Julian Matthews
Founder of Discovery & Non Executive Director
With a passion for wildlife, a love of wilderness travel and a deep seated belief that wildlife tourism should do more to save the very wildlife it enjoys, I founded Discovery Initiatives (now Steppes Discovery) in 1996. Since then the company has grown to cover over 40 wilderness destinations across all seven continents and has funded over 30 separate conservation projects and wildlife agencies with close to £1m in support. Furthermore our trips inspire hundreds of nature lovers to become passionate wildlife advocates for a host of causes. I have travelled to most of these destinations in search of passionate individuals, ethical companies and wildlife causes that I feel deserved our travel business, financial support and encouragement.
As a pioneer in responsible tourism I have been interviewed on both TV and radio, and lectured at conferences and trade fairs on conservation, wildlife and responsible tourism across the globe, from Barcelona to Sulawesi, South Africa and Sri Lanka. In addition, I have written articles for numerous publications including The Times, Geographical, BBC Wildlife and the Guardian. In my spare time I run my own charitable organisation called Travel Operators for Tigers, to support India’s efforts to save tigers more comprehensively through better wildlife tourism.
What has been your favourite travel experience?
I always feel at home in wild lands wherever they are.
The best hotel/lodge that you have stayed in?
I never go to a place because of the lodge. I am more interested in what experiences a place can show me than the size of their shower heads.
What has been your most remote travel experience?
The Eastern Steppes of Mongolia. In 2,500 miles of travel, we met two other cars, a drunken motorcyclist, a camel caravan and tens of thousands of Mongolian Gazelle.
Most embarrassing travel experience?
Having a crowd of Indian’s watch my daily ablutions.
Your one luxury when you travel?
My feather pillow.
What’s your best piece of travel advice?
Always wear a hat - for cold and heat.
Where you would like to visit next and why?
I like going back to places I have been before. They just get more interesting each time.