In the vast, untamed wilderness of Africa, where the circle of life unfolds in all its raw beauty, Dereck and Beverly Joubert have spent decades documenting the lives of the continent’s most iconic creatures.
When it comes to intertwining the wild beauty of Africa with sustainable luxury, few names resonate as profoundly as Dereck and Beverly. As the co-founders of Great Plains Conservation, their journey has taken them deep into the heart of Africa, where they have not only captured stunning images and compelling stories, but have also become fierce advocates for the wildlife they so deeply cherish.
Over the years, they have witnessed the profound beauty of the natural world, as well as the devastating impacts of human encroachment, along with a tragic incident after being impaled by a buffalo.
But through it all, their love for the wild has remained a guiding force, driving them to protect the land and its inhabitants.
Dereck and Beverly Joubert's journey into the wild began early. Both were born and raised in Africa, where they were exposed to the raw beauty of the continent from a young age.
As Dereck recalls, “I saw my first elephant when I was five years old, and that love of Africa never left me.”
After completing their education, the Joubert's ventured into the bush, where they rediscovered their love for the wild and, eventually, each other.
"I saw my first elephant when I was five years old, and that love of Africa never left me."
The Joubert's have spent decades working together, a partnership that has significantly influenced their approach to conservation.
Beverly reflects on their dynamic, saying, “Working together gives us a lot more strength than working on our own. We know that we are a force when we stand up for something. We utilize each other’s energy to propel us forward.”
Their complementary skills—Dereck’s cinematography and writing paired with Beverly’s expertise in audio and still photography—create a powerful synergy that has brought numerous wildlife documentaries to life.
The Jouberts' dedication to conservation is not merely professional; it is deeply personal. Their early experiences in the wilderness, where they lived out of a vehicle, cooked on the manifold of their car, and slept under the stars, were formative. These adventures honed their skills and deepened their respect for the environment.
“Living the way we do and getting out into the bush puts you on the sharp edge of life,” Beverly explains.
"We had a solar shower, cooked on the car's manifold, and slept under the stars—either in the back of the vehicle or on the roof. We were the only two people allowed to work through the night in Botswana, and it often felt like we were the only ones alive. It was as if we were the original explorers.
"We knew the privilege we had was enormous, and we didn’t want to misuse it. Early on, getting charged by lions, hit by elephants, and having leopards in our vehicle sharpened our skills."
"...it often felt like we were the only ones alive. It was as if we were the original explorers."
The Joubert's have been influenced by various role models, but perhaps none more so than elephants.
Dereck speaks of them with reverence, stating, “Elephants embody everything about humans that we most like—empathy, trust, compassion, altruism—and none of the things we dislike about ourselves. They're intelligent, they communicate, and they don't drop bombs on each other."
Mara Toto Tree Camp
Their latest venture, the Mara Toto Tree Camp, exemplifies their philosophy of blending luxury with minimal environmental impact. The camp is designed to be nearly invisible from above, nestled among the trees without disturbing the natural habitat. “We didn’t cut down one tree,” Beverly proudly notes.
The camp’s design, which allows guests to feel like they are truly part of the bush, reflects the Jouberts' commitment to sustainability. “We want to create beautiful environments so that people are comfortable and can focus on the real conversation—where this planet will be in the next five, ten, or fifteen years,” Dereck adds.
This meticulous attention to detail extends to every aspect of their camps. For instance, at Sitatunga, an island camp that won the Brit List Design Award, the structure is inspired by a fishing basket and blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Each of their camps tells a unique story, whether it’s based on the cultural intersection of the Maasai and Swahili or the historical significance of the first giraffe taken out of Africa.
The Jouberts’ approach to conservation is holistic. They ensure their camps are built in a way that minimizes disruption to local wildlife and communities. “We build in thick forests or gullies so that our light pollution is not seen and our noise is suppressed,” Dereck explains. This sensitivity extends to the camps’ design, which is informed by the natural behaviour and migration patterns of the local wildlife.
Despite the luxury and comfort of their camps, the Joubert's remain committed to the principles of conservation. They advocate for building off the ground to allow wildlife to pass through, and their structures are designed to have minimal impact on the environment. Their dedication is further evidenced by their personal experiences, such as sleeping in the wild before each build to ensure they are not disrupting any natural processes.
A Harrowing Encounter With a Buffalo
The Jouberts’ work has not been without its challenges. A harrowing encounter with a rogue buffalo in the Okavango Delta left both Dereck and Beverly severely injured. Yet, this traumatic experience only strengthened their resolve to protect wildlife. “It either strengthens your commitment to wildlife and the planet, or it turns you into a victim. I never want to be a victim,” Beverly states with conviction.
"It was around quarter to eight in the evening, and we were just heading from one location to another. A rogue buffalo bull, which was wounded, came out of nowhere and charged at us.
"I was hit in the face, concussed, and then the buffalo's horn went under my armpit, impaling me and running off with me on its horn."
"It was Dereck’s birthday, and we were on our way to a private dinner when the buffalo attacked. Dereck was knocked off his feet and landed hard, cracking his hip and ribs. I was hit in the face, concussed, and then the buffalo's horn went under my armpit, impaling me and running off with me on its horn.
"I was knocked out, but Dereck, showing immense courage, chased after the buffalo.
"From that harrowing moment—18 seconds after the attack to 18 hours later when Dereck was fighting to keep me alive, and then to three months of hospitalization and nine months of rehabilitation—I realized that such experiences either strengthen your commitment to wildlife and the planet or turn you into a victim.
"I never wanted to be a victim. Thankfully, it only strengthened our resolve to continue protecting wildlife."
A Special Connection
The Jouberts' passion for wildlife is also reflected in their film work. One of their most profound experiences was with a leopard named Lakadema, whom they followed for four years.
“She would greet us every morning, coming up to our vehicle and holding my foot in her mouth,” Dereck recalls.
"We spent 20 minutes there together, which was probably one of the most profound 20 minutes of my life, other than with Beverly."
"I remember at one point, I was out lying on a termite mound, filming her and a lightning storm behind her, and she got up and she came towards me, but then it was too late for me to move back to the vehicle, and she just curled up and lay against my side and lay her against her. This is a wild leopard. We spent 20 minutes there together, which was probably one of the most profound 20 minutes of my life, other than with Beverly."
This deep bond with a wild animal, built over years of trust and respect, is a testament to the Jouberts' unique ability to connect with the natural world.
Future Plans for the Joubert's
Looking to the future, the Joubert's have no intention of slowing down. Their upcoming projects include restoring the famous Shompole Lodge in Kenya and building two new camps in Uganda, focusing on gorilla and chimpanzee conservation.
These projects are driven by their unwavering commitment to conservation and sustainable luxury, ensuring that future generations can experience the wild beauty of Africa just as they have.
In every venture, from building luxurious eco-friendly camps to documenting the lives of Africa’s most majestic creatures, Dereck and Beverly Joubert have shown that it is possible to live in harmony with nature.
Their work is a powerful reminder that conservation and luxury are not mutually exclusive but can, in fact, beautifully coexist.
For more on Mara Toto Tree Camp, visit: https://greatplainsconservation.com/.
More on The Joubert's: https://greatplainsfoundation.com/
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