The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu

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 was part of the team that filmed Sir David Attenborough’s famous encounter with the mountain gorillas for the BBC’s “Life on Earth” series. Such was the impact of that recording that in 1999, British television viewers placed Attenborough’s gorilla sequence at number 12 out of 100 in the “Greatest TV Moments,” ranking it ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and the wedding of Charles and Diana. More importantly for the mountain gorillas, this intimate moment with a great ape was one of the catalysts for a turnaround in their (then) critically endangered status.

During the past four decades, Ian has advised in the making of more than 100 documentaries for the BBC, Nat Geo, and the Discovery Channel. He even coached actress Sigourney Weaver on how to grunt like a gorilla for the 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist.”

Listen to the first part of our conversation to learn about:

• Ian’s role in the mountain gorilla story
• His unusual approach to securing a job with Dian Fossey in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda
• Turning points in his life, such as the murder of his friend Digit, the young silverback gorilla
• How Fossey might view gorilla conservation now
• Rebalance Earth and the ecosystem services value of an elephant far beyond its tourism value
• In part two (episode 16) Ian talks about western lowland gorillas, bonobos and Kahuzi Biega National Park in the DRC, along with more entertaining insights from his amazing career

Ian Redmond OBE is a man of many hats! These include:

• Chair of Trustees, The Gorilla Organization
• Co-Founder, Rebalance Earth, which is developing a global ecosystems platform for valuing and funding a living nature to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and lift communities out of poverty
• Head of Conservation, Ecoflix the first not for profit global streaming platform dedicated to saving animals and the planet
• Senior Wildlife Consultant and Policy Adviser, Born Free Foundation
• Ambassador for the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species 2010-2024
• Co-founder and former Envoy, UN-GRASP.org
• Founder and Chairman, Ape Alliance (linking 95 organisations)
• Fellow, Linnean Society, Royal Geographical Society and previously Zoological Society of London
• Ambassador and consultant, www.vEcotourism.org Connecting and empowering conservation projects by integrating state-of-the-art immersive digital technologies with traditional storytelling
• Follow Ian Redmond on X

Welcome to my world!

Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners, and wacky guidebook writers.

Sign up my weekly newsletter.

Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the world’s biggest population of mountain gorillas. In this episode, I'm joined by my first guest, Her Royal Highness, the Nnaabagareka, Queen Sylvia Nagginda of Buganda Kingdom, patron of the NGO Conservation Through Public Health NGO, celebrating CTPH's 20 anniversary. Listen to our conversation to hear:

• Why was the Nnaabagareka tracking gorillas?
• Which gorilla family did she track in the forest?
• Why does she recommend Ugandans visit Bwindi?
• Why did I feel like crying when I first went to Bwindi?
• Why should we thank the gorillas?

Welcome to my world!

Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners, and wacky guidebook writers.

Sign up my weekly newsletter.

Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

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 unique factors that make Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda "the home of champions"?
• Behind the medals: I discuss the challenges faced by East African athletes. The lack of financial support makes their achievements even more inspiring.
• I’ve run all over Africa. And if - like me - the Olympics have inspired you, listen closely: I have some fantastic marathon and high altitude running ideas in East Africa that you won’t want to miss.

Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as I lace up my running shoes for a short loop around East Africa.

Welcome to my world!

Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners (and wacky guidebook writers).

Sign up to my weekly newsletter.

Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

[Graphic of Uganda's gold medallist Joshua Cheptegai courtesy of Nile Breweries].

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!

Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we splosh about on the edge of the forest.

This episode is dedicated to Mzee, the late Silver Kyamukama, an expert tracker, reformed poacher, and long-term friend of Sunbird Hill, Nature Monitoring and Rewilding Site, Kibale Forest, Uganda on the edge of Kibale Forest, western Uganda.

Welcome to my world!

Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners (and wacky guidebook writers).

Sign up my weekly newsletter.

Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

In this week's episode, 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:

• What does it sound like to sleep under canvas at Honey Bear Camp?
• What are the chances of encountering a crocodile on our walking safari?
• Who were the classic filmstars and writers who inspired the names of Wildplaces’ new camps in Uganda?
• And lastly, why did I let Philip Briggs talk me into climbing into a warthog hole?
• Pour yourself a sundowner and join me as we explore some of Uganda’s more remote safari destinations and take a walking safari on Kasenyi Plains.
• We stay at Honey Bear Camp on the southern bank of the Kazinga Channel and visit the site of the new River Station, both in Kyambura Game Reserve, Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, Uganda.

Welcome to my world!

Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners, and wacky guidebook writers.

Sign up my weekly newsletter.

Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.