Talking Bush, Safaris & Luxury Travel The Luxury Safari Co Ltd

James has had a passion for Africa for as long as he can remember, and worked in almost every role in the safari industry there is. He now represents Asilia, assisting agents with their clients and requests. He knows Ruaha extremely well and it is one of his own personal favourite areas of Tanzania.



James discusses all of the Asilia camps, Jabali, Kwihala and Usangu and it was fascinating to hear about the huge input to conservation tourism has in Ruaha National Park.

Pascal is an utterly charming man, who runs the camp with both warmth and great efficiency. He is extremely experienced when it comes to tourism in Tanzania and this really shows in the immaculate way Jabali Ridge operates.



Jabali Ridge is a modern and chic camp nestled in one of the best game viewing areas of Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania. Pascal emanates calm and friendliness and you feel instantly relaxed in his company.

Mark is a great character and we loved hearing about the building of Ikuka, which wasn't easy. He is an accomplished and esteemed guide and wildlife photographer, and has huge history in Tanzania - we'd love to do another podcast about that alone!



Mark and his wife Chloe have created a paradise in this remote Tanzanian park which is bound to enchant anyone who stays there.

Chevy is one of the managers at Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania. California born and bred she has been in Tanzania for 15 years, doing various fascinating things until ending up as the warm heart of luxury camp Ikuka.



She is a wonderfully friendly person, and makes every single guest feel at home. The camp itself is perfectly appointed with stunning views as far as the eye can see, stunning understated but stylish decor and delicious food. The guides here are exceptional and you will not be disappointed by the wildlife viewing either.

We've been busy out in Ruaha in Southern Tanzania, travelling the length of this amazing National Park and ensuring that the camps and lodges there are up to scratch for our clients - they didn't disappoint.

This is Brian's second very kind foray onto our podcast - he has travelled so extensively in Africa that we could record hundreds of safari podcast episodes with him. His story telling manner, as well as the safari stories themselves, is spell binding. He has just released his memoirs West With The Light and if you only ever read one book about Africa read that. 

'Britain's best wildlife writer' – The Scotsman

''A beautifully written book' – Tony Fitzjohn

'Don't send him to Torremolinos; it's not his kind of tundra.' Such was the mantra of The Sunday Times when considering assignments for Brian Jackman, for whom deserts, rain forests and mountain ranges have always been more enticing habitats. After decades spent travelling and writing about the places and wildlife that have inspired him, one of the world's most experienced naturalists has turned his focus onto the story of his inspirational life.

'This is no ordinary autobiography', he says. West with the Light sweeps through Jackman's wartime evacuation, grammar school, Soho jazz clubs of the '50s and the navy to a career in travel journalism to which his first marriage gave way before he found a new, true and more lasting love that abides to this day in his beloved rural Dorset.

Beginning with memories of Edwardian London and the growth of suburbia, it provides a vivid portrayal of post-war travel and the rise of a new sort of tourism - ecotourism - set against the background of the most turbulent decades the world has ever known. Through it all shines Jackman's lifelong love of nature, instilled by childhood holidays in the West country and the stories that led to his passion for Africa and the big cats that that still walk through his life and dreams.

Rippling across continents with Jackman's natural charm and hallmark stylish prose, his recollections include lively first-hand encounters with pioneering wildlife conservationists like George and Joy Adamson, Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Richard Leakey, Gavin Maxwell and Jonathan Scott.

Travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, writers and anyone with a love of adventure will adore this book.