Veteran of the Wild, Shaping Your Safari
Founded in 2024, One Niner Expeditions blends years of wildlife conservation with a passion for adventure. Our story began in 2016, when founder Joshua volunteered in an anti-poaching unit in South Africa, a life-changing experience that deepened his commitment to protecting Africa’s wild places.
As a U.S. veteran-owned business, we specialize in crafting personalized safaris that connect you with the wild like never before. Every journey is tailored to reflect your unique interests, offering an unforgettable experience deep in the heart of Africa.
We partner exclusively with highly qualified guides we’ve personally worked with and trusted professionals who live and breathe the bush. Every lodge and location we choose is rooted in authentic, boots-on-the-ground wildlife conservation. This ensures that your safari not only delivers world-class adventure, but also supports the long-term protection of Africa’s ecosystems.
Meet the team
Meet Joshua Lawes
At 18 years old, Joshua left his hometown of San Diego, California, and traveled to South Africa to volunteer with an anti-poaching unit in the Greater Kruger region. After years on and off patrolling game reserves, learning to track dangerous game, and living with the land, he developed a deep respect for African culture, wildlife, and traditional bushcraft.
In 2019, Joshua joined the U.S. Army as an infantryman and was assigned to the 3-509th Infantry Airborne Battalion in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2023, he returned to Africa to continue his passion for wildlife conservation. This time in the eastern Kafue region of Zambia, living alongside and protecting wildlife along the Lunga and Kafue River systems.
Driven by a desire to share his love for Africa and its wild spaces, Joshua founded One Niner Expeditions in 2024. Through immersive safaris, he connects travelers to Africa’s landscapes, cultures, and wildlife while promoting education around conservation and the vital relationship between people and the natural world.
Meet Jack Lawes
Jack is more than just our in-house filmmaker, he’s family. A seasoned cinematographer and documentary storyteller, Jack has captured life in some of the planet’s most remote and breathtaking places, from Greenland’s frozen wilderness to Indonesia’s underwater worlds.
With a deep respect for nature and narrative, Jack brings a personal touch to every frame. He’s the creative force behind all the films you see on our website, handling everything from shooting to editing. While he doesn’t join every expedition, Jack is available to accompany your safari as a dedicated filmmaker, creating a bespoke cinematic record of your journey.
His work has featured in projects for British Airways, The Independent, and The Guardian. When you travel with One Niner Expeditions, Jack can craft a one-of-a-kind film of your adventure. Told with the same care and passion we bring to every journey.
PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES
Transfrontier Africa
Transfrontier Africa is a leading conservation organization protecting wildlife and supporting community-based initiatives in South Africa. As founders of the Black Mambas, Africa’s first all-female anti-poaching unit, they’re redefining conservation through empowerment and action. Through our partnership, guests can join a Conservation Safari that directly supports their work.
Wayne Parker Art
A Cape Town based wildlife artist whose architectural background and passion for conservation bring technical precision and deep sensitivity to works that capture the emotion and essence of Africa’s wild places. Through our partnership, guests can commission custom artwork inspired by their safari experience. Unique creations that serve as lasting memories of their time in the wild.
Leopard's Bend Wildlife Foundation
The Leopard’s Bend Wildlife Foundation is a South African non-profit founded in 2019 by Garth Wolff to protect endangered species within the Blue Canyon Private Game Reserve in Hoedspruit. Through our partnership, guests experience this remarkable landscape on immersive safaris that directly support its continued protection.
Kim McLeod
Kim leads photographic safaris in Botswana, guiding guests to capture the beauty and wonder of Africa’s wild landscapes. With nearly two decades of experience, she helps travelers develop their photography skills while creating unforgettable memories in the African bush through our immersive partnership.
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