If you've ever dreamed of dining with giraffes, Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya is the ultimate bucket list experience. During our recent trip to East Africa, John and I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay at this world-famous boutique hotel, and it absolutely exceeded every expectation. Nestled in the heart of Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb and surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest, Giraffe Manor offers guests a unique blend of luxury accommodation, up-close wildlife encounters, and meaningful conservation efforts. Here’s everything you need to know about our unforgettable overnight stay at Giraffe Manor and why it should be on your Africa travel itinerary.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a once-in-a-lifetime African safari, this is the itinerary to inspire it all. Our 13-day babymoon adventure took us across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with unforgettable moments like trekking with mountain gorillas, watching lions feast in the Serengeti, and waking up to breakfast with giraffes at the iconic Giraffe Manor. It was the trip that turned our travel dreams into reality during one of the most emotionally intense seasons of our lives.

If you’ve followed our international adoption story, you may already know pieces of this adventure. But today, I’m sharing the full journey, including the most unexpected twist of all: discovering I was pregnant while waiting to bring home our daughter from South Africa and ultimately giving birth abroad during our adoption travel. Yes, you read that right… I gave birth in South Africa while finalizing our daughter's adoption. It wasn’t part of the plan, but looking back now, I wouldn’t change a thing.

When I dreamed of going on safari in Africa, I imagined the sweeping plains of the Serengeti and witnessing the Great Migration, but chimpanzee trekking in Uganda quickly became just as unforgettable. As international travel resumed in 2021, we made our bucket list safari dream a reality and added an unforgettable detour: trekking with chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda. One of the absolute highlights of our entire trip? Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, a lush rainforest in southwestern Uganda known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Home to over 1,500 wild chimpanzees, Kibale offers one of the best and most accessible chimp tracking experiences in all of Africa.

Looking for the best things to do in Istanbul? This vibrant city is the perfect introduction to Turkey and a destination that should be on every travel bucket list. Stretching across both Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a unique blend of history, culture, and modern energy that makes it one of the most captivating cities in the world. We visited Istanbul in the middle of our 11-day Turkey itinerary and immediately fell in love with its stunning architecture, incredible food, and layered history. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, here are 12 unforgettable experiences you must include when visiting Istanbul.

Have you ever dreamed of wandering through ancient cities, floating in the Dead Sea, or sailing down the Nile? This 13-day Jordan and Egypt itinerary combines the best of both countries from Petra to the Pyramids to the Red Sea and more for the ultimate Middle East adventure. From ancient ruins to vibrant markets, this itinerary is packed with bucket-list experiences for culture lovers, history buffs, and curious travelers alike.