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Are we being the best version of ourselves? That\\u2019s a question that Beverly and Dereck Joubert asked quite often during this conversation and also one that they seem to live by. It\\u2019s embedded into their work, their lives, their relationships - with each other, the wilderness, and the planet; as if the question floats above their heads as a gentle reminder of who they want to be in the world. And, the continual asking of that question shows in everything that they do, fight for, love, and are actively trying to save.

They are award-winning filmmakers, National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, and wildlife conservationists who have made over 30 films while researching, exploring, and doing vital conservation work throughout Africa for nearly four decades.

They also happen to have what could possibly be the best love story of our time. They have been together for nearly 40 years and the great majority of it has been spent living in the bush in Botswana, making films, doing research, and fighting to save what\\u2019s left of the African wilderness and the large predators who inhabit it. For months and years at a time they\\u2019ve lived without electricity, without much human interaction, without many comforts, nor personal space \\u2013 things that most couples have a difficult time managing over a week long glamping trip. They\\u2019ve been doing it for 38 years.

Living in the bush for decades has included many death defying close calls, including what they simply refer to as the \\u201cincident\\u201d with a wounded (therefore angry) cape buffalo that nearly ended it all. Fortunately, everyone survived and after an 8 month stint in the hospital for Beverly, they returned to the bush and began filming again \\u2013 at the exact place where the attack occurred. Did I mention that they are a little tougher than most of us?

Their love story, like all of the good ones, is about something much bigger than themselves. It\\u2019s a story about Africa, the wilderness, the wild animals who live there, and it\\u2019s about fighting the biggest fight of our time, to save what\\u2019s left of this majestic planet.

In the last 50 years, Africa has lost 90 to 95 percent of its large predators. We could very well witness the end of wild lions, cheetahs and other big cats in a decade or two. It\\u2019s that urgent and we are in that much trouble. If we want to live in a world with lions and leopards and elephants and rhinos, then we\\u2019ve got to get behind those who are out there on the front lines.

Beverly and Dereck are not only out there, but they\\u2019ve documented it for decades, so that we can see and understand the African wilderness in all of its magnificent glory and so that we know exactly what\\u2019s at stake, what we are about to lose.

Their most recent film was released in October. It\\u2019s a three part series called: Okavango, A River of Dreams. It\\u2019s a heartbreakingly beautiful journey through the place they\\u2019ve called home since the beginning.