• gorilla in Uganda

    The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

    Africa,  Nature,  Solo Travel,  Travel Advice

    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,…

  • 5 Things You Need To Know Before You Visit Uganda!

    Africa,  Nature,  Solo Travel,  Travel Advice

    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…

  • Escape the Ordinary: A Day On An African Horse Safari

    Botswana,  Horse Riding,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    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…

  • Get Ready to Explore Botswana’s Natural Beauty

    Botswana,  Horse Riding,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    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…

  • The Ultimate Adventure: Horse Riding Vacations

    Horse Riding,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    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…

  • On the Road: My Solo Adventure Through National Parks

    Nature,  Road Trip,  Solo Travel,  United States

    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…

  • My Australian Adventure: Solo Traveling Through Queensland

    Australia,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    Overview Australia has been on my list of places for a long time because of all the wildlife, scenery and activities.  I also have friends and relatives there. Travel was limited during the Covid pandemic and Australia especially was on a strict lockdown.  Australia just opened up and every state had different Covid policies for tourists.  I just stayed in Queensland and split time between Brisbane and Cairns.  This was a true solo trip, I used public transportation, organized my entire itinerary and I had individual activities booked, but the trip itself was not a guided group tour as I…

  • How to spend 17 hours in Fiji

    Cruise,  Fiji,  Layover,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    I flew with Fiji Airways when I visited Australia and I happened to find a flight with a 17 hour layover in Fiji. Extended layovers are best during international travel, it is a 2-for-1 vacation! After all that time on a plane flying from Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to get in the water!  After all, Fiji is known for pristine waters and reefs.  I checked Viator – a great spot to find day trips for destinations all over the world – and found lots of options.  I did a full catamaran sailing and snorkel tour, lunch included. It…

  • My guide to El Salvador: Central America’s Hidden Gem

    El Salvador,  Nature,  Solo Travel

    I consider myself an adventurous person, but if I was asked where I plan to travel to, I probably would not have mentioned El Salvador.  It’s not an area I knew much about before this trip.  A dear friend of mine is Salvadoran and when I found out her wedding would be in El Salvador, I was very excited to celebrate the special occasion and experience a bit of her cultural heritage.   El Salvador gets a bad reputation as an international travel destination due to safety concerns, some of which I also had.  I learned from my friend who has…