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local councillors were more supportive and overturned the planners’ decision. It was two years and quite a battle to get the permanent cottage, so that’s how the idea for the world’s first straw bale caravan was born – the straw bale cabin is actually built on wheels so that we could get temporary permission and move it if necessary! The planners’ main objection was ‘unsustainable location’. They said holidaymakers would not use the fantastic little railway station, a mile away. But they didn’t know about responsible travellers! Many of our bookings come through responsibletravel.com and a high proportion either arrive by train or use the train for day trips into Hull or York. My whole family was involved in constructing the cottages – I’m very grateful and proud of them all What makes it so good?
Quiet country location, super insulated straw bale walls, natural materials throughout creating a very special feel. It’s looked after by me (I take bookings, do the cleaning, wash the organic bedding, collect from the station, get in provisions from the local town etc) What is your travel philosophy?
You can’t beat personal service and local knowledge!
The hero
Will Bolsover, 33, from Brighton The project World Primate Safaris and World Big Cat Safaris – Ex-safari guides with expert knowledge. www.worldbigcatsafaris.com www.worldprimatesafaris.com How did it all begin?
My first visit to Africa was when I was 18 and I went out to do some teaching on my gap year. I was immediately fascinated by the place and the contrasts of life that I encountered. Returning to the UK I decided to change my degree to French with African and Asian Studies. From here I went into guiding/tour leading and focused on Africa as my area of speciality. After a couple of years of guiding I worked for another tour operator and then decided that my interests lay in responsible, eco-friendly, specialist niche travel. For that reason I decided to set up World Primate Safaris (five years ago) and then shortly afterwards, World Big Cat Safaris. How did it come together?
With a lot of hard work and support from friends and family! World Primate Safaris started (as I think most tour operators started) in a damp basement
on one laptop in Shepherd’s Bush! My specific destination knowledge and experience from guiding has definitely assisted me in structuring what is a unique product in a busy market place. There is no getting away from the fact that living in and understanding a destination makes a huge difference as to how you sell it at the end of the day. Securing a consumer protection licence was a real struggle at first. They require a history of your accounts when you have not even started trading yet – confusing! And I honestly don’t think we would exist if it was not for the internet. In the old days we would have had to do all of our advertising through the broadsheets, magazines, etc which would have been very expensive. What makes it so good?
Huff and puff all you like, but you won’t blow this straw house down!
We are very niche. Our products do what they say on the tin. Our client base is growing because they trust what we say and we put them in the right place at the right time in order to maximise their wildlife viewing
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