For Lesley Armstrong, founder of Beating Hearts Encounters (BHE), every journey begins with a heartbeat, the thrill of discovery, the reverence for nature, and the pulse of connection between people and place. Her path has been shaped by a lifetime of exploration, a passion for wildlife conservation, and a deep respect for the world’s most remote and resilient cultures.

“I have always felt most alive standing in the presence of wild creatures,” Lesley shares. “There is an energy in Africa that stirs something ancient within you, something that reminds you of our shared responsibility to protect what’s precious.”

Before launching her concierge travel company, Lesley spent years teaching kindergarten, nurturing her students’ curiosity about the natural world. Through classroom ‘safaris’ and lessons in caring for the planet, she sparked wonder in young minds. That calling, to teach compassion through encounter, never left her. It simply evolved. In 1986, Lesley met 8-year-old Nicholas Stone, a curious, charismatic young man who was captivated by Lesley’s global adventures and animal encounters. He always had a list of questions, and they would talk for hours about endangered species, isolated tribes, and villages she had explored.  They went on to visit aquariums, watch IMAX movies, and would repeatedly visit both Dallas’ and Fort Worth’s zoos. The gorilla exhibit was a definite favorite for both of them.

The defining moment came in 2019 on a Volcano top in Rwanda, where Lesley sat quietly among the legendary mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Gifted the experience by that very same Nick Stone, who was now Director of Wilderness, a leading luxury ecotourism company, she felt her heart pounding with a mix of awe and clarity.

“It was more than a trip,” she recalls. “It was life-changing. Sitting so close to those majestic gorillas, I felt the beginning of something much larger than myself.”

That moment gave birth to Beating Hearts Encounters, a bespoke travel company devoted to immersive, conservation-minded African adventures. With encouragement and partnership from Stone and Wilderness CEO Keith Vincent, both of whom flew to Dallas from Zimbabwe and San Diego for her launch, Lesley began designing journeys that unite travelers with Africa’s wild soul. Today, Lesley and Nick still spend hours talking and traveling together to remote areas and continue to share their passion for endangered animals and a commitment to educating the children across Africa, who are the continent’s future custodians.

Today, BHE curates experiences that go beyond traditional safaris. Each itinerary is deeply personal, designed for travelers seeking to see, feel, and understand Africa. Lesley’s extensive “boots-on-the-ground” experience, having visited over 50 camps and lodges repeatedly, across eight African countries, ensures every trip is seamless and extraordinary.

Clients might find themselves drifting above the plains in a hot air balloon, gliding through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, or sharing stories with villagers who have lived in harmony with the land for generations. Lesley’s relationships with local guides, lodge managers, and conservationists infuse her journeys with trust and authenticity.

“My clients aren’t just travelers,” she says. “They are guests of Africa, and of the lifelong friends I’ve made across the continent. I match them with guides who reflect their personalities. By the end of the trip, they feel like family.”

BHE’s tagline, “Trips Built on Trust,” reflects Lesley’s commitment not only to her clients but to the people and wildlife of Africa. A portion of every booking supports Children in the Wilderness, a program that fosters leadership and conservation education in rural communities.

“I’ve always believed education is the key to lasting change,” Lesley says. “Supporting this program in honor of my clients allows me to keep teaching, even from across the ocean.”

(You can read more about ‘Children In The Wilderness’ at  www.childreninthewilderness.com).

Lesley continues to visit African schools, clinics, and villages on every trip, reinforcing her dedication to community engagement and environmental stewardship. These visits, she says, “remind me why this work matters, and inspire me to keep giving back.  

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to send so many of my past Kindergarten students out on their very own real-life safaris. Next month, four Kindergarten siblings, their parents, and grandparents will be experiencing Botswana and South Africa.  

The multigenerational trips are another favorite. Last year, a 3-generational family of 20 set out for an epic African adventure, two years in the making.  On their return, Grandma was eager to share the photo book her family gifted her, still moved by the emotion of a precious family time.  

“There is no better way to spend time and money than on making family memories that they will remember  for generations to come!” 

For those seeking something more than a vacation, for those drawn to experiences that move the spirit and expand the heart, Beating Hearts Encounters offers a passage into the soul of Africa. Each journey is crafted with care, trust, and an understanding that travel, at its best, transforms both the traveler and the world they touch.

To begin your adventure with Beating Hearts Encounters, visit bhetravel.com or email lesley@beatingheartsencounters.com. You can also call 214-549-5007 to meet with Lesley in person or connect on Facebook at @Beating Hearts Encounters.