Nella's Tin Trunk Podcast

John Neelo is one of the heros in the conservation of African Wild dogs. He lives and works in the field in Botswana and I had the great pleasure to sit down and have this conversation about how John became a senior researcher on dog project, how the latest technology is helping to minimise human-wildlife conflict between the dogs (Africa's most efficient hunter) and villagers and their livestock, and how tourism can be a positive in the Wild Dogs' ensured survival. We are in the Okavango Del...

My walk around the gorgeous grounds of La Residence in the Cape Winelands of Franschhoek, South Africa with Edward Paul, more belovedly known as Uncle Eddie, gives a glimpse not only into his passion for the land: the old trees he planted, the olives and vineyard he tends, but also of his resilient spirit and the power to change one's life for the better. Enjoy my walk around with Eddie Paul. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari

If Victoria Falls has crossed your mind. Good. It is one of the more spectacular waterfalls on Earth. At high season one of the largest curtains of water falls over the edge, about over 500 million litres per minute. It's more than that though and this talk with Sara Gardiner explains why. Sara and her family have created a private haven for wildlife at their lodge on the river. It's a favourite of mine for sure and you will hear why! Enjoy our chat! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagr...

I met Waridi on a flying safari in Namibia. As we explored the most dramatic parts of Namibia's Skeleton Coast, sat side by side in the Cessna 210, on the roof of the landrover, chatted over sundowners in the red sand and oysters on the deserted beach (except for fur seals), we became friends. Her story of growing up in Kenya, leaving for Abu Dhabi, getting discovered and becoming a successful runway model in London, New York and now Berlin - is exceptional. It's one of courage, determination...

"But the desert is a bit boring, no? All that sand?". Far from it! Namibia is no pile of sand. The landscape changes every 10 minutes when you fly over it. Ancient plants, desert-adapted animals like Rhino and Elephant, fascinating geology, long history of hunter-gatherers, five-star night sky. If you are lucky enough to see it from the air with one of the Schoeman family, you will yearn for more - and wish you wrote every word down. André Schoeman flew us, landed us so we could j...

It's true. The desert-adapted rhinos of this vast area of Namibia are the freest rhinos in the world. This is a frank and open conversation about a topic that always causes heightened emotions... How to save this iconic African flagship species... Where Bons comes from, where he still lives and works, there is great commitment, knowledge, caring and, as you will hear, success. Enjoy this informative chat with Bons Bernardo Hillary Roman. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunk...

If you are up on trendy spots to go to the beach, you will have heard of Lamu. If you haven’t, and you like trendy spots to go to the beach, you will want to know about Lamu. For better or worse, this tiny island just off the coast of Kenya is on the international radar of eclectic and vibey beach spots. It’s a scene and it captivates. Arty and quiet, party fiend, and all in between fall prety to Lamu's charms. After listening to my chat with Abdulla Juma, you’ll start to understa...

Following the news of the Michelin Guidebooks launching in South Africa, I thought you would enjoy this chat with Grant Parker, a safari camp manager and passionate chef. Learn about safari cuisine, how they get such great ingredients into the remote bush and the talented teams making it all happen. Enjoy our chat! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari

This was a very fun interview to do. It followed a very fun walk through the Namibian desert with Boetie in which we learned a lot - and got tested! One of the oldest cultures on Earth, the San or Bushmen of Southern Africa have ancestry dating back thousands of years, with cave paintings dotted around the continent. And they are proud to share their customs and traditions with us, as you will hear. Enjoy my chat with Boeti! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari

It's true. If you plan to come on safari in Africa, who plans for you and chooses where you are going is paramount to the quality of guiding you will experience. And that is the difference between respect for the animals, communities and an ethical approach to it all and the very opposite. Brian and I discuss what it means to be a good safari guide. The more you know about this, the more wisely you can choose, for how you travel matters! Thank you for listening and enjoy my chat w...

It's a topic dear to my heart. What is it about a safari that is so personally transformative? Why do people - even those who were 7 years old at the time - say, over and over, it's the best trip they have ever done? I keep attempting to answer those questions, using my own experiences and that of our clients. In this short episode, I talk about the hierarchy of man on the planet and how the Great Rift Valley's geological phenomena helped set the scene. How being in the presence of these rare...

Did you know that no one has ever seen a Manta Ray give birth? Their babies are over a meter wide when they are born. Or that the Seychelles may be one of the only Manta nurseries on Earth? Elle Brighton is a devoted marine conservartionist working in the Seychelles Outer Islands. Based on the inimitable Alphonse Island, she oversees everything from the health of the fishing (it's a world class destination for catch and release of bone fish, giant trevally, and lots more) to shark conservatio...