The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu

Charlotte Beauvoisin
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

The *award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast is hosted by Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of the popular travel blog Diary of a Muzungu. The podcast is inspired by Charlotte's life in a wooden house at Sunbird Hill on the edge of Kibale Forest in western Uganda, a National Park that is famous for chimpanzees, forest elephants, African grey parrots and Africa's biggest butterfly! Tune in for: - The dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. - Morning nature walks (gum boots on!) - Featured destinations from across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda - Personal, well-researched travel advice - Illuminating chats with nature lovers, trail-blazing conservationists and intrepid travellers - Stories, anecdotes (and strictly positive vibes) - Winner of African Travel and Tourism Association ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award 2025 - Season 2 - another 20 weekly episodes - is now live. Join us!

  1. May 28

    Crossing the line - An unexpected visitor. Kibale Forest, Uganda

    What happens when the tranquility of Kibale Forest is broken by the boisterous screams of chimpanzees? In Episode 25, a routine afternoon walk along the elephant trench at Sunbird Hill takes an unusual turn when I uncover an unexpected visitor. This week I ask: Are you allowed to enter the National Parks on your own? Why is wearing a face mask non-negotiable around wild chimpanzees (and gorillas)? Which are the latest primates to embrace the rewilding? How many bats were living in my house before I called time on them? (You may laugh!) Pull on your gum boots and join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we reconnect with nature.   Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks (mind we don't slip in an elephant pothole!) and listen into illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Sign up to my occassional newsletter Visit www.eastafricatravelpodcast.com for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    27 min

  2. May 20

    Pepper soup West African swagger with Nigerian tourism guru Ikechi Uko

    This week, the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo in Kampala is the location for a conversation with our favourite Nigerian: tourism guru Ikechi Uko, a development expert who has done so much to showcase West Africa's energy and appeal. In Episode 24 I catch up with Ikechi after his emotional tour of Kampala's Namugongo Martyrs Trail. We discuss religious and intra-African tourism, the must-try African foods, and West African swagger!  You'll be intrigued to hear: What is the surprising link between Nigerians and Ugandan saints on the emotional Namugongo Martyrs Trail?  How do you compare the different tourism appeals of West versus East Africa?  How did a competition between Nigerian and Ghanaian chefs become a global phenomenon?  How do you speak up for yourself in Lagos? The muzungu can't wait to visit Nigeria (but does she have the attitude required?) Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we talk about West Africa's colourful multi-day festivals, and must-try African delicacies like luwombo, jollof rice, Uganda's rolex (and the hot pepper soup that nearly knocked my head off!) Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks and illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers. Sign up to My Newsletter Visit East Africa Travel Podcast for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    28 min
  3. Local voices, glamour & grind with Kenyan travel journalist Harriet Owalla

    May 13

    Local voices, glamour & grind with Kenyan travel journalist Harriet Owalla

    What's the reality behind the glamorous-looking life of a travel writer? This week the Serena Beach Resort & Spa on the white sands of Shanzu Beach in Mombasa Kenya is the location for a conversation with award-winning travel journalist Harriet Owalla. From 4AM wake-up calls to the urgent need for more local African voices in travel writing, Harriet pulls back the curtain on the "glamour and grind" of the travel media industry. In Episode 23, the writers discuss: The "glamour vs. reality" of media trips. Harriet's top three recommendations for things to do in her hometown of Nairobi. How the pandemic changed the way Kenyans and Ugandans view local and domestic travel. How invasive crows and thieving monkeys create human-wildlife conflict in coastal Mombasa. Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we debate whether ditching the single-use plastic bottle makes one sustainable and whether a career in travel writing is viable or strictly a "side hustle." It took Charlotte two days to travel from Kampala to Mombasa by bus, train, and the famous Likoni Ferry (listen in to hear how she did it!) Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks (mind we don't slip in an elephant pothole!) and listen in to illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Sign up to my occasional newsletter. Visit www.eastafricatravelpodcast.com for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    28 min
  4. Behind the scenes with the award-winning podcast team

    May 6

    Behind the scenes with the award-winning podcast team

    This week a tropical garden in suburban Makindye, Kampala, Uganda is the location for a conversation with my sound recordist Bryan Kisembo Delon. In Episode 22, Bryan swaps his headphones for a mic to share his experiences on the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast: What are the challenges of recording in the wild? Who were his favourite guests from season one? Why we are venturing beyond borders to Mombasa and Diani in Kenya. What it means to have won the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) Media for Action Award. Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we giggle over season one blips - not forgetting the squirrel that jumped out of the toilet! Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we swap notes with Kenyan travel writer Harriet Owalla; explore religious tourism with Nigerian Ikechi Uko, and hear how social media inadvertently promotes the illicit wildlife trade with the World Parrot Trust. Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks and illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers. Sign up to My Newsletter Visit East Africa Travel Podcast for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    23 min
  5. The soundtrack of Uganda - from my jungle to your world

    Apr 28

    The soundtrack of Uganda - from my jungle to your world

    "Kuli kayo!" As we say in Luganda. "Welcome back!" In episode 21, I'm at Sunbird Hill on the edge of Kibale National Park, recording trumpeting elephants and reflecting on how the sounds of the Ugandan jungle have traveled from my home to yours - from the streets of Paris to the trains of Lisbon. In this episode: How Kibale's giants outsmart the "elephant trench" and the local community where I live. Season one rewind: What listeners are saying about the East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu. (Did you hear we won an award for season one? Highlights from my chats with Her Royal Highness the Nnaabagareka of Buganda Kingdom, anthropologist Professor Richard Wrangham, "self-confessed gorillaholic" Ian Redmond OBE and more inspiring guests. What's coming up in Season Two: travel writers, tourism gurus, gorillas - and more travel advice than you can throw a stick at! Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks and illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers. Sign up to my occasional newsletter. Visit www.eastafricatravelpodcast.com for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

    18 min
  6. Monkey magic in Diani, Kenya with Dr Pam Cunneyworth

    09/03/2024

    Monkey magic in Diani, Kenya with Dr Pam Cunneyworth

    We're back in the bird hide talking about monkeys with Dr 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.

    54 min

  7. 08/27/2024

    Olympics scorecard - East Africa, home of champions

    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].

    13 min
  8. Eavesdropping on Elephants (night sounds of Kibale Forest)

    08/20/2024

    Eavesdropping on Elephants (night sounds of Kibale Forest)

    An elephant rumble or an earth tremor – can the Muzungu tell the difference? In episode 18, we're back in my wooden house on the edge of Kibale National Park in western Uganda, alert to the night sounds from the forest. Join me as I listen to the sounds of elephants – one of the many incredible experiences that inspired this podcast. Can you hear them breathing?  In this episode, you'll discover: How to tell when an elephant is nearby – by the splintering of wood or the shape of fresh dung. What happens when elephants cross the park boundary onto community land. Come with me – Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of *Diary of a Muzungu* – as I wrap up in a Maasai blanket to sit in the dark, listening for night sounds at Sunbird Hill, Nature Monitoring and Rewilding Site, Kibale Forest, Uganda. It's a short episode, packed with atmosphere. 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.

    12 min
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About

The *award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast is hosted by Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of the popular travel blog Diary of a Muzungu. The podcast is inspired by Charlotte's life in a wooden house at Sunbird Hill on the edge of Kibale Forest in western Uganda, a National Park that is famous for chimpanzees, forest elephants, African grey parrots and Africa's biggest butterfly! Tune in for: - The dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. - Morning nature walks (gum boots on!) - Featured destinations from across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda - Personal, well-researched travel advice - Illuminating chats with nature lovers, trail-blazing conservationists and intrepid travellers - Stories, anecdotes (and strictly positive vibes) - Winner of African Travel and Tourism Association ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award 2025 - Season 2 - another 20 weekly episodes - is now live. Join us!

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