Talking Bush, Safaris & Luxury Travel

Pascal is an utterly charming man, who runs the camp with both warmth and great efficiency. He is extremely experienced when it comes to tourism in Tanzania and this really shows in the immaculate way Jabali Ridge operates.

Jabali Ridge is a modern and chic camp nestled in one of the best game viewing areas of Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania. Pascal emanates calm and friendliness and you feel instantly relaxed in his company.

Mark is a great character and we loved hearing about the building of Ikuka, which wasn't easy. He is an accomplished and esteemed guide and wildlife photographer, and has huge history in Tanzania - we'd love to do another podcast about that alone!

Mark and his wife Chloe have created a paradise in this remote Tanzanian park which is bound to enchant anyone who stays there.

Chevy is one of the managers at Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania. California born and bred she has been in Tanzania for 15 years, doing various fascinating things until ending up as the warm heart of luxury camp Ikuka.

She is a wonderfully friendly person, and makes every single guest feel at home. The camp itself is perfectly appointed with stunning views as far as the eye can see, stunning understated but stylish decor and delicious food. The guides here are exceptional and you will not be disappointed by the wildlife viewing either.

We've been busy out in Ruaha in Southern Tanzania, travelling the length of this amazing National Park and ensuring that the camps and lodges there are up to scratch for our clients - they didn't disappoint.

This is Brian's second very kind foray onto our podcast - he has travelled so extensively in Africa that we could record hundreds of safari podcast episodes with him. His story telling manner, as well as the safari stories themselves, is spell binding. He has just released his memoirs West With The Light and if you only ever read one book about Africa read that. 

'Britain's best wildlife writer' – The Scotsman

''A beautifully written book' – Tony Fitzjohn

'Don't send him to Torremolinos; it's not his kind of tundra.' Such was the mantra of The Sunday Times when considering assignments for Brian Jackman, for whom deserts, rain forests and mountain ranges have always been more enticing habitats. After decades spent travelling and writing about the places and wildlife that have inspired him, one of the world's most experienced naturalists has turned his focus onto the story of his inspirational life.

'This is no ordinary autobiography', he says. West with the Light sweeps through Jackman's wartime evacuation, grammar school, Soho jazz clubs of the '50s and the navy to a career in travel journalism to which his first marriage gave way before he found a new, true and more lasting love that abides to this day in his beloved rural Dorset.

Beginning with memories of Edwardian London and the growth of suburbia, it provides a vivid portrayal of post-war travel and the rise of a new sort of tourism - ecotourism - set against the background of the most turbulent decades the world has ever known. Through it all shines Jackman's lifelong love of nature, instilled by childhood holidays in the West country and the stories that led to his passion for Africa and the big cats that that still walk through his life and dreams.

Rippling across continents with Jackman's natural charm and hallmark stylish prose, his recollections include lively first-hand encounters with pioneering wildlife conservationists like George and Joy Adamson, Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Richard Leakey, Gavin Maxwell and Jonathan Scott.

Travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, writers and anyone with a love of adventure will adore this book.

We were so honoured that Kim agreed to do our podcast - he has made so many immeasurably magical wildlife programs, all completely unique because Kim actually immerses himself into his subjects lives, gains their trust and thereby catches a lot of unseen footage of the species he is following. Man Cheetah Wild is one of the best cheetah programs we have ever seen.

"It’s about the lifestyle and cameras provide me with the challenge to bring home stunning images and footage to share with the world helping create an international awareness in Africa’s wildlife.
I spend years in the field following my film subjects allowing me to become very intimate with them until they behave in the most natural way and ignore my presence.

It goes beyond that too, when the animals grant me the absolute privilege of becoming a part of their lives. There is little, if anything, in life that can be more gratifying. It brings us back to the day when we too (man) used to roam the African plains living alongside these wild animals. A far more natural way of filming…
It would be very selfish of me to experience and live this special life without sharing it with the world.
So yes, maybe it is about the camera…

WHERE DID IT ALL START?

I had the good fortune of spending my early years growing up in the wilds of Africa: the Kruger National Park, South Africa, where my father, Henry Wolhuter, was the Head Ranger.

My grandfather, Harry Wolhuter, the very first ranger of the Kruger National Park, is a national legend being the only man ever to kill an adult male lion single handed with a knife after it had pulled him from his horse.

After my 2 years national service in the South African mounted infantry and a degree in Grassland Science I entered the wildlife arena managing a game farm in Botswana. Later I served as Senior Warden of Mlawula Nature Reserve in Swaziland before taking up the camera.

Today I find myself following the family tradition, although in a slightly different way, making documentaries on southern African Wildlife. Since 1988 I have made wildlife documentaries for National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.

I have now developed a very different niche in the wildlife filmmaking market, where I spend at least 2yrs on a production, getting to bond and develop very intimate relationships with my film subjects, all wild African animals. In the past these have included Leopard, Hyaena, Cheetah and African Wild Dogs. Through these intimate alliances I am not only able to document the animal’s lives up close and personal, but people are seeing these animals in a way they’ve never seen them before and are able to engage more with the animal and almost feel what it’s like to be that animal. I walk, run, hunt and sleep with these animals so much so that they completely accept my presence so everything I document is totally natural behaviour. This intimacy also provides a new look into animal behaviour, which at times is new to science.

I have a very unique and natural affinity to develop these relationships with wild animals. Currently I live on Sango Wildlife Reserve in the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe, where I’m out every day and often all night living alongside my film subjects. This is no job, but a true passion handed down through generations of our Wolhuter family.

Before retiring in 1948 after 44 years service in the Kruger National Park my grandfather Harry wrote: “My long experience has taught me that, thrilling the pleasures of shooting undoubtedly are, infinitely greater and far more lasting pleasure and interest can be obtained from the observation and study of wild animals, unafraid and uninterfered with, in their natural haunts; and I have never regretted my metamorphosis from hunter to guardian!”

I can only hope he would be proud of me today…"

You really get a sense of what being on safari with Gordie & Felicia would be like in this amazing insight into some of their own safari experiences. They are such a wonderful safari couple, with two wild safari babies now having joined their family. Safaris Unlimited runs some of the most exclusive riding safaris in Kenya, with top quality horses and remote campsites in the Masai Mara, Laikipia and Amboseli. Gordie's family have such a long standing history in Kenya which is also fascinating.

We've known Ryan for years and are thrilled to say he has now joined The Luxury Safari Company team since leaving the Zambian bush to be with his wife and forthcoming baby. His time guiding has meant that he has tonnes of tales of living the safari lifestyle - here are just a few.

Ryan Wilmot has spent the past 17 years as a professional guide and camp manager in some of Southern Africa’s top lodges, National parks, and private reserves. He holds an honors degree in Nature Conservation which is the foundation for his deep understanding of the natural environment. He is a fully qualified guide in South Africa and Zambia, and favors unique experiences, like game viewing on foot or canoeing some of the wildest waters out there. He has a passion for people and their re-connection to the environment. He sees every safari as an opportunity to learn, about nature of course, but also human and wildlife behaviour. He has hung up his full time guiding boots to allow for family commitments but is dedicated to tailoring the most amazing and memorable safaris for his clients and preparing them for adventures of a lifetime. His priority is exceeding your safari expectations.

Riccardo has had such a varied career before he founded Saruni Camps (Saruni Mara, Wild, Samburu & Rhino) in Kenya that we are sure we could record several podcasts but here we have a few of his tales of his life in Kenya.

Born in Italy in 1961, Riccardo Orizio is a reporter, author, safari guide and conservationist. As a foreign correspondent for the Italian daily newspapers Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, for the magazines Il Mondo, Fortune and Epoca, and then for CNN, in his “first life” Riccardo has covered war, peace and some of what happens in between. Since 2003, he lives in Kenya, surrounded by wildlife and dramatic landscapes, where he co-owns and manages four deluxe safari camps: Saruni Mara, Saruni Wild, Saruni Samburu and Saruni Rhino (see www.saruni.com) . 

His first book, "Lost White Tribes - Journeys among the Forgotten", was published in London in 2000, followed by Dutch, Italian, American and Turkish editions. His second book, based on interviews with deposed and disgraced dictators, is titled “Talk of the Devil” and has been published in 2002 and 2003 in several countries, including Italy, Usa, Great Britain, Japan, Holland, Spain. He’s writing more books about his main interest: unusual places, unusual people, unusual stories.

He is happily married to Elizabeth, who is English but often more Italian than him.

They own and love an olive oil farm in Maremma, a place that is the Italian equivalent of the places that appear in Riccardo’s book: rough, different, authentic, often forgotten, full of troubled history and a magical present. Quite different from its famous neighbor in Tuscany, the so-called Chiantishire. The farm house is nicknamed Casa Pumba. Pumba is the warthog in Swahili: in Italian is called cinghiale.

To kick off series 4 of Talking Bush, Safaris & Luxury Travel we have Bruce Simpson - Bruce has probably spent more time on safari in his life than anyone else and has unrivalled experience of running luxury safari camps and companies within Africa. Bruce Simpson started his ecotourism career in 1990 working as a guide at Londolozi in the well-known Sabi-Sand Game Reserve of South Africa and ended up in various management roles with companies including Londolozi, & Beyond and Singita.

Bruce was part of the early team of Singita Private Game Reserve where he was employed in the role of General Manager during the development stages of this luxury photographic Safari brand, managing Singita Ebony, Singita Boulders and Castleton Camp..

In the early 2000s Bruce moved to Botswana to join Wilderness Safaris as the Chief Operating Officer, and later to become the Deputy MD, for Okavango Wilderness Safaris who at the time were operating 16 lodges in and around the Okavango Delta.

Bruce and his wife Cate then moved to Seychelles and spent four years as General Manager on the new North Island followed after which Bruce moved to Namibia to take on the role of CEO of Wilderness Safaris’ in Namibia. Bruce focused on restructuring and reorganising the business of 14 lodges, a travel shop and air charter business, pioneering ground breaking joint venture partnerships with rural communities.

During this time in Namibia, and for the next 10 years Bruce continued to manage the North Island business in the role of Managing Director as part of his role in Wilderness Safaris.

Bruce then moved within Wilderness Safaris to the head office where he became Chief Operating Officer of Wilderness Collection, a premium brand of dynamic products within the Wilderness Safaris group, and was responsible for developing the brand of products with operations in diverse countries of Africa including Botswana, Kenya, Seychelles and Congo Brazzaville.

Later, as Chief Business Development Officer for Wilderness Safaris, he operated with a mandate to investigate, negotiate and develop new opportunities for the company in Africa including Kenya, Ethiopia & Tanzania and was the lead executive responsible for the establishment and development of the Wilderness Safaris Rwanda business

Bruce left Wilderness Safaris after 16 years in 2016 to take on the marketing & management contract for North Island under the umbrella of his own company, Reflecting Africa, to run and oversee all aspects of the business.

At the same time Bruce and his wife, Cate, having started Reflecting Africa together, offering consulting on business development and strategic growth in the photographic tourism sector as well as Interior and Lodge design.

In  September 2019, Bruce took on the exciting challenge as CEO of Time and Tide, a family owned business which operates 8 safari camps in Zambia and a luxury private Island in Madagascar called Mavana. His mandate is to professionalise the existing business, increase occupancy and grow and develop the company into new regions in Africa.

Bruce currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with Cate and their two daughters, Emma and Michaela aged 11 and 9 respectively. With both Bruce and Cate working from home and being involved in the same industry, Cate has grown her Interior Design business and focussed on photographic Safari Lodges and private homes, there is often opportunity for the family to travel into some of the wonderful and diverse wilderness areas that they both operate in.

Richard Yoga manages Asilia Naboisho Camp in the private Naboisho Conservancy in the Masai Mara - he has a wealth of experience and this really shines through in his quiet and confident manner. We had a great laugh with him and he has the perfect mixture of professionalism and humour. The camp had the most wonderful atmosphere and this is no doubt down to the amazing management, lead by Richard.

Douglas Dichana is a larger than life character who is truly the warm heart of Great Plains Mara Plains Camp in the exclusive OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY in the Masai Mara. He is full of laughter, jokes and passion for hospitality and the wilderness. In short he is just brilliant and we loved our time spent with him at Mara Plains. Mara Plains is one of the most luxurious safari camps in the whole of the Masai Mara and they have access not only to the busier reserve, but to game rich private conservancy safaris which make one's trip feel wild, exclusive and spoiling.

We work with tonnes of luxury safari camps in the Masai Mara, this is just a snapshot of some characters we met on a recent trip.

Marietta has been in the Mara for years, and now runs Great Plains Mara Nyika Camp with calm efficiency, while making the camp feel warm and inviting with her friendly and smiley manner. This camp is luxury personified in a remote corner of the wildlife full Naboisho Conservancy.

Please note we work with lots and lots of safari camps in the Masai Mara, and this short "Masai Mara" safari podcast series is just an intro to some of the characters you will meet when on safari here.

Gosh Lucas is a fantastic guide - he guides all the photographers and bush walkers from Asilia Naboisho Camp, in the remote Naboisho Conservancy in the Masai Mara. The conservancy lends itself to Lucas's style of guiding, which is full of laughter, and unrivalled knowledge - there are very few camps here and so very few vehicles, BUT tonnes of wildlife particularly the cats. Lucas has self taught himself everything and is expected to have passed his Gold Level guiding exams by the end of this year. He has a passion for learning and is now teaching himself astrology. A safari with him is both detailed and fun.

Please note we work with lots and lots of safari camps in the Masai Mara, and this short "Masai Mara" safari podcast series is just an intro to some of the characters you will meet when on safari here.

David is a silver level Kenyan guide at Offbeat Ndoto in the Mara North Conservancy, Masai Mara. He is a highly educated man with a twinkle in his eye and a fantastic sense of humour. He has travelled to the States, UK and Hong Kong to educate people about the Masai way of life, and the abundant wildlife the Masai Mara is so famous for. A luxury safari with David is just that, he knows the bush like the back of his hand. We spent time with a cheetah family he had known for years - he eventually positioned us perfectly to see a hunt. He is very special.

Please note we work with lots and lots of safari camps in the Masai Mara, and this short "Masai Mara" safari podcast series is just an intro to some of the characters you will meet when on safari here.

Family friend John Rendall was privileged to be Christian The Lion's human family, and was the one, alongside his friend Ace who bought him from Harrods and eventually took him on the amazing journey to Kenya where he was rehabilitated by George Adamson into the African wilderness. The story is world famous and to hear it in John's own words is truly amazing.

Benson is head waiter and head of front of house at luxury safari camp Saruni Samburu in Samburu, Northern Kenya. He is decked out in all his Masai finery as despite being in Samburu he is from the Masai tribe. His is a charming and quiet man, with a great sense of humour and a passion for the stars making him one of the leading astro-guides in Kenya. His knowledge of the night sky is second to none and Saruni Samburu is an exceptional place for star gazing as you get good views of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere at certain times of the night.

Salum Mpapa is head guide at Chem Chem Safaris, which encompasses Chem Chem Lodge, Little Chem Chem Bushcamp and exclusive use Chem Chem Forest Camp - three extremely high end safari camps located in the Tarangire area bordering Lake Manyara. Their conservation and community initiatives are second to none and this suits Salum perfectly, since he comes from a family heavily involved with anti poaching and game ranging in Southern Tanzania. 

He has a warm and generous smile and is obviously very happy guiding in Northern Tanzania - he talks so eloquently about the different safari seasons and what is special about each.

Chad was drawn to the bush and wilderness from a young age and has found his happy place in the wild and remote Timbavati on the border of the Greater Kruger. Here he is the head guide at Tanda Tula Safari Camp - one of the only owner run safari camps in the area. The camp is luxurious, welcoming and has an extremely good reputation for a reason. The game viewing is exceptional helped by their teams of expert safari guides and trackers, many of whom have worked for Tanda for years and years. We loved hearing Chad's favourite stories of the South African wilderness.

Baraka is widely known as one of the best managers in Tanzania - he is a big bear of a man who has managed a variety of camps and lodges in Tanzania but is happiest in the bush. Namiri Plains runs like clockwork with an exceptionally happy atmosphere all thanks to Baraka. It is a joyous place with some of the best wildlife viewing in the whole of the Serengeti.

Manja is a safari guide at Namiri Plains and recently made an exceptional discovery out on the plains of the Serengeti which has now been named after him - we won't spoil the surprise for you. His passion and knowledge of Tanzania's wilderness is second to none as so clearly demonstrated in this podcast.

We have known Cecilia for a long time and her career path has been incredibly impressive, leading up to this point where she has become the first ever Masai lady to manage a lodge. She is a warm and friendly person and fiercely intelligent. Her passion for safaris and the bush is infectious and we're not surprised safari guests absolutely adore her. She was brought up in the Mara to a father who was head of the conservancy, and instilled a great passion for the wildlife and landscape in all of his children.

She manages Saruni Mara in Kenya's Masai Mara with ruthless efficiency and big smile. Saruni Mara is a luxury yet relaxed lodge in the Northern Masai Mara boasting exceptional game viewing and a strong like to the local Masai.

Thuso's story is one of achieving your dreams and he really has done everything you can possibly do in the safari industry, born from a passion for wildlife cultivated on a school trip as a teenager. He is the most endearing, cheerful and jolly man - but his knowledge of the bush and the wildlife is impressive. He was enchanting to talk to and he instils this in the guides he now trains for Ker & Downey Botswana.

Ker & Downey have several luxury safari camps in Botswana and are a dynamic and fast moving company, whose contribution to the conservation of wildlife and communities is second to none.

Deirdre is an inspirational woman who has been an esteemed safari guide for over 20 years and is now settled at Tswalu Kalahari as their indomitable Safari Manager.  She too has so many stories of the various places she has worked but it was Tswalu we talked about mostly - this amazing wilderness in Northern South Africa is located in the Green Kalahari and is a hotbed of endangered and rare species, all of which are highly protected in this well funded area. 

Tswalu is unrivalled in their conservation projects and successes and is one of our personal favourites when it comes to safaris, not least because of the vast area, with only two small camps, means you really will have the most private safari in Africa.

John Barclay and James Stenner are taking the safari industry by storm - they are the next generation of legendary private guides and their luxury Botswana mobile safaris are becoming world famous due to their unrivalled knowledge of the bush and the wildlife, their huge sense of fun and sense of humour, and their unique luxury 'sexy hexy' mobile safari tents. 

You could sit around the campfire on safari with them and be endlessly entertained by their unlimited stories from growing up in the wilderness and being personally related to some of the safari industries most celebrated guides and pioneers. They are charismatic, kind and entertaining. 

Chris and Sam Tett founded Bushtracks Africa in 1997 and are widely known as the leading ground agent in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Their knowledge of these areas of Southern Africa and the safari industry there is unrivalled, not least because they live full time on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia. 

Chris is a wonderfully humble and charming man considering the success he has had and we loved hearing his stories of when they first started running safaris from this wild area. They have grown with the industry and now employ many people. and provide support for lots of families in this busy area for tourism. 

Tyrone is a prime example of someone who not only passionately loves the wilderness but also knows it like the back of his hand. His two camps in Kafue, which he owns with partner Phil Jeffery, are two of the most remote safari camps in Africa and promise an adventure which is second to none. Not only will your game viewing be exceptional, but the opportunity to immerse yourself in the real authentic Africa is around every corner when on safari with Tyrone and Phil.

Not only have David's achievements behind the lens been extraordinary, but he is also a passionate philanthropist with all royalties from his latest (magical) book being donated to Tusk and WildAid. We were so lucky not only to plan his recent exploration of Tanzania and Kenya but also to spend some time chatting to him about his first photographs, his favourite Africa experiences, and his thoughts on the affect of COVID on conservation. He is a quietly knowledgeable man, who is a complete pleasure to talk to.

Alex is a warm and charismatic person who we love seeing out on safari, or at the travel shows. He really has unrivalled experience when it comes to safaris having been brought up in the wilds of Africa and guiding clients from a young age, in the days when you had a couple of tents and a land rover. His camps are luxurious, in some of the most remote locations of the Serengeti and Mara, and all are eco friendly - with much of the cost of your stay being contributed directly to conservation of the wildlife and the communities. We cannot recommend Alex's camps strongly enough, and to get the best stories out of him be sure to catch him by the camp fire.

On the 1st August 2020 our MD Rose Hipwood flew on the first flight to Kenya, to assess the protocols in place for keeping guests safe while on safari. Here is the audio version of the collection of reports she did, you can watch the videos on our YouTube channel. She had the most incredible safari at Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp in the Masai Mara followed by a private villa retreat on the Kenyan Coast. 

Calvin Cottar's family have been in Kenya for generations and their wealth of stories about exploring this wild land are both exhilarating and mesmerising to listen to. It is their experiences in Kenya which lead Calvin to be one of the most respected members of the safari community today. His passion for working with the local community to preserve Kenya for the wildlife, while still benefitting the people, is second to none. A safari guided by Calvin will leave you feeling awe struck, and a luxury holiday at his safari camp Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp will have you yearning to return on a yearly basis as many of his clients do.

There is no where in Africa Brian Jackman has not explored, he has written several books and over the last sixty years has dominated wildlife journalism for The Sunday Times and The Telegraph. His safaris through Africa have taken him to some of the most remote and wild places with some of Africa's most famous and enchanting characters including George Adamson, Tony Fitzjohn and Iain Douglas-Hamilton. He talks about his travel to Africa with the same emotive tone he writes with. We couldn't have enjoyed hearing his wonderful stories more, and his lion impression will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and you will long for the African plains. 

Butati is a true inspiration, a chimpanzee trekking guide at Greystoke Mahale, his childhood in the Mahale Mountains was a magical one living in the midst of the chimpanzee research station within which his father was one of the first to work. His passion for these endangered creatures is infectious and we can't help but feel enthused about protecting these endangered primates when we hear him speak about them.

Greystoke Mahale is a magical lodge on the white sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika, with some of the best access to chimpanzees in Africa. You will trek them with some of the top guides in Africa including Butati. It is the perfect start or end to any safari due to the relaxing beach style of the lodge. The area is incredibly remote and is on many people's luxury travel bucket list. 

Protecting the chimpanzees is paramount, they share 96% of their DNA with humans and to study them is to study human nature. Loss of habitat is the main issue for the chimps, as well as being able to catch human diseases. Any safari in Africa which includes the chimps will be one that will change your life forever.

We were very privileged to have a chat to award winning conservationist and wildlife film maker Fergus Beeley about his most famous series, and his exciting future projects. We loved talking to Fergus who is a charismatic, humble and charming man with a wealth of stories.

Rob Barber, who runs Golden Africa Mobile Safaris in Botswana, is an amazing story teller and we loved listening to his tales from his life in Botswana - including details about his magical private mobile camp which can take you on adventures through the Delta and the Kalahari. 

On the 29th June 2020 Rose Hipwood, MD of The Luxury Safari Co flew out to Tanzania which had officially opened its borders to International tourism on the 1st June 2020. In the final post from Tanzania Rose talks about where else in Africa is opening up post COVID travel bans.

On the 29th June 2020 Rose Hipwood, MD of The Luxury Safari Co flew out to Tanzania which had officially opened its borders to International tourism on the 1st June 2020. In this episode Rose explains how to travel around Tanzania safely post COVID.

On the 29th June 2020 Rose Hipwood, MD of The Luxury Safari Co flew out to Tanzania which had officially opened its borders to International tourism on the 1st June 2020. Here you can find out all about new safari camp protocols in Tanzania from her first hand experience at Namiri Plains Safari Camp in the Serengeti.

On the 29th June 2020 Rose Hipwood, MD of The Luxury Safari Co flew out to Tanzania which had officially opened its borders to International tourism on the 1st June 2020. Hear all about her first hand International travel experience right here.

Thank you so much for tuning in, Talking Bush, Safaris & Luxury Travel is run by Rose Hipwood who founded The Luxury Safari Co Ltd in 2010 having built up a wealth of experience in the safari industry beforehand. This podcast will be made up of fun light hearted interviews with safari guides, conservationists, wildlife film makers, journalists, authors and wildlife photographers. Each podcast will provide an insight into life in Africa, managing, running and guiding at safari camps and lodges, and of course lots of other sides of working in Africa such as expeditions, articles assignments, photography assignments. Just like African safaris, the scope here is endless.