Safari Life with Bobby-Jo
Hosted by Bobby-Jo, an experienced zookeeper and trained photographer, Safari Life with Bobby-Jo explores wildlife photography and conservation. The show offers insights into animal behaviour, photography techniques, and the importance of preserving wildlife. Drawing on her photo safaris across locations such as the Southern Serengeti, the Himalayas, India, Patagonia, the Pantanal, Galapagos, Uganda, Madagascar, Mana Pools, and Antarctica, Bobby-Jo shares stories and practical advice. Listeners learn how to capture better shots while gaining a deeper appreciation for nature. The podcast is produced and distributed by Podvan Media.
Episodes
Ep39: Sri Lankan Leopards - Why these cats are different
G'day legends!I'm sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean in Kumana National Park, southeast Sri Lanka, with my friend and guide Mevan Piyasena. Mevan's been obsessed with leopards for over 40 years, and after the sightings we've just had (10 leopards in Yala, another six or seven here in Kumana), I can see why. We'll introduce you to a mother leopard called Sankani and her two
Ep38: When Your Guest Takes Over! India, Tigers, and Lessons from the Road
G'day Honey Badgers!This one's a bit different. I'm sitting in the bar at the Ranthambore Kothi Hotel with a cappuccino in hand, and my guest Caren has completely taken over the podcast. She's running the show, asking me about rutting deer calls, whether human blokes should scream down the street when they're in rut, and what makes a good safari guest. We talk about the early d
Ep37: Ratna's Ripple Effect - How One Woman Is Changing Wildlife Tourism in India
G'day legends!I'm sitting on the banks of the Bunja River in Kanha National Park's buffer zone with my good mate Ratna, her partner Wasim, and our honey badgers Caren and Amie. Two days ago, Ratna and Wasim surprised me with access to a dhole (Asian wild dog) den just 1.5 kilometres from the lodge, and I got to sit within 15 metres of four-month-old pups and adults. It's honestly a
Ep36: Snow Leopard Quest in Ladakh - Altitude, Buddhists & Rare Cats
G'day Honey Badgers!I'm still in Ladakh in northern India at 3,500 metres above sea level, and I've officially kicked off our snow leopard expedition. Karen Jenkins is here with me, and we're diving straight into the deep end. Yesterday we spent the day exploring the monasteries, learning about Buddhism and the Wheel of Life from our guide Dorje (I've nicknamed him Dorje Cat fo
Ep35: Ladakh Expedition - Buddhism, Wolves, and the Valley of the Rare Lynx
G'day Honey Badgers!I'm checking in from Ladakh in northern India at 3,500 metres above sea level, and we've officially kicked off our snow leopard expedition. Yesterday, we spent the day exploring monasteries in Hamath, learning about Buddhism and the Wheel of Life with our guide Dorje (the cat man of Ladakh). My mate Karen even helped an elderly lady down a massive set of stairs, whi
Ep34: Blackbuck, Wolves & Jungle Cats - Inside Velavadar National Park
G'day legends!I'm sitting down on the edge of rural India, fresh off a red-eye from Kilimanjaro with about zero sleep under my belt. Maxine's here with me, and we've just wrapped four incredible safaris in Velavadar Black Buck National Park. This episode is all about what we found there, and mate, it was nothing short of extraordinary.We saw huge herds of blackbuck, watched them st
Ep33: Dr Dickson Wambura - Tracking a Black Rhino on Foot!
I'm sitting down at Ingela's house on the spectacular rim of the Ngorongoro Crater after an absolutely epic week in the African bush. In the episode, you'll meet the ultimate conservation badass, Dr Dickson Wambura, the lead wildlife veterinarian for this incredible landscape, alongside the legendary Kimani from KopeLion. Dickson's journey is one of pure grit, spanning seven years
Ep32: Bomas, Big Cats and Bush Tension with KopeLion
I’m back in one of my favourite places on the planet, the Ngorongoro and Ndutu landscape, catching up with Kimani and the brilliant KopeLion team for a few days of bomas, lion monitoring, dust, rain, roaring males and proper bush nerves.We start by visiting a Maasai boma that was built to help protect livestock from predators, and I get to hear first-hand how it has changed life for the family usi
Ep31: What Happens When I’m a Guest on My Own Podcast?
This one is a little different! We’re out in the eastern Serengeti at Serenity Camp, with dust on our boots and the plains stretched out around us, and for once I'm the one being interviewed. Tim has pinched the mic, which means you’re getting a behind-the-scenes chat straight from the bush about guiding, photography, conservation, and what safari life really looks like once the engine’s off.J
Ep30: Safari First-Timers - An Aussie Farmer In The Serengeti!
For this episode, I’m back in the dust and magic of Tanzania (Kilimanjaro to be exact) and buzzing to be back for the start of safari season! I’ve just reunited with my absolute badass of a guide, Firoz, along with a group of Honey Badgers who are fresh off the flight from Australia. It’s a butterfly-inducing moment being back in the bush (especially with the short rains finally starting to stir t
Ep29: Safari Survival - The Night a Giraffe Tried to Reshape Our Car
I’m sitting down on the edge of the Luangwa River at the iconic Flatdogs Camp, catching up with the absolute legends behind the operation, Jess and Ade. These two are total safari royalty who've spent over three decades dedicated to this wild corner of Zambia. I first met them back in 2017 while working for Conservation South Luangwa, and returning here always feels like coming home. We’re cha
Ep28: Rachel McRobb - From a $150 Start to a Conservation Powerhouse
I’m sitting by the Luangwa River at the Flatdogs Camp for a conversation that has been years in the making. Today, I’m joined by a true MVP of the valley, Rachel McRobb. Rachel is the CEO and founder of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), and she’s someone I’ve looked up to for many years. She’s a phenomenal human being who has dedicated the last 25 years to protecting this landscape, and I’m so hon
Ep27: South Luangwa Skies - Tracking Lions and Vultures from a Tiny Plane
In this episode, I'm connecting with you from South Luangwa National Park. I'm heading up in a two-seater 1959 Super Cub to see the valley from a completely different perspective. I sit down with Gareth and Jeremiah from Conservation South Luangwa to talk about the vital role of aerial patrols in protecting this landscape. I haven't seen wild dogs for two years, and spotting a pack wit
Ep26: BBC Exclusive - A Five Year Secret Revealed!
In Part 2 of my chat with Dr. Matt Becker from @zcp_zambia, we're looking at the management challenges, political pressures, and funding hurdles that come with leading a team of 100 people across Zambia's national parks. Matt shares the exclusive details of his five year collaboration with the BBC on a series that tracks the intersecting lives of dogs, lions, hyenas, and leopards. We'r
Ep25: From Kentucky to Luangwa - The Making of a Wildlife Biologist
I'm coming to you from the stunning South Luangwa in Zambia, where I've spent the last two weeks with my good friend, Dr. Matthew Becker. Matt is the Director of the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), and he's spent the last 17 years dedicated to the conservation of Africa’s most iconic predators. We're sitting down to talk about the vital work being done across eight Zambian national parks to pro
Ep24: My Nieces Interview Me! (The "Book of Life" & Safari Secrets)
Well Honey Badgers, I'm connecting with you from my lounge room for a very special start to the year. My nieces Layla, Amirah, and Luna have just finished a day at the zoo, but now they're turning the tables to interview me about my life behind the lens.You'll hear their unfiltered questions about my favourite safaris, the time I got stranded in South Africa, and the reality of fear in
Ep23: Saving An Elephant Calf Stuck In The Mud!
I'm in South Luangwa, Zambia, specifically in Mfuwe. I've joined forces with Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). We're racing against the clock because an elephant calf has been stuck in the mud for hours, and its mother is pacing nearby, agitated and protective.You'll hear the raw audio from the back of the Land Cruiser as the
Ep22: The Top Three Highlights from Uganda
We're drifting through the dense channels of the Mabamba Swamp in Uganda. It's the final leg of our journey and the stakes are high. We're searching for one of the most elusive and prehistoric-looking birds on the planet.We're talking about the Shoebill Stork. You'll hear the raw audio from the boat as we search for one (hoping for a glimpse) only to have the most incredible en
Ep21: What It’s Like to Be Charged by a Silverback!
I am back in Uganda, and cannot wait to share this adventure with you. We are starting in Queen Elizabeth National Park and heading straight for the water.In this episode, I take you aboard the best boat cruise I have ever experienced on the Kazinga Channel. We're talking elephants getting uncomfortably close, a hippo with a rare pigmentation condition, and a mongoose with a very questionable
Ep20: Surrounded by Screaming Chimps!!
I've just landed in Uganda and I am absolutely buzzing! This country is pure magic (they call it the Pearl of Africa for a reason) and this trip is already one for the books.We're on a private safari, and our first major stop is the incredible Kibale National Park. It’s home to my absolute favourite species: the chimpanzee. Before we even got to the chimps, we went on a primate walk throug
Ep19: A Portrait in the Dark, and a River of Life and Death
This is it. This is the moment we waited over 20 hours for. My heart was pounding, my guests had tears in their eyes, and I was just trying to take it all in.After days of waiting by the river in the Northern Serengeti, we were rewarded with the biggest, most chaotic, and most emotional wildebeest crossing I have ever seen in my life. We're talking tens of thousands of animals plunging into th
Ep18: Smelly Hippos, Punctured Tyres, and the Realities of Safari
What does it really take to witness the great wildebeest crossing? It's not just about luck (though you do need a lot of that). It’s about patience, ethics, and managing high-stakes pressure.This episode, I'm taking you right into the safari vehicle with me and my incredible guide, Firoz, as we drive to the Northern Serengeti. The pressure is on! We talk about the high hopes (and the serious stres
Ep17: Three Days of Tension in the Serengeti!
After waiting for 24 hours over three full days in the Northern Serengeti, my guests and I were starting to lose hope. Then, on our very last day, we took a chance, drove 45 minutes to a remote crossing point, and were met with the most incredible sight I have ever seen. It was so emotional, my guests were crying, and I definitely shed a tear or two!In this episode, I'm back in Australia catch
Ep16: The Most Important Meeting I’ve Ever Attended
Imagine sitting under a tree in the middle of the Tanzanian bush, surrounded by Maasai elders and young warriors. They've just slaughtered a goat, and as the only woman there, I'm trying to absorb the weight of the moment. This isn't just any meeting; they are debating the future of lions in their homeland, and an elder has just asked the most direct question possible: "Do you guy
Ep15: A Newborn Baby in a Boma
In this episode, I’m on the ground in Ngorongoro with the KopeLion team, and I walk into a situation that just completely blows my mind. I was heading into a Maasai Boma to take a portrait of one of the Ilchokuti (the lion guardians), when I was told I couldn't go in because his wife had literally just given birth inside their tiny home moments before! No doctors, no hospital, just the traditional
Ep14: The Maasai Leader Protecting His People and Lions
It’s a brutal catch-22 in conservation: what happens when lion numbers start to grow? The conflict with the local community often grows with them. Tragically, in Ngorongoro, a recent increase in lions attacking livestock has led to more retaliation killings, and it’s an incredibly challenging time on the ground.In this episode, I’m back at Mama Simba’s and I get to introduce you to someone very sp
Ep13: I Got Chased By A Lion!!
OK, before I get to how I just got chased by a lion...I've gotta say, I was so angry and sad when I saw some footage online recently. Dozens of tourists had gotten out of their vehicles at the Mara River crossing on the Serengeti side, some standing on the roofs of their cars, others sitting right on the riverbank. This is completely illegal and incredibly dangerous, and it was all happening as a
Ep12: A Leopard for Mum's Birthday
Well, being completely on my own in a tiny, doorless vehicle when a heavily pregnant leopard decides to walk right past is a feeling I’ll never forget! I finally tracked down my first leopard of the trip, the incredible Ndoto, and the experience was sensational. She was so confident, parading between the cars, and the thrill (and slight heebie-jeebies) of having her so close while I was in a compl
Ep11: He’s Back: The Buffalo Outside My Tent
Well, I just had quite a big scare! My heart's still racing! Tonight, from in my tent, I spotted a VERY close Cape Buffalo! He was so close I just thought, ‘OK, this is how it ends. I get cleaned up by a buffalo’.In this episode, I’m reporting from my first week back in Kenya, and it’s been an absolutely wild start! When I’m not teaching photography, I get to take my own little Suzuki out on solo
Ep10: Releasing Baby Turtles and Copping Traffic-Stopping Elephants - Welcome To Sri Lanka
In this episode, I’m coming to you from one of the most incredible trips of my life. It's my maiden voyage through Sri Lanka with six brilliant Honey Badgers by my side. From bogged safari vehicles and thunderstorms to magical moments like releasing baby turtles into the ocean, this adventure had it all!I’ll take you inside the wild parks of Yala, Kumana, and Wilpattu, where we searched high and l
Ep9: Ratna Singh: India’s Trailblazing Guide
What is it like to run a lodge on the edge of tiger country, train over two thousand wildlife guides and share your backyard with big cats? Just ask Ratna Singh, India’s very own superwoman.In this episode I am recording right on the pool deck at our beautiful base inside Kanha National Park. There are candles flickering, owls calling and the forest is only metres away, perfect for a chat with Rat
Ep8: Come With Me On An Incredible Indian Safari!
What’s it like to search for tigers and experience India’s wilderness up close? Absolute magic – with a few surprises and lots of laughs along the way!In this episode, I’m taking you on a whirlwind journey through India’s national parks, from the rhino-filled grasslands of Kaziranga to the tiger havens of Tadoba, Kanha, and Ranthambore. Alongside my wonderful guests – Caroline, Lauren, and Susan –
Ep7: You MUST Listen to This if You’ve Ever Thought of Doing an African Safari!!
What’s it like to fall asleep to the sound of lions roaring—every single night?In this episode, I’m back home in Dubbo, fresh from hosting three back-to-back safaris in Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka. But today, I’m taking you deep into the Southern Serengeti, where I kicked off the 2025 safari season with a dream crew of first-time Honey Badgers.From a brand new mobile camp nestled in lion territo
Ep6: The Wildest Stories Behind My Photos On Exhibition
What happens when your two podcast worlds collide in a leopard-print shirt and a Camilla dress? You get this absolute belter of an episode.In this one, I’m back on the Central Coast catching up with Rabbit, my podcast mentor, editor and all-round legend, and giving him a sneak peek at some of the photos from my very first solo exhibition. From the hilarious backstory behind how we met to deep chat
Ep5: Dr Mama Simba, From Swedish Farm Girl To A Life Among Lions
What’s it like to build a life protecting lions in one of the wildest corners of Africa? It is a journey of courage, heartbreak and hope, and it all started with a bike ride across East Africa.In this episode, I am coming to you from Mama Simba’s house on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where I sit down with the incredible Dr Ingela Jansson, better known as Mama Simba. Ingela is the founder of K
Ep4: Can Lions and People Truly Coexist? Inside KopeLion with Kimani
What’s it like to grow up herding goats in lion country, then return home to protect the very animals your community once hunted?In this episode, I’m coming to you from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, after wrapping up a ripper of a Serengeti safari with eight brand-new Honey Badgers. But it’s the days I’ve just spent with the KopeLion team that have truly filled my cup.I sit down with Kimani, a
Ep3: From SOS to Serengeti – 10 Years of Friendship and Safari Magic
In this episode, I’m recording from the Southern Serengeti with one of my dearest mates and long-time safari partner, Firoz from African Mangu Safaris. We’re celebrating a decade of working together, guiding over 25 safaris and building a bond that’s become more like family than friendship.We chat about:• How our very first meeting involved a wild twist (what does SOS mean on safari? 👀)• Starting
Ep2: Safari Season Begins – Cheetahs, Chocolate & Honey Badgers
What’s it like to kick off the safari season in the heart of the Serengeti? Absolute magic—with a few unexpected surprises along the way!In this episode, I’m coming to you from my favourite place on Earth, the Southern Serengeti, where I’ve just wrapped up two weeks as photographer-in-residence with Alex Walker’s Serian Camps. From dodging epic thunderstorms to witnessing the wildebeest calving se
Ep1: Africa to Antarctica: A Decade of Wild Adventures
What happens when a couple of best mates chase wildlife across the globe? Absolute chaos—and the adventure of a lifetime!In this very first episode of Safari Life with Bobby-Jo, I sit down with my longest and dearest friend, Glen, to relive our wildest safari memories. From our first African adventure in 2014—featuring aggressive elephants, an Indiana Jones-style bridge, and a surprise leopard sig
Safari Life Trailer
Welcome to Safari Life with Bobby-Jo—a podcast where adventure meets the wild!Hosted by wildlife photographer and safari guide Bobby-Jo, this podcast takes you deep into the untamed corners of the world, sharing heart-pounding encounters, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the incredible creatures that roam our planet.From tracking big cats in Africa to photographing polar bears i
