Specialties
Regions: East Africa, Southern Africa
Travel Types: Luxury Travel, Adventure Travel, Active Travel, Family & Multi-Generational Travel, Kilimanjaro Treks, Romance & Honeymoon Travel, Primate Treks, Safaris, Mobile Safaris, Special Celebrations
Special Interests: Beach, City Tours, Conservation, History & Culture, Food & Wine, Eco-Tourism, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography
Destinations Visited
Africa: South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda
Latin America: Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)
Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar
Additional countries: Japan, Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, The Netherlands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic
Why I’m a Travel Consultant
I love taking someone’s ideas for a trip and transforming them into a fabulous adventure. My goal is to include unique options in an itinerary that the client wouldn’t necessarily have thought of on their own. There is so much culture and beauty out there in the world to experience and I love making it possible for my clients to take it all in.
Education
BA in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Career History
I began working at Travel Beyond when I was 16 years old as an Intern. I worked here throughout high school and college, before returning full time shortly after graduation. I also held the positions of Travel Producer and Travel Manager before becoming a Travel Consultant. During my time at the University of Minnesota, I also worked on research projects for the Educational Psychology department and with children with developmental disorders – another passion of mine.
Professional Awards & Accomplishments
- Travel Agent magazine “30 Under 30” Recipient – 2014
Where I’ve Lived Abroad
Siena, Italy
Most Memorable Travel Experience
Visiting the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. I have been wanting to do this for a decade and finally had the opportunity. In addition to those 10 years of anticipation, the couple hours it takes to locate the gorilla family during the trek only increased my adrenaline and excitement. The hour I got to spend with them in their natural habitat was totally surreal. I’m unsure if I’ll ever be able to top this experience.
Most Recent Trip
My most recent trip brought me to Zambia in July of 2021. While here, I explored the country’s top safari destinations, including South Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park, and the Lower Zambezi. Each region felt starkly different than the next and provided a variety of animal viewing opportunities. I found Zambia to be perfect for the active safari-goer. I really loved the walking safaris, led by expert guides, as well as the ability to get out on the water a lot. Being from Minnesota, water-based activities like boating and canoeing are always huge highlights for me!
Recommended Right Now
I recommend an experience that pushes you a bit out of your comfort zone. The number of fascinating opportunities to do this are endless – whether it be a hike to see the chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, an up-close encounter with elephants in a hide at Ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya, or a raw cultural experience in Cape Town, South Africa. These are the type of moments that have created everlasting memories for me, and I know the same would be true for my clients.
Favorite Properties
In no particular order:
Greystoke Mahale (Mahale Mountain National Park, Tanzania)
This camp is unique in every aspect of the word! After flying a few hours to the western portion of Tanzania, I then took a boat on to reach Greystoke Mahale. This area is most known for the opportunity to go chimpanzee trekking, which is such an amazing experience. Depending on the time of year, the chimps can take a few hours to reach, but it is so worth it to get up-close to these creatures. The camp is located right up on a beach, so there are also a lot of water-based activities on offer, plus the opportunity to chill on the beach after seeing the chimpanzees in the morning!
Singita Kruger (Kruger National Park, South Africa)
Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni are stunning 5* sister properties with exceptional animal viewing opportunities. They offer very different style from one another, but are both held to the service standards that the Singita portfolio is known for. When I recently visited this area, I was most taken aback by the striking landscape of this area. I’ll remember our sundowner location here for years to come!
La Residence (Franschhoek, South Africa)
Talk about a fun property in a beautiful setting! This property is a part of The Royal Portfolio brand (which has some more incredible properties throughout South Africa) and offers a unique vibe in the Winelands of South Africa. From the moment I stepped foot inside the main building, I was intrigued by the bright colors and hip style that they put forth. Each room is individually decorated and just so fun. I think it’s a wonderful option for honeymooners out in the Winelands looking for modern accommodations!
Lewa Wilderness (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya)
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to incredible animal viewing, with a good chance of seeing the Big 5 during your stay. With Mt. Kenya as the backdrop, this area is very scenic and offers a huge variety of activities. While traditional game drives are still a must, I love the diversity of experience and always take part in at least a few different options like walking safaris, horseback riding, and learning more about conservation efforts from the team at the Conservancy Headquarters. If you’re looking for even more adventure, they also offer a unique fly camping experience.
Jack’s Camp (Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana)
Jack’s Camp is located in such a unique area of Botswana. The Makgadikgadi feels dramatically different than the Okavango Delta, the region that most people picture when thinking of Botswana. A highlight at Jack’s Camp is seeing the habituated meerkats, who spend their time chasing each other around, checking you out, and eventually using you as a vantage point to examine their environment. I also really enjoy the San Bushmen experience – going out on a walk to learn more about their traditions.