#TravelTuesday 5 Exciting Products from OurAfrica.Travel Show!

March 25, 2025 Flyga Twiga

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

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

Thank you Soldier's Wife Crazy Life! What a pleasure to be a Guest Writer!

March 20, 2025 Flyga Twiga

How One Military Spouse Said Yes to the Journey and Ended Up With An Amazing Career

#TravelTuesday New! Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

February 18, 2025 Flyga Twiga

Land of 1000 Hills

Baby Gorilla Volcanoes National Park Rwanda © Flyga Twiga™ LLC.JPG

#TravelTuesday So excited to share a new YouTube Travel Channel - Shaka Around the World

January 21, 2025 Flyga Twiga

Created by Scott! He and his wife, Christine, went on a Kenyan Safari Adventure last October. “Shaka Around the World” has great, educational, and fun videos from their Safari.

Please subscribe!

#TravelTuesday Gift of a Good Camera #10thAnniversary #FestiveSeason

December 10, 2024 Flyga Twiga

Looking for a good gift for yourself or a loved one before Safari? I would suggest a great Camera and Lens Combo.

While I did initially start doing my own research (Shoutouts to Rachel Carter Images, Erin Henderson Media and CommuniKait), I quickly realized I was in WAY over my head. Turning to my friends, Avid Photographer Ara Ko Lopez and Professional Photographer Jurate Alasevičienė.

Jurate became my mentor, tutor, and my “camera therapist” through an extremely harsh learning curve. She suggested the Sony a6700 and a second-hand professional lens, both ideal for Safari.

Sony a6700 Camera©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
*Protip: Sony now Region Locks the Languages on cameras - check to see if English is on yours! Been meaning to learn Korean, or Arabic! ;-)*

For my first big trip in October, South Africa and Victoria Falls with my husband, I didn’t have the nerve to carry the professional lens. Our trip included a lot of regional Airlink Flights.

This actually turned out to be a wise decision. On my November Gorilla Trekking, Erin Henderson would be accompanying me. On several occasions she had to reset my camera. Thanks to her, and Jurate’s great encouragement, by the Rwanda Gorilla Trek, I hit my stride.

Beautifully Designed and Made Rift Valley Leather Bag ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

I bookended my Gorilla Trekking with time in Kenya. There, in addition to having a Celebration Dinner, on the rooftop of Nairobi’s Trademark Suites, I celebrated Flyga Twiga’s 10th Anniversary with a Rift Africa Custom Designed, Handmade Camera Bag. Thank yous to brilliant Designer/Leathermaker Isiah and Operations Manager Zadock Langat!

While I have a long way to go with my photography, for the first time I actually have pictures I’d like to print and hang! A final shoutout to Peter Manjagaledze for taking the time to help. Much, much appreciated!

Thank you for everyone!

One and Only Gorilla's Nest Welcome Dancers ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC

7 Epic trips to take to celebrate military retirement

August 14, 2024 Flyga Twiga

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

Thank you to USAA and National Military Spouse Network (NMSN) for the opportunity to share my Military Spouse career journey!

August 1, 2024 Flyga Twiga

My conversation with Sue
was so much fun!

#WildlifeWednesday Why my passion for Humans and Wildlife coexisting? My Grandfather!

July 24, 2024 Flyga Twiga

As many know, I was raised by my Maternal Grandparents. My Grandfather spent part of his youth on a Farm in rural Southwest Virginia. In order to help me sleep, my Grandaddy told me “Big Black Bear” stories.

Each story was about how a Big Black Bear would have some sort of interaction with humans. Each encounter would be resolved without anyone, bear or human, getting hurt. Peacefully co-existing.

Sometimes the Farmer would find the Big Black Bear in his orchard. When the parents went to town, the Bear would get in the house. The children would hide, watching the Bear eating their food. One of my favorites was coming upon a Bear, on our way to go fishing.

I was raised believing there was a way to live with Wildlife. Now, my business is dedicated to African Wildlife Conservation through Safari Adventures.

I think my Grandaddy would be proud.

Big Black Bear Stories © Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Commissioned Artist: Kazakhstani Korean Tanya Kim

Great Day at #Juneteenth 2024 Camp Humphreys South Korea

June 21, 2024 Flyga Twiga

#TravelTuesday Updated Safari Guides are Now Up!

May 21, 2024 Flyga Twiga

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

#ThrowbackThursday Honeymoon Couple in Mara North Conservancy

April 25, 2024 Flyga Twiga

“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

April 16, 2024 Flyga Twiga

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

Happy #TravelTuesday!

#TravelTuesday New for 2024 - South Africa Family Safari

March 12, 2024 Flyga Twiga

South Africa Family Safari

Highlights:

· Introducing one of the most exciting new Safari experiences in South Africa, the Kapama Kruger Homestead, offering a truly Private Family Safari. The Homestead, an exclusive use Lodge, is a family-style Homestead with 3 Ensuite Bedrooms. Includes:

-         Private Game Drive Vehicle, with a Guide and Assistant Guide
-         Private Chef
-         Assigned Concierge

· Jock Safari Lodge Wilderness Walk allowing children over the age of 12 to participate.

· Private Robben Island Tour with Christo Brand, a former prison guard, who was responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela. Christo and Mandela developed a close friendship over the course of many years. He is the co-author of his book, Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend (2014).

Discover Africa Together!

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

January 2, 2024 Flyga Twiga

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!

#WildlifeWednesday No two Safaris are the same - ever! And, elusive Leopards only show themselves when they want to!

December 6, 2023 Flyga Twiga

The same is true for me. After countless Safaris, living and working in Africa, 15 years & 3 months since my first Safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, the Leopards decided to appear for me in Kenya.

Starting with Samburu National Reserve, followed by Maasai Mara National Park, and ending with so much time with this beauty from Mara North Conservancy - Leopards in all three. Of course, if I were to be truly African, I’d say the Leopards were pleased I finally brought my husband to Magical Kenya. May be true!