Between the Baobabs

Few birds capture the magic of an African safari quite like the Lilac-breasted Roller. With its dazzling colours and breathtaking aerial displays, it's one of the continent's most iconic birds—but there's far more to this feathered masterpiece than meets the eye.

In this episode of Between the Baobabs, we dive into the fascinating world of the Lilac-breasted Roller. Discover the meaning behind its scientific name, why it's called a "roller," the clever adaptations that make it such an effective hunter, and the remarkable myths and stories that have surrounded it for generations.

Whether you're a seasoned safari guide, a passionate birder, or simply someone who loves the African bush, this episode will leave you looking at one of Africa's most photographed birds in a whole new light.

So sit back, listen in, and let's wander Between the Baobabs.

They don't roar, trumpet, or announce their arrival. In fact, if you ever see a pangolin in the wild, consider yourself incredibly lucky—they're one of Africa's most elusive and extraordinary mammals.

In this episode of Between the Baobabs, I take you into the fascinating world of pangolins. We'll explore their unique adaptations, incredible armour, surprisingly long tongues, and the vital role they play in keeping ecosystems healthy. We'll also uncover why these gentle creatures are the world's most trafficked mammals and what is being done to protect them.

Whether you're a seasoned safari-goer, an aspiring guide, or simply someone who loves wildlife, this episode is packed with fascinating facts, conservation insights, and a few stories that might just make you fall in love with these remarkable animals.

So settle in, and let's discover why the quietest creatures in the bush often have the most incredible stories to tell.

🌿 Between the Baobabs — where every species has a story

There's a tree standing in the middle of Kabwe that's older than the town itself, printed on your 100 Kwacha note, and still treated as sacred ground by the people who gather under it.

Before we get into the tree, we catch up - Anna shares the happy news that Lucy, the famous Luangwa leopard everyone feared had been taken by a crocodile, is alive and well, plus her first-ever eperince spotting on a night drive. Ceska checks in with an update from her Italy road trip.

Then we cover:

• How the Zambezi fig grows - starting life as a strangler wrapped around another tree entirely
• Why this fig depends on one tiny species of wasp to survive, and vice versa
• The Mukuyu tree in Kabwe - national monument, marketplace, meeting point, and the reason it's on your money
• Sacred fig trees across Africa - from Kenya's ancestor-spirit mugumo to the Zulu fertility rites under the umKhiwane

This week we sat down with Kelvin Zulu - professional safari guide, born and raised in the Luangwa Valley, and the kind of person who makes you realise how much you still don't know about the bush. Kelvin is proudly Bisa, with deep roots in the communities surrounding South Luangwa, and has spent his life turning the wilderness into a classroom for visitors from around the world.

• His funniest and most memorable animal encounters from years in the field
• The wildlife knowledge that only comes from a lifetime in the bush
• And why, according to Kelvin, you can spend two minutes watching baboons without having a question that has no answer 🐒

If you've ever been lucky enough to have Kelvin as your guide, you'll know exactly why!

South Luangwa is called the Valley of the Leopard for a reason - and in this episode, we get into exactly why.

We cover:

• How leopards hunt, hide, and haul prey up trees
• The legends of Luangwa - famous individual leopards that have made this valley iconic
• Our favourite leopard sightings from the bush
• Story about how the leopard got its spots
• The conservation picture

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We kick off with a casual catch-up - cats on rollercoasters, German sauna etiquette, and the surprisingly compelling case for nudity being the hygienic choice. Then we get into it.

Francesca and Joschka got married twice: a civil Standesamt ceremony in Germany (where Francesca signed her birth date instead of her birth name on the marriage contract) and the main event - a bush wedding in Zambia's Luangwa Valley. Anna was there as bridesmaid and lived to tell the tale, including the getting-ready photo that looks like dreamy morning mist but was actually Anna's ear on fire. She calls it a "full flame grill."

We talk through the planning - wrangling 70 guests across multiple lodges, coordinating a Malawian Bishop through Catholic bureaucracy for his first ever wedding outside of Malawi, and the logistics of getting everyone to the ceremony before it got too hot. We also talk about the things that didn't go to plan and worked out better for it.

Oh, and a surprise first look where Byron showed up to Joschka's tent in a wedding dress instead of the bride. And then the elephants arrived, uninvited, and absolutely the highlight of the ceremony.

In this episode, we turn our attention to the saddle-billed stork - Africa’s tallest stork and one of its most eye-catching wetland residents. From its massive wingspan to its surprisingly precise hunting style, we unpack what makes this bird such a standout.

We get into some impressive fish-handling skills, its long-term pair bonds, and a few behaviours that might be more relatable than you’d expect. Along the way, we also clear up how to tell males and females apart - hint: it’s all in the eyes.

Our “Two Truths and a Lie” segment takes a twist this time, with a round where everything sounds suspicious… for good reason. Plus, we explore an African myth tied to the saddle-billed stork, adding a cultural lens to this fascinating species.

To wrap things up, we answer a listener request with a slightly questionable attempt at imitating a fish eagle call - so stick around for that.

This week on Between the Baobabs, we’re joined by a very special guest - Ceska’s husband, Joschka - who finally tells his side of their proposal story. What sounds simple on paper quickly turns into something far more chaotic (and honestly, much more entertaining).

We go back to how they first met, and then get into the proposal itself - set in the middle of the Zambian bush, complicated by the small detail of suddenly not having a vehicle. Add in some serious timekeeping stress, and it’s safe to say things didn’t go exactly to plan.

Along the way, we catch up on what life’s been throwing at us lately and share a few moments that feel very on-brand - somewhere between heartfelt and slightly ridiculous.

It’s a fun one: a bit messy, very real, and probably closer to how these things actually happen than the polished version you usually hear.

In this episode of Between the Baobabs, we’re diving into the world of the African Fish Eagle - one of the most iconic sounds of the African wilderness.

We explore why this powerful bird is Zambia’s national symbol, how its unmistakable call is woven into everyday life, and the surprising truth about its diet (hint: it’s not just fish). We also share personal stories from the Luangwa Valley and Lake Malawi, where watching a fish eagle swoop down to catch its prey is nothing short of unforgettable.

Plus, as always, we start with a cozy catch-up - this time from Anna back in Camp, and Ceska's week spent in France filled with pastries, seaside meals, and a very special piece of art that made its way back home with us.

So grab a glass of something good, get comfy, and come hang out with us under the baobabs 🌿

Baobabs are some of the most iconic trees in the African landscape - so familiar that it’s easy to take them for granted. But if you actually stop and look at them, you’ll realise they’re some of the most unusual and fascinating trees on Earth.

In this episode, we talk about the strange and surprising world of baobabs: from why they look like they’re growing upside down, to how they can store massive amounts of water and live for over a thousand years. We also explore how people have used them over time - for food, shelter, and even, in some cases, as prisons - along with the legends and cultural stories that surround them.

And of course, we finish with our usual round of Two Truths and a Lie.