#TravelTuesday 5 Exciting Products from OurAfrica.Travel Show!

In July 2020, with the World in Lockdown, I received an email from “OurAfrica.Travel”. Little did I know not only would it become my lifeline, it would change my life!

Through OurAfrica.Travel I’ve met so many wonderful people. Learned about great products and offerings. Discovered new Safari Lodges and Game Reserves. Met Nikki & Collin Thaver - my awesome Southern Africa DMCs. Thank you to OurAfrica.Travel for having faith the Tourism Industry would recover!

It is also now my most favorite Travel Show to attend as a Buyer. Fast forward to 2025…

5 Exciting Products from Our Africa.Travel Show

Governor’s Balloon Safaris, Kenya

Balloon Safari, Mara National Park, Kenya © Flyga Twiga™ LLC

Picture from 2014 Safari!

Governor's Balloon Safaris (GBS) have been operating since 1978. What makes them so special happened in 2024. After a significant price increase to the Mara National Park Entrance Fees, GBS was granted special permission. They could pick-up Guests staying outside the Park, bring them in for a Balloon Ride, and take them back out, for a fraction of the Park Fees.
What a win!

FedAir, South Africa

Photo Credit FedAir

FedAir offers Charter as well as Shuttle flights, connecting Johannesburg and Kruger Mpumalanga with lodges and camps in Madikwe, Kruger, Lowveld, Marakele, Phinda, Sabi and beyond. FedAir is near and dear to my heart, as my first Safari was in Madikwe in 2008.

Simbavati Collection’s Cederberg Ridge & Fynbos on Sea, South Africa

What sets these properties apart are both are Malaria Free. Only a 2½-hour scenic drive from Cape Town or the Winelands, the Cederberg Mountains are home to the unique fynbos where Rooibos aka “Bush Tea” grows. Cederberg Ridge has only 11 luxurious Rooms or Suites.

On the Garden Route, Fynbos on Sea is perched above the quaint town of Sedgefield. And like Cederberg Ridge, Fynbos on Sea exemplifies “Africalm”—a blend of excitement and surprising peace—combining high-end comfort with a deep connection to nature.

Great Plains Conservation Lodges and Camps Collection

I love Great Plains for Photographers. Each Game Vehicle is designed to hold a maximum of 6 people. Inspired by Wildlife Filmmakers and Photographers Beverly and Dereck Joubert, all of Great Plains’ properties are a Photographer’s Dream.

Spa Rooms at Le Jadis Beach Resort & Wellness Center, Mauritius

Tucked within the Wellness Sanctuary are 3 Suites. Here you can enjoy the Spa at your Leisure. Perfect for Girls Getaway, my favorite is the Orchid Wellness Sanctuary with Garden & Hammam.

Le Jadis is one of only 3 Mauritius properties highlighted in Tanith Hobon’s Africa Best!

Vitality Pool, Wellness Sanctuary, Le Jadis Beach Resort & Wellness Center

7 Epic trips to take to celebrate military retirement

Thank you Kait Hanson of CommiKait for including Flyga Twiga™ in your awesome article!

#TravelTuesday Updated Safari Guides are Now Up!

Please find here Pre-Trip Checklists, Gear/Safari Kit Lists, Safari Clothes Guides, and Safari Clothing Lists.

Samburu Jackal ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

#ThrowbackThursday Honeymoon Couple in Mara North Conservancy

“Honeymoon Couple” is what you call when the male Lion of a pride takes a young Lioness out to mate for the first time. This Lioness was young and still had some of her spots! While you can’t see him, the male Lion’s brother is nearby, for protection.

Last November I had the most romantic, perfect Safari with my husband in Mara North Conservancy. It was his first trip to Kenya. After 31 years of marriage, it felt like we too were on our Honeymoon. 💜💜💜

#TravelTuesday Chef’s Garden Sharing Kenya’s Culinary Heritage

To find out more about Kenya and Mara Elatia, please contact me for your free Safari Design Consultation.

Happy #TravelTuesday!

#TravelTuesday Africa's Best - The most aspirational Africa destination book - Ever!

While on Safari in Kenya last November, I picked up “home” a Southern African Magazine. Their tagline line is “your guide to beautiful living”. I like that. In the back of the magazine (where good surprises are always found), under the Shopping Guide was:

Stay in Africa’s Best
This book was compiled by a team who travelled to some of the most breathtaking places in Africa. And the focus isn’t just on elegance or style. They’ve considered social initiatives, environmental impact, management styles and visitor’s experiences. In Africa’s Best, you will find everything from a beach holiday to a safari and cultural experiences.

Count me in! There was an email that I quickly sent asking if they were in bookstores in Nairobi. Tanith “Tan” Hobson quickly got back to me with a friendly email saying not yet. Well, as I now must have this book

Tan kindly indulged me as we checked into shipping either to the United States or South Korea. When she came back with the pricing, while taking a deep breath, I realized this wasn’t the little book on sustainability I had imagined. This was a REAL book.

As I had to get home from Kenya and get a bank transfer done, I thought I’d be lucky to get the book by my birthday in February. The book made its way from South Africa, to the United States, and then shipped via the Army Post Office to me. It arrived on January 6th. Tan had kindly sent me happy birthday wishes. And while we are not Orthodox Christians & January 7th is Orthodox Christmas, we had been to Greece last year & I pretended it was my Christmas Eve gift.

First a bit about the book. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful book on Africa I have ever seen. Aspirational. The book weighs 3.475 KG (just under 10 pounds) and is 5 cms (over 2 inches thick). Africa’s Best covers 94 destinations in 15 countries.

Each country starts with an overview and then offers unique “Bucket List Experiences” found in that country. Then, for each destination, there are three catagories:

How They Dazzle Us
Why We Love Them
Their Sustainable Superpower

When I asked my husband why he thought I am so in love with the book, he said, “Its been a long time since we had a good book.” I think that’s true. The book is a breath of fresh air in the age of everything digital and audio books.

There are a few ads in Africa’s Best, but they fit with the book. I appreciate the information. The book will hopefully be available for international shipping via Amazon later this year. The ISBN is 978-0-6397-3020-2

If you truly want to know the destinations that should be on everyone’s bucket list - that is Africa’s Best!

This is how thick Africa’s Best is! #love it

Happy First #TravelTuesday of 2024! Pleased to announce my New Uganda and Rwanda DMC Ellington Safaris!

Last November, during our time in Kenya, I met Jenny and Shaun of Ellington Safaris to solidify our Partnership. Ellington Safaris is now Flyga Twiga’s Destination Management Company for Uganda and Rwanda.

They join my strong team of DMCs including Nikki and Collin of Southern Africa 360, and Diana and Richard of Adventure Expeditions Kenya.

2024 is quickly booking up - but there is still room & we can work with you to make your dream Safari a reality!

As always, Happy Day! Safe Safari!

#TravelTuesday Thank you Erin Henderson Media for the Shout Out and Beautiful Pictures from Your South Africa Safari Adventure!

Much Appreciated!

#WildlifeWednesday Want to go Back to School with Elephants, Lions, & Giraffes? Try EcoTraining!

My latest article for united on the RoK is out!

#TravelTuesday So proud to be an ArmaSkin Ambassador! Please use promocode Flyga20 to get 20% off!

My favorite Aussie product! If you’ve ever suffered from blisters, you know how devastating it can be.

Please visit the ArmaSkin Store to find out more about this amazing product!

ArmaSkin at Acropolis of Athens, Greece ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

#TravelTuesday New! South Africa Girls Getaway Safari

If You Want To Go Fast, Go Alone.
If You Want To Go Far, Go Together.
~ African Proverb ~

New! South Africa Girls Getaway
A Special Whale Season Safari!
Explore, Indulge & Relax
With Your Favorite Girls

Escape with your best girls on a getaway in South Africa! This Girls Getaway Safari, across South Africa, gives you the chance to explore, indulge and relax. From private tours of Robben Island, enjoying Cape Winelands, Safari in Krugar, to Whale Watching in Hermanus, this bespoke adventure offers the best of South Africa for Safaring with your favorite girls!

Cape Town ~ Franschhoek ~ Kruger National Park ~ Hermanus

Design Afrika©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

#TravelTuesday Grateful to ArmaSkin asking me to continue as Ambassador!

Whether at the Acropolis in Athens, on Safari in Africa,
or Hiking your Local Trails,
Armaskin has you covered!

Your blister protections socks!

Click here to find out more about ArmaSkin and how it can save your feet. Use promo code Flyga20 to get 20% discount.

You can also contact me if you have any questions.

EcoTraining South Africa ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

#TravelTuesday Thank you United on the RoK for the Feature

Why Perspective Is the Best Guide:
How Embracing Adventure Opened the Door to Flyga Twiga

Please turn to page 58.

#WildlifeWednesday Thank you EcoTraining for the Awesome New Flyer Design!

Click here to find out more about the “Safari behind the Safari”

#TravelTuesday Travel is Back!!!

Saturday’s booth at Osan was the busiest - ever. People were lining up to talk about going to Africa. Already helping several Airmen plan their 1st Safari. What I love doing so much!

#TravelTuesday Is this the coolest pet friendly bar in Seoul?

From making sure it is the Doggy Beer you ordered, to a pet friendly menu, the Side Note Club at Ryse, Autograph Collection Marriott, is all about taking pampering your precious pooch to another level!

Side Note Club ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

Located on the top, 15th floor of the Ryse Hotel, the Side Note Club overlooks energetic and vibrant Hongdae, Seoul. But, who can enjoy an evening out without your best fur buddy?

Ryse in the Evening ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

Ryse is a Pet Friendly Hotel, with major emphasis on “friendly”. Upon arrival, your pet is welcomed with a bed and bowls awaiting in the room. If you pass by the Concierge Desk, a jar of Dog Treats is immediately brought out for your pup.

Pet Menu ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

Dubbed Pet.Project, Side Note Club offers a menu for both Cats and Dogs. During our stay, Fynbos decided to try the Dried Sweet Potato and the Chicken Breast Jerky. As a Korean Village Dog, he should have preferred the Sweet Potato. Instead, he ate the Chicken Breast Chicken so fast, we ordered more.

Please note: While Pets are most definitely welcome, minor humans are not allowed in the bar after 6:00 pm.

Checking out Dog Friendly Beer ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

And while he seemed to be more partial to licking the botte than drinking the nonalcoholic “Doggy Beer”, it was super fun when the Waiter offered him to see if it was the Beer he ordered. It was just enough theatrics and silliness to be perfect!

Needless to say, Side Note Club is Fynbos APPROVED and we will most, most definitely be back.

Well done Ryse Hotel’s Side Note Club!

Fynbos at Side Note Club ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

#MemorialDay In Honor of Memorial Day, Flyga Twiga™ Offers a Military History Safari

Deeply Rich In Military History, This Bespoke South African Safari Offers The Perfect Blend Of Wildlife Adventures, Exploring Military History & World Changing Battles, While Experiencing The Modern, Vibrant Western Cape Of South Africa.

#WildlifeWednesday New Special Needs Mobility Challenged Safari

In memory of a dear friend, and all those who “face their fears” - we are honored to offer a new Special Needs & Mobility Challenged Safari. Click here to find how you can Safari & Travel in Comfort, with Confidence!

Happy Day! Safe Safari!

Morning Coffee & Beet Root Juice Ole Sereni Nairobi Kenya © Flyga Twiga™ LLC