The Wild Eye Podcast

At just 10 years old, Jamie Smart has already achieved something most wildlife photographers only dream of - being crowned Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum in London.

But beyond the award itself lies something even more special: the way Jamie sees the natural world. In this conversation, we explore the curiosity, patience, and quiet observation behind her photography, as well as the moments that first sparked her love for wildlife.

From early experiences in nature to standing on one of the biggest wildlife photography stages in the world, Jamie shares what it feels like to tell stories through a lens at such a young age, and why young voices matter so much in conservation storytelling.

We also reflect on the powerful image of Jamie standing alongside legendary wildlife photographer Wim van der Heever - a moment that felt especially meaningful to me, knowing Wim’s son Juan has become a close friend of mine.

This is a conversation about wonder, creativity, and seeing the wild with fresh eyes.

Join Donovan and Johan as they chat about Don's recently concluded private guided safari to this incredible Zambian National Park.

Start something beautiful - www.wild-eye.com

Danny sits down with Gerry to chat about his epic journey across the frozen wilderness of Greenland. Find out exactly how this multi-week expedition went and what Gerry is up to next!

Start something beautiful - https://wild-eye.com/

Perhaps the most northern podcast you will have heard this year!

Join Gerry, Andrew, Beau and Christian from the bridge of the mighty M/S Stockholm from the remote and wild waters or Svalbard. This fascinating chat will transport right onto the ice pack.

Start Something Beautiful - https://wild-eye.com/

Join the next photo expedition - https://wild-eye.com/photographic-travel/svalbard-arctic-expedition/

Danny and Johan sit down to chat about one of our recent photo safari to Kenya! This one was all about the famous black leopard - Giza and the super tuskers of Amboseli. Sadly, the mighty Craig (Africa's former largest tusker) passed away last year, may he RIP, but there are many more spectacular bulls moving around the Kili foot hills.

Jump into this serious intertesting chat!

Join us on a Photo Safari - https://wild-eye.com/tour-calendar/

Get in touch to start something beautiful - [email protected]

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Okavango Delta is that its defining moment happens in the absence of rain. Each year, as much of southern Africa dries out, water arrives from over a thousand kilometres away, slowly moving through the system and breathing life back into the landscape. In this conversation with Simon Byron from Beagle Expeditions, we unpack how that process actually works, why this particular season is standing out, and how these underlying mechanics shape not just the environment, but the way you experience it. Along the way, we touch on the bigger story of the Delta itself, a system that is constantly shifting, quietly responding to rainfall, geology, and time.

Check out Beagle Expeditions - https://beagle-expeditions.com/

Start Something Beautiful - https://wild-eye.com/

Chat to us - [email protected]

In this episode of the Wild Eye Podcast, Luke sits down with one of the founders of Wild Eye, Jono Buffey. They chat a little about the history of Wild Eye but go much more in depth about how the Wild Eye Mara Camp, now known as Enkishui Safari Camp, came to be!

Take a trip down memory lane with us.

Check out: https://www.enkishuisafaricamp.com/

Start planning something beautiful: https://wild-eye.com/

In this episode of the Wild Eye Podcast, Danny sits down with our friend, safari addict and long time Wild Eye guest, Grace preston to chat about the magic of this incredible South African Wildlife Reserve. Find out just why Grace and many other guests keep coming back time and time again and also learn a bit more about Madikwe!

Start Something Beautiful - https://wild-eye.com/

View Our Tour Calendar - https://wild-eye.com/tour-calendar/

Change the way you see the world with Wild Eye.

In this episode of the Wild Eye Podcast, two of our veteran photographic guides - Johan Van Zyl and Andrew Beck sit down to discuss photographing the Great Apes of Africa! Expect to learn about the overall experience, the gear and the shots you should look out for. If you are heading to the jungle soon, then this is the perfect conversation for you.

Check out the full blog post: https://wild-eye.com/photographing-gorillas-and-chimpanzees-15232/

Check out the Photo Safari page: https://wild-eye.com/photographic-travel/primates-of-uganda/

Explore the Wild World with Wild Eye.

Our co-founder, adventurer, photographer, performance coach and friend Gerry van der Walt is back in the Wild Eye offices for an update on his upcoming Greenland expedition! We also chat about his last month away from Wild Eye and a little about his future.