zoo during the opening of the Lorikeet Loft, where she and her staff enhanced visitor engagement through immersive wildlife encounters.
Carrie Wilkie
Safari Consultant
Carrie Wilkie is a safari consultant with Rewild Safaris and a former C‑suite executive with more than two decades of experience leading complex, global organizations. After building a successful corporate career as a senior strategy and technology leader, Carrie made a deliberate pivot toward work that aligns more closely with her lifelong passion for wildlife, conservation, and meaningful travel.
Today, she designs bespoke conservation‑focused journeys for travelers seeking wildlife encounters, authentic cultural connections, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. An avid wildlife photographer and lifelong adventurer, Carrie approaches travel through both a creative and conservation lens, believing that time spent in wild places can inspire responsibility, stewardship, and lasting impact.
Her unique background at the intersection of executive leadership, strategy, and experiential travel gives her a rare ability to translate complexity into meaningful, well‑crafted journeys. Whether tracking big cats, engaging with conservation partners, or helping travelers connect more deeply with the places they visit, Carrie’s work is guided by curiosity, intention, and a profound respect for the wild.
Steve Olson
DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION
Steve Olson joined Rewild Safaris as Director of Conservation in 2024, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in conservation policy, partnerships, and strategy. Prior to joining Rewild Safaris, Steve served for 23 years as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in Washington, DC. In this role, he was a key architect of national and international conservation alliances, building coalitions and long-term partnerships with leading conservation organizations across terrestrial and marine systems.
At Rewild Safaris, Steve is responsible for identifying, vetting, and maintaining relationships with conservation partners worldwide, as well as ensuring that all operating and accommodation partners align with the company’s ethical, sustainability, and conservation ethos. His role is central to embedding conservation integrity and best practices across every destination and safari experience.
Steve remains actively engaged in the conservation field as a consultant, with expertise spanning sea turtle rescue and release, polar bear management, shark and ray conservation, endangered species genomics, marine protected areas, and wildlife connectivity. He currently serves on the governing boards of the Black-footed Ferret Conservation Foundation, Wildlands Network, Marine Conservation Institute, Sahara Conservation, and the IUCN National Committee’s Policy and Strategy Subcommittee.
Tara Moore
Director of Traveler Experience
Tara Moore is the Director of Traveler Experience at Rewild Safaris, where she supports the delivery of our conservation-driven journeys. Working closely with our partners and travelers, she helps bring itineraries to life, ensuring smooth execution, thoughtful traveler experiences, and meaningful conservation outcomes.
With nearly two decades of experience spanning operations management, expedition travel, and complex logistics, Tara is deeply involved in coordinating the many moving parts behind each journey. Born in Cape Town and raised in Western Australia, she brings a lifelong connection to wild places into her work. She travels in-field to assess lodges, guiding standards, and conservation initiatives firsthand, ensuring every program meets high operational, ethical, and sustainability standards. At Rewild Safaris, she also contributes to building long-term partnerships with zoos, conservation organizations, and local communities, extending their impact beyond institutional boundaries and into the field through thoughtfully designed, immersive travel experiences.
Jordan Blizard
Traveler Experience Specialist
Jordan Blizard is the Traveler Experience Specialist at Rewild Safaris, where she supports the planning and delivery of conservation-focused journeys to some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Working closely with travelers, partners, and the Rewild team, she helps ensure each safari is thoughtfully coordinated, seamless, and memorable.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Equity, Development, and Ethics, bringing a strong understanding of the relationship between people, communities, wildlife, and the environment.
Passionate about meaningful travel, Jordan believes the most impactful journeys are those that foster authentic connections with local cultures, wild places, and conservation efforts. Her dedication to responsible travel and attention to detail help support Rewild Safaris’ mission of creating transformative experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world while contributing to its protection.
Marie Baker
Chief Financial & Business Operations Officer
Marie Baker is a Chief Financial Officer with 38 years of experience in accounting, human resources, business operations and information technology. She specializes in strategic business management, integrated infrastructure processes, financial analysis, corporate investments, capital structure implementation, treasury management, internal audits, and tax functions. Marie has built departments from the ground up and helped scale a company from $2,500,000 to $50 million.
Guided by a deep commitment to the Earth, Marie integrates financial leadership with environmental stewardship and advocacy for animals. Her work reflects a belief that strong, ethical financial foundations can support sustainable growth and conscious business practices that benefit both organizations and the planet.
She holds an MBA and multiple certifications, including FTC GLBA Compliance, MCSE, A+, and MOS, with AIPB, SHRM and APA affiliations and is recognized for her strong leadership, financial expertise and purpose-driven vision.
Aspen Ritz
Director of Marketing
Aspen Ritz, Director of Marketing at Rewild Safaris, brings together strategy, content creation, and relationship-building to connect travelers with meaningful experiences in wild places around the world. Aspen leads brand marketing, digital campaigns, and partnership development, collaborating with zoos, aquariums, travel advisors, and the broader Rewild Safaris community to spark curiosity and deepen connection to conservation.
With experience across a range of industries, Aspen brings a thoughtful, community-driven perspective to marketing, grounded in authenticity and long-term relationships. A love of content creation sits at the heart of this work, using words, visuals, and ideas to make travel feel more accessible, inspiring, and personal. Travel has played an important role in shaping this outlook. Time spent in Zambia and Botswana deepened an appreciation for wildlife, conservation, and the lasting impact of experiencing wild places firsthand.
What inspires Aspen most about Rewild is the people met along the way. From local guides and conservation partners to travelers brought together by shared curiosity, these connections give the work meaning and show how exploration can build understanding while protecting the places and wildlife that make each journey possible.
– S. C.
Why Rewild? “Good food and wine and ease of travel. To be treated like VIPs. To really know the story behind the places we are going.”
Rewild Press Releases
Conservation partners
Wildlife Madagascar
Wildlife Madagascar is dedicated to conserving Madagascar’s unique biodiversity by collaborating closely with local communities. Their mission centers on safeguarding lands and primary forests, which are essential for maintaining the country’s distinctive wildlife.
International Rhino Foundation
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is committed to ensuring the survival of rhinos through strategic partnerships, targeted protection, and scientifically sound interventions. These initiatives align closely with Rewild’s mission to protect and restore the wild.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s mission is to save gorillas and the ecosystems in which they live through a scientific and people-centered approach to create a healthier planet for all.
Rewilding Chile
Fundación Rewilding Chile, formerly known as Tompkins Conservation Chile, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to counteracting the species extinction and climate crisis by creating national parks and marine parks, restoring ecosystems, and protecting biodiversity.
Rewilding Argentina
Rewilding Argentina’s initiatives protect and restore the wild, address our interconnected climate, biodiversity, and human well-being crises. They emphasize collaborative efforts with indigenous peoples, local communities, and various stakeholders.
Association partners
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
With over 60 years of combined wildlife conservation safari experience – and over 60 years as members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) – our goal is to offer accredited AZA institutions the most exciting wildlife conservation safari destinations in the world.
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
WAZA serves as the global alliance for leading zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations. WAZA unites institutions in a shared mission to safeguard biodiversity. Its worldwide network amplifies the reach and impact of conservation efforts from local communities to global initiatives.
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
EAZA is the coordinating body for Europe’s most respected zoological institutions, uniting them under shared standards of animal care, conservation, and scientific excellence. EAZA members work collectively to safeguard endangered species and promote global biodiversity. Its network strengthens conservation impact across continents, linking Europe’s zoos with field projects worldwide.
British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums
As the professional body representing the leading zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks across the UK and Ireland. Its members commit to the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation, education, and scientific research. Through collaborative programs and global partnerships, BIAZA institutions contribute significantly to species recovery, habitat protection, and public engagement in conservation.
Travel Trade partners
Travel Advisors and Administrators
Professional travel planners choose Rewild Safaris for our creativity, service, and unmatched on-the-ground experience. From collaborative itinerary design to field support to long-term relationship building, our travel agent partnerships are a journey we take together.
Wildlife Organizations
Rewild’s conservation mission connects us with local organizations doing the on-the-ground work of sustainability and care. Does your mission align as well? We want to hear about it.
Lodge Networks
All Rewild accommodations are vetted for the highest level of immersion, authenticity, and luxury. Does your destination offer an experience unlike any other? Get in touch.
– K. B.
“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling all over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
Private tours personalized for VIP travelers.
And what is a VIP traveler? It’s you, on your private luxury adventure with us. Deep in the heart of the wild, in places the world hasn’t discovered yet. With your itinerary created with our Concierge Planners, and your private adventure with friends and family supported by expert trackers and guides, five-star lodges in breathtaking settings, and arrival-to-departure ground support – your creature comforts delivered with a light footprint on local ecosystems, far from maddening tour buses.
Turndown Service
SERENGETI, TANZANIA
01° 58′ 09″ S / 34° 41′ 54″ W
