“Somehow, I always find my way back in Africa. No matter how many times I’ve been or how many places I’ve explored, it remains the most soul-stirring, perspective-shifting destination I know. And this trip? Somehow, it surpassed them all.” Amie OBrien, Owner VLX Travel

Lion Crossing the Salt Pans of the Kalahari

It Begins in South Africa

This part of my African journey was incredibly impactful. I was traveling with six amazing women, including my mom, all lifelong friends, all (aside from me) visiting Africa for the first time. We were buzzing with excitement, trading packing tips, and counting down the days.

Then, just a week before departure, everything changed. My friends were shaken by an unimaginable loss, and suddenly, travel felt secondary. Torn and uncertain, these brave, beautiful women made the decision to go, carrying their grief with them, not knowing what the experience would hold.

What unfolded was something far deeper and more soul-stirring than I ever could have imagined. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife, and all the magic that makes South Africa unforgettable, I also watched the most extraordinary women move through heartbreak with grace and such strength, making room for both sorrow and joy, sometimes in the very same breath.

There’s something about Africa that captures even the heaviest of hearts and serves to heal and distract in all the best ways: from the golden light that stretches across the horizon after sunset, the rush from hearing a lion roar, or the peaceful afternoons watching zebra graze from the terrace - it all invites you simply sit in wonder at the world unfolding around you. And, there, in between the game drives and sundowners, was this space for quiet reflection, shared tears, and for laughter that reminded us we were going to be ok. And somehow, Africa didn’t just touch these broken hearts - it helped piece them back together, even if only a little and I will be forever grateful for that.

Cape Town

Our first stop was Cape Town, where the ladies enjoyed a private guided tour of the Cape Peninsula, including the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach to visit Africa’s famous penguins.

While they explored, I used the time to visit several of the city’s top hotels: Mount Nelson (Belmond), Cape Grace (Fairmont), One&Only Cape Town, and the boutique Camissa House. Each offers a unique style, and seeing them firsthand was incredibly helpful for matching clients with the right property.

The next day was focused on cultural education and gaining a deeper understanding of the local community. We met with the team at Uthando (Love), an organization that promotes responsible tourism by supporting impactful community initiatives in the townships just outside Cape Town. These densely populated areas-often referred to as “shantytowns” stretch as far as the eye can see and are estimated to be home to 800,000 to 1 million people.

Our visit included stops at a local school, a community garden project, and a senior center...each one growing thanks to the support of responsible tourism. When traveling, especially with limited time (as we had just one day), true volunteer work isn’t always feasible. But cultural education experiences like this can be just as meaningful. While hands-on help is always valuable, financial contributions and the personal connection that comes from seeing the work firsthand, can lead to lasting impact. Many charitable organizations need funding above all, and experiences like this often inspire travelers to continue supporting these efforts long after they’ve returned home.

Cape Winelands

A very quick stop in the Winelands because - Wine.

Safari -Welgevonden Game Reserve

Lesser known than some of Africa’s more famous game parks, we chose this one for several reasons. It’s just a three-hour drive from Johannesburg- no need for bush planes- and offers more budget-friendly pricing due to its lower profile. The game viewing is still outstanding, and the landscapes are stunning.

When planning a trip for a group, it can be challenging to balance varying budgets, preferences, and comfort levels and this destination turned out to be perfect for our group

Lion on Safari in Welgevendon National Park, South Africa

Ekuthuleni Lodge

Our home away from home - if home came with zebras, rhinos, and impala casually gathering at the waterhole in our front lawn.

This charming, authentic safari lodge felt like it was meant just for us...because it was. We had the entire place to ourselves, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

From unforgettable wildlife sightings to breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, mornings at bush “coffee stops” and afternoons at impromptu sundowner in the wild at the “pubs,” every moment here was magic. Add in delicious food and the kindest, most attentive team...you couldn’t dream up a better stay.

Zimbabwe

Boarding Rovos Rail, Pretoria South Africa

A Slow Train to Zimbabwe

After an unforgettable safari and a teary goodbye, I left the ladies and met my husband in Pretoria, South Africa to kick off the next chapter: four nights aboard Rovos Rail.

This vintage luxury train is a step back in time: sleeper suites, formal dinners, a classic bar car, and no Wi-Fi. Truly disconnected for the first time in years… and I kind of loved it.

The service was top-notch, the food delicious, and the excursions unexpectedly wonderful, especially visiting Cecil Rhodes' resting place during one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.

Even the game drive surprised me - totally different terrain, complete with palm trees! Slow train travel may not be for everyone, but if you love meeting new people, beautiful views, and a bit of nostalgia, Rovos delivers.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We made a quick but unforgettable stop at Victoria Falls- one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Twice as wide and nearly twice as deep as Niagara Falls, it's the largest sheet of falling water on the planet. You can almost feel the power and the spray rises like smoke (no wonder the local name is “Mosi-oa-Tunya”—The Smoke That Thunders).

Matetsi River Lodge

Just an hour from Victoria Falls, we arrived at Matetsi River Lodge, tucked along a private stretch of the Zambezi River. This is where we met the friends we’d be traveling with for the next leg of the journey - talk about a great place to meet for dinner lol.

A Condé Nast Gold List property for 2025, Matetsi delivers in every way. The lodge itself is beautifully designed, and the game here is fantastic - witnessing a leopard in a tree with a giraffe is what photo nerds like me dream of.

After a few nights on a train, our spacious suite felt downright palatial. Add in top-notch service, incredible food, and one of the dreamiest sunset cruises I’ve ever taken... and Matetsi earned its spot as a favorite.

Botswana

Choosing a favorite destination in Africa I assume would feel a bit like choosing a favorite child - you want to say you love them all equally because each one is so different and special in its own way. But if I’m being honest… Botswana may have just stolen my heart.

There’s something extraordinary about how diverse the landscapes and experiences are here. You can pair it seamlessly with a visit to Victoria Falls, and from there, it only gets better. Glide through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (dugout canoe), spotting wildlife from the water. Then head out on classic land-based game drives across vast private reserves teeming with elephants, lions, and more.

One of 9 lion cubs on Safari in the Okavango Delta

And just when you think you’ve seen it all - enter the surreal salt pans of the Kalahari. Riding ATVs across the shimmering flats, walking with San Bushmen, or sitting in total silence as the sun sinks below the horizon... it’s like stepping onto another planet.

Botswana doesn’t just offer one type of safari, it offers many, and each one feels intimate, untouched, and wildly alive

Africa…

...has a way of settling into your soul. Somehow, each time I return, it always finds a way to be even more meaningful than the last. It’s raw and beautiful, humbling and healing. And more than any other destination, it's the one I love sharing most - with those I care about, with my clients, with anyone open to being forever changed by it.

Because Africa isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel. And once you do, it never really lets you go.

Across Africa: 24 Days | 3 Countries