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.

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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!
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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!

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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.

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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:
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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!

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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!
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Bobby-Jo Safaris

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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:
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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:
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If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers!

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In this episode, I’m coming to you from one of the most incredible trips of my life.

It's my maiden voyage through Sri Lanka with six brilliant Honey Badgers by my side. From bogged safari vehicles and thunderstorms to magical moments like releasing baby turtles into the ocean, this adventure had it all!

I’ll take you inside the wild parks of Yala, Kumana, and Wilpattu, where we searched high and low for Sri Lanka’s leopards, dodged crocs while driving over a lake, and photographed some of the most stunning birdlife I’ve ever seen. You’ll also hear about the unforgettable characters (human and animal!) we met along the way - including a flamboyant jungle fowl that stole the show. 🐔😂

Plus, you’ll get the lowdown on the elephants that act as roadside toll collectors and the hilarious, hair-raising moments that made this trip one I’ll never forget!

Get in touch via social media:

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💬 If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review, and share with your fellow safari lovers!

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What is it like to run a lodge on the edge of tiger country, train over two thousand wildlife guides and share your backyard with big cats? Just ask Ratna Singh, India’s very own superwoman.

In this episode I am recording right on the pool deck at our beautiful base inside Kanha National Park. There are candles flickering, owls calling and the forest is only metres away, perfect for a chat with Ratna, who is one of the most inspiring women I know.

We talk about

• Her wild childhood growing up alongside tigers in Bandhavgarh

• The leap from a career in law and the UN to tracking big cats for a living

• Being the first and only female guide in several parks across India

• What makes Indian safaris so unique and why tracking here keeps you sharp

• How India is leading the way with conservation and how we can all help

There are tiger tales, leopard close calls and the magic of seeing nature through new eyes. Ratna is living proof that following your instincts can change your life and protect the wild places we all love.

📸 Follow along on social media

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✈️ Explore upcoming safaris: Bobby-Jo Safaris

💬 If you love wild stories, hit play, leave a review and share with your fellow safari lovers!

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