The Wild Eye Podcast

What does it take to fly alongside migrating birds… and then turn your attention to one of the most misunderstood species on Earth?In this episode of the Wild Eye Podcast, Gabby sits down with Sacha Dench - conservationist, adventurer, UN Ambassador for Migratory Species, and founder of Conservation Without Borders. Known globally as “The Human Swan,” Sacha has spent years using extraordinary expeditions to tell the story of migration, climate change and habitat connectivity.From her early life growing up across Australia and Europe, to overcoming a fear of flying and launching world-renowned aerial conservation journeys, Sacha shares how adventure became her vehicle for impact.We explore her latest global mission, Flight of the Vultures - a bold, multi-expedition project highlighting the rapid decline of vulture populations across continents. Why vultures? Why now? And how do we shift public perception of a species that quietly keeps ecosystems healthy, yet faces one of the fastest collapses of any bird group in the world?This conversation dives into resilience, storytelling, global collaboration, and the power of reframing how we see wildlife.Whether you're a photographer, conservationist, field guide or simply someone who cares about wild places, this episode challenges us to look up, look closer, and think differently about the species we often overlook.Visi the YWPSA website: https://www.ywpofsa.co.za/Visit the Wild Eye website: https://wild-eye.com/

Last year Andrew and Luke both visited Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the first time, staying at Buhoma Lodge as their base for gorilla trekking. In this episode they unpack what makes this place so special, from the location right inside the park boundary to the way the whole operation is built around making your trekking experience as smooth as possible. They also get into the afternoon activities, the Batwa people, the Ride for a Woman initiative, and a few stories you probably won't find in any travel brochure.Find out more about our Uganda safaris: https://wild-eye.com/uganda-photo-safaris/

Grant Marcus has been living and guiding in Madikwe Game Reserve since 2011, so when it comes to knowing this place inside out, he's your guy. In this conversation, Danny and Grant get into what makes Madikwe tick — the dramatic landscape that shifts from Kalahari red sand to Bushveld in a single drive, the extreme seasons that'll either freeze you or cook you, and the wildlife that goes way beyond the obvious. They talk rhinos with full horns, brown hyena den sites, world-class birding, a wild dog chase that didn't quite pay off, and the story of how over 10,000 animals were moved to essentially build this reserve from nothing. If you've never heard of Madikwe or you're still on the fence about going, this one's worth your time.Visit the Wild Eye website: https://wild-eye.com

In this episode of the Wild Eye Podcast, I’m joined by Brent, Mammal and Bird Scientist at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, to unpack what threatened species conservation actually looks like on the ground. From Blue Swallows and vultures to cheetah and elephant management, this is a candid conversation about science, decision-making, and the realities that don’t always make headlines.This episode goes beyond celebration and recognition. It’s about responsibility, accountability, and why the future of our wildlife depends on more than just good data - it depends on bold action.Visit the Wild Eye website: https://wild-eye.comVisit the YWPSA website: https://www.ywpofsa.co.za

Odzala is a vast rainforest national park in the Republic of Congo with some of the world's most critically endangered wildlife including forest elephants, gorillas, chimps, pangolins, and species most people will never encounter anywhere else.In this episode, Andrew interviews his two guides, Dylan and Pedro. They come from completely different worlds - Dylan worked his way through South Africa's top reserves before chasing something wilder; Pedro left a luxury retail job in Brussels after one safari experience, retrained as a guide, and basically rebuilt his entire life around Africa. They talk about what makes Odzala genuinely special (it's wild, you have to work for sightings, there's always something new), the rare species living there, and how the place fundamentally changes how you see nature.Visit the Wild Eye website: https://wild-eye.com/

In this episode, Don and Danny unpack everything to do with a Wildebeest. From the different species and their subspecies, to what they eat, what eats them. They talk about the migration and what role this plays on the environment. It is an animal mostly overlooked while on safari, but there is way more than meets the eye.Read the wildebeest blog here: https://wild-eye.com/learn-more-about-the-wildebeest/Visit the Wild Eye website here: https://wild-eye.com

In this episode Andrew and Danny chat about what a photographic safari guide actually does, and why it's basically the same job as being a golf caddie.They talk about what a photographic safari guide actually does by comparing it to being a golf caddie. A caddie knows the course, understands equipment, thinks ahead, reads conditions, and coaches their player. They do the same thing. They know animal behavior, understand cameras, anticipate what's coming, position the vehicle right, read light and wind, and coach guests on their settings. It's about preparation and trust. When guests get great shots, that's the win - they're happy in the background.Visit the Wild Eye website: https://wild-eye.com