The Extraordinary Journeys team revisits some of their most memorable travel moments from this year.
In this line of work, we’re lucky enough to see some of the world’s most spectacular places. Yet, no matter how often we travel, there’s always a new experience to leave us speechless. That’s the true beauty of travel—the more you do it, the better it gets.
To celebrate all the meaningful moments this year, we’d like to bring you some of our team’s favorite travel experiences from 2024. From the waterways of Botswana and the plains of Kenya to remote mountain regions of Vietnam and South America, here are the places that touched us the most.
We hope these little stories inspire you as much as they do us for the year ahead.
Flying over the Okavango Delta for the first time
Georgie Wood, Designer
This year, I was whisked away to a wild water paradise—the Okavango Delta in Botswana. For years, I’d watched the breathtaking scenes unfold on BBC and National Geographic, and now I was experiencing it firsthand. My favorite moment came even before I touched the ground. Flying over the Okavango for the first time felt pure magic. One moment, I was in bustling Cape Town having breakfast, and by lunch, I was soaring above a lush, watery wonderland.
The view was beyond spectacular—an endless patchwork of vibrant greens, winding waterways, and golden plains. I couldn’t help but play a game of spotting animals—elephants, hippos, and the famous red lechwe, all tucked away in the maze of channels and islands. My eyes were glued to the window, my heart racing as we flew over this vast, untamed landscape. It felt like something out of a dream, so beautiful and wild it almost didn’t seem real.
Trekking off-grid in rural northern Vietnam
Lauren Jafry, Head of Sales, Asia
This year, my most unforgettable travel memory took me off the grid to Mai Chau, a rugged and rural district in northwestern Vietnam. I’ve done incredible hikes across Southeast Asia and beyond, but this one stands out as an all-time favorite. The trek took me through lowland forests, up mountain ridges, and across golden terraced rice paddies during harvest season.
As I passed through charming Hmong villages, i saw farmers were hard at work, and water buffaloes lazing in the fields. The views were breathtaking: a stunning valley surrounded by towering green mountains in the distance. It was an experience of pure beauty and tranquility—and all without another traveler in sight.
Stepping back in time aboard the SS Sudan in Egypt
Jamie Mehrotra, Head of Sales, Global
Finding a great hotel has always been one of my favorite parts of travel and so stepping onto the SS Sudan—a true floating piece of history—transported me through a completely unexpected time machine. I could imagine Agatha Christie sitting in her stateroom writing scenes from Death on the Nile and felt immensely privileged to be on an antique royal barge for my voyage through Egypt.
My trip to Egypt was brimming with unforgettable experiences, but this one—the immaculate furnishings and finishings of the rooms, the splendid dress of the crew, and surrounding views of the Nile—was a moment where the world completely froze for me, and that’s a hard thing to find.
Horseback riding in Southern Patagonia, Chile
Mackenzie Morgan, Trip Coordinator
I stayed at Estancia Cerro Guido, a working estancia just outside of Torres del Paine National Park where a handful of gauchos take care of the property’s horses. A gaucho named Andy took me out riding one afternoon, but before we set off, we shared a gourd of mate (a herbal tea drink synonymous with southern South America). Andy came from a long line of horse racers in Argentina and shared some of his wild race stories as we saddled up our horses.
We set off east toward the looming peaks of Torres del Paine Massif. Andy rode off into the distance at one point, and my horse began to gallop after him. While it was a little intimidating, it was an exhilarating experience to ride a well-trained horse as it followed its master. Andy even gave me a demonstration of the boleadoras, a traditional throwing weapon used for hunting!
Soaring above Kenya’s Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon
Lara Ray, Senior Destination Specialist, Africa
I celebrated my birthday on safari this year, with my mother as my travel partner. I decided to surprise her with something on my own wish list: a hot air balloon ride over the open plains of the Maasai Mara. There was so much excitement building up to just getting on the balloon, and meeting the other travelers from across the world and our pilot and crew. Then, lifting off as the balloon filled and the silence as we drifted over one of my favorite landscapes in East Africa.
From the air, we could spot all kinds of wildlife, including a cheetah that was being filmed for a documentary. There were giraffe and elephant, pods of hippo, herds of antelope, and even a hyena den. It was a special privilege to experience the vastness of this area slowly, from above.
Australia’s Heart Reef by sea and air
Charlotte Lampe, Destination Specialist, Oceania
Soaring over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is an adventure like no other! Our helicopter ride revealed a mesmerizing world of azure waters, swirling silica islands, and endless coral landscapes. Gliding above the Whitsundays, I had a front-row seat in the cockpit before exploring in a glass-bottom boat safari.
Swimming with playful turtles and rainbow fish (hello, Nemo!), I couldn’t help but squeal with childlike wonder. The reef’s intricate coral kingdoms are a breathtaking marvel that’ll be forever etched in my memory—pure magic from above and below!
Getting caught in a crazy thunderstorm during a game drive in Kenya
Abby Watson, Destination Specialist, Africa
Leaving Asilia Naboisho camp in the afternoon, my guide Albert and I noticed a blue-black sky to the east, signaling rain. Undeterred, we continued our game drive. The contrast of black storm clouds against the sunlit Mara’s green and yellow grass was breathtaking. When the storm hit, sheets of sideways rain and intense wind gusts battered our 4×4, flattening trees around us. With three side flaps down and ponchos on, we watched a herd of about 200 zebras seeking shelter just feet from our vehicle.
After 30 minutes, the storm stopped, transforming the landscape with flash floods. We navigated through water reaching the top of our tires, spraying mud everywhere. When the sun emerged, Albert stopped so we could appreciate the scene. Barefoot, I waded through the flooded plains, experiencing what felt like my most unique and grounding safari moment.
Watching a pride of lions swim across the Chongwe River
Brigid Finley, Destination Specialist, Africa
During our bush dinner near Chongwe Camp, our guide told us that a pride of lions—5 females and 1 male—had been spotted in camp. We immediately went to find them, observing the females moving cautiously through the bush until they reached the Chongwe River’s edge. It seemed they were deliberating who would cross first. Four lions jumped into the river and swam across to Lower Zambezi National Park, with the fifth lion initially hesitant.
Eventually, the last lioness also swam across, which was unusual since lions typically avoid water. Returning to our dinner, we could hear the pride calling to each other in the distance. It was a surreal moment—our group and the lions were simultaneously enjoying their evening meals in the wild.
Experiencing the drama of the Skeleton Coast of Namibia
Anisha Barrientos, Senior Destination Specialist, Africa
Staying at Hoanib Skeleton Coast was an incredible adventure. Our full-day excursion began with a 5-hour drive through a remote, pristine national park on an exclusive Wilderness route. We traversed dry river beds, floodplains, and stunning dunes, encountering desert-adapted wildlife including giraffes, a spotted owl, and elephants.
At the dramatic Namibian Atlantic coastline, we enjoyed a picnic lunch, viewed shipwrecks, and observed thousands of seals. Upon returning, we discovered the dry Hoanib river bed we’d driven through had flooded during our 6-7 hour journey. Unable to drive back, we flew to camp. Seeing the flood from above, filling the previously parched river bed, was one of the most jaw-dropping safari moments of my life—an experience I’ll never forget.
Taking on the mighty Nile by raft in Uganda
Katelyn McMillan, Trip Coordinator
I had an exhilarating experience white-water rafting on the Nile River in Uganda. The rapids were intense and thrilling, keeping me on the edge of my seat as we navigated through the powerful currents. The stunning backdrop of lush greenery and the sounds of the river added to the excitement.
Every twist and turn brought a new challenge, and the adrenaline was unmatched. With skilled guides leading the way, we conquered the wild waters while enjoying the natural beauty around us. It was an unforgettable adventure, blending heart-pounding excitement with the serenity of the river.
Participating in World Migratory Bird Day in Kenya
Amber Blanchard, Lead Trip Coordinator
I celebrated my birthday in Kenya, bringing my husband on his first safari. At Lewa House, our guide Joseph’s infectious enthusiasm transformed our experience. He began each game drive by marveling at the conservancy’s beauty, encouraging us to appreciate the moment.
We unexpectedly participated in World Migratory Bird Day, using the eBird app to record bird species. Joseph helped us join this conservation effort, turning our game drives into an exciting identification challenge. Kenya recorded an impressive 713 bird species, with Lewa Conservancy identifying 218—narrowly beating Naboisho Conservancy’s 209.
This unique approach to safari gave me a new perspective on wildlife observation. I felt proud to contribute to such an important conservation project while creating unforgettable memories on my birthday trip. And who knew, I was a birder all along?!
Seeing tiger and leopard in India
Lisa Newby-Fraser, Trip Coordinator
My favorite travel experience this year was my trip to India. There were so many extraordinary moments that it’s hard to pick out just one. India is so enormous and diverse in culture, landscape, cuisine, and experiences—it has so much to offer.
That said, one moment will stay with me forever: seeing my first tiger in Kanha National Park. These spectacular big cats are perfect in every sense. I also loved horse riding at Sujan Jawai, a safari-style tented camp set among billion-year-old granite formations and wild leopard. We rode out at sunset, and it was spectacular.
Visiting a Capoeira academy in Salvador, Brazil
Olivia Schellenberg, Head of Sales, South America
I practice martial arts at home, and capoeira has always interested me for its unique blend of dance, music, and martial arts. On my first day in Salvador de Bahia, my local guide took me to a capoeira academy tucked into an unassuming downtown building. Inside, students of all ages and nationalities were practicing.
I spoke with their teacher, who is world-renowned and opened schools across the globe. He explained the history of capoeira as a form of resistance among slaves in Brazil. I understood the academy’s importance as a place for community building and cultural connection.
Discovering a wild dog den in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Sam Lambert, Trip Coordinator
Walking safaris in Zimbabwe are always special, but this one was truly extraordinary. On my last morning, we encountered wild dogs on foot. We woke up extra early and set out on a 1.5-hour drive, followed by a 30-minute walk through the bush to the den.
When we got there, the adult dogs were out hunting but the pups were already outside of the den. We stayed for over an hour, watching the pups play from a safe distance, waiting for the adults to come back. Right when we were getting ready to leave, the adults returned with a catch. It was such a surreal experience to get to hear the excited sounds of the pups and see their interactions. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m so thankful to have had it.
Visiting the Ngamo Rhino Sanctuary near Hwange, Zimbabwe
Lauren Sullivan, Trip Coordinator
During my stay at Camelthorn Lodge, I visited two relocated white rhinos, Thuza and Kusasa, at the Ngamo Rhino Sanctuary near Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. The experience was extraordinary—we even had a picnic lunch next to a sleeping rhino!
The sanctuary is protected by the Cobras, local scouts trained extensively in conservation, law enforcement, wildlife management, and community relations. Working in shifts, they guard the rhinos 24/7, creating such a close bond that the animals view them as their pack.
Hwange used to be home to a hundred white rhinos, but by the early 2000s, the one had been killed by poachers. The CRCI (Community Rhino Conservation Initiative), has done incredible work, reintroducing rhino to this area safely and sustainably. The entire experience was so meaningful and one of the best memories I will ever have!”
Visiting the razor-sharp tsingy formations of Namoroka National Park, Madagascar
Kim Green, Senior Destination Specialist, Africa
Traveling around Madagascar was hard—there were long, hot, bumpy travel days, but the rewards were worth their weight in gold. Visiting Namoroka National Park in the northwestern part of the island was a privilege. It’s so remote and challenging to get there, only 200 people have made the trip in the last seven years.
I explored the tsingy (it means “the place where one cannot walk barefoot” in the Malagasy language—something the lemurs have clearly never heard, as they bound on the spiky pinnacles without issue!) from above and below, witnessing both the sharp edges on top and the chilly, ancient caves underneath. We were rewarded with epic views of charcoal stone forests, velvety baobab seed pods, ancient pottery, extinct lemur fossils, and a surprise lunch in the cool shade of the tsingy canopy.
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