Starting Strong with Safaris!
July 13, 2026
We greeted the group at the Johannesburg airport with plenty of excitement and quickly began getting to know one another!!! After everyone arrived, we headed to the hotel and ended our first night with PIZZAAAA!!! 🍕 It was the perfect comfort food after a long day of travel. The next morning, we packed up and got ready to head to our first location: LITTLE MONGENA!!!
Once we arrived, we were welcomed with fancy strawberry-pineapple drinks while everyone shared stories and took in the beautiful surroundings. After lunch, we moved into our tents and even spotted a KUDU wandering nearby!!! We relaxed by the pool before heading out for a sunset cruise across the lake. The group enjoyed snacks and cold drinks while watching the sun disappear over the water. We even spotted a CROCODILE!!! 🐊 It was sitting on an island with its mouth open, almost as if it were posing for the group. We learned that crocodiles do this to help regulate their body temperature. Hot chocolate was waiting for us when we returned, followed by a delicious dinner. We finished the evening with an energetic African drumming session. Lola especially enjoyed the drumming and brought so much fun energy as the group tried to keep up with the rhythms! We ended the night with Moonup around the fire beneath a sky full of stars. 🥁✨
The next morning, we began our first day of SERVICE!!! We traveled into the local community and started painting a church with a fresh coat of white paint. Caroline immediately got into the work and enjoyed seeing the building begin to transform. After returning to camp, we headed out on our FIRST GAME DRIVE!!! One group spotted hippos, while the other had an unbelievable view of BABY CHEETAHS!!! Katie was especially excited during the cheetah sighting and loved watching them move through the reserve. 🐆 When we returned to camp, it was time for our own version of MASTERCHEF!!! The group split into two teams and competed to make a traditional South African dish called potjiekos. Sarah took charge of preparing the vegetables for her team, while Jane jumped into the competition and helped her group create its final dish. The kitchen was filled with friendly competition as everyone worked to impress the judges! We ate the group’s creations for dinner, and everyone could not believe how delicious the food was!!! 👩🍳
Our second day of service gave us even more time to connect with the community. We continued painting the church, this time adding a bright coat of BLUE!!! Afterward, we spent time playing with the children. Kennedy fully embraced every moment as she danced with the kids and joined the soccer game. Jessie stepped into the goal and became one of our STAR GOALKEEPERS!!! Tayloe spent her time laughing with the children and building meaningful relationships with them. It was amazing to watch how quickly the group connected with everyone. ⚽️💙 That afternoon brought another INCREDIBLE game drive, and the wildlife did not disappoint! We saw elephants before coming across lions with their cubs. Blair absolutely loved seeing the BABY LIONS and was amazed as she watched them explore near the rest of the pride. Campbell was especially excited when the elephants appeared and loved seeing how enormous they were in the wild. Gussie has enjoyed every safari so far and has kept our guides busy with thoughtful questions about the animals. We ended the evening with a traditional South African braai. 🐘🦁
The following morning, we attended a local church service and were officially thanked by members of the community for helping paint their church. It was an incredibly meaningful moment that allowed the group to understand the importance of the project. Addie has especially enjoyed learning more about South African culture throughout the experience and appreciated hearing directly from the community leader.
Throughout our free time, Anne Claire has loved bringing everyone together for card games and helping make each group activity fun. Later that day, we headed out on a GUIDED BUSH WALK!!! We saw rhinos and zebras while learning how to identify animal tracks throughout the reserve. We also spotted wildebeest and warthogs along the way. Walking through the bush gave us a completely different perspective from the safari vehicles and made every sighting feel even more exciting!
We finished the day with a beautiful dinner in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of the reserve. 🦏🌿
Our time in South Africa has been such a special beginning to the trip. The group has fully embraced each experience and has already grown incredibly close. From greeting everyone at the airport to our final dinner in the bush, this group has brought so much energy into every day.
NEXT STOP: MOZAMBIQUE!!! 🇲🇿🌊
Shoutouts:
Kennedy- Hey mom and Dad! I miss yall so much, I am having the best time here so far. We have done so much service work and it was so cool hanging out with the kids and I love my group and counselors. Pleaseeeee tell Ella I said I miss and love her so much and tell her to say the same to Graham. Tell Grandma and Grandma great I said I miss them. Byeeee
Gussie- Hey guys i miss everyone so much but lmk having the time of my life and do not want to come home. But I love yall and tell PJ Gabriella and Jane i love them and miss them. Jane screenshot this and tell GIGI happy bday idk when yall r getting this.
Sarah – Hi everyone i miss yall so so much but I am having so much fun. Me and Campbell almost literally died from the leopard otw back from bathroom but king Daniel saved us. My group is amazing and my doctor issue is a lot better so we are good. Please tell James I love him and I am having so much fun but cant wait to see him BYE I LOVE YOU💗 ( im on letter 2)
Caroline- Hi mom and dad!! Miss you guys so so much and I hope you guys are having fun without me. Africa is great and i know you guys are going to have so much fun summer of 2027. Miss Ainsley and Alexandra’s so much to!! Ask Ainsley how her Akris internship is going? Howe’s going to the city everyday?? Love you and miss you!!!!
Campbell- hiii guys I miss yall so much but am having lots of fun! We have done lots of safaris and stuff. Hope Arizona is fun and everyone’s good. Tell my friends and Grant I say hi and miss them :)))))) love yall byeeee
Blair- Hey guys I miss everyone so much!! South Africa is so cool and different!!!! I don’t really know what to say but shoutout virg and Ella!!!! Can’t wait to see everyone love everyone byeeeee!
Katie- HEYYYYYYY!!!!!!! I’m having sooooo much fun in South Africa. I can’t wait to show you guys all of my cool flicks. I miss y’all but I’m having lots of fun. We are doing ocean stuff tmrw! Give Boots my love and affection and tell Taylor I say hi and that I didn’t get eaten by a hippo! Byeeeeeee
Anne Claire – Hi Mom, Dad, and Robert! I miss you all so much but I am having the best time! We just go to Mozambique and I am so excited!! Also tell Banks I love him and tell MD I say hi! Can’t wait to see you soon!!!
Jessie – Hi guys!! I miss everyone so so much!! How is everything in New York? I hope Morgan is having a great time at tennis camp and Taylor is living up her summer!!!! Mom, we have seen the coolest animals EVER! Dad, I can’t wait to show you pictures on my camera when I get home :)))) Love and miss you guys SO MUCH!!! 💗
Addie- Hi Mom, Dad, and Millie! I hope you all are having a wonderful time in Kentucky and Amelia is winning on Chip. I am having a great time and doing so many cool things. I have met so many amazing people and it has honestly been a culture shock to me. Tell Pat Pat, Grumps, Grampie, and Noey that I miss them! Also please do my Duolingo and love on Flippy for me, Love Addie
Jane- hey mom and dad! Im having a great time. Tell Walker i say hello and that i miss him! Also give Millie a hug for me 🙂
Tayloe- Hi Mom, Dad, Perry, Landry, and Dabney! I miss yall so much! We just arrived in Mozambique after being in SA for service work and safari’s. I’ve loved playing with the kids and meeting new people. I am having a good time and I love yall so much. Miss you!
Lola- Hi mom and dad hope your having fun in Europe and i hope you remembered to make a video to London boy. Please take photos of every cat you see in Greece because i really want to see. Moondance is literally amazing. No offence at all because i love yall but im having to much fun to miss yall but i miss Enzo and Millie and there cute lil faces. Shoutout to Brigitte and Tess tell them im very excited. Also tell sienna i miss her and cant wait to show her photos.Tell Stella i say hi and that i want to visit her in South Carolina often because a lot of my friends here live in South Carolina. Ok love you guys SO much cant wait to see your face love you momma.
