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.

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This is a Podvan Media production.