Robert Irwin lands in South Africa for latest season of IAC – as mum Terri keeps a close eye on her 21-year-old son amid new romance claims

Robert Irwin has landed in South Africa ahead of filming the final season of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The TV presenter and conservationist, 21, made the trip with his mother Terri Irwin, amid claims the 60-year-old matriarch stopped him from taking his new girlfriend into the jungle.

But the mother and son were all smiles on Robert’s social media.

In his stories on Friday, Robert and Terri are seen posing in the cockpit of their plane after it landed safely in South Africa.

“Thank you for an amazing flight,” the Gold Logie nominee captioned the photo, which was also attended by two of the plane’s crew.

Robert also added some ‘sightseeing’ videos he filmed from his car while driving through bushland to Instagram.

The footage includes images of local wildlife, including a warthog and a herd of zebras.

At one point, the photogenic zookeeper was seen carrying a small turtle to safety after it strayed into traffic.

“I’m helping this little guy cross the road,” Robert explained in the caption, as he is able to “save” the creature.

It comes after Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed Terri Irwin prevented her son from taking his new girlfriend into the jungle.

Robert is rumored to have been dating Charlotte Briggs, a former Australia Zoo employee, since November 2024.

Sources tell Daily Mail Australia that the television star is waiting for his mother to approve his new ‘squeeze’ before announcing their relationship to the public.

So it’s no surprise that the ‘momager’ has thrown a huge spanner in Robert’s works by putting an end to his plans to have Charlotte join him for his second round as co-host of IAC, which will take place on January 19 will end.

“The ‘secret girlfriend’ isn’t a big secret among Australia Zoo staff, but it’s still not something the Irwins want to share with the world,” a source close to the zoo told Daily Mail Australia.

“Terri wants Robert to focus on his career and she’s not ready to tie him down to a family like Bindi.”

At least, not yet.

Meanwhile, an I’m A Celebrity crew member says Terri will remain by her youngest child’s side during filming in the jungle – ‘something producers hoped would be different for the 2025 series’.

It’s not the first time Robert has been ‘blocked’ from taking a partner on a job – with his previous girlfriend Rorie Buckey dumped last year just before they were both due to be in South Africa during the production in 2024.

All eyes are on Robert’s social media this week – ahead of Charlotte’s hard launch – but some insiders are doubtful whether the so-called ‘eligible bachelor’ will confirm his relationship status ahead of the series’ January 19 launch.

“Putting the relationship on hold for the next four to five weeks could be part of Terri’s plan,” the source continued.

“Could this kind of separation tension be what’s going on with Robert and his mystery wife?”

On Tuesday, Robert and mother Terri arrived at Sydney Airport, just ten days after the premiere of the anticipated season of I’m A Celeb on Channel 10.

They were accompanied by the family’s ‘right-hand man’, Luke Reavley.

The mother-of-two’s luggage was decorated with Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, making it stand out from the plain-colored bags of travelers.

Robert was last linked to Charlotte after they went on a series of outings together.

In July, the pair were hit with rumors they were dating after seeing them up close when they arrived in Sydney together.

They were accompanied by Robert’s mother Terri as they flew into town ahead of Robert’s appearance on The Project.

Robert and Charlotte were later seen checking into a luxury hotel in Sydney together, with Terri joining them.

The pair set up a chatty display at the front of the establishment before walking inside together.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Robert Irwin for comment.

It was the first time Robert has been linked to someone else after his shock split from girlfriend Rorie in February.

Charlotte is well known in the cricket world and was part of the Queensland team, the Sunshine Coast Scorchers, between 2020 and 2021.

The impressive athlete is an all-round bowler and a right-arm fast bowler.

“Charlotte was one of the leading wicket-takers in the 2020/21 season and was one of the key figures in getting the team over the line in a few matches in the 2021 season,” reads a biography of the player on the official Sunshine Coast. Schorchers website.

“Charlotte is one of the original Scorcher ladies who continues to commit year after year,” it continues.

‘Her key role in the past year has been to successfully bowl the death overs and bat in the middle to late order.’

She was named a ‘female pioneer’ in the sport by Century Cricket Competitions Queensland in 2021 and has won multiple awards for her bowling and gameplay.

She has a long history in cricket, playing for the Queensland Burners when she was under 18 and taking part in the Queensland Cricket Under-18 Female Rookie Challenge in 2017.

Robert recently opened up about his dating life on The Kyle and Jackie O Show following his split from girlfriend Rorie early last year.

‘How’s the dating world going? I know you were with someone,” host Kyle Sandilands asked.

Robert replied, “Right now I’m completely empty. Accommodation and the I’m A Celebrity thing, so it’s been super busy.’

Robert and Rorie erased all traces of their relationship from each other’s social media shortly after announcing their shock split in February.

After dating for almost two years, they made a joint statement about their split in a post shared on Rorie’s Instagram page.

They said they “decided to go their separate ways” but “appreciated all the time they spent together.”

The statement read: ‘We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways, but greatly appreciate all the time we have spent together and wish each other all the best for the future.

“We want to express the gratitude and respect we have for each other as we continue our journeys on different paths.

“We will have no further comment on this matter and appreciate your respect and privacy at this time.”

Robert and Rorie were believed to have been dating since November 2022, but they didn’t become Instagram official until almost a year later in August 2023.