Kristina Plattner of Kamba Africa transports us to the Republic of Congo's pristine Odzala-Kokoua National Park, home to the world’s second-largest rainforest. Hear the inspiring, pioneering story of how Kamba transformed a remote, untouched wilderness into a global leader in ecotourism—not just for conservation, but for community upliftment. Discover what it’s truly like to track the elusive Western Lowland Gorillas, walk through knee-deep ancient swamps, and kayak alongside forest elephants.
Time Stamps
| 01:05 | The Kamba Origin Story: Kristina discusses how Kamba started, from her mother's 2007 trip to the Congo, the initial focus on education, and the shift to tourism as an alternative to logging and mining in the rainforest.
| 03:10 | Gorilla Habituation & Launch: The partnership with primatologist Magdalena Bermejo; the three camps (Ngaga, Lango, Mboko) designed and opened in early 2012.
| 04:32 | Why Odzala is a Unique Destination: Description of the distinct experiences at the three Kamba lodges.
| 05:10 | Ngaga Lodge & Gorilla Tracking: Focus on the habituated Western Lowland Gorillas, the intimate tracking groups (4 guests), and the proximity to the lodge.
| 06:05 | Lango Bai Lodge: Description of the bai (clearing) attracting elephants, buffalo, and bongo due to salt licks, and the focus on incredible experience of walking in the marshes. You can find a video of walking in these marshes at this link, and this one.
| 07:11 | Mboko Lodge & Rivers: Focus on the savannah area, boating activities, and river sightings (hippos, crocodiles, and 17 monkey species). You can view a video of the boating experience here.
| 07:49 | Exclusivity: The park is half the size of Rwanda with a fraction of the number of guests and limited road infrastructure.
| 08:35 | Personal Gorilla Encounters: Diana shares her first gorilla sightings; Tina shares her first tough, tracking-heavy encounter with the research crew. Links to the videos of Diana’s sightings of Jupiter and Neptuno’s incredible display: Jupiter | Neptuno
| 12:29 | Multiple Gorilla Tracks: Tina explains why Kamba offers 2-3 gorilla tracks per trip to ensure guests have a good experience.
| 13:09 | Other Unique Wildlife: Forest Elephants, Forest Buffalo, 17 primate species, birds, and the unique flying squirrel, the anomalure.
| 16:13 | The Ideal Kamba Traveler, Safety & Female Travellers: We describe the typical guest (active, experienced Africa traveler seeking a new ecosystem) and provide reassurance about the safety of the Republic of Congo (RoC) vs. the DRC; the appeal to female travellers.
| 18:31 | Logistical Challenges: Discussion about the difficulty of running a comfortable, seamless operation in such a remote area (supply chain, trucking, flying in fresh produce).
| 23:55 | Travel Tip & Packing: Tina advises guests to bring open minds and two pairs of old sneakers as you will have wet feet.
| 25:33 | Staff & Community Impact Story: Sharing the story of a young local man who went from waiter/barman to being supported by Kamba through a bursary to study medicine.
| 28:28 | Positive Conservation Contribution: Discussion of community/park fees, lobbying the government for protected status, and every guest becoming a guardian of the massive carbon sink forest.
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leopard.voyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leopard-voyage/about/
#odzala #gorilla #travel #rainforest #westernlowlandgorilla #conservation
Keith Rose-Innes co-founder of Blue Safari Seychelles joins us to explore Alphonse Island and the remote outer atolls of the Seychelles, a destination that consistently exceeds the highest expectations. Discover how Blue Safari successfully blends luxurious comfort with deep conservation, welcoming everyone from families and leisure travelers to the most dedicated anglers. You'll hear the fascinating story of how this exclusive island resort balances its reputation as one of the world's premier sustainable fly fishing destinations (catch-and-release only) with unparalleled marine ecotourism. Learn about the unique activities on offer, including snorkeling with sailfish, swimming with manta rays, and visiting uninhabited atolls, and find out how their massive on-island farm, producing five tons of produce monthly, minimizes their carbon footprint.
Time Stamps
| 01:24 | Alphonse Island History & Blue Safari Vision: Keith discusses how he and Murrary Collins discovered the lodge in 2012 when it was only a fishing lodge, and the vision to redevelop it sustainably, making it inviting for couples and families interested in leisure and ecotourism while maintaining a conservation ethos.
| 04:20 | Blue Safari Destinations: Keith describes the other remote atolls: Cosmoledo and Astove
| 08:32 | Alphonse Island Highlights: Keith details the proximity of Alphonse to the uninhabited atolls Bijoutier and St. Francois (a massive lagoon), highlighting the pristine coral, large marine life (sharks, manta rays, dolphins, groupers), and the absence of commercial fishery.
| 10:35 | The Fly Fishing Story & Sustainability: Diana shares her unexpected conversion to fly fishing on the St. Francois flats. Keith confirms their sustainable practices, like catch-and-release and reduced fishing pressure, based on scientific monitoring.
| 11:56 | Ecotourism, Leisure, and Fishing Synergy: Keith explains that the three elements (leisure, ecotourism, and fly fishing) are essential for running the destinations sustainably due to the high operational costs.
| 15:11 | Unique Activities & Guest Comfort: Diana emphasizes the unique range of activities and the high standard of staff and facilities.
| 16:21 | Keith's Perfect Day: Keith describes his ideal day: starting with a SUP around the island flats, followed by snorkeling with sailfish or swimming with manta rays.
| 18:25 | Conservation Ethos & Funding: Keith details the conservation framework: establishing foundations with the support of the Island Conservation Society and government arm, the IDC. Guests also contribute a per person per night conservation donation that funds monitoring and scientific work.
| 21:27 | The Farming Project: Keith confirms the Alphonse farm produces up to five tons of fresh fruit and vegetables per month to minimize the carbon footprint of flying in heavy produce, and they use sustainable, hand-line fishing offshore for the kitchen.
| 24:13 | Guest Takeaway (Fragility & Purpose): Keith expresses the hope that guests leave with an understanding of the fragility of the ecosystem (especially coral reefs) and the knowledge that their visit and contributions have made a positive impact, protecting the atolls for future generations.
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leopard.voyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leopard-voyage/about/
#indianocean #islandholidays #africa #travel #seychelles
Simon Byron, owner of the pioneering Beagle Expeditions, joins us for a deep dive into Botswana's Okavango Delta, a geological marvel where water never meets the sea. Learn why the Delta's unique flooding during the dry season creates one of Africa's greatest concentrations of wildlife, and discover how the country's successful high-cost, low-impact tourism model ensures an exclusive, uncrowded safari experience that directly funds conservation and empowers local communities. Simon also shares his philosophy on redefining luxury, focusing on immersion, and reveals why the quality of guiding is the cornerstone of an unforgettable African adventure.
Time Stamps
| 00:46 | Why the Okavango Delta Exists: Simon explains the unique geology and environmental factors (Kalahari sands, water loss via evaporation, and keystone species like termites) creating the delta.
| 03:04 | Seasonal Flooding: Explanation of the crucial flood system arriving in the dry season (May-July) and receding in the hot months, ensuring year-round growth and abundance of wildlife.
| 03:55 | Unique Safari Experience: Discussing the diversity of activities (game drives, Mokoro, walking), exclusivity, and the peaceful, welcoming people of Botswana.
| 05:40 | Best Season to Visit: Simon details the different seasons, and how the experience changes. Everyone has their favourite season.
| 09:16 | Botswana's Tourism Model: Discussion on the success of the model and how tourism is Botswana's top economic contributor.
| 12:23 | Cost of Remote Operation: Simon explains the high cost of running a remote lodge (logistics, equipment wear-and-tear) and how that contributes to the guest fee, which funds conservation and local communities.
| 14:28 | Beagle Expeditions Philosophy: What makes the Beagle guest experience different and exceptional.
| 19:07 | Community Partnership & Impact: Discussing Beagle's partnership with Wild Entrust and the self-imposed community levy. Examples of projects supported: water reticulation, Herding for Health (super herds, human-wildlife conflict mitigation), and a women's vegetable garden cooperative.
| 23:05 | Economic Incentive for Conservation: Emphasizing the need to provide economic opportunity to adjacent communities to change their view of wildlife from a "hindrance" to a "benefit."
| 23:28 | The Importance of Guiding: Discussion on the paramount importance of guides for a successful safari experience; how guides "hold that experience in the palm of their hands”.
| 26:52 | Humorous Guiding Story: Simon shares a witnessed story about a legendary guide named Tsile Tsile who had a phobia of snakes, and a fellow guide's revenge.
| 30:02 | Advice for Booking Beagle: Simon advises listeners to contact a good travel specialist to arrange their trip.
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leopard.voyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leopard-voyage/about/
#safari #botswana #luxurytravel #okavangodelta #travelafrica #beautifuldestinations
This extraordinary episode features Chris Roche, of Wild Expeditions and Masoala Forest Lodge. Discover why Madagascar is sometimes called the "eighth continent," and is a blend of Southeast Asian and African culture, a true natural laboratory of evolution, hosting 120 endemic lemur species—including the bizarre Aye-Aye and the largest lemur, the Indri, whose haunting, whale-like call is a guaranteed goosebumps moment. Learn why a safari here is entirely safe and focused on walking immersion, and hear the inspiring story of Masoala Forest Lodge's extreme self-reliance and commitment to conservation, where tourism funds local communities not to deforest.
Time Stamps
| 00:44 | Madagascar's Uniqueness: Chris describes the island as a Treasure Island of biodiversity (endemic baobabs, the tsingy limestone) and culture (a blend of Southeast Asian and African people).
| 03:49 | Wildlife Differences from Mainland Africa: Discussing the extreme differences: lack of megafauna (lions, elephants) and the unique, endemic species.
| 04:23 | Adaptive Radiation (Lemurs): Explaining the single lemur colonization event 50-60 million years ago, which evolved into 120 different species filling various ecological niches. Also mentions endemic carnivores, like the Fossa, and tenrecs.
| 09:15 | Safari Experience: Diana and Chris discuss how the Madagascar safari experience is centered on walking and is extremely safe — no poisonous snakes or dangerous megafauna, making it a paradise for children and adults.
| 11:26 | Cultural Surprises: Discussing what surprises first-time visitors.
| 14:36 | Masoala Forest Lodge Location & Challenges: Chris introduces the lodge, located on the Masoala Peninsula in the northeast (largest intact rainforest).
| 15:10 | Lodge Ethos & Local Sourcing: Describing the traditional eco-lodge and the self-reliant, sustainable ethos: using no plastic, procuring fish, rice, vanilla, and cloves from the nearby local village.
| 17:35 | Access & Logistics: Highlighting the logistical difficulty of connecting Madagascar's different regions (which can be 1,000km apart). Guests typically use a charter flight from Tana to Maroantsetra, followed by a 1.5-hour boat ride to the lodge.
| 20:50 | Conservation Focus & Challenges: Diana raises the challenge of conservation amid high poverty and the resulting pressure on resources. Explaining Masoala's strategy to pay local communities for non-deforestation.
| 25:20 | Island-wide Conservation Examples: Mentioning other successful tourism-for-conservation lodges like Anjajavy (dry forest) and Mandrare (spiny forest), stressing the need to create and pay for park buffer zones.
| 27:40 | Travel Mindset & Scheduling: Discussing the need for travelers to embrace the slower pace and potential schedule changes inherent in Madagascar travel, while noting charter flights are reliable.
| 29:55 | Favourite Lemurs: Chris lists his favorites, including the elusive nocturnal Aye-aye, the largest species Indri (with its "whale-like" call), ring-tailed lemurs, and the "dancing" Sifakas. Diana mentions her experience, together with her kids, of hearing the Indri call for the first time, a video of this can be found here.
| 34:55 | Surreal Moments: Chris shares his "goosebump" moments: first sightings of the Indri, the bizarre giraffe-necked weevil, the foot-long Parson's Chameleon, and the intimate encounter with the vontsira.
| 36:28 | Lodge Activities: Breaking down activities into terrestrial (primary forest, coastal walks, night walks), marine (boating, kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching), and cultural (village visits, school visits, traditional meals, sailing on a pirogue).
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Tyrone McKeith of Classic Zambia joins us to discuss what is often called the last truly authentic safari destination in Africa - Zambia. Learn how the country’s vast, unfenced national park offers an unparalleled, uncrowded wilderness experience. Tyrone details the diversity of wildlife, including both iconic predators and rare antelope species, and explains why Zambia is the undisputed home of the walking safari, boasting the most rigorously trained guides on the continent.
Time Stamps
| 00:31 | The Zambian Difference: Tyrone explains what makes Zambia unique: it's a country with massive, unfenced parks and an industry founded on owner-run, small operations.
| 01:50 | Why Zambia is Lesser Known: Discussion on why Zambia is less popular than Kenya/Tanzania/Kruger—primarily due to a lack of large-scale marketing investment, which is a "plus" for guest experience.
| 03:58 | Iconic Wildlife Species: Discussion on the presence of all charismatic species (Big Five, predators) plus rare species like Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, and Red Lechwe.
| 06:47 | Morning vs. Evening Activities: Discussion on the best times for wildlife viewing: early mornings when signs are fresh and predators are active, versus afternoon drives leading into a night activity (night drives with spotlights) to find nocturnal species.
| 08:55 | Walking Safaris: Walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia.
| 11:10 | Guide Training & Safety: Explaining the rigorous, multi-year guide qualification pathway in Zambia, with the highest qualifications being for walking and canoeing. This ensures guides are the country's most experienced and best trained.
| 14:27 | The Role of Rivers: The importance of rivers (Luangwa, Zambezi, Kafue) as a wildlife backdrop and the unique experience of canoe safaris in the Lower Zambezi channels.
| 19:19 | Memorable Sightings: Tyrone shares two recent standout experiences at Classic Zambia.
| 23:14 | Challenges & Rewards: Discussing the biggest challenges and rewards of operating a lodge in Zambia
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leopard.voyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leopard-voyage/about/
#safari #africa #travel #zambia #wilderness #walkingsafari
Oliver Fox of Foxes Safari Camps, one of the pioneering operators in Southern Tanzania, joins us to uncover the secrets of the uncrowded wilderness found here. You’ll discover why places like Ruaha, Nyerere, and Katavi offer an immensely private safari experience, hosting just 20,000 visitors a year versus half a million in the north, and how this exclusivity allows you to feel more like an explorer than a tourist. Learn about the south's spectacular wildlife, including Ruaha's record-setting lion density (over 10% of Africa's population) and Nyerere's stronghold for wild dogs.
Time Stamps
| 00:31| Southern vs. Northern Tanzania: Oliver explains the biggest difference between the safari experience in the south versus the north.
| 02:17 | Exclusivity & Guiding: The vast protected areas in the South and the feeling of being an explorer rather than just an observer, relying on old-fashioned tracking skills.
| 06:40 | Wildlife by Park: Highlighting specific wildlife strongholds: Nyerere (two-thirds of world's Wild Dog), Ruaha (highest density of Lion in the world, prides over 20), Katavi (massive herds of Buffalo over 1,000).
| 08:23 | Wild Dog Stronghold: Discussion on Southern Tanzania being Africa's best stronghold for Wild Dog (Painted Wolf), with Nyerere having the highest density, and the prevalence of sightings across all Southern parks.
| 11:32 | Logistics and Travel: How to travel the Southern Circuit. Bush flights are common due to distances but road safaris are possible (approx. 7 hours between parks).
| 14:38 | The Green Season (Nov-May): Discussion on the best time to visit; the Short Rains are the "best of both worlds" (lush, dramatic skies, good wildlife viewing) vs. the Long Rains of March-May.
| 19:19 | Biggest Misconception: The misconception that Southern Tanzania is not suitable for first-time safari-goers.
| 22:36 | Quiet Areas Appeal: Many new safari-goers are actively seeking less crowded, quieter destinations.
| 23:11 | Foxes Camps Origin Story: Oliver discusses the challenges and rewards of being one of the first operators (starting in the 1960s/70s/80s) during the era of socialism and self-reliance.
| 24:28 | Self-Reliance & Responsible Tourism: Explanation of how initial logistical challenges led to establishing their own farm, forestry, and processing their own timber, resulting in Fox's being the first carbon-negative airline in Africa.
| 26:00 | Conservation Impact: Discussing the reward of seeing tourism drive conservation, including his grandfather co-founding Friends of Ruaha Society and the family's role in the creation of Sadani National Park.
Get in touch:
Email: info@leopard.voyage
Website: https://leopard.voyage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopard.voyage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leopard.voyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leopard-voyage/about/
#safari #africa #travel #tanzania #uncrowded
A showcase of the 8 incredible guests who participated in this podcast series.
Series guests:
Enjoy!
South African cuisine is a unique fusion of many different external cultural influences, from Dutch and French to Indian and Malaysian flavours and techniques.
Marnus Scholly, executive chef at Tswalu joins us to share his insights into traditional South Africa food, his favourite local ingredients and the opening of Klein Jan at Tswalu.
Click here for Tswalu’s website and here for Klein Jan.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
When you first look out over an expanse of fynbos in the Cape Floristic Region, it looks like a uniform expanse of green-grey scrub. You must take a closer look to see the diversity in plant, bird and insect life.
You need to touch, smell and taste the fynbos to truly experience it. Sean Privett, the director for conservation at Grootbos, joins us to explain more about the ecology of the fynbos.
Click here for the Grootbos website.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
From the abundant marine life found in the cold Atlantic ocean, to the incredible diversity found in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, South Africa’s coastline is unique in many ways.
In this episode, passionate marine biologist, Pavs Pillay, shares stories about the animals that inhabit our ocean, from spectacular whales and sharks to charming penguins and turtles.
Click here for the World Wide Fund for Nature and SASSI.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
Emerging artist, DuduBloom More shares her journey as a young, black, female artist in South Africa. She is known for creating beautiful intricate works using textiles, and other mediums. A recurring theme in her abstract art is mental health.
Dudu’s first international exhibition with Berman Contemporary at 1 fifty-four in London was met with critical acclaim and we look forward to hearing much more about her in years to come.
Click here for Dudu’s Instagram and Berman Contemporary.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
Les Carlisle, Group Conservation Manager for &Beyond has spent more than four decades working in conservation in Africa. &Beyond’s innovative approach to conservation, with a strong focus on community participation, is often regarded as a blueprint for international ecotourism.
We speak about the plight of Africa’s iconic animals such as the lion, elephant and rhino and what we can do to ensure their survival for future generations.
Click here for &Beyond’s website.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
Jo Buitendach is one of Johannesburg’s best guides. She was recognised as one of “10 of the World’s Top Tour Guides” in The Guardian newspaper in the UK, and also won an award from Vanity Fair Magazine in London for changing people’s mindsets with regards to travel in Johannesburg.
In this episode, she shares her passion for the city and its inhabitants, past and present including our most famous resident, Nelson Mandela.
Click here for Jo’s website.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
Scott Ramsay is well known for his beautiful wildlife photography and his passion for Africa’s wild places. In this episode, Scott speaks about some of the remote locations he has travelled to in search of the perfect picture, and the patience you need to have when photographing African wildlife. He also gives us some practical tips for wildlife and landscape photography.
Click here for Scott’s website.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage
The founder of Singita, Luke Bailes, has said “Excellence is in Africa”. This is certainly true of our wines. In this episode, Ngoni Mtizwa, a sommelier at Singita, joins us to explain why renowned wine critic Neal Martin has said South Africa is producing some of the best wine outside of France. We also explore the exceptional Singita wine experience.
Visit Leopard to curate your best travel experience: https://www.leopard.voyage