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I'm coming to you from the stunning South Luangwa in Zambia, where I've spent the last two weeks with my good friend, Dr. Matthew Becker. Matt is the Director of the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), and he's spent the last 17 years dedicated to the conservation of Africa’s most iconic predators. We're sitting down to talk about the vital work being done across eight Zambian national parks to protect the delicate balance of the ecosystem. You'll hear the raw reality of conservation science, from the way wild dogs use bird-like vocalisations to avoid detection by lions, to the hidden impacts of prey depletion and bushmeat poaching. We also explore Matt's personal journey, from his childhood in Montana to his early research days in Kentucky and Florida. It's a conversation about the power of mentoring, the importance of giving back to nature, and why we must preserve these wild landscapes for future generations. Please feel free to reach out on the socials: Instagram: @bobbyjosafaris Facebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris To explore my upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris And of course, if you enjoy the episode, I'd really love it if you could leave a review, and share it with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

Well Honey Badgers, I'm connecting with you from my lounge room for a very special start to the year. My nieces Layla, Amirah, and Luna have just finished a day at the zoo, but now they're turning the tables to interview me about my life behind the lens. You'll hear their unfiltered questions about my favourite safaris, the time I got stranded in South Africa, and the reality of fear in the wild. We're talking about the thrill of photographing wild dogs, my toughest photographic challenges, and that elusive 20-second Bongo encounter in Kenya. This is a personal conversation about rejecting the standard "Book of Life," finding inspiration in family, and which recent moment meant more to me than any photograph. Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you enjoy the episode, I'd love it if you could leave a review, and share it with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

I'm in South Luangwa, Zambia, specifically in Mfuwe. I've joined forces with Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). We're racing against the clock because an elephant calf has been stuck in the mud for hours, and its mother is pacing nearby, agitated and protective. You'll hear the raw audio from the back of the Land Cruiser as the team executes a high-stakes plan. We have to immobilise the mother to get close enough to the calf. We're talking about a tense darting operation, a mock charge that sent us into reverse, and the physical struggle of trying to pull the calf free! My stomach was full of butterflies the entire time. It's a privilege to witness the skill of the vets and scouts working to save this life. This isn't just a story; it's a documentation of the adrenaline, the risks, and the sheer strength of these animals. If you enjoy the episode, I'd love it if you could leave a review, and share it with your fellow safari lovers! Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris This is a Podvan Media production.

We're drifting through the dense channels of the Mabamba Swamp in Uganda. It's the final leg of our journey and the stakes are high. We're searching for one of the most elusive and prehistoric-looking birds on the planet. We're talking about the Shoebill Stork. You'll hear the raw audio from the boat as we search for one (hoping for a glimpse) only to have the most incredible encounter! We then head to the Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe for a tearful reunion. My guest Maxine reconnects with Sunny (a chimpanzee she cared for years ago) and shares the touching story of seeing her again as an adult. Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you enjoy the episode, I'd love it if you could leave a review, and share it with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

I am back in Uganda, and cannot wait to share this adventure with you. We are starting in Queen Elizabeth National Park and heading straight for the water. In this episode, I take you aboard the best boat cruise I have ever experienced on the Kazinga Channel. We're talking elephants getting uncomfortably close, a hippo with a rare pigmentation condition, and a mongoose with a very questionable haircut. But the real magic happens when we head to Mgahinga National Park for the ultimate encounter. Join me, Will, Anita, and Maxine (who conquered the volcano in her 'helicopter chair') as we trek to the Nyakagezi gorilla group. You'll hear the audio from the exact moment the family surprised us, and the heart-stopping second where Rukundo, the silverback, decided to charge past us like a bowling ball. It's chaotic, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable! Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you enjoy the episode, I'd love it if you could leave a review, and share it with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

I've just landed in Uganda and I am absolutely buzzing! This country is pure magic (they call it the Pearl of Africa for a reason) and this trip is already one for the books.We're on a private safari, and our first major stop is the incredible Kibale National Park. It’s home to my absolute favourite species: the chimpanzee. Before we even got to the chimps, we went on a primate walk through the Bogote Wetlands and saw seven different species... red colobus, black and white colobus (the 'Kiss' monkeys), grey-cheeked mangabeys, and so many more.But the main event was the chimp trek. One of my guests, Maxine, had a knee injury, so we had to organise a special 'African helicopter' (a specially designed chair carried by ten porters) so she wouldn't miss out. It was hilarious, and she was the Queen of Kibale! The trek itself was intense. We were climbing over logs, tracking fresh poo, and then... we found them. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being this close to wild chimpanzees. We had them cross the road right in front of us, watched a female eating a huge fruit, and then, in one heart-stopping moment, the whole troupe started pant-hooting and screaming, brushing right past our legs as they went. My heart was pounding! This is what safari is all about.This episode has everything: adventure, emotion, and the most incredible wildlife sounds you’ll ever hear. If you enjoy it, please leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris This is a Podvan Media production.

This is it. This is the moment we waited over 20 hours for. My heart was pounding, my guests had tears in their eyes, and I was just trying to take it all in. After days of waiting by the river in the Northern Serengeti, we were rewarded with the biggest, most chaotic, and most emotional wildebeest crossing I have ever seen in my life. We're talking tens of thousands of animals plunging into the water, the chaos, the sound, the crocodiles... it was a complete sensory overload. In this episode, I share the raw, in-the-moment reactions from my guests (Mandy, Nancy, Will, and other Honey Badgers) as they try to process the euphoria and even the trauma of witnessing such a powerful life-and-death spectacle. It was simply miraculous. We also reflect on the trip from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, and I take you inside a Maasai boma to sit by the fire with Alanana, who shares his story about the fight to save his family's ancestral land. This episode captures the real highs and lows of safari. It's raw, it's emotional, and it's exactly why I do what I do! Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

What does it really take to witness the great wildebeest crossing? It's not just about luck (though you do need a lot of that). It’s about patience, ethics, and managing high-stakes pressure. This episode, I'm taking you right into the safari vehicle with me and my incredible guide, Firoz, as we drive to the Northern Serengeti. The pressure is on! We talk about the high hopes (and the serious stress) that comes with trying to find a river crossing for our guests. We also get into a really important conversation about safari ethics (especially after that recent incident where guests were out of their cars) and the problems that can be caused by inexperienced guides who buckle under pressure. For us, the animal's welfare always, always comes first. But it wasn't all stress! Firoz explains the emotional "farewell dinner" process when a mother cheetah leaves her young, we battle a punctured tyre, visit a... memorable... hippo pool, and navigate a *very* sketchy ravine crossing (you'll hear the anxiety in my voice). This is the real, unedited safari experience. It’s the mud, the long waits, and the absolute magic of being in the wild. Get in touch via social media: Instagram: @bobbyjosafaris Facebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

After waiting for 24 hours over three full days in the Northern Serengeti, my guests and I were starting to lose hope. Then, on our very last day, we took a chance, drove 45 minutes to a remote crossing point, and were met with the most incredible sight I have ever seen. It was so emotional, my guests were crying, and I definitely shed a tear or two! In this episode, I'm back in Australia catching up with my producer, Rabs, to talk through the highlights of my last three months in Africa. I talk us through my incredible reunion with Rukundo, the mountain gorilla silverback in Uganda, and I share a really personal story about meeting my absolute hero, Jane Goodall, and the surprising things she had to say about David Attenborough! 😳 I'd love to hear from you!Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

Imagine sitting under a tree in the middle of the Tanzanian bush, surrounded by Maasai elders and young warriors. They've just slaughtered a goat, and as the only woman there, I'm trying to absorb the weight of the moment. This isn't just any meeting; they are debating the future of lions in their homeland, and an elder has just asked the most direct question possible: "Do you guys want lions in Ngorongoro or not?" In this episode, the third in our series with the incredible team at KopeLion, I take you into the field for some of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had. We start by tracking a collared lioness with a group of Maasai warriors (who were just as excited as I was to see her climb a tree!), but the real heart of this story is the community meeting I was privileged to witness. I sit down with KopeLion co-founder, William Ole Seki, an inspiring Maasai leader who talks us through the complexities of human-wildlife coexistence. He shares the powerful story of a young warrior who was mauled by a lion but now fiercely advocates for their protection. It’s an unbelievable story of forgiveness and understanding. We also get to meet some of the other unsung heroes of the team, like Lillian, the outreach officer changing young minds, and the mechanic who keeps the whole operation moving on some of the toughest roads in Africa! If you enjoy the episode, would you mind giving it a quick review or rating? I love reading your comments as well! To get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris This is a Podvan Media production.

In this episode, I’m on the ground in Ngorongoro with the KopeLion team, and I walk into a situation that just completely blows my mind. I was heading into a Maasai Boma to take a portrait of one of the Ilchokuti (the lion guardians), when I was told I couldn't go in because his wife had literally just given birth inside their tiny home moments before! No doctors, no hospital, just the traditional midwives of the village. I was utterly blown away! From there, I head off with the team that are treating some injured livestock, and you will not believe what was attacking them and biting their tails clean off - to have as an afternoon snack! Join me as I spend the day with these incredible guardians, hearing their stories (with the help of my brilliant translator and friend, Kimani), and documenting the vital work they do to protect their communities and the lions they live alongside. Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

It’s a brutal catch-22 in conservation: what happens when lion numbers start to grow? The conflict with the local community often grows with them. Tragically, in Ngorongoro, a recent increase in lions attacking livestock has led to more retaliation killings, and it’s an incredibly challenging time on the ground. In this episode, I’m back at Mama Simba’s and I get to introduce you to someone very special. Ololotu Munka is the Executive Director of Kope Lion, and he also happens to be my new boss! His story is genuinely inspiring. He applied for a job with the organisation years ago and wasn’t successful, but his passion for conservation and his community drove him to try again, and now he’s leading the entire team! Ololotu talks us through the huge challenges the Kope Lion team is facing right now. He explains how they get information when a lion is killed, how they use GPS collars on ‘problem’ lions to prevent attacks, and the incredible work the Ilchokuti do on the ground to find and treat hundreds of livestock attacked by predators. It’s a raw and honest look at the front line of human-wildlife conflict. Get in touch via social media:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

OK, before I get to how I just got chased by a lion... I've gotta say, I was so angry and sad when I saw some footage online recently. Dozens of tourists had gotten out of their vehicles at the Mara River crossing on the Serengeti side, some standing on the roofs of their cars, others sitting right on the riverbank. This is completely illegal and incredibly dangerous, and it was all happening as a huge herd of wildebeest were attempting one of the most stressful moments of their lives. In this episode, I talk you through the chaos that unfolded and what I think needs to be done to protect these animals from this kind of tourist pressure. I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming these crossings are for the wildebeest (I’ve cried while taking photos of calves being forced over cliffs), and we really need to talk about how to manage these sightings better, from permits and fines to the responsibilities of the guides. But it's not all frustration out here! I also share one of the most wholesome and beautiful sightings I've had in a long time. By sitting patiently and giving them space, I was rewarded with an intimate view into the world of a black-backed jackal family and their tiny, brand-new puppies. It’s a perfect reminder that when you sit back and respect the animal's space, you get to witness the most incredible natural behaviour. Plus, I’ll tell you about the hippo I spotted doing a hilarious ‘walk of shame’ and I finish with the story of how I just got chased by a lion!!! I'd love to connect with you via social media! Instagram: @bobbyjosafaris Facebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And if you'd like to explore my upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love these stories, please leave a review, and share the podcast with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

Well, being completely on my own in a tiny, doorless vehicle when a heavily pregnant leopard decides to walk right past is a feeling I’ll never forget! I finally tracked down my first leopard of the trip, the incredible Ndoto, and the experience was sensational. She was so confident, parading between the cars, and the thrill (and slight heebie-jeebies) of having her so close while I was in a completely open vehicle was next level. In this episode, I share that heart-pounding story, and the bizarre one that followed. I came across one of the strangest things I've ever seen in the wild: a huge bull giraffe, dead, but standing perfectly upright with its head wedged in a tree. I talk you through my theory on what happened and the incredible scenes that unfolded afterwards. Plus, I share the absolute joy of finding my very own lions, calling the sighting in on the radio like a proper guide, and giving you a few of my go-to photography tips for capturing that perfect sunrise on the plains. Get in touch via social media: Instagram: @bobbyjosafaris Facebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.

Well, I just had quite a big scare! My heart's still racing! Tonight, from in my tent, I spotted a VERY close Cape Buffalo! He was so close I just thought, ‘OK, this is how it ends. I get cleaned up by a buffalo’. In this episode, I’m reporting from my first week back in Kenya, and it’s been an absolutely wild start! When I’m not teaching photography, I get to take my own little Suzuki out on solo adventures, tracking the magnificent tusker elephant Fred and having some truly spectacular encounters with giraffes in a storm. But the biggest thrill (and shock) has been a certain buffalo who seems to be making a habit of waiting for me in the dark. I also sit down with some of the incredible people I’ve met in camp. You'll hear from Abby, a 19-year-old intern who reveals what it’s like to grow up on a game reserve with a very unusual pet. Then, you'll feel the rush of a first-time safari through the eyes of 14-year-old Archie, who witnesses a dramatic life-and-death struggle between lions and hyenas on his first-ever night drive. It’s been a crazy week and this is only the beginning! Get in touch via social media: Instagram: @bobbyjosafaris Facebook: Bobby-Jo Safaris And to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers! This is a Podvan Media production.