I love hummingbirds. Who doesn’t?
We have several bird feeders at our house, and I’m always delighted when one of those tiny, shimmering visitors appears. I enjoy watching birds at home—but until I went on safari, I would never have called myself a “bird person.”
Then Africa happened. . .
Read MoreThere are places you visit once and remember fondly.
And then there are places that change the way you understand a destination.
For me, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of those places. . .
Read MoreVictoria Falls is the largest curtain of falling water on Earth—but before I ever saw it, I heard it.
We had checked into our hotel near Victoria Falls, and I kept noticing a low, steady roar in the distance. I finally complained to my husband, Doug, that I couldn’t believe we could hear so much road noise from our hotel. . .
Read MoreI recently watched an interview with Lauren Hutton—an unforgettable face to those of us of a certain age. She said the thing that kept her working was the need to finance her trips to Africa.
I was oddly comforted by that. . .
Read MoreMeet Africa's Most Fascinating Safari Animal: The African Wild Dog
When people dream about an African safari, they usually imagine lions lounging beneath acacia trees, elephants crossing vast plains, or perhaps a leopard draped across a tree branch.
But ask experienced safari guides about the animal that excites them most . . .
Read MoreExactly one year ago, I traveled to Africa on a custom itinerary created by an extraordinary locally based tour company.
What I expected was a great trip.
What I found was something much bigger.
Read MoreLots of places are impressive. Truly awe-inspiring.
But Victoria Falls is on a completely different scale.
Before you even see it, you hear it—a low, constant rumble that gets louder with every step. Locals call it . . .
Read MoreI’ve traveled all over the world.
I’ve seen extraordinary places, stood in front of famous landmarks, and had moments that will always stay with me.
And then I went to Africa.
Nothing prepared me for it.
Read MoreThere’s a moment just before the sun rises in Africa when the world seems to pause.
The air is cool, the sky pale and waiting, and every sound — every whisper of the grass — feels important. You sip coffee from a tin cup, and the quiet isn’t empty; it’s full.
Then, the horizon blinks — gold light spilling over the plains — and life begins to move again. . .
Read MoreAre you ready to join JOY and experience the adventure of a lifetime, where breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultures come together in an unforgettable journey?
Read MoreHello, fellow travelers! Joy here, fresh off an unforgettable journey to one of South Africa’s crown jewels—Chobe National Park. If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close and personal with the majestic giants of the animal kingdom, stunning wildlife spectacles, and hospitality that feels like a warm embrace, Chobe should be on your bucket list!
Read MoreLeopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Lion. Originally, they were the five most dangerous to hunt on foot. They tell us now that these are the five most endangered. (fyi the Maasai men are no longer required to kill a lion in order to prove their entrance into adulthood).
By February 15 we had seen hundreds if not thousands of four of the big five. Only the leopard had eluded us.
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