Boots on the ground pod

Happy Madaraka Day! In this episode, I’m talking with Owino Raymond, Kenyan born and bred early career conservation biologist with a major focus in the conservation of large mammals in East Africa. We talk through his early years of studies, how his passion for conservation grew and his research work about Giraffes in Garissa County, in the northern parts of Kenya. We also dive into challenges and opportunities for young Kenya conservationists and a whole lot more. Enjoy💚

Happy World 🐝 Day. In this podcast, I’m talking with John Bowen, Bee Keeping Coordinator at The Maa Trust, in Maasai Mara. We talk through what his role entails, where his passion for apiculture stemmed from and how the Maa honey social enterprise came to be and its positive impacts to the local community. We also dive into the challenges facing bee keepers in the Greater Mara Ecosystem and we also look into the interrelationship between bee keeping and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Enjoy💚

In this new special podcast, I’m talking with Charlie Mayhew, MBE the Cofounder and CEO, Tusk Trust and Edward Ndiritu, the Head of the Anti-Poaching Unit at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. We talk through how the conservation charity Tusk, came to be and also the Tusk Conservation Awards. We dig into the success of Edward’s security startegy at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the huge success behind Tusk’s conservation approach supporting local grassroots organizations across Africa, plus a whole lot more on the threats facing wildlife in Africa and what the future looks like. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I’m delighted to be talking with Lorna Dax, Programs and Partnership Development Assistant at Save The Rhino Trust in Namibia. Lorna shares her love for nature and traveling during her school years and how she got into conservation. She has worked alongside local communities for 5 years. We also dig into her role at SRT, pressing threats facing Rhinos in Namibia and what SRT is doing to ensure that the Rhino population is stable! Enjoy💚

Happy International Women’s Day! In this new episode, I’m talking with Abigael, Head of the coexistence project, at Mara Elephant Project in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Abigael is researching solutions at the Experimental farm whose aim is to build a model for coexistence and ensure a win win for both the local community and the wildlife. We talk through her journey and early career and what drove her to go into agriculture and sustainability. We also dive into the what she does at the experimental farm, the data driven research that goes on there and different research indexes and what that means for the coexistence model that she and her team are looking to build. Listen in to the end to hear her message to all the women as we mark Women’s Day. Enjoy💚🎙️

It’s World Wildlife Day today! In this episode I’m talking with Wilson Sairowua, Mara Elephant Project’s Conservation Officer. We talk through his journey in conservation, human elephant conflict and some of the tools they use at MEP to mitigate these conflicts. We also dive into some of the technological software that is used in the field, community empowerment and how you can support MEP and their conservation efforts in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Enjoy💚🎙️

In this new episode, I’m super grateful to have Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka on the show again and this time we are talking about her memoir - Walking With Gorillas set to be released in March this year. We dig into what motivated her to pen down this book, some of the top conservation issues addressed, her journey as an African Wildlife Veterinarian and she also shares her thoughts on the future of African conservation. Remember you can pre- order the book now (check link on our socials). The book will be available in our book stores locally in the next few months. Enjoy💚

Happy World Wetlands Day 2023! In this new episode, I’m speaking with Joyce Koech, a climate and gender Justice activist from Mombasa, Kenya. Joyce is the co-founder of Blue Earth Organization, a youth and women led organization working tirelessly to restore degraded mangrove ecosystems along the coast of Kenya. We talk through how she got started with blue earth, why wetlands are important and also the biggest threats facing mangroves along the coast. We also dig into her passion for working with young people and more so women in the fight against climate change. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I am extremely happy to be speaking with Carel Verhoef, a true conservationist at heart based in the Serengeti. We begin by hearing how he got started in conservation having grown up in Kruger National Park, we also talk through creating value in non mainstream parks and buffer zones for conservation to work, his insights on private wildlife conservation models and some of the biggest threats to East Africa’s conservation spaces. Finally we dive into technology, storytelling and conservation and what the future of Africa’s wildlife looks like. Enjoy💚

In this podcast, I’m excited to be speaking with Chioma Okafor, a conservation biologist from Nigeria. We talk through her journey with nature and what she aimed to achieve with conservation storytelling. We also dive into nature conservation in Nigeria and the gaps in women leadership in the conservation space. Listen in to the end to lob why the elephant is her favorite animal. Enjoy💚

In this new podcast episode, I’m talking with Leif Cocks, founder of the International Tiger Project. We talk through his early years when he started working with 15 Orangutans which later led him to focus on other key species such as the Sumatran Tigers and Elephants. Our focus mainly is on the Sumatran Tigers, their conservation, the threats they are facing and what Leif is working towards alongside the local indigenous peoples to ensure that both the tigers and people survive and thrive. Listen in to the end to soak in all the wisdom Leif offers us. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I am excited to be speaking with Risper Asembo, a Kenyan environmentalist, climate and social Justice activist, a wildlife conservationist and the founder of Beyond the Trails Kenya. We talk through her first encounters with the effects of climate change and her journey to becoming a climate activist. We also dive into the key drivers of climate change in Africa, what role we can play as African countries to provide global climate solutions and also what the youth, who make up 70% of Africa’s population can do to keep 1.5 degrees alive. Enjoy🎙️🍃

In this episode, I talk with Arineitwe Moses AKA The Pangolin Man. He is the director at Kigezi nr conservation and development and he is based in Uganda. We talk through his love for wildlife and nature, how he began his work in pangolin conservation and we also dive in into some of the biggest challenges facing pangolins in Uganda and what he is doing through his grassroots organization to drive positive change by involving the local communities and putting them at the forefront in ensuring pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammals survive and thrive in the wild. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I talk with Andy McGinlay COO at a disruptive and exciting startup called holiday swap. We talk through his love for adventure and backpacking in some of the most dangerous places in the world and we also dig deeper into what holiday swap is about and why you should definitely download this app which will cut your accommodation costs and enable you to travel cheap and safe. Enjoy💚

In this new podcast, I talk with Jim Justus Nyamu. Popular for his campaign, ‘Ivory belongs to Elephants’, Jim has dedicated his life to conservation of the African Elephant. We talk through his story and dig deeper on why elephants, the threats elephant populations in Africa are facing and what we can all do to support his conservation efforts. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I’m excited to be speaking with Susan-Rose Maingi, Conservation Manager at Colubus Conservation. We dig into her conservation Journey and we also talk through what she does in Kwale County where she oversees the day to day operations of projects that promote the mitigation of challenges experienced by communities living with primates. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, I talk with Holly budge, founder and leader of international non profit, How Many Elephants and recently launched World Female Ranger Week which we’re celebrating from the 23rd to the 30th of June. We talk through her adventures, her work with How many elephants, threats facing biodiversity, gaps to women leadership in conservation and we also get to hear what it meant for her to skydive and summit the Everest. Enjoy💚

In this round table, I’m talking with four of Birdlife Africa’s partners to celebrate the completion of the STRONG HIGH SEAS PROJECT focusing on the work done in the Southeast Atlantic region over the last 5 years since the project was started, the successes this project has achieved, challenges faced, and finally prospects of having a treaty that everyone agrees to. Enjoy💚

In this new episode I talk with Senne Van ‘t Hof, communications lead at Justdigit. We talk through how Justdigit came to be, their projects and programs across Africa and how they’re working with local communities to regreen Africa’s degraded landscapes. We also dig into how we can all be of help to support their mission and leverage on tech to ensure scalability of their regreening efforts. Listen in and enjoy💚

In this new episode, I talk with Benson Kanyembo, A wildlife law enforcement advisor working for Conservation South Luangwa in Zambia. We talk through his humble beginnings and his work around wildlife conservation. We also dive into threats facing wildlife in Africa, indigenous conservation and a whole lot more. Enjoy💚

In this podcast, I talk with Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Founder and C.E.O, Conservation Through Public Health. We talk through her conservation journey, CTPH and the programs they run to ensure both people and animals coexist. We also dig into how the Village health conservation teams operate on the ground and the value of ecotourism plus so much more. Enjoy💚

In this short episode, I take this special moment to thank all of you for your support, encouragement and presence in this podcast. Baraka tele💚

In this new podcast episode, I’m talking with Katto Wambua, Wildlife Justice Director, Space For Giants 🐘. We talk through his beginnings and career in conservation, what fueled his passion for wildlife law enforcement, and we also dive deep into the Wildlife Justice systems and the work he and his team does at Space For Giants across the region plus so much more. Enjoy💚

In our last episode of this series, I talk with Alfred Mwanake, conservancies coordinator at Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association. We talk through his beginnings In Conservation, eco tourism in the larger Tsavo conservation area, threats to wildlife, and how to get communities excited about conservation. We also dig into opportunities for youth and how we can have them take part meaningfully. Enjoy💚

This is part 2 of episode 3 of our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s Wildlife and Wild places. Listen in as Kenneth Kimitei, Senior Ecologist, Tsavo-Mkomazi landscape, takes a though the Wildlife census, threats facing Wildlife in the larger Tsavo, and Interventions AWF is putting in place to mitigate the negative effects. Enjoy💚

This is part 1 of our third episode on our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places. I talk with Kenneth Kimitei, Senior Landscape Ecologist in the Tsavo-Mkomazi Landscape. We dive into how he got started in conservation and what his work entails. We also talk through the Nationwide Wildlife census and the methodologies used in conducting the census in the larger Tsavo ecosystem. Enjoy💚

In this Second episode of our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s Wildlife and Wild places, I’m talking with Dontillah Sarru, a Wildlife ranger now working as a corporal at Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary. We talk through her first encounters with wildlife and her recollection of her training in Amboseli. We also dig into her routine, effects of Covid-19 on conservation and why the giraffe is her favorite animal. Enjoy💚

In this first episode of our new series dubbed in the quest to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places, I’m talking with Didi Wamukoya, the Director, Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program at African Wildlife Foundation. We dive into how she got started in her conservation career, and we also talk through the strategies for counter wildlife trafficking, how to address emerging crimes like Wildlife cyber crimes and challenges experienced in enforcing wildlife laws in Kenya and across the region. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, we get to hear from the legendary Ami Vitale. We talk through how she got started in her colorful career, recollections from the last moments filming the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, and why it is key to build trust and relationships as a storyteller. We also dig into her latest film SHABA plus a lot more. Enjoy and be inspired 💚

In this new episode, I talk with Sam Thuku, a filmmaker, environmentalist and conservationist. We talk about his journey into the filmmaking industry, his passion for conservation and he also walks us through the challenges he has faced in his career and how he has managed to overcome them plus the editing tools he uses in post production and a lot more. Be inspired💚

In this new episode I’m talking with Nevil Agesa, Project Coordinator, Diani Turtle Watch. We talk through his journey and how he got started in conservation, the different species of turtles found along the Kenyan coast, their habitats and life cycle. We also dive into the threats facing these reptiles and what Nevil, his team and the various partners are doing to ensure that turtles survive and thrive. Be inspired💚

In this episode, I talk with Liberatha Kawamala, founder, Libe Green Innovations. We talk through how she started her journey in environmental conservation, how Libe Green Innovation came to be and the challenges she experienced at first. We also dive into interventions she and her team are putting in place to bring in various stakeholders on deck and we also highlight the importance of youth and local community involvement in her projects and programs. Be inspired💚

In this episode I’m talking with Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze, founder and CEO Greening Burundi. We dive into his work with Greening Burundi, their programs and projects on the ground and we also talk through threats facing environmental conservation in Burundi plus why we need young people on board to effectively see the change we want. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Aishwarya, a self taught wildlife filmmaker and photographer with a background in Mass media. We dive into her world of wildlife storytelling and talk about her current film ‘Tiger Queen Of Taru’. We also talk through gaming, VR, and other technologies that are shaping up our relationship with nature. Listen to the end to find out why the Elephant 🐘 is her favorite animal. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Felix Ongoma, Sustainable Tourism expert in the making. We dive into defining what partnerships mean to us, our experience working together in different projects and finally why we think that the future is all partnerships and collaborations. Enjoy💚

In this episode I talk with Bright Lemchi, founder Gowasteline companies. We talk through his initiative and the projects they are involved in on the ground to bring social change through waste management. We also tackle issues to do with why it is crucial to involve the youth in these programs and what we call do at an individual level to take action against waste pollution. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Dean Carlisle, C.E.O, Lessons In Conservation. We talk about his passion and how he got started in conservation from a young age to forming Lessons In Conservation, an organization that inspires and educates the generation of tomorrow to be able to make critical decisions in conservation and make a difference. Enjoy💚

In this final episode of our series #oceanmonthpodcast , we’re honored to have Mr. Abou Bamba, of the UNEP Abidjan Convention Secretariat. We talk through the mandate of the Abidjan Convention, challenges facing conservation and preservation of marine biodiversity in the south East Atlantic region and the need to unlock economic potential in the coastal zones across Africa for the creation of wealth for coastal communities. Enjoy💚

Our guest this week is Maurice Schutgens. He is the conservation program manager at Space for Gi🐘nts.He walks us through Space For Giants conservation work in the Laikipia region in Kenya and across the African region. We also dive deep into human elephant conflict mitigation and its impacts plus much more on the need to unlock economic value in the natural capital within Africa. Be part of this conversation. We’re all we have. Enjoy💚

In this third episode of our #oceanmonthpodcast series, I talk with Dr. Carole and Ben from the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS). We dive into the current Ocean Governance structure and its gaps and practical challenges. We also talk through the highlights of the Strong High Seas Project to date and what sort of interventions and integrated approaches are being put in place to strengthen ocean management both regionally and globally. Enjoy💚

Happy World Giraffe Day🌎. In this episode I talk with Save Giraffes Now President, David O’Connor. We dive into the world of Giraffes, and their conservation. He also takes us through the translocation exercise of Nine Rothschild Giraffes from the flooded Lake Baringo peninsula in Kenya where the giraffes called home, into the Ruko community conservancy using a “GiRaft” as David calls it. Enjoy💚

In this second episode of our new series, #oceanmonthpodcast, I talk with Carolina Hazin. She is the Global marine policy coordinator at Birdlife International. We define High Seas and highlight their importance and we also talk through some of the biggest threats facing the High Seas and how the UN negotiations for a new treaty are currently ongoing. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Agnes Tjirare about her work with Children In The Wilderness (CITW), an NGO based in Namibia working towards sustainable conservation by giving young children and local communities training and education on matters environmental conservation. We dive into some of the programs and projects they run and also touch on opportunities for the girl child in conservation. Enjoy💚

In this first Episode of our new series, Ocean Month Podcast, in partnership with Birdlife Africa, I talk with Dr. Shannon Hampton, program manager, International Ocean Institute. We talk through the Strong High Seas project and dig into some of the challenges facing regional ocean governance. Enjoy💚

This World Environment Day, together with Birdlife International (Africa), We are proud to bring to you yet another exciting podcast seeking to highlight the strides made by Birdlife partners in restoring critical Ecosystems in Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Egypt. Enjoy💚

In this Episode, I’m talking with Emma Ochieng, founder Towards A Better Earth Initiative. We talk through what drives her passion for conservation and also dive into what her initiative is doing on the ground to help conserve the environment. Enjoy💚

To commemorate the world endangered species day (WESD) marked annually on the third Friday of May, Boots On The Ground and BirdLife International (Africa) present to you a special podcast focusing on the work of three of their partners. We dig into Vultures and three other bird species; the white winged fluff tail, the liben lark and the Mauritian olive white eye, all listed by the I.U.C.N as critically endangered and are on the brink of extinction. We talk through their uniqueness and the type of threats they face plus a lot more. Enjoy💚

To wrap up the vulture Guardians podcast series, I talk with Dr. Onoja, Director Technical programs at the Nigerian conservation foundation, a key partner of Birdlife International (Africa). We talk through NCF’s efforts in preventing vultures from going extinct and why it is crucial to include local communities at the decision making table when it comes to matters conservation. Enjoy💚

In this Fourth episode of our new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping Vultures Soar Again, I talk with Khadija and Mohamed, Birdlife Africa partner representatives based in Morocco. We dig into what GREPOM is doing in North Africa to save vultures from extinction, but also what makes Morocco special for vultures and their conservation.Enjoy💚

In this Third episode of our new series, Vulture Guardians:Helping Vultures Soar Again, I talk with Fadzai Matsvimbo, Preventing Extinction Program Manager at Birdlife Zimbabwe. We get candid, and we talk about all the work Birdlife Zimbabwe is doing to protect vultures from extinction in the region. Enjoy💚

This is Episode 2 of our new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping vultures soar again. And this week I’m talking with Paul Gacheru, a wildlife ecologist who is the species and sites program manager at Nature Kenya, a key partner of Birdlife International (Africa). Enjoy💚

This week, we’re excited to present to you a new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping Vultures Soar Again in partnership with birdlife Africa. In this pilot episode, I talk with Salisha Chandra,Vulture Conservation Manager, birdlife Africa to drive open this exciting series that will air over the next couple of weeks. We get personal and we talk about the state of the African vultures, a bird species that is declining towards extinction at a very fast rate than ever before. Enjoy💚

Darcy has been involved in research and conservation in Kenya since 2000 when she began her masters degree, and later studied mackinder’s eagle owls 🦉 for her PhD research. Ogada has worked for the Peregrine fund’s Africa program since 2010 and is based in Central Kenya. In 2013, she began work in Northern Kenya focused on studying and conserving vultures. In 2017, she began intensive community level trainings to stop wildlife poisoning and the following year she joined forces with the NGO lion landscapes to initiate their coexistence coop project aimed at helping people in northern Kenya coexist with wildlife. Darcy is a prolific writer of scientific papers, blogs, and general articles on topics concerning African raptors and wildlife poisoning. She recently stepped down as editor of scopus, east Africa’s peer reviewed ornithological journal, and she chairs the African region of the IUCN vulture specialist group. She’s actively involved in a host of local conservation issues as a member of of nature Kenya’s bird committee and the KWS bird task force. She currently monitors and gains inspiration from the next generation of East Africa’s conservationists. Enjoy💚

In this month’s Travel banter hosted by Dibblex and Felix, they gang up to shed light on Development Vs Conservation,a topic that is giving all of us in the conservation space a headache. Listen in and share your thoughts and comments because this is a conversation for everyone! Enjoy💚

Sport Beattie is the founder and C.E.O of Game Rangers International (GRI). Originally from Zimbabwe, he has a conservation and British military background. Following a 2 year stint in Cambodia training former khamer rouge fighters to become fully fledged rangers, sport helped establish the elephant orphanage project in Zambia. Fourteen years later, GRI has grown into a well established and credible NGO, which currently employs 85* full time staff and empowers 150* front line rangers who are helping to secure more than 1,000,000 acres of prime African wilderness. GRI embraces a holistic approach to conservation. It works across three key thematic areas including; resource protection, community outreach and wildlife rescue. Sport’s goal within GRI is to empower 1000* rangers to secure more than 10,000,000 acres of wilderness area for the benefit of wildlife and local communities alike. His long term vision is to grow the organization into a sustainable entity, which is capable of deploying the hugely successful GRI ranger empowerment model across multiple conservation landscapes in Africa and Asia. Enjoy💚

Evelyn Acham is a passionate climate justice activist from Uganda. She is the national Ugandan coordinator of the rise up movement. Also, she is an Arctic angel at global choices. Evelyn is also an active member with Fridays for nature. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in land economics from Makerere university. Enjoy💚

Susan works as the assistant conservation officer at Loisaba Wildlife conservancy focusing on SMART (spatial monitoring and reporting tool) and lion monitoring in partnership with Lion landscapes. Lion landscapes works with local communities and conservation partners to create landscapes where both large carnivores and local communities can thrive. Enjoy💚

Luke Maamai works with Lion Guardians as program manager. He started working with Lion Guardians in 2008 as a research assistant and later in 2010,Luke was promoted to managerial position. His main job is to oversee guardians performance, offering basic training on literacy, use of scientific equipment like GPS and telemetry equipment, providing help in mitigating conflict and help in fundraising. Luke loves working with local people for sustainable conservation of wildlife globally. Enjoy💚

Dr Lynne MacTavish has worked at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve since 2000 as Operations Manager. She studied Travel and Tourism, has FGASA level 2, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in recognition of her major contribution to wildlife conservation in South Africa and promotion of conservation science at the highest level. She is also a qualified first aider. Lynne has been one of the Principal Investigators on the Earthwatch project and has lead 73 research teams. She finds being involved in research and education very rewarding and has recently been co-author on 17 publications.

Besides helping her Dad, Dougal, run the reserve Lynne co-ordinates all the student and Earthwatch groups. Lynne has a passionate desire to save the rhino's in South Africa and is involved with the Rhino Protection Unit. She also has a menagerie of orphaned animals that she is rehabilitating at her house. Enjoy and learn something 💚

Jim Karani is an Environmental lawyer who works with law enforcement to ensure wildlife poachers and traffickers are brought to justice. A consulting partner at Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (@animallawafrica ) which is a network of lawyers in Africa working to elevate legal protections for Africa's iconic wildlife and domestic species. I hope you enjoy and learn something 👍🏾💚

Toby has vast research and field experience ranging from small mammals to large mammals. He started out as a volunteer intern (for over 4 years) at National Museums of Kenya, Mammalogy Department, before proceeding to Mpala Research Centre as Research Project Field Manager and as a graduate student. As the Ewaso Lions Research Manager, Toby takes the lead role in all monitoring activities and research programme management in order to provide data to support our mission. Toby holds a BSc. in Wildlife Management and Conservation from University of Nairobi, and a Master of Science in Wildlife Management from Karatina University. Toby has applied his skills and over the past years to implement research design, conduct field activities, write research proposals, and author publications in peer reviewed journals. Under the Ewaso Lions Biodiversity and infrastructure programme, Toby has been instrumental in collating data for the A2 Highway cutting across our study area for a consortium of partners monitoring wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife-road interactions and participating in consultative discussions on the Linear infrastructure development in Kenya. Enjoy💚

Anna Ashdown is a conservationist and she holds a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management. Anna has travelled to South Africa every year since she was 17 to volunteer on a wildlife reserve and help them protect their wildlife. Unfortunately She’s not working in a conservation job at the moment as it’s been hard/impossible to work on projects and research expeditions during the pandemic, but she is constantly raising money for and raising awareness of rhino conservation through her Instagram page. Rhino conservation means a lot to her and has a special place in her heart. She has always been a great lover of wildlife and the natural world. Enjoy💚

I welcome all of you to our new segment dubbed , monthly travel banter with Dibblex (myself) and Felix. It’s a segment where we will be sharing current trends and issues in the travel and tourism industry. Reach out and DM us too on what topics and questions you would want us to cover. A new episode on this will be going up each and every month throughout the calendar year. Listen in to this teaser episode we did and leave a review. And also, Subscribe! Subscribe! Subscribe! Let’s do this guys! Much love,stay safe and smile😃💚

Jonathan odongo assists with the implementation of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s conservation education program. He holds a degree in Environmental education from Kenyatta University. His interest in the natural world and its preservation has led him to thought leadership platforms such as global environmental educators forum (USA), African regional center for expertise conference(Nairobi), United Nations framework convention on climate change (Morocco),International zoo educators conference in the United Arab Emirates among others. Lewa’s conservation education program hosts over 5,000 students from all corners of Kenya and reaches out to thousands more in the Northern part of the country. Jonathan’s goal in life is to inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment. Enjoy💚

Nina joined IRF in May of 2020 as its Executive Director. She has been a wildlife conservation professional for more than 30 years. She previously held positions as vice president of philanthropy and vice president of field conservation at Defenders of Wildlife, and was executive director at Bat Conservation International. Nina has visited all 50 U.S. states and more countries than her age, though she keeps that number a secret. She loves both remote nature travel as well as urban destinations. Despite hating the cold, she has often found herself at the top of big mountains, including Mt. Kenya and the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. Nina feels very fortunate to travel annually to northern Kenya, where she loves the wildlife, landscapes and people. Enjoy this episode 💚

Since 2001, Cathy has been CEO of Save the Rhino International, a UK-registered charity working to conserve viable populations of the five species of rhino in Africa and Asia. Cathy and her team raise funds for long-term rhino programmes, as well as one-off projects, e.g. workshops or training courses. Save the Rhino also works with NGOs in Vietnam and China to deliver behaviour-change campaigns aimed at reducing the demand for illegal rhino horn.

Cathy’s particular remit is to liaise with field programmes to determine priority needs and then build collaborative partnerships to piece together the financing needed to implement rhino conservation strategies. She is a Member of the IUCN SSC African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups and won the IUCN Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership in 2015. She has run seven marathons and three ultra-marathons to raise funds for rhino conservation. Enjoy💚

James Mwenda is a passionate conservationist currently working at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. James is one of the caretakers of the last two known northern white rhinos in existence, a character and narrator of the award-winning documentary ‘’KIFARU” and the recipient of the Paradise Foundation’s 2018 African Ranger Awards. Inspired to make a difference by witnessing extinction on a daily basis, he regularly attends to guests, students, volunteers, and media crews on Ol Pejeta. In the last three years, James has been globe trotting and speaking against species extinction as well as the well-being of the planet. James has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Podcast, Sky News, BBC's Seven Worlds, Euro News , GQ Magazine, One Planet and many more. If he is not looking after his rhino girlfriends, he enjoys safari guiding, photography, playing guitar and a good series binge. I hope you enjoy 💚

David chancellor’s work brings him across the world,from the tribal lands of Kenya to the sombre mountains of Scotland.His interests are mapping that jagged and bloody line where man and beast meet.He has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, exhibited in major galleries and museums,and published worldwide.Recognized by world press photo, the Taylor wessing National portrait prize and pictures of the year international,David published the monograph ‘Hunters’ in 2012. His work continues to examine mankind’s commodification of wildlife. Visually reminiscent of 19th century daguerreotypes,David’s photographs are arresting,engaging,and thought provoking. His passion for his work allows him to consistently succeed in navigating the minefields surrounding his chosen subjects. The resulting bodies of work never fail to draw people in and create a space for a much needed dialogue. Enjoy💚👍🏾

In this bonus episode of our series #womenintravel, I get to have a chat with Katito Sayialel, a local Maasai from Loitokitok. She has worked for 25 years studying and monitoring elephants 🐘 in Amboseli national park. Katito works for a project called Amboseli trust for elephants, an organization who since its inception in 1972 has worked towards studying elephants in Amboseli, monitoring their numbers and also reducing threats faced to curb and maintain a healthy and secure elephant population. Enjoy💚

In this final episode of our series #womenintravel, I get to have a chat with Dorothy Lowakutuk. Dorothy works as a guest relations officer at reteti elephant sanctuary in Samburu county. Reteti elephant sanctuary is located in Namunyak conservancy and it is the first community owned elephant orphanage in Africa. The sanctuary was designed to rescue, support, and release orphaned and abandoned elephant calves back into the landscape that they lived in, with the hope that they would unite with their family groups once old enough to do so. I hope you enjoy and learn a thing or two💚

In this 5th episode of our series #womenintravel , I get to have a chat with Selengei. She is a conservationist. Selengei was born and raised in Kenya and her love of wildlife was inspired by her childhood there. Her mother, Joyce Poole, is a world renowned elephant scientist who has studied the communication and behavior of African elephants for over 45 years. Selengei’s parents run the non profit Elephant Voices, an organization that studies the behavior and communication of African elephants and uses knowledge acquired over decades to act as a voice for elephants. Selengei has always had a deep love and understanding of Animals, especially elephants 🐘, and is passionate about animal protection and welfare. Selengei uses her knowledge about conservation and the threats facing wildlife to raise awareness on her own online platform. Enjoy💚

In this second episode of our new series #womenintravel , I get to have a chat with Natasha Chapman, who is from the UK but has since been living in Tanzania. Natasha is a physical education teacher by profession having taught in the UK, Malawi,Tanzania and briefly in Honduras while volunteering. She is passionate about travel and in particular travel within the African continent.She loves experiencing new cultures and meeting new people as well as going on safaris and taking photos of wildlife. Her favorite place to go for safari is south luangwa, Zambia. Enjoy💚

In this fourth episode of the #travellocalpodcast, I talk to Emmaculate,a field guide at the national museums of Kenya 🇰🇪 about what tourists can expect upon planning to visit this rich heritage site.

In this episode we tackle the issue of carbon emissions in relation to the way we travel and how we can do better as local tourists and as a community in reclaiming lost glory for our natural resources because mama earth 🌍 is talking and we really really need to listen!!!!

In this episode we explore a great camping destination in sagana,central Kenya. Our dear friend Felix will be answering some of the key questions I’m sure you’d want answers to as to what makes Sagana a great camping and adventure destination in Kenya.

In this episode we talk to Felix about the current affairs in the tourism industry here in Kenya and on a global scale plus how COVID 19 has affected the local people through job loss and we also get to touch on the future of sustainability.