For Craig Mitchell, fatherhood and conservation are not separate paths, but one shared journey through Africa’s wild spaces.
A Durban North-based conservation advocate, qualified nature guide and African philanthropist, Craig Mitchell has built a life around storytelling, wildlife protection and immersive outdoor experiences. Through his publication, KhakiBush Magazine, he shares Africa’s landscapes, conservation challenges and travel experiences with a growing audience of adventurers and eco-travellers.
But behind the magazine, the expeditions and the conservation projects, is a deeply personal story, one rooted in family, legacy and a lifelong connection to the bush.
Craig’s love for wildlife began in childhood, shaped by camping trips, fishing with his father and grandfather, and early experiences of caring for injured animals, even adopting farm animals into his family garden. Those early moments of curiosity and care slowly evolved into something much deeper, a lifelong responsibility he would eventually build his world around.
A defining chapter came later at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where time spent in one of Africa’s oldest reserves cemented his connection to conservation and the natural world. It was there that the bush stopped being a backdrop and became a calling.
Today, that passion has evolved into KhakiBush Magazine, a free outdoor digital publication focused on adventure, travel, conservation and community upliftment.
Originally conceived in 2005 as a tour operator idea, the concept was shelved while Craig focused on family life and property development. It was only during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a difficult personal financial setback, that the idea was revived.
Reaching out to lodges and photographers to share their work, Craig unintentionally launched what would become a full digital magazine.
“KhakiBush exists to celebrate Africa’s people, wildlife and destinations,” he explains, “while highlighting both the beauty of the continent and the challenges it faces.”
For Craig, conservation is not a distant concept, but a responsibility to future generations.
“It’s about leaving behind a legacy, ensuring that my great-grandchildren can still experience Africa as it is today,” he says. “Hopefully even seeing rhinos in the wild with their horns intact.”
That sense of urgency runs through his work, from promoting eco-tourism experiences to highlighting hands-on conservation efforts such as rhino orphan care, elephant interactions, turtle rehabilitation projects and community-based programmes across KwaZulu-Natal.
He believes tourism plays a far greater role in conservation than many realise, not only by visiting reserves, but by ensuring those experiences directly support ethical projects that fund meaningful work on the ground.
He also points to a reality that is often overlooked: conservation is not always well-funded or far removed from daily life. Many organisations survive through determination and fundraising efforts led by people working within the sector itself.
Even more misunderstood, he says, is the idea that conservation only exists in remote wilderness areas. “Wildlife is all around us,” Craig explains. From bushbuck in suburban pockets to bush pigs, genets and bush babies near Durban, he believes conservation begins in the spaces we live in, not just far-off reserves.
Craig’s approach to guiding and conservation is deeply immersive. As a qualified nature guide, he often leads small, select groups on primitive camping experiences inside Big Five reserves, sleeping under the stars for days at a time, without tents.
“It’s about connection,” he says. “To the land, to the wildlife, and to yourself.”
Some of his most meaningful conservation experiences are not defined by a single moment, but by repetition, the confronting reality of rhino poaching and loss in the wild.
“I’ve seen more dead rhinos than I can count,” he reflects. “You can’t ignore that. It compels you to act.”
At the centre of Craig’s world are his two daughters, Jordy, 16, and Riley, 12, and his wife, Candice.
Fatherhood, he says, has fundamentally changed him.
“It has grounded me. It’s made me more patient, more present, and more aware of what truly matters.”
Rather than separating work and family life, Craig integrates the two. His daughters often travel with him, experiencing wildlife, conservation projects and outdoor adventures first-hand.
Weekends are often spent at the beach, where surfing, lifesaving and paddleboarding have become a shared family rhythm. “We’ve built a life outdoors,” he says. “Those moments together mean everything.”
He speaks with pride about both daughters, describing Jordy as persistent and driven, and Riley as confident, warm and naturally social.
“They inspire me daily,” he says. “Not just in what they achieve, but in how they show up in the world.”
Craig’s conservation journey has also brought him into close contact with some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences. Among them is Bayete Zulu’s elephant interaction programme, where he first met Rambo, a gentle bull elephant known for his calm nature, intelligence and deep connection with his handlers.
Rambo, he says, represents everything he believes conservation should be … respectful, ethical and rooted in understanding rather than control.
“That bond between people and animals is something you don’t forget,” he reflects. “It stays with you.”
He also supports rhino orphan conservation efforts through the Zululand Conservation Trust, where his daughters have become actively involved in hands-on work.
One experience stands out above all others, a day spent at a rhino orphanage that left a lasting mark on the entire family.
“They came back exhausted, covered in dirt and smelling absolutely terrible after hours of shovelling rhino poo, but they could not stop smiling and were completely fascinated by everything they had learned,” he recalls. “More than anything, they came back changed. It was a perfect example of how hands-on conservation can inspire passion, empathy and a real connection to wildlife.”
For Craig, those moments matter just as much as any safari or expedition. They are where understanding becomes personal.
Legacy, he says, is not measured in titles or achievements, but in values passed on.
He hopes his daughters carry forward compassion, empathy and respect, both for people and wildlife, regardless of background or status.
“I want them to know that true leadership is about standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves,” he says.
Above all, he hopes they remember a life lived with purpose, passion and presence.
“I try to show them that happiness comes from doing what you love, and living in a way that feels meaningful.”
With new KhakiBush projects in development, including an upcoming app, conservation storytelling initiatives for rural schools and major outdoor expos, Craig continues to expand his impact across Africa’s conservation and tourism landscape.
But despite the scale of the work, his focus remains deeply personal.
“It all comes back to family,” he says. “That is the real legacy.”
Fatherhood and life lessons
Craig shares some of his top tips when it comes to being a present father.
Be present in the small moments, not just the big milestones
Encourage curiosity and allow children to explore and make mistakes
Make time for shared adventures and family traditions
Show consistent love, support and belief in your children
On raising children who care about the world:
Lead by example through actions, not words.
Let children experience nature, wildlife and real environments, and involve them in meaningful actions that support people and the planet.
On balance:
Balance comes from living a life you love, while staying fully connected to your family wherever possible.
One message to his daughters in years to come:
“I tried my best, I had fun, and I hope I showed you how to live with respect, love and integrity.”
Details: khakibush.com
