The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu – Details, episodes & analysis

We’re back in the bird hide talking about monkeys with Pam Cunneyworth, Director of Colobus Conservation in Diani on the Kenyan coast. It was at the young age of 7 that a teacher planted the lifelong love of Africa in her. At university, a lecture by Birutė Galdikas, a *trimate (one of Dr. Louis Leakey's famous primatologists) inspired Pam to take “the road less travelled,” a journey that led her to leave Canada for a life in East Africa.

In our conversation, Pam offers us a glimpse into a fascinating world of primates:

• The impact of "Colobridges," aerial structures that help monkeys cross roads safely.
• Why you shouldn't ignore the 'eyebrow flash' of a baboon (hint: it's an important signal!)  
• How studying a small population of monkeys on the Kenyan coast ties in with global projects to protect ecosystems.
• Practical steps hotels can take to minimise monkey and baboon encounters.
• Lastly, we list some of the many tourist attractions in Diani on Kenya’s stunning Indian Ocean coast. 

Join me Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu | East Africa Travel Blog, in the birdhide at Sunbird Hill for a conversation about monkeys, tourism, future plans for the podcast - and some thank yous!

*Known as  "the “trimates,” Louis Leakey was the first to commission the three female primatologists: Dame Jane Goodall (who specialises in chimpanzees) and Dian Fossey (mountain gorillas) and Birutė Galdikas (orangutans). Together, their research has rewritten our understanding of great apes.

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.

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].

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.

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In episode 9, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to my first South African guest, the acclaimed travel and guidebook writer Philip Briggs. Join us in the bird hide to hear:

• Mountain gorillas vs. chimpanzees - how does he compare the two tracking experiences?
• Where is the best place to track chimps in East Africa?
• Why does Philip Briggs say Uganda is Africa’s best birding destination?
• Where can you see the Shoebill?
• Where does he predict will become Uganda's top exclusive safari destination?
• Which bird did Briggs add to his ‘life list’ while birdwatching at Sunbird Hill, Nature Monitoring and Rewilding Site, Kibale Forest, Uganda?
• What's the future for guidebooks?
• And one last geeky question: is it acceptable to add a bird to your life list if you have heard (but not seen) it?

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 episode 8, we're back on the edge of Kibale National Park, stretching our legs after a long road journey from Kampala, Uganda's capital. The air is alive with song as the birds catch the last rays of afternoon sunshine after a day of heavy rain.

• Join me for a duet with the rare white-spotted flufftail and find out: 
• What friends and colleagues are saying about the first episodes of the East Africa Travel Podcast?
• What's been happening in my wooden house while I've been away?
• And, more to the point, who (or what) is eating my house?

Come with me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I don my gum boots for a quick yomp through the muddy swamp at Sunbird Hill, Kibale Forest, 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 episode 7, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as we travel to Tanzania to meet Lesse Laizer and the Masai community at the Original Maasai Lodge in West Kilimanjaro.

Listen in to hear:

• What is the Muzungu doing in Tanzania?
• How do you say good morning in the Maasai language?
• What did I watch while sitting between Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro?
• What does sustainable tourism mean to the Masai community and Africa Amini Life?
• And lastly, a thought from the Maasai: “coming together is a daily routine that you should not be invited to. Invite yourself to what you like. It is there, invite yourself. People are dancing, invite yourself!”

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 episode six, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I chat chimpanzees with Harvard University Professor - and close friend of Sunbird Hill - Dr. Richard Wrangham whose work combines primatology, evolutionary biology and anthropology. Listen in to hear:

• What do sex, violence and cooking have in common?
• How do bees protect villagers’ gardens from hungry elephants?
• How long did Richard work in Gombe with Jane Goodall?
• Why shouldn't people have chimps as pets?
• What is the Kibale Chimpanzee Project?
• How does attending the Kasiizi Project’s secondary school protect the forest?
• Dr. Richard Wrangham has been visiting - and lived in - Uganda for 40 years. Which National Parks does he recommend?
• And lastly, why did Richard suggest Julia Lloyd eat a hairy caterpillar?

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 episode five, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to East Africa, specifically “my East Africa.”

• How many countries are there in East Africa? (You might be surprised!)
• What are Uganda’s most popular tourist attractions? 
• What are “The Big Seven”?
• Beyond gorillas: which Rwandan forest has chimps and Colobus monkeys?
• What’s the muzungu’s favourite way to travel between Nairobi and Kenya’s coast?
• What’s my favourite food in Visit Burundi, East Africa?
• And, which wild animal did I disturb when I arrived back in Kibale Forest last week?

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 Twitter.

In episode four, join me - Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu - as I introduce you to my second guest, the British TV presenter and Uganda’s goodwill sports tourism ambassador, Rob Walker. Tune in to hear:

• What first brought Rob to East Africa?
• How did Ugandans respond when Rob congratulated Joshua Cheptegai during his live commentary from the Olympics?
• Why is he so keen to bring his son to Africa?
• What are his favourite Ugandan foods?
• And how exactly do you greet a Shoebill?

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.