Safari Life with Bobby-Jo

Epizódok

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  Ep39: Sri Lankan Leopards - Why these cats are different 21.09.2026 28p

  G'day legends!I'm sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean in Kumana National Park, southeast Sri Lanka, with my friend and guide Mevan Piyasena. Mevan's been obsessed with leopards for over 40 years, and after the sightings we've just had (10 leopards in Yala, another six or seven here in Kumana), I can see why. We'll introduce you to a mother leopard called Sankani and her two bold cubs, a notorious tusker named Gamunu who's perfected the art of ambushing cars for food, and a nasty male leopard who chased away six other leopards when he moved into the area! Mevan also tells us about the one leopard encounter that still gets his heart racing after thousands of sightings, why Sri Lankan leopards are the prettiest in the world, and the split second moment that separates an ordinary shot from the one you'll never forget.Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep38: When Your Guest Takes Over! India, Tigers, and Lessons from the Road 25.08.2026 23p

  G'day Honey Badgers!This one's a bit different. I'm sitting in the bar at the Ranthambore Kothi Hotel with a cappuccino in hand, and my guest Caren has completely taken over the podcast. She's running the show, asking me about rutting deer calls, whether human blokes should scream down the street when they're in rut, and what makes a good safari guest. We talk about the early days with Bradd in Dubbo, going independent, and what I've learned along the way. Caren also grills me on where I'm headed next, and I'll be honest, there's a moment toward the end where she says something that caught me completely off guard. 😮Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep37: Ratna's Ripple Effect - How One Woman Is Changing Wildlife Tourism in India 27.07.2026 22p

  G'day legends!I'm sitting on the banks of the Bunja River in Kanha National Park's buffer zone with my good mate Ratna, her partner Wasim, and our honey badgers Caren and Amie. Two days ago, Ratna and Wasim surprised me with access to a dhole (Asian wild dog) den just 1.5 kilometres from the lodge, and I got to sit within 15 metres of four-month-old pups and adults. It's honestly a life highlight! In this episode, we look at how Ratna has been instrumental in training the first batch of women guides in Central India since 2011, and what it really takes to lead on safari as a woman in a male-dominated field. Karen and Amy are asking all the good questions too, from love stories to future plans in lesser-known sanctuaries.Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep36: Snow Leopard Quest in Ladakh - Altitude, Buddhists & Rare Cats 29.06.2026 21p

  G'day Honey Badgers!I'm still in Ladakh in northern India at 3,500 metres above sea level, and I've officially kicked off our snow leopard expedition. Karen Jenkins is here with me, and we're diving straight into the deep end. Yesterday we spent the day exploring the monasteries, learning about Buddhism and the Wheel of Life from our guide Dorje (I've nicknamed him Dorje Cat for reasons you'll understand). We also hung out by the river with some local street dogs, and Karen made such a good impression helping an elderly lady down a massive flight of stairs that I reckon she's earned some serious karma points.Today we're heading up to around 4,500 metres into a valley called Shanglung—which literally means the valley of wolves. Our wildlife expert is out there trying to spot a Eurasian lynx (even rarer than a snow leopard to spot), along with wolves, woolly hares, and golden eagles. The weather is absolutely cracking, and we've got David Bowie pumping as we drive towards the mountains. This is the best start to a day!Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep35: Ladakh Expedition - Buddhism, Wolves, and the Valley of the Rare Lynx 15.06.2026 22p

  G'day Honey Badgers!I'm checking in from Ladakh in northern India at 3,500 metres above sea level, and we've officially kicked off our snow leopard expedition. Yesterday, we spent the day exploring monasteries in Hamath, learning about Buddhism and the Wheel of Life with our guide Dorje (the cat man of Ladakh). My mate Karen even helped an elderly lady down a massive set of stairs, which apparently earns serious karma points.Today we're heading up to around 4,500 to 5,000 metres into Shanglung, the Valley of the Wolves. We're on the lookout for Eurasian lynx (even rarer to spot than snow leopards), wolves, woolly hares, and golden eagles. The weather is perfect, the sky is clear, and Dorje reckons we've got a real chance. Come along as we venture deep into one of the most remote and wild corners of the planet.Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep34: Blackbuck, Wolves & Jungle Cats - Inside Velavadar National Park 01.06.2026 28p

  G'day legends!I'm sitting down on the edge of rural India, fresh off a red-eye from Kilimanjaro with about zero sleep under my belt. Maxine's here with me, and we've just wrapped four incredible safaris in Velavadar Black Buck National Park. This episode is all about what we found there, and mate, it was nothing short of extraordinary.We saw huge herds of blackbuck, watched them stotting and pronking across roads, and got some stunning photos of these gorgeous little antelope mid-flight. But the real magic happened with the predators. We spotted Indian gray wolves, including a male with a fresh kill, and then something I absolutely didn't expect: five wolf puppies with their mother across a lagoon. But that wasn't even the highlight. We also saw jungle cats with kittens, and then came the moment that stopped us dead: a striped hyena. Not once, but twice. Same spot, same time. Our guide knew her routine, and patience paid off in ways I've never experienced before.Now we're headed to Gir National Park on the search for Asiatic lions. I've spent loads of time with lions in captivity and in the African wild, but these ones are something entirely different. Come along as I chase the story of how these lions ended up where they are.Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep33: Dr Dickson Wambura - Tracking a Black Rhino on Foot! 18.05.2026 29p

  I'm sitting down at Ingela's house on the spectacular rim of the Ngorongoro Crater after an absolutely epic week in the African bush. In the episode, you'll meet the ultimate conservation badass, Dr Dickson Wambura, the lead wildlife veterinarian for this incredible landscape, alongside the legendary Kimani from KopeLion. Dickson's journey is one of pure grit, spanning seven years of intense veterinary work right across Africa (from Namibia to the Serengeti) after studying at Sokoine University of Agriculture. He's a true professional who's lost count of how many lions he's immobilised, working tirelessly with the brilliant team at KopeLion to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. From reinforcing community bomas in Kikesio with local guardians to tracking ageing lionesses like Nadine and the elusive Nang'ida in Ndutu, his mission is all about creating a harmonious bridge between the Maasai pastoralists and the predators that roam their borders.But working with Africa's heavyweights means facing down moments that'll make your heart stop. While darting lions is almost second nature to Dickson now, nothing prepares you for the sheer unpredictable danger of a black rhino in the thick bush. He recalls one terrifying operation where he had to step out of the safety of the vehicle and track a massive, injured black rhino completely on foot!If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursThis is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep32: Bomas, Big Cats and Bush Tension with KopeLion 04.05.2026 24p

  I’m back in one of my favourite places on the planet, the Ngorongoro and Ndutu landscape, catching up with Kimani and the brilliant KopeLion team for a few days of bomas, lion monitoring, dust, rain, roaring males and proper bush nerves.We start by visiting a Maasai boma that was built to help protect livestock from predators, and I get to hear first-hand how it has changed life for the family using it. Then we head into Ndutu, where I’m back among lions I’ve followed and photographed for years. In the dark, we sit with two massive males, as their roars shake the vehicle, and I spot my first striped hyena in Ndutu, which was a ridiculous little safari gift.The heart of this episode is Nang’ida, a wild lioness from the Twin Hills Sisters story, as the team prepares to replace her collar. I follow along with Kimani, Ingela, Dennis, Ndolok and Dr Wambura as they locate her, dart her, check her condition and wait for her to wake safely in a landscape full of hyenas and other lions. It was tense, emotional, slightly cheeky, and one of the greatest privileges of my safari life!If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!Come join me! Instagram | Facebook | Safari ToursThis is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep31: What Happens When I’m a Guest on My Own Podcast? 20.04.2026 22p

  This one is a little different! We’re out in the eastern Serengeti at Serenity Camp, with dust on our boots and the plains stretched out around us, and for once I'm the one being interviewed. Tim has pinched the mic, which means you’re getting a behind-the-scenes chat straight from the bush about guiding, photography, conservation, and what safari life really looks like once the engine’s off.Joining us is my long-time Tanzanian guide and dear friend, Firoz, who knows this landscape like the back of his hand. Together we talk about how we each found our way into this life, what still gives us that rush every time we head out on game drive, and why the best safaris are never just about ticking off animals from a list.We get into the things guests don’t always see at first, the pressure guides carry, the trap of chasing the perfect photo, the emotion that catches people off guard, and the way a place like this can quietly rearrange something inside you. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!Wanna come & join me?bobbyjosafaris.com Instagram | Facebook | Safari ToursThis is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep30: Safari First-Timers - An Aussie Farmer In The Serengeti! 06.04.2026 45p

  For this episode, I’m back in the dust and magic of Tanzania (Kilimanjaro to be exact) and buzzing to be back for the start of safari season! I’ve just reunited with my absolute badass of a guide, Firoz, along with a group of Honey Badgers who are fresh off the flight from Australia. It’s a butterfly-inducing moment being back in the bush (especially with the short rains finally starting to stir the landscape) and I can’t wait to see what the Serengeti has in store for us.I’m joined on this adventure by Tim and Mark (two legends I once shared a shipping container with in a frozen Antarctic storm) who’ve brought along Tim’s parents, Max and Valerie. It’s been awesome watching them trade their quiet life in Tasmania for the organised chaos of the Arusha markets and the raw grit of the Ndutu plains. One afternoon in the scrub (just when we thought we’d seen it all) we were watching two massive elephant bulls having a bit of a scrap - and one of them turned his focus directly on us and started a charge!I hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, please leave a review - and share it with your fellow safari lovers!Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursThis is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep29: Safari Survival - The Night a Giraffe Tried to Reshape Our Car 23.03.2026 35p

  I’m sitting down on the edge of the Luangwa River at the iconic Flatdogs Camp, catching up with the absolute legends behind the operation, Jess and Ade. These two are total safari royalty who've spent over three decades dedicated to this wild corner of Zambia. I first met them back in 2017 while working for Conservation South Luangwa, and returning here always feels like coming home. We’re chatting right from the riverbank (with a massive bull elephant literally wandering into camp mid-conversation) about what it’s really like to transition from being wide-eyed zoology students to running one of the most beloved camps in the valley.Together, they’ve evolved Flatdogs from a backpacker’s haunt into a world-class safari destination that remains fiercely committed to conservation and the local community. But life in the bush isn't always sundowners and beers in the pool; Ade shares the heart-stopping story of the night a massive male giraffe decided to charge their vehicle in the dark, and how that terrifying encounter was immediately followed by a sighting so rare it felt like a reward for surviving the night.If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!Come join me! 🦁 ⁠Instagram⁠ | 🐘 ⁠Facebook⁠ | 🦡 ⁠Safari Tours⁠This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep28: Rachel McRobb - From a $150 Start to a Conservation Powerhouse 09.03.2026 34p

  I’m sitting by the Luangwa River at the Flatdogs Camp for a conversation that has been years in the making. Today, I’m joined by a true MVP of the valley, Rachel McRobb. Rachel is the CEO and founder of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), and she’s someone I’ve looked up to for many years. She’s a phenomenal human being who has dedicated the last 25 years to protecting this landscape, and I’m so honoured to finally share her story with you.We talk about the early days of CSL, when the "budget" was just a few hundred dollars cobbled together by tour operators and the team didn’t even have bicycles, let alone vehicles. Rachel shares the grit required to build an organisation that now employs over 145 staff (99% of whom are indigenous Zambians) and manages a multi-million dollar conservation programme. One of my favourite parts of this chat is hearing Rachel describe the first time she ever darted an elephant! It’s a raw, honest look at what it takes to protect wildlife when the stakes are at their highest and there’s no one else to call.Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep27: South Luangwa Skies - Tracking Lions and Vultures from a Tiny Plane 23.02.2026 31p

  In this episode, I'm connecting with you from South Luangwa National Park. I'm heading up in a two-seater 1959 Super Cub to see the valley from a completely different perspective. I sit down with Gareth and Jeremiah from Conservation South Luangwa to talk about the vital role of aerial patrols in protecting this landscape. I haven't seen wild dogs for two years, and spotting a pack with puppies from the air was an incredible highlight. We also talk about the gritty reality of conservation, from identifying poacher tracks and drying racks to the challenges of navigating a tiny plane while trying to get the perfect shot. Later, I catch up with Bob Joe to discuss how they're using solar fences and chili bombs to help local communities coexist with the elephants I'm currently trying to keep away from my house-sitting front door!Come join me! 🦁 Instagram | 🐘 Facebook | 🦡 Safari ToursIf you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review and share it with your fellow safari lovers!This is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep26: BBC Exclusive - A Five Year Secret Revealed! 09.02.2026 34p

  In Part 2 of my chat with Dr. Matt Becker from @zcp_zambia, we're looking at the management challenges, political pressures, and funding hurdles that come with leading a team of 100 people across Zambia's national parks. Matt shares the exclusive details of his five year collaboration with the BBC on a series that tracks the intersecting lives of dogs, lions, hyenas, and leopards. We're also talking about the resilience of individual animals, from the legendary Lady Liuwa to the alpha male Wild Dog 73, and why objective science is the only way to navigate the heated debates surrounding predators.Please feel free to reach out on the socials:Instagram: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo SafarisTo explore my upcoming safaris: bobbyjosafaris.comAnd 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.
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  Ep25: From Kentucky to Luangwa - The Making of a Wildlife Biologist 26.01.2026 34p

  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: @bobbyjosafarisFacebook: Bobby-Jo SafarisTo explore my upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisAnd 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.
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  Ep24: My Nieces Interview Me! (The "Book of Life" & Safari Secrets) 12.01.2026 21p

  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 SafarisAnd to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisIf 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.
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  Ep23: Saving An Elephant Calf Stuck In The Mud! 29.12.2025 23p

  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 SafarisAnd to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisThis is a Podvan Media production.
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  Ep22: The Top Three Highlights from Uganda 15.12.2025 27p

  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 SafarisAnd to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisIf 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.
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  Ep21: What It’s Like to Be Charged by a Silverback! 01.12.2025 40p

  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 SafarisAnd to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisIf 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.
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  Ep20: Surrounded by Screaming Chimps!! 17.11.2025 29p

  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 SafarisAnd to explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo SafarisThis is a Podvan Media production.