We’re back in the bird hide talking about monkeys with Pam Cunneyworth, Director of Colobus Conservation in Diani on the Kenyan coast. It was at the young age of 7 that a teacher planted the lifelong love of Africa in her. At university, a lecture by Birutė Galdikas, a *trimate (one of Dr. Louis Leakey's famous primatologists) inspired Pam to take “the road less travelled,” a journey that led her to leave Canada for a life in East Africa. In our conversation, Pam offers us a glimpse into a...

Whether you're a fan of the Olympics, a runner - or just someone like me who loves Africa - episode 19 is for you. First off, a massive congratulations to everyone who participated in Paris 2024 - what an event it’s been! Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of East African athletes and give a special shout-out to the 12 African countries that brought home medals, with Kenya leading the way in athletics, and Uganda making its mark with two well-deserved medals.  What are the...

An elephant rumble or an earth tremor – can the Muzungu tell the difference? In episode 18, we're back in my wooden house on the edge of Kibale National Park in western Uganda, alert to the night sounds from the forest. Join me as I listen to the sounds of elephants – one of the many incredible experiences that inspired this podcast. Can you hear them breathing?  In this episode, you’ll discover: How to tell when an elephant is nearby – by the splintering of wood or the shape of fresh...

This week, we are slowing down to reconnect with nature on the edge of the tropical rainforest. Come with me as we navigate waterlogged "elephant potholes," the lockdown playground I shared with my 10-year-old nephew, Dillon. It's a delightfully squelchy episode! Put on your gumboots and find out: What will I see from the bird hide? Who might need rescuing from the elephant trench? Why is life so difficult for farmers living on the edge of Kibale National Park? The joys of a muddy walk! ...

In this episode, I resume my conversation with Ian Redmond, OBE, “a self-confessed gorillaholic who's been hooked for 40 years!” Ian is also known as Mandevu “the bearded one,” one of his African names. In episode 15, we talked about the interconnectedness of life: how the elephant, chimpanzee and gorilla ‘gardeners of the forests’ of the Congo Basin are connected with a loaf of bread in England and - importantly - how local people can benefit financially from the ecosystem services of...

In the first of two conversations, renowned conservationist (and personal conservation hero) Ian Redmond OBE discusses the interconnectedness of life – from the elephant, gorilla, and chimpanzee gardeners in the rainforests of the Congo Basin to a loaf of bread in England! Ian has been in love with East Africa since 1976 when he first travelled to Africa to study and protect the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire). In 1978, he...

In this week's episode, we take a short walk through the village bordering Kibale National Park. It's a lazy Sunday and everyone's in a good mood: drivers wave hellos and boys herd goats.  Do all white 'muzungu' women look the same? I giggle with my neighbour as he mistakes me (for a friend I do not resemble in the least).  Tune in to hear: Friendly greetings on a gentle walk through the village. Birdsong and the joy of being back in the forest at Sunbird Hill. "Novel ways a podcast is...

In episode 13, we go niche! When I moved to Uganda, one of my biggest fears was how I would cope with insects! Here at Sunbird Hill, Nature Monitoring and Rewilding Site, Kibale Forest, Uganda, on the edge of Kibale Forest, we see shiny green beetles with purple wings and swallowtail butterflies that are as big as your hand. Look at my social media now, and you'll see me holding a giant goliath beetle. It's clear I've put any phobia behind me for the bigger the creature, the more fascinated I...

In episode 12, we're in Kibale Forest, agog at the sight of chimpanzees. (You'll never guess where they are!) Listen in as 'Papa' Les Lloyd and I compare notes about our unexpected primate visitors. Then, I discuss my recent trip to Kenya and preview some of the upcoming episodes: How many modes of public transport do I take on the long journey between Kampala, Uganda, and Mombasa, Kenya?  What are my personal highlights from our first episodes? Who's up next? A sneak peek into...

In episode 11, I’m joined by a visitor from Peru: ecologist and field researcher Chris Ketola. With 25 years’ experience working with wild animals, I’m intrigued to know how time in Equatorial Africa compares with his life in the Amazon. During a ten-week tour of Uganda, Ketola and Fauna Forever co-founder Chris Kirkby led a team of 14 volunteers. Together they covered 3000 km, capturing (and releasing) 2000 birds and bats at eight sites across the country. Listen to my conversation with...

In episode 10, we have 150 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness to ourselves as we venture on safari in Kyambura Game Reserve, Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, western Uganda. The night is alive with the sounds of the wild, from the hippos munching next to my tent to the near-encounter with a leopard! On our walking safari, we witness the unexpected drama of a warthog showdown. Later, Wildplaces owner Jonathan Wright tells me all about his new camps and lodges. Listen in to hear: ...

In episode 9, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to my first South African guest, the acclaimed travel and guidebook writer Philip Briggs. Join us in the bird hide to hear: Mountain gorillas vs. chimpanzees - how does he compare the two tracking experiences? Where is the best place to track chimps in East Africa? Why does Philip Briggs say Uganda is Africa’s best birding destination? Where can you see the Shoebill? Where does he predict will...

In episode 8, we're back on the edge of Kibale National Park, stretching our legs after a long road journey from Kampala, Uganda's capital. The air is alive with song as the birds catch the last rays of afternoon sunshine after a day of heavy rain. Join me for a duet with the rare white-spotted flufftail and find out: What friends and colleagues are saying about the first episodes of the East Africa Travel Podcast? What's been happening in my wooden house while I've been away? And, more to...

In episode 7, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as we travel to Tanzania to meet Lesse Laizer and the Masai community at the Original Maasai Lodge in West Kilimanjaro. Listen in to hear: What is the Muzungu doing in Tanzania? How do you say good morning in the Maasai language? What did I watch while sitting between Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro? What does sustainable tourism mean to the Masai community and Africa Amini Life? And lastly, a thought from...

In episode six, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I chat chimpanzees with Harvard University Professor - and close friend of Sunbird Hill - Dr. Richard Wrangham whose work combines primatology, evolutionary biology and anthropology. Listen in to hear: What do sex, violence and cooking have in common? How do bees protect villagers’ gardens from hungry elephants? How long did Richard work in Gombe with Jane Goodall? Why shouldn't people have chimps as pets?...

In episode five, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to East Africa, specifically “my East Africa.” How many countries are there in East Africa? (You might be surprised!) What are Uganda’s most popular tourist attractions?  What are “The Big Seven”? Beyond gorillas: which Rwandan forest has chimps and Colobus monkeys? What’s the muzungu’s favourite way to travel between Nairobi and Kenya’s coast? What’s my favourite food in Visit Burundi, East...

In episode four, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to my second guest, the British TV presenter and Uganda’s goodwill sports tourism ambassador, Rob Walker. Tune in to hear: What first brought Rob to East Africa? How did Ugandans respond when Rob congratulated Joshua Cheptegai during his live commentary from the Olympics? Why is he so keen to bring his son to Africa? What are his favourite Ugandan foods? And how exactly do you greet...

In episode three, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as we visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, home to the world’s biggest population of mountain gorillas, for a weekend celebrating 20 years of the NGO Conservation Through Public Health NGO I am joined by my first guest, Her Royal Highness, the Nnaabagareka, Queen Sylvia Nagginda of Buganda Kingdom, patron of CTPH and . Listen to our conversation to hear: Why was the Nnaabagareka tracking gorillas? Which...

In the second episode, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I invite you to explore Uganda: What’s life like on the edge of a National Park? How did we spend lockdown? What inspired me to create this podcast? What wakes me up every morning? What amazing sight did I see climbing over the treehouse? What kind of guests will we meet on the podcast? What are my tips for gorilla tracking? And how can I help you organise a safari? Welcome to my world! Tune in every...

In this first episode, join me – Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - on a short walk along the edge of the tropical Kibale Forest in western Uganda, where you can hear: What is a muzungu? What did volunteers tell me about Uganda? What’s an elephant trench? Why do I call my wooden house a "glorified bird hide"? Where is Sunbird Hill? Welcome to my world!   Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with...

Hello and - karibu - to the East Africa Travel Podcast hosted by me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of the popular travel blog: Diary of a Muzungu.  Welcome to my world, a wooden house at Sunbird Hill, overlooking Kibale Forest, one of Uganda's national parks.  I've worked in conservation and tourism in East Africa for over a decade, and I've met some extraordinary people along the way. I want you to meet them! Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel...