This is Africa Podcast with Mike Payne

Andy sits down with Zimbabwean PH and safari operator Mike Payne for a raw, no-nonsense dive into a life forged in the African bush. From a grandfather’s legacy to Mike’s own hard-earned reputation, this episode tracks the bloodline of a true hunter. They unpack what makes Zimbabwe’s tracking culture some of the purest hunting left on earth, Mike’s passion for buffalo hunting, and his trusted .470 double rifle. Expect practical bush wisdom—parallel tracking, reading the wind, knowing when to pull back—as well as edge-of-your-seat stories, including a close call with a lion and multiple full-throttle buffalo charges. But it’s not just about the hunt. Mike speaks candidly about responsibility in the field, the reality of client safety, and the unpredictable challenges of the wild. The conversation then turns to something bigger: rebuilding the Kaburi-Moto area near Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. Through anti-poaching, conservation, and community-driven work—led in part by his daughter Chloe—this is a mission to restore a wild landscape and shape a world-class hunting destination from the ground up. For more information on Zimbabwe Safari Company, email chloe@zimsaf.com For expert advice/help from Andy on booking your hunt visit https://www.tiafive.com 🔗 Learn more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisafrica_tv/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisafricatvshow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisisAfricaTVshow Rumble: https://rumble.com/ThisIsAfricaTV Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisisafrica TIA Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/tiafive/subscribe-to-this-is-africa-newsletter TIA Merch: https://tiafive.com/tia-store/ 🤝 Supported by: We partner with organizations and brands that support conservation, outdoor heritage, and African storytelling. Swift Bullet Company https://www.swiftbullets.com/ Dallas Safari Club https://www.biggame.org/ Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks https://www.boydsgunstocks.com Jim Green Footwear https://linktr.ee/jimgreenfootwear PWP Travel https://pwptravel.com/