Boyd Varty

Boyd Varty is a South African wildlife conservationist, lion tracker, author, and certified master life coach whose work connects the traditions of the African wilderness with the complexities of modern living. Varty grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in the South African wilderness, an area transformed into a nature reserve by his father and uncle, early leaders in the restoration movement. From a young age, local Shangaan trackers taught Varty the art of tracking, shaping his worldview and career. After Nelson Mandela was released from prison, he spent time recovering at the reserve, highlighting the restorative qualities of the land Varty calls home.

Varty's education extends beyond the bush. He studied psychology and ecology at the University of South Africa, trained in martial arts in Thailand, trekked through the Amazon, and apprenticed with a Peruvian shaman. He has survived encounters with a black mamba, malaria, and a crocodile attack, experiences that deepened his understanding of resilience and the human relationship with nature. These challenges inform his philosophy that the natural world offers valuable lessons for navigating uncertainty.

Varty is the author of "Cathedral of the Wild" and "The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life." "Cathedral of the Wild" is a memoir about growing up in the African bush and his connection to wildlife, while "The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life" explores how tracking can help individuals identify the elements of a meaningful life. His work has been featured in The New York Times and on NBC, and he has shared his philosophy of tracking with individuals and organizations globally.

Through the Good Work Foundation, Varty, a fourth-generation custodian of Londolozi Game Reserve, promotes a psychology of restoration. The foundation provides environmental, English, and computer education to local communities, supporting a sustainable model for conservation. Varty has advocated for the restoration of elephant corridors and supported the creation of additional learning centers in South Africa. As a TED speaker, his talk on Nelson Mandela has reached a wide audience, establishing him as a storyteller and advocate for conservation and human connection. Varty is also the founder of Track Your Life, a philosophy and storytelling practice that uses tracking to help people navigate uncertainty in the modern world.