Shows
Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Kyle Simpson on The Best Fishing in the SeychellesIt's all about Permit. Or GTs. Or Bone Fish, (but they are easy). Kyle Simpson is head guide at Alphonse, the idyllic tropical paradise in the Seychelles that attracts passionate fishers the world over. It attracts people wanting to dive and snorkel and swim with mantas too, but that is covered on my previous podcasts. Kyle and I talk about why this place is such a world-class destination. If you are already a fisher, you will want to go for sure. If not a fisher, like me, beware of transformation! Enjoy my chat with Kyle Simpson.www...2025-07-2630 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on The Soulfulness of SafariIt'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 and wonderful animals with our...2025-07-0712 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with John Barclay on Safari Legacy and Growing-Up in the Wilds of BotswanaJohn Barclay is a fountain of knowledge about the bush. His safari genealogy goes back generations. He is the grandson of the famous Jack Bousfield of Botswana, an explorer whose collection at Jack’s Camp is considered part of the national treasures of the country. His uncle, Ralph, is a mentor and avant-guarde thinker on all things safari and conservation. John has used his childhood in the bush to learn – and learn and learn. As you will hear, he is not only full of information but, above all, he is an acute observer, and his vantage point is the big...2025-06-1454 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Elle Brighton on Mantas and Marine Conservation in the SeychellesDid 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 conservation and, yes, the angles of the seas, the giant Manta Rays. Our...2025-05-241h 00Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Wendy Panaino on Conservation in Africa's Largest Private Nature ReserveWendy Panaino is the head of conservation at Tswalu in South Africa’s Kalahari. If you listened to my podcast about the Deserts of Africa, you will remember the Kalahari. It is an exceptionally rich ecological area and Tswalu is a success story of rehabilitation and conservation. Wendy and I sat down while I was there and chatted about what it means to be a custodian of Africa’s largest private nature reserve, it’s fragile ecology, complex management of wildlife – especially the relationship between predator and prey – and her total commitment to conservation above all else. Enjoy this fascinatin...2025-05-0359 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on How To Test-Drive A Safari CampOver the 21 years I have been bringing guests to Africa with my business, Tin Trunk Safari, I have held to the principle that I do not send guests anywhere that I have not been personally. This has kept Tin Trunk “slower and closer” and is also essential in making sure I match the clients to the right experiences. In today’s episode, I talk about the vetting process. What am I thinking about and looking at when I do a reki? I always spend at least one night, usually two, and that allows me to get to know the team...2025-04-1225 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Luke Van Der Merwe on Island Farming for FoodiesIt's the end of February and in case the Winter cold lingers, I thought you would enjoy going to a tropical island - to talk about food. Luke Van Der Merwe is the head gardener on Alphonse Island in the Seychelles and, as you will hear, he is passionate about what he does. Our chat covers everything from how come the food is so delicious here, in the middle of nowhere in the Indian Ocean, to how important the microbiome is to that fact. It's certainly farm to table here! Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2025-03-1242 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on The Sands of AfricaThe names conjure romantic images: The Sahara. The Namib. The Kalahari. Africa is home to three of the largest and most diverse deserts on our planet. Safaris that include the Namib and the Kalahari in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa reveal not only unbelievable formations, landscapes and flora, but also unique animal sightings, like the desert-adapted Elephant; the Cheetah (Namibia has the largest population of them in Africa); the Oryx, a master of thermo-regulation, and very rare sightings of the elusive Aardvark and Pangolin. The Skeleton Coast in Namibia, the Okavango Delta in Botswana - it's all about the...2025-02-1921 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Kes Hillman-Smith - Part Two of Conservation in a Conflict ZoneOur conversation continues and after learning about Kes's arrival in Africa, her elephant research, frog heart muscle research and raising a family in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the border of war-torn South Sudan, we now hear more about that as well as what she is doing to stop the total extinction of the Northern White Rhino species. Enjoy Part 2 and be sure to listen to Part 1 first if you haven't! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2025-01-2659 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Kes Hillman Smith on Conservation in a Conflict ZoneKes Hillman Smith is an unsung hero in African conservation. She arrived in Africa in a Land Rover through the Sahara and stayed to become a dedicated conservationist. Her research and hands-on involvement in Garamba National Park in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the border with South Sudan, protecting elephants and rhino from savage poaching, flying her own plane for animal surveys and establishing conservation initiatives - all while raising her two children - is impressive enough. But Kes did - and does - even more. This is part 1 of our 2 part conversation. Enjoy. 2025-01-0556 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Fear on Safari - What is Scary and Should it be?How Scared Should You Be about Africa? It depends to a large degree on into whose hands you are entrusted. Good guides. Travel planners who understand that Africa can be daunting and are willing – and knowledgeable enough – to help you through to the other side. This is something I enjoy and whether we are talking about planes, animals, illness or just how different Africa is from every other trip you have taken, clients and I discuss and plan based on levels of comfort. I want to hold your hand as you face your fears so that you can experience one...2024-12-1534 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Jack Coupland on Sharks, Turtles, Birds And All Things Conservation on Alponse IslandJack Coupland walks the talk. He oversees the fascinating – and incredibly important – conservation projects on Alphonse Island in the remote Outer Island area of the Seychelles. In our chat, we talk about sharks, turtles, birds, fish and coral and how they are all intricately, crucially, linked to form this pristine and thriving marine environment. It’s not often one can say that about the condition of our oceans these days so this is an uplifting one too! Enjoy.www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-11-2442 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on The Best Beach Destination in AfricaListen to hear why this is my favourite tropical paradise in Africa. Whether you are looking to lie on white sands until sundowner time with a good book or want to get out and do some world-class fishing and diving and snorkeling and hiking and biking and and and... this is it. Happy listening! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-11-0119 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Tony Church - Tales of a Life and of a LandTony Church is a man whose life has spanned fascinating moments in Kenya's history. To some he is the father of horse safaris in Kenya, to others the man who helped organise the horses for Robert Redford and Meryl Streep while they filmed Out of Africa, to other, precious ones, he's the grandfather who puts them on horses when they come to visit. Listening to Tony talk of zebra rustling as a child, of ocean voyages between England and Africa, of horse riding from Nairobi across lands then wild with lions and now busy with traffic is a personal...2024-10-101h 25Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Mountain Gorillas - Everything You Need To KnowIn this episode, I talk about the endangered Mountain Gorillas and take you on a virtual trek. I have done this 8 times now, in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's often called an experience of a lifetime - and it truly is. If you have done it, you will have a lovely walk down memory lane. And if you haven't, you will want to! Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-09-1527 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Lorna Buchanan-Jardine on Her Experiences as a Safari Camp ManagerI am back chatting with my good friend, Lorna Buchanan-Jardine, and as with our previous conversation, we cover lots of topics. This one delves into Lorna's experience as a safari camp manager. We talk about the kinds of cultural exchanges that occur between guests and the locals here and how this is often one of the highlights of a safari. You must hear her story of a New York City family describing their life to a Maasai woman. We also talk about different notions of wealth; how to photograph respectfully; the ways to give that last... Whether you have b...2024-08-2254 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on The Great Migration!In this episode I talk about one of Nature’s unmatched wildlife events: The Great Migration. Millions of wildebbeest, with zebra and gazelle, move around the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems following the rains for the freshest grass. This is the second largest mammal migration on our planet. (The first is bats.) The zebras and wildebeest cross the rivers, full of crocodiles, and these “crossings” are as dramatic as it gets. It also gets awfully dramatic on the river banks as many, frankly way too many, tourist vehicles gather to watch. In this episode I tell you all about the mig...2024-07-3124 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Virginia Sinteyian on Being A Woman Ranger in Anti-PoachingAs I say in the introduction, there is something about this conversation with Virginia that leaves me feeling raw, open and hopeful. Virginia is as real a deal as they come and hearing her talk about her upbringing in a home full of brothers and how a mixture of courage and hope led her to become one of the few - and elite - female anti-poaching rangers is beyond inspiring. Happy Listening.www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-07-0924 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Jamie Roberts of Tropic Air on Life, Luck and Africa From AboveThis is an iconic one. Jamie Roberts is a larger-than-life character. He owns one of the most successful aviation businesses in Africa, Tropic Air, and takes guests, including those of Tin Trunk, in his airplanes and helicopters from lodge to lodge and on amazing journeys around the continent. In this conversation we chat about his family, how he ended up with his business and his favourite destinations to explore on the continent. Enjoy our conversation and get ready to want to join him next time! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-06-1842 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Nicole Church on An African Odyssey: From London to Nairobi in a Land RoverNicole Church travelled with 4 other friends from England to Kenya. 50 years ago and in a Land Rover. They crossed the Sahara. They cooked and navigated and dug themselves out of sand traps. They visited - and felt safe in - countries most would not drive through today and they had more than a few extraordinary encounters with people they met along the way. Grab a map of Africa and enjoy our conversation! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-05-281h 19Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Fear about AfricaPart of my travel planning job at Tin Trunk involves talking to people about the daunting aspects of a trip to Africa. It's far. It's in the news for the wrong reasons much of the time. There are animals here much bigger than us and others who can catch and eat prey much bigger than us. In this podcast, I discuss all of this and why much of it can be avoided or is often misrepresented. Have a listen and see why Africa is worth standing at the edge of your comfort zone. www.tintrunksafari.com Ins...2024-05-0729 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Joy Juma on the Zeitz Foundation and Protecting Kenya's RhinosJoy Juma loved camping and being in the African wilderness when she was a young girl. Early on, she decided to work in conservation and has been involved with many different projects over her career. Today, Joy is a key member of the Zeitz Foundation, founded by Jochen Zeitz in 2008 and headquartered at his stunning retreat, Segera, in Kenya. Joy manages many projects for the Foundation, including wildlife conservation, the (mostly female!) anti-poaching unit, local schools, and community enterprises aimed at empowering women in particular. Most recently she is involved in a collaboration with a few other lodges in t...2024-04-1631 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with General Sir Mike Jackson on His Love of AfricaMike Jackson and his wife Sarah are beloved members of our family. Mike has been travelling in Africa since the 1980s - before, during and after his distinguished career in the British Army as Chief of the General Staff. There is hardly an area he hasn't visited and our conversation here at home in Kenya touches on where he has been, what he loves and why, as well as his thoughts on how Africa has changed over the years. Please enjoy.www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2024-03-2335 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Robert Lochiam on Charging Rhinos and Super Tusker ElephantsRobert Lochiam is one of those guides who I know I need to interview after just a few hours together. I was excited to visit a new lodge in an important area for conservation in Kenya and Robert, who goes by his surname, Lochiam, showed us just how vital the area is to the "Super Tuskers": the elephants around Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro whose tusks often drag on the ground, and to all the other animals coexisting beside them. In our chat by the pool at the new Angama lodge, you will hear of h...2024-03-0137 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Becoming a Bush Pilot in AfricaThis is the first of a series of podcasts centered on the theme of bush pilots flying around Africa. I begin with my own story of becoming a pilot and hope this is inspirational for anyone tempted to take to the skies. Africa from the air is a journey in itself. Whether you are in command or a passenger on safari, being up there, looking down on elephants, bamboo forests, waterfalls or pastoralists and their herds - and getting from A to B easily and safely - is the making of indelible moments. Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com ...2024-02-1020 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Fabien Munyaribanje on Wild Rides in RwandaImagine steep hillside roads, narrow such that cars often have to give way for the oncoming traffic. People everywhere on both sides of the road: lorries, cars, safari landcruisers. We are talking about a crowded scenario on the Rwandan roads in the area where the Mountain Gorillas dwell. Now imagine a bicycle. No gears, and - I think but am not at all sure - brakes. The men riding the bikes freewheel down the road - down the middle of the road - at the speed of light - from the higher forest area to the market towns below. The...2024-01-2129 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Christmas on Safari and A Samburu Christmas TaleChristmas on Safari is the perfect way to make the holiday about time together, about sharing beauty and awe and magic with those you love. In this short episode, I speak about what it is like to be on safari over Christmas, and tell a Samburu story about the creation of the stars. Happy Christmas Everyone! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-12-2311 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Diana Sutter on her many trips to Africa and the power of "Slow Safari"When Diana Sutter is not in Northern California, you are safe to bet she is in Africa. Diana has seen more of Africa than most - including safari guides. She has visited the kinds of off-the-beaten places many of us who live here full-time still dream of visiting. She is passionate about the continent, the animals, and the people - evident not only in her stunning photography but also in her support for conservation and community. Oh, and she is also the person who convinced me to come to Africa 19 years ago, so there's that too! Please enjoy my cha...2023-11-2835 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Sifting Through The Greatness of RwandaOn Safari in Rwanda! Following my special interview with the three men who worked with Dian Fossey to help save the Mountain Gorillas (previous episode), I am talking about Rwanda in general now: the country, the people, the history - sad and yet inspiring - and of course what to do and see on safari there, which goes beyond trekking to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas, but of course includes that as a life-changing priority! Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-11-0323 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Fidel, Bosco and Ngarambe on working with Dian Fossey to save Mountain GorillasThis interview still gives me goose bumps. I have honoured Dian Fossey's work - exposing to the world the plight of the Mountain Gorilla and learning more and more about our wise and wonderful cousins - since forever. Getting to meet three men who worked with her and hear their stories was not only interesting, but important. She opened our eyes and hearts to these wonderful and endangered animals - and she couldn't have done it without men like these. Fidel translates for everyone so it is not only an interview with interesting information, you are also part of...2023-10-0150 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Chief Kelebogile on Riding Horses in AfricaMy African story begins with a horse safari in 2004. It's why I fell in love with this place and riding across Africa is still one of my favourite ways to experience the wilderness. Horse safaris are a thing, and for those who ride, an incredible way to feel the power of Africa's Nature. A recent ride in Botswana introduced me to Chief - one of the best horse safari guides I have met and inspired our conversation about approaching dangerous game, how to read the signs of animals and keep them comfortable and lots more. I especially enjoy the p...2023-09-0834 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella Sifting through the Greatness of Botswana!It’s BotswanAAAH. This is Africa’s most private and pristine safari destination. Stunning tented camps, watching animals on your own...the water...the light...the luxury! (The price tag to match most of the time too.) Safaris here visit the world’s largest inland delta, the Okavango Delta, as well as the vast salt pans of the ancient super lakes and some other special places too. This is my Sifting through Greatness introduction. Have a listen and get ready to want to go to this amazing safari destination! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-08-1817 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Katie Bastard On A Fantastic Community Project For Samburu Women - and More!Everyone, meet Katie, otherwise known (by me!) as Dr. Doolittle. She is an animal whisperer in many ways and has devoted her life, with her husband Jeremy and three small children, to living in the African bush and helping ensure the success of orphaned baby elephants being reintroduced back into the wild of Northern Kenya. ...The best part, she has done this together with the Samburu community, who have lived side by side with these elephants in the area for generations, and who are leading the charge in making sure it stays that way. Katie thinks out of the box...2023-07-2842 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Jen Murphy on her journalism about travel in AfricaJen Murphy is a real-deal kind of journalist. I admire her approach to writing about Africa and the stories she chooses to tell. She writes what she loves and she certainly gets around enough to know what that is. What I enjoyed about this conversation with Jen is that it was exactly as it would have been if we were just having a glass of wine at a conservation conference talking about travel in Africa, and I love sharing that clued-in stuff with you all. We cover lots of topics as we discuss Rwanda, Kenya, Gabon, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Zambia an...2023-07-0237 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Safari Guides and with Brad Siyawareva on the marvels that are Termites!I preface this chat with Brad about the fascinating world of termites with my thoughts on safari guides and the trends I see shaping the future of African guiding. More and more, the support of local guides is leading to engaging, well-trained men - and increasingly women although still far fewer - who can look to this as a fulfilling and rewarding career. Making sure we support the camps and lodges empowering local guides is important to Tin Trunk. If you have listened to my other interviews with guides - or even better - been on safari and met so...2023-06-1242 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Jonhson Ratsimanadino on Magical MadagascarJonhson explained the unique spelling of his name before we began recording - one of those hospital spellings that stuck. That is not the only unique thing about him either. Jonhson is a curious and highly educated man with a mind for science who is busy sharing his knowledge with clients at the wonderful island paradise of Miavana in Madagascar. This talk was born of an evening exploring the Cabinet de Curiosité at the lodge. I felt his enthusiasm and passion coming through as he explained the fascinating objects in the collection. You will feel it too when you lis...2023-05-2440 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Madagascar: A true hotspot in every way!This is an apperitivo to Madagascar. At the least, it will make you excited to hear my interview with Jonhson (who tells the funny story of the spelling of his name) coming soon. And at the most, you will get a trip to Madagascar onto your calendar. The beauty and unique ecosystems here make it a must journey for any world adventurer and it's the perfect finale to an African safari. Have a listen and hear why! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-05-0213 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastRoles Reversed - Nella Nencini-Hutchings Interviewed!The roles are reversed today. When my very dear friend, Gina Clifford, returned to Africa for her third visit, I planned to interview her about trekking for gorillas in Uganda. Many Tin Trunk clients do it there and in Rwanda and I think it’s time we hear from them on just what makes this one of the most sought-after and soul-altering journeys on our planet. Alas, for another time. For Gina convinced me to let her interview me as a result of the many conversations we had about Africa, the animals, the people, and what the fut...2023-04-1235 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Francis Kiwanuka on Safari in UgandaFrom his first curious moments as a boy, watching tourists stop along the road in his native town in southern Uganda, to becoming a senior safari guide, Francis has cultivated a love of Uganda's wilderness - not just where the gorillas live, but also the open savannahs and riverine systems. In our conversation, he shares thoughts on the future of tourism for Uganda, her difficult past and how much there is to see and do in this "Pearl of Africa". Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-03-2027 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Roddy Hutchings on Carbon and AfricaI'm speaking here with our son, Roddy Hutchings. He lives and works in Amsterdam following a childhood in Kenya and education in both South Africa and the U.K. Roddy and I talk about his field: carbon - the markets, the realities, the challenges, and the optimistic view he has for how this can help Africa specifically. You will probably be able to tell that I know nothing! Luckily, that is not the case with Roddy! Enjoy. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-02-2639 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Orlando's Friends on What IS it about Africa?!In my attempt to put the magic of Africa into words, I had the great pleasure to interview seven friends of our son, Orlando Hutchings, during a recent safari. Each speaks of their experience here with insight and understanding, not to mention awe and respect. I was inspired and impressed by their thoughts and think you will be too! Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-02-111h 12Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on What is it about Africa?There is something about this place that leaves you changed. Every visitor on safari leaves feeling different, awed, hugely lucky to have seen the wilderness, the animals and to have met the extraordinary people. I invite you not only to listen but also to contribute ... Let's try to put this magic into words! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2023-01-1514 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Darrell Isaac on the incredible Bird Island, SeychellesWhen I am in ecosystems and landscapes (and in this case also seascapes) that are so pure and wild and in which I am not the predominant species, I feel connected to Nature in an indelible way and this feeds my soul deeply. Bird Island is such a place and meeting a man like Darrel Isaac while there made that feeling even stronger. Not only does he live within this special world of birds, tortoises, tropical forest and underwater magic, he never stops experiencing the kind of awe that we, as first time visitors, were experiencing. This kind of h...2022-12-211h 02Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Shelan Rodger on Living Authentically with Nature, Art and a good dose of Adventure!Shelan Rodger is a published author, a graduate of Oxford, a multi-lingual drama therapist and a woman who fully embraces adventure and living authentically. She is also one of my closest friends. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation full of adventurous tales and lots of laughter. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2022-11-2928 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Extraordinary Safaris and the Rivers that run through them, Part 2Hopefully you had a chance to listen to Part 1 of this homage to the great rivers in Africa - well some of them at least! Here, I present 3 more. Two well known and very important to the magnificent safari destinations we often cross the world to experience. One less well-known yet equally important to the vital ecosystems that support people and wildlife on the continent. I hope you enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2022-11-0823 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Garrit Pieters on his Amazing African Rescue MenagerieIf you love animals, you will love the devotion of Garrit Pieters. Not only does Garrit have a passion for his dogs - many of us can relate. He has a passion for his mongoose, his meerkats, his parrots. And his passion has translated into the most unlikely friendships. His mongoose curls up with the miniature doberman, the cat and the terrier. Sometimes the parrot joins. All of the animals - including something like 3000 fish -are rescued from abuse or from a less-than-perfectness from a breeder's perspective. They all live wild on the farm where Garrit's parents live, while...2022-10-171h 05Nella's Tin Trunk PodcastA Love Letter to AfricaIt's always hard to put the feelings of experiencing Africa into words. A lovely client from this past summer has done just that in a beautiful and poetic way. If you just travelled to Africa, you will get it. If Africa remains on your list of places to visit, it will likely jump to the top. Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2022-09-2210 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Abraham Banda on the Secret Safari that is ZambiaWhile visiting clients on safari in Zambia this past June, I was taken by the understated and elegant guiding style of Abraham Banda. He has many years of experience in the very same area in which he grew up, mentored by one of the most iconic characters in the world of African safaris. His passion for this land and its preservation has inspired his children in their careers and after walking Zambia's South Luangwa with him, I can certainly see why. If being off-the-beaten and exploring Africa appeals, you will love this chat! www.tintrunksafari.com I...2022-08-2832 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Lorna Buchanan-Jardine on Creating Space on Safari for the Magic to HappenTime to get soulful on safari. This discussion with my good friend, Lorna Buchanan-Jardine, is just that. A professional photographer, Lorna shares thoughts on how to maximise your photography on safari while remaining wholly present to what you are witnessing and the balance needed to minimise life's distractions. We also talk about her intrepid and adventurous life - from Kenya to Indonesia to Costa Rica with her native Scotland as the river that runs through it. If you enjoy transformative travel then Africa is for you and this episode will talk about why! Enjoy this lovely lady. ww...2022-08-0445 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Summer Safaris and the Rivers that run through themI hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I sure am - even though it's technically winter down here in Africa. Since June I have been on safari quite a lot - mostly popping around to spend time with clients in places like Egypt, Zambia, Namibia and Kenya. As I sat beside the Kunene River on the border of Northern Namibia and Southern Angola, I realised that a common theme this summer has been the rivers running through these wilderness havens that nourish animals and people alike and that are each completely different from one another. So grab a...2022-07-2021 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with HJ Esterhuizen on Safari Guiding as a PassionI didn't know I was going to interview HJ when we met. After our first drive, however, I recognised something special about his guiding style. He is the real deal. He grew up in the bush and took it upon himself to learn and gain enough experience to become a top level professional field guide and tracker. I learned something new every time he spoke about the bush, whether it be animal behaviour, ecosystem management or survival skills in the wilderness. If you are familiar with safaris, you know how incredibly important a good guide is and how being...2022-06-2539 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on the legend that was Tony Fitz-JohnIf you are too young to remember the movies Born Free and To Walk with Lions, all you have to do is search "Christian the lion" on You Tube to get a glimpse of the legacy of Tony Fitz-John. He broke the mold and redefines "one of a kind". This podcast is my story of recent times with Tony; of getting to know him better over the pandemic and of revisiting my own childhood and relationship to Africa thanks to the work he has done. The times I flew him up to Kora will remain cherished memories forever more. Bo...2022-06-0312 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Robert Lemayian on Samburu Culture and ConservationI have known Robert since I moved to Kenya. He was a Samburu Warrior when I met him and he is now a Junior Elder. He is a guide and also a senior manager at Sarara. I flew up to the new Reteti private house at Sarara Lodge in 5Y-BAD to sit down on the verandah and chat with Robert. (And guess what, I didn't forget the microphone this time but I did forget an attachment for it! So, welcome to the wind sounds.) I hope you enjoy speaking to someone who encompasses all that is hopeful and extraordinary in...2022-05-1234 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastMy story with an amazing elephantMeet One Up One Down, one of Kenya's amazing elephants from the northern rangelands he called home for his entire life. I met him 18 years ago and he was a "true friend". In this podcast, I honour this great elie and tell stories of my relationship with him over the years. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2022-04-1215 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Sean Privett of Grootbos on the World's Most Diverse Floral KingdomGrab your favourite bouquet and settle down to listen to Sean Privett speak about the Fynbos ecoregion at the bottom of the African continent around Cape Town. You don't need to be a plant expert to enjoy it (just listen to me!) - but if you ARE a botany enthusiast then you will be riveted and will want to get on the next flight. Grootbos Nature Reserve has documented 879 fynbos species; planted 7,557 trees for reforestation; identified 25 mammal species and 193 insect families. And those numbers are rising. They have projects empowering young South Africans with careers, entrepreneurship and em...2022-03-2136 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastSifting through the Greatness of South AfricaLet's talk about safari-ing in South Africa! South Africa is #notjustgamedriving, as I like to say on Instagram and the Tin Trunk newsletter. From the Cape to the Sabi Sands to the Kalahari, South Africa delivers unique and highly curated experiences. Listen to learn more about why #tintrunksafarilovesit! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2022-02-2811 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Salah Sholok on Egypt and his life as an EgyptologistAs promised in my last episode, here is my interview with the lovely and intelligent Salah Sholok. Salah is a professional guide and Egyptologist who hosted my family on a wonderful 12-day trip through Egypt in November 2021. Not only did he enlighten us about all the history, treasures, art, architecture, spirituality and legends of Ancient Egpyt, but he engaged in all kinds of fascinating conversations with each of us and was as enthusiastic and curious about things as we were. He is also a keen photographer so we now have some of the best family photos of the past...2022-02-0636 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella on Sifting through the Greatness in EgyptEgypt is Tin Trunk's newest destination and I am HOOKED! Each time I go, I love it more. We have wonderful people supporting us on the ground there who live up to Tin Trunk's motto: "the difference is that nothing's the same". Discovering the wonders of Ancient Egypt - as well as having an authentic, stress-free experience in modern Egypt - is a trip every world traveller will love. In this episode, we sift through the greatness of this magical land and in the next one, I interview a fantastic Egyptologist. Enjoy! www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrun...2022-01-1416 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella with Colin Francombe on his life in KenyaThis gentleman of gentlemen is the first person I got up the courage to tell back in 2004 that I was going to start a safari business. I was apprehensive. He was delighted. Colin has an unstoppable spirit with a highly contagious twinkle in his eye. The Francombe family and their stunning safari lodge, Ol Malo, is a Tin Trunk favourite - especially for active people of all ages who want to enjoy their own bush playground in Africa. This chat with Colin touches on his history in Kenya, his relationship with the Samburu people and his hopes for the futur...2021-12-2128 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella's Tin Trunk Podcast - Let's talk about travel in Africa!This episode is about "sifting through the greatness" of an African safari. You will hear about the plethora of options available on safari, and see that it is #notjustgamedriving out here. What time of year is best? How long should one stay? What about kids? Did you know that choosing your camps and lodges with care helps local communities and conservation efforts and that not doing so can do the opposite? Safaris remain one of the biggest adventures on our planet - as well as one of the most expensive - so getting the details right is essential. If an...2021-11-2912 minNella's Tin Trunk PodcastNella's Tin Trunk Podcast - Sifting through the GreatnessWelcome to our new adventure. After helping clients plan safaris since 2004, I was encouraged - and not a little keen - to explore the many layers of living full-time in Africa, on the edge of Kenya's Great Rift Valley. In this first episode, I outline the essence of the podcast - how it will help you sift through the greatness of the world of safaris as well as meet some of the most fascinating people I have the priviledge to know here. www.tintrunksafari.com Instagram: @tintrunksafari2021-11-2412 min