Jonhson explained the unique spelling of his name before we began recording - one of those hospital spellings that stuck. That is not the only  unique thing about him either. Jonhson is a curious and highly educated man with a mind for science who is busy sharing his knowledge with clients at the wonderful island paradise of Miavana in Madagascar. This talk was born of an evening exploring the Cabinet de Curiosité at the lodge.  I felt his enthusiasm and passion coming through as he explained...

This is an apperitivo to Madagascar.  At the least, it will make you excited to hear my interview with Jonhson (who tells the funny story of the spelling of his name) coming soon.  And at the most, you will get a trip to Madagascar onto your calendar. The beauty and unique ecosystems here make it a must journey for any world adventurer and it's the perfect finale to an African safari. Have a listen and hear why!  www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari

The roles are reversed today. When my very dear friend, Gina Clifford, returned to Africa for her third visit, I planned to interview her about trekking for gorillas in Uganda. Many Tin Trunk clients do it there and in Rwanda and I think it’s time we hear from them on just what makes this one of the most sought-after and soul-altering journeys on our planet.  Alas, for another time. For Gina convinced me to let her interview me as a result of the many conversations we had about Africa, the...

From his first curious moments as a boy, watching tourists stop along the road in his native town in southern Uganda, to becoming a senior safari guide, Francis has cultivated a love of Uganda's wilderness - not just where the gorillas live, but also the open savannahs and riverine systems.  In our conversation, he shares thoughts on the future of tourism for Uganda, her difficult past and how much there is to see and do in this "Pearl of Africa".  Enjoy!  www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram:...

I'm speaking here with our son, Roddy Hutchings. He lives and works in Amsterdam following a childhood in Kenya and education in both South Africa and the U.K. Roddy and I talk about his field: carbon - the markets, the realities, the challenges, and the optimistic view he has for how this can help Africa specifically. You will probably be able to tell that I know nothing! Luckily, that is not the case with Roddy! Enjoy. 

In my attempt to put the magic of Africa into words, I had the great pleasure to interview seven friends of our son, Orlando Hutchings, during a recent safari. Each speaks of their experience here with insight and understanding, not to mention awe and respect. I was inspired and impressed by their thoughts and think you will be too! Enjoy! 

There is something about this place that leaves you changed. Every visitor on safari leaves feeling different, awed, hugely lucky to have seen the wilderness, the animals and to have met the extraordinary people. I invite you not only to listen but also to contribute ... Let's try to put this magic into words! 

When I am in ecosystems and landscapes (and in this case also seascapes) that are so pure and wild and in which I am not the predominant species, I feel connected to Nature in an indelible way and this feeds my soul deeply.  Bird Island is such a place and meeting a man like Darrel Isaac while there made that feeling even stronger. Not only does he live within this special world of birds, tortoises, tropical forest and underwater magic, he never stops experiencing the kind of awe that we, as...

Shelan Rodger is a published author, a graduate of Oxford, a multi-lingual drama therapist and a woman who fully embraces adventure and living authentically. She is also one of my closest friends. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation full of adventurous tales and lots of laughter. 

Hopefully you had a chance to listen to Part 1 of this homage to the great rivers in Africa - well some of them at least! Here, I present 3 more. Two well known and very important to the magnificent safari destinations we often cross the world to experience. One less well-known yet equally important to the vital ecosystems that support people and wildlife on the continent.  I hope you enjoy! 

If you love animals, you will love the devotion of Garrit Pieters. Not only does Garrit have a passion for his dogs - many of us can relate. He has a passion for his mongoose, his meerkats, his parrots. And his passion has translated into the most unlikely friendships. His mongoose curls up with the miniature doberman, the cat and the terrier. Sometimes the parrot joins. All of the animals - including something like 3000 fish -are rescued from abuse or from a less-than-perfectness from a...

It's always hard to put the feelings of experiencing Africa into words. A lovely client from this past summer has done just that in a beautiful and poetic way.  If you just travelled to Africa, you will get it. If Africa remains on your list of places to visit, it will likely jump to the top. Enjoy! 

While visiting clients on safari in Zambia this past June, I was taken by the understated and elegant guiding style of Abraham Banda. He has many years of experience in the very same area in which he grew up, mentored by one of the most iconic characters in the world of African safaris. His passion for this land and its preservation has inspired his children in their careers and after walking Zambia's South Luangwa with him, I can certainly see why. If being off-the-beaten and exploring...

Time to get soulful on safari. This discussion with my good friend, Lorna Buchanan-Jardine, is just that. A professional photographer, Lorna shares thoughts on how to maximise your photography on safari while remaining wholly present to what you are witnessing and the balance needed to minimise life's distractions. We also talk about her intrepid and adventurous life - from Kenya to Indonesia to Costa Rica with her native Scotland as the river that runs through it.  If you enjoy...

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I sure am - even though it's technically winter down here in Africa. Since June I have been on safari quite a lot - mostly popping around to spend time with clients in places like Egypt, Zambia, Namibia and Kenya. As I sat  beside the Kunene River on the border of Northern Namibia and Southern Angola, I realised that a common theme this summer has been the rivers running through these wilderness havens that nourish animals and people alike and...

I didn't know I was going to interview HJ when we met. After our first drive, however, I recognised something special about his guiding style. He is the real deal. He grew up in the bush and took it upon himself to learn and gain enough experience to become a top level professional field guide and tracker. I learned something new every time he spoke about the bush, whether it be animal behaviour, ecosystem management or survival skills in the wilderness. If you are familiar with safaris, you...

If you are too young to remember the movies Born Free and To Walk with Lions, all you have to do is search "Christian the lion" on You Tube to get a glimpse of the legacy of Tony Fitz-John. He broke the mold and redefines "one of a kind".  This podcast is my story of recent times with Tony; of getting to know him better over the pandemic and of revisiting my own childhood and relationship to Africa thanks to the work he has done. The times I flew him up to Kora will remain cherished memories...

I have known Robert since I moved to Kenya. He was a Samburu Warrior when I met him and he is now a Junior Elder. He is a guide and also a senior manager at Sarara.  I flew up to the new Reteti private house at Sarara Lodge in 5Y-BAD to sit down on the verandah  and chat with Robert. (And guess what, I didn't forget the microphone this time but I did forget an attachment for it! So, welcome to the wind sounds.) I hope you enjoy speaking to someone who encompasses all that is hopeful and...

Meet One Up One Down, one of Kenya's amazing elephants from the northern rangelands he called home for his entire life. I met him 18 years ago and he was a "true friend".   In this podcast, I honour this great elie and tell stories of my relationship with him over the years. 

Grab your favourite bouquet and settle down to listen to Sean Privett speak about the Fynbos ecoregion at the bottom of the African continent around Cape Town. You don't need to be a plant expert to enjoy it (just listen to me!) - but if you ARE a botany enthusiast then you will be riveted and will want to get on the next flight.  Grootbos Nature Reserve has documented 879 fynbos species; planted 7,557 trees for reforestation; identified 25 mammal species and 193 insect families. And those...

Let's talk about safari-ing in South Africa!  South Africa is #notjustgamedriving, as I like to say on Instagram and the Tin Trunk  newsletter.  From the Cape to the Sabi Sands to the Kalahari, South Africa delivers unique and highly curated experiences.  Listen to learn more about why #tintrunksafarilovesit! 

As promised in my last episode, here is my interview with the lovely and intelligent Salah Sholok. Salah is a professional guide and Egyptologist who hosted my family on a wonderful 12-day trip through Egypt in November 2021. Not only did he enlighten us about all the history, treasures, art, architecture, spirituality and legends of Ancient Egpyt, but he engaged in all kinds of fascinating conversations with each of us and was as enthusiastic and curious about things as we were. He is also a...

Egypt is  Tin Trunk's  newest destination and I am HOOKED! Each time I go, I love it more. We have wonderful people supporting us on the ground there who live up to Tin Trunk's  motto:  "the difference is that nothing's the same".  Discovering the wonders of Ancient Egypt - as well as having an authentic, stress-free  experience in modern Egypt - is a trip every world traveller will love. In this episode, we sift through the greatness of this magical land and in the next one, I interview a...

This gentleman of gentlemen is the first person I got up the courage to tell back in 2004 that I was going to start a safari business.  I was apprehensive.  He was delighted.  Colin has an unstoppable spirit with a highly contagious twinkle in his eye. The Francombe family and their stunning safari lodge, Ol Malo, is a  Tin Trunk favourite - especially for active people of all ages who want to enjoy their own bush playground in Africa. This chat with Colin touches on his history in Kenya, ...

This episode is about "sifting through the greatness" of an African safari. You will hear about the plethora of options available on safari, and see that it is #notjustgamedriving out here. What time of year is best? How long should one stay? What about kids? Did you know that choosing your camps and lodges with care helps local communities and conservation efforts and that not doing so can do the opposite?  Safaris remain one of the biggest adventures on our planet - as well as one of the...