The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu recognised at ATTA® for Action Awards 2025
Charlotte Beauvoisin deserves global fame for her beautiful podcast series that both inspire, inform and entertain while at the same time giving all the interviewees a voice. (Comment by Debbie Flynn of FINN Partners, one of the judges) pictured above with Charlotte and Chris Mears, ATTA® CEO).
I’m still pinching myself! A massive heartfelt THANK YOU to the judges, event organisers, fellow finalists, and everyone who has listened to the East Africa Travel Podcast. This recognition by international travel PR experts and colleagues from across the global African travel industry means a great deal to me: it reflects the purpose behind everything I have been doing in Uganda over the past 15 years: to share East Africa’s stories in a meaningful, responsible – and fun! – way.
The award-winners were announced at Experience Africa in London on 23 June 2025. It was particularly meaningful to be recognised in the UK, which is not only my home country but an important source market for visitors to Uganda.
“The ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award recognises the importance of creativity, accurate storytelling, ethical focus, and audience impact to amplify the message of responsible tourism in Africa.”
It’s rare for podcasts to be recognised in global tourism awards — another reason why this moment feels so powerful.
New here? Start listening to the East Africa Travel Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on Diary of a Muzungu.
The East Africa Travel Podcast as a personal and upbeat exploration of responsible tourism in Uganda and beyond. It captures unscripted moments and conversations with tourism changemakers and conservation heroes, blending stories with East Africa’s natural soundtrack: the dawn chorus, the grunting of hippos, the call of the great blue turaco and chimpanzees calling deep in the forest.
From walking safaris in Kyambura Game Reserve with Wildplaces, to the Original Maasai Lodge in Tanzania, a lodge that is run entirely by the Maasai community, the stories are designed to inspire. Another highlight was chatting to Queen Sylvia, the Nnaabagareka of Buganda Kingdom after she returned from tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Fascinating expert guests include Ian Redmond OBE, Professor Richard Wrangham and Uganda’s official sports tourism ambassador Rob Walker. For the full list of season 1’s episodes and guests, click here. With so much ‘noise’ online – and AI producing endless generic (and sometimes misleading) content – I wanted to create something more personal. The podcast gives listeners a strong sense of place and a human voice behind every story.
Why did I start the East Africa Travel Podcast? And who is Diary of a Muzungu? Read more in the blog post I’m a finalist!
Comments from podcast listeners around the world
What’s next for the East Africa Travel Podcast?
Season 2 launches in August 2025 and will feature:
- Diani Turtle Watch in Kenya
- Ikechi Uko, tourism guru visiting Uganda from Nigeria
- Harriet Owalla, Kenyan travel journalist on location in Mombasa
- Rowan Martin of World Parrot Trust discussing the impact of the pet trade on wild birds
- Cuthbert Ncube, Chair of the Africa Tourism Association, visiting Uganda from South Africa and Eswatini.
… as well as forest walks and gorilla tracking; long-distance travel by bus, train and ferry from Kampala to the Kenyan coast, and who know what else! Listen to the podcast here on Diary of a Muzungu, Apple, Spotify and all podcast directories.
What are the ATTA® for Action Awards? ATTA® is the African Travel and Tourism Association.
The ATTA® for Action Awards celebrate those who are making travel in Africa more ethical, impactful and sustainable. Each category recognises innovation and leadership—whether in community uplift, zero-waste tourism, or storytelling. Learn more at awards.atta.travel. (What an honour to be associated with awards whose values are so close to my own heart).
ATTA® for Action Awards are in their second year. Read about all the 2025 winners and finalists here.
How exciting to meet travel experts who “get” what I’m trying to do: using the sounds of nature and conversations with travellers, conservationists and a range of fascinating guests to inspire travel and promote “cool people doing awesome stuff to protect our planet.”
Before you go…
