Between the Baobabs

This week we sat down with Kelvin Zulu - professional safari guide, born and raised in the Luangwa Valley, and the kind of person who makes you realise how much you still don't know about the bush. Kelvin is proudly Bisa, with deep roots in the communities surrounding South Luangwa, and has spent his life turning the wilderness into a classroom for visitors from around the world. His funniest...

South Luangwa is called the Valley of the Leopard for a reason - and in this episode, we get into exactly why. We cover: How leopards hunt, hide, and haul prey up trees The legends of Luangwa - famous individual leopards that have made this valley iconic Our favourite leopard sightings from the bush Story about how the leopard got its spots The conservation picture Follow us on Instagram and subsc...

We kick off with a casual catch-up - cats on rollercoasters, German sauna etiquette, and the surprisingly compelling case for nudity being the hygienic choice. Then we get into it. Francesca and Joschka got married twice: a civil Standesamt ceremony in Germany (where Francesca signed her birth date instead of her birth name on the marriage contract) and the main event - a bush wedding in Zambia&#3...

In this episode, we turn our attention to the saddle-billed stork - Africa’s tallest stork and one of its most eye-catching wetland residents. From its massive wingspan to its surprisingly precise hunting style, we unpack what makes this bird such a standout. We get into some impressive fish-handling skills, its long-term pair bonds, and a few behaviours that might be more relatable than you’d exp...

This week on Between the Baobabs , we’re joined by a very special guest - Ceska’s husband, Joschka - who finally tells his side of their proposal story. What sounds simple on paper quickly turns into something far more chaotic (and honestly, much more entertaining). We go back to how they first met, and then get into the proposal itself - set in the middle of the Zambian bush, complicated by the s...

In this episode of Between the Baobabs , we’re diving into the world of the African Fish Eagle - one of the most iconic sounds of the African wilderness. We explore why this powerful bird is Zambia’s national symbol, how its unmistakable call is woven into everyday life, and the surprising truth about its diet (hint: it’s not just fish). We also share personal stories from the Luangwa Valley and L...

Baobabs are some of the most iconic trees in the African landscape - so familiar that it’s easy to take them for granted. But if you actually stop and look at them, you’ll realise they’re some of the most unusual and fascinating trees on Earth. In this episode, we talk about the strange and surprising world of baobabs: from why they look like they’re growing upside down, to how they can store mass...

In this episode, we dive into the world of giraffes, with a special focus on the unique Thornicroft giraffe found in Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley. Along the way, Anna takes on the challenge of mastering some tricky taxonomy names - let’s just say there’s progress (and a few laughs) as we navigate the scientific side of giraffes. As always, we bring back our favourite segments: “Two Truths and a L...

Monkeys and baboons are everywhere in the Luangwa Valley - so common that most people barely notice them. But if you actually stop and watch, you’ll realise they’re some of the most entertaining and intelligent animals in the bush. In this episode, we talk about the clever, chaotic world of vervet monkeys and baboons: why lodges have to manage their interactions with guests, how quickly these anim...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Henry Mwape - a carnivore expert and passionate advocate for Zambia’s wildlife and communities. Henry has spent the past 15 years working with the Zambian Carnivore Project (ZCP) , building deep knowledge of the carnivore landscape across South Luangwa, with a special love for African wild dogs. We talk about his journey from joining Chipembele Wildlife Educ...

In this relaxed catch-up episode, we take a moment to chat about life lately - from the thunderstorm that rolled through Luangwa overnight and knocked out the WiFi (which is why Anna ended up recording from the one spot with signal: someone's bathroom), to the very different ways we experience travelling to work every morning. We also share a bit of excitement about what's coming next as w...

This episode is all about painted dogs - one of the most exciting and unpredictable animals in the bush. We talk about why South Luangwa is such a special place to see them, what makes their social life so fascinating, and share a few unforgettable sightings (including one very confused hyena in the middle of a pack). We also touch on how their numbers have declined over the years, the work being...

This episode is all about elephants. We explore what makes them deeply feeling, soulful creatures - how they grieve, recognize the bones of lost companions, and form bonds that run for a lifetime. Anna shares a fascinating African elephant myth, and we recount bush encounters, from baby elephants trailing their mums to herds appearing out of nowhere.

This episode is all about snakes. We talk about why they’re everywhere (and why that’s actually a good thing), unpack some common fears and misconceptions, and share bush encounters and African myths. We also touch on a few key things to know about living alongside snakes, plus shout out two brilliant resources - the Mfuwe Snakebite Prevention Project and the Zambian Snakes and Other Crawlies Face...

This episode is all about Ceska. We talk about growing up between Malawi and Zambia on a farm, family history, and how the bush has always been part of her story. From childhood memories to life in Frankfurt today, it’s an easy conversation about home, identity, and the places that stay with you.

In this episode of Between the Baobabs, we sit down with Anna and chat about growing up in Zambia, what it's like running a lodge there, and how life in the bush shapes the way you see the world. We talk wildlife, pothole-filled roads, power cuts, small-world moments, and the realities (and joys) of hosting guests far from city comforts. It's a relaxed, honest conversation between friends...

Welcome to Between the Baobabs, where we share stories about life in and connected to the bush - from everyday moments to the unexpected. In this first episode, we introduce ourselves, talk about how the podcast came to be, and share what you can expect in the episodes to come. We hope you enjoy, and that you stick around!