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One Day Camping in Socotra
There were two options on a one week itinerary, camping or hotels. I chose the camping option and was so happy with it. The campsites were at beautiful beaches and forests. I want to share what one day camping was like in Socotra. Breakfast Days start early camping in Socotra, so hopefully you are a morning person! Usually at 7a.m., the breakfasts included coffee, tea, naan style bread and some spreads (jams, honey – local speciality, cheese, Nutella). We also had eggs, either scrambled or hard boiled. If scrambled, it was seasoned with delicious local spices. We were generally expected…
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Socotra Essential Guide: Know Before You Go!
Socotra is a remote island in the Arabian Sea that is part of Yemen (yes, Yemen). The island is home to incredible biodiversity including unique landscapes, and endemic plant life that very few people get to see. When I decided to go, I was eager to learn all about this unique place. My essential guide is everything you need to know before you go to Socotra. Is Socotra safe? Yes! This was the first question I had when I started my own research and planning. There is an ongoing civil war in Yemen and just before my trip, the Syrian…
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The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda was an amazing experience! Nothing quite like making eye contact with something that visually looks so different but has 98% same DNA as you without barriers at a zoo. Gorillas are thriving at home in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are only about three countries in the world (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo) that even have gorillas in the wild so you cannot do this just anywhere! Congratulations on signing up for a gorilla trek, you are going to love it! I am going to walk through everything you need to prepare: overview, difficulty,…
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5 Things You Need To Know Before You Visit Uganda!
Uganda, or the “Pearl of Africa,” is usually not the first place most people think of when planning a trip to Africa. I had multiple great off the beaten path experiences on this trip. These are 5 things you need to know before visiting Uganda to ensure you also have a great experience, just like I did. You can also see some of my favorite photos from the trip on my photography page or on Instagram, and additional posts: Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Travel tip #1: Small group tour is the way to go! The main draw…
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Escape the Ordinary: A Day On An African Horse Safari
An African horse safari was an exhilarating adventure! I want to share what a typical day on a horse safari is like based on my experience in Botswana. While this could vary by destination, or camp, this is what I experienced. Mornings on an African horse safari The day starts early – that’s true of safaris in general though! Around 6a.m., you get a wake up call with coffee or tea brought to your tent. Breakfast was ready at 6:30a.m. We had boiled eggs, cereal, juices, toast, jams, and other spreads. You would come to breakfast dressed in your riding…
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Get Ready to Explore Botswana’s Natural Beauty
Why visit Botswana? Botswana is an amazing safari destination and the Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its healthy elephant population. There were herds everywhere, sometimes groups were 40+ individuals! I could see them from my tent or from the plane flying to camp! Up close unique encounters is something I was what I really looking for from this trip. Here are some things you should know as you start planning your trip. Botswana landscape: Kalahari Desert covers over 70% of Botswana, and includes some of the top attractions like Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Chobe…
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The Ultimate Adventure: Horse Riding Vacations
Horse riding vacations are a great way to up the adventure while traveling. It gives you a very different experience in nature and wildlife oriented destinations. I grew up as an animal lover, I had lots of pets. My older sister also loved horses and took lessons, my interest built up from there. I took lessons and competed in jumping. While I no longer compete, I take lessons because it allows me to be around horses and ride on a regular basis. There are lots of things to consider about horse riding vacations, I’ll break down a lot of that…
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On the Road: My Solo Adventure Through National Parks
One summer, I went on the road for a solo adventure through some of our most iconic National Parks. Traveling from California to Minnesota and back in my trusty little Prius, I drove over 5,500 miles entirely by myself. Some context for my inspiration… My dad lives on the East Coast and had a milestone birthday approaching. My family wanted to celebrate together. We decided to meet in the middle at my sister’s house in Minnesota. While most people would just hop on a plane, I chose the more adventurous option! I really missed the cross country road trip adventures…
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Getting Ready for Antarctica
So, you’ve booked your Antarctica expedition and now worried about freezing? Same thing happened to me! Being from Southern coastal California – where it does not get cold – I was concerned about staying warm. I booked my Antarctica expedition around Black Friday – lots of travel deals were running then – which left me with only a month to prepare. I ended up overpacking. It isn’t a huge deal, it just made my luggage a bit heavier. Having completed my trip, I am happy to share my everything I learned! My essential packing tips are everything you need to…
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Antarctica Awaits: Solo Traveler’s Guide to the Seventh Continent
Antarctica is the world’s largest and coldest desert which spans roughly 5.5 million square miles. It was absolutely incredible, the massive glaciers, the wildlife viewing, and the very peaceful feeling of being completely off the grid. If you’re looking for a remote destination with beautiful scenery in every direction, this is it. When I decided I was going to Antarctica, I did so much research and planning. It is not as far or cold as you might think. From where I live in California, Antarctica is approximately 7,500 miles away and India is nearly 10,000 miles away. Antarctica is such…
