Travel to Rwanda
For as long as I can remember, I've loved to travel. But it was my first trip to Africa in 2012 that convinced me to turn my passion into a career. I opened Well Traveled Living in 2016 and never looked back. What a fantastic adventure it's been.
During the first four years that I was in business, I planned hundreds of trips. And I traveled – a lot. With each journey, I had the same goals: to better understand a destination and its people and unique culture, to cultivate professional relationships with suppliers, to inspect resorts, hotels, lodges, and camps, and to seek out new experiences to share with my clients. Above all, I hoped to inspire people to travel. In March of 2020, this facet of my business came to a screeching halt with the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic.
It's hard to comprehend that almost 2 million people have died worldwide since the start of this global crisis. I'm lucky -- my family has remained healthy, and (on most days) we've managed to enjoy our time in quarantine. There have been both challenges and silver linings, including the ability to slow down and contemplate what's important and to appreciate the beauty and richness of my life. With every year that passes, material things mean less to me. I credit my contentment and joy to the deep connections I've experienced and the memories I've created and shared with the people I love.
To me, travel is essential. So I'm heading out on an adventure to the Land of a Thousand Hills -- Rwanda. I have two sets of clients traveling to this incredible country later this year and many others already planning (or dreaming of planning) international trips. As a travel advisor, it's my job to show them what travel is like in 2021 and -- for those ready to get out and explore -- how to do it safely and responsibly.
Beginning this week, I'll be sharing detailed information through my social media channels about all aspects of the trip; my preparation (packing, testing, and vaccinations), my experience traveling to Africa (flying through Amsterdam on KLM), safety protocols en-route and in-country (masks), my experience trekking gorillas and other primates (a dream come true for me!), and everything else that happens along the way. While in Rwanda I’ll do site inspections at seven properties, including Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bisate Lodge and One & Only Nyungwe House. In addition to being a reconnaissance mission, my trip will also help support a part of the world that is very close to my heart, and that makes me happy.
I hope you'll follow my journey on Facebook and Instagram @welltraveledliving. Ask questions! Get inspired! Dream! Your time to get back out into the world will be here before you know it. As I like to say, it's bad manners to keep an adventure waiting.
Kelly xo