Registration will close approx 90 days before the trip (Nov 18, 2026), however, many trips sell out fast. If you are interested in going, I encourage you to sign up as soon as possible versus later. You can always pay a deposit and get a full refund within the first 30 days of registration.

Please note that I only have 14 spots available.

I require an initial deposit of $500 to hold your spot and then I offer payment plan options of either 3 payments of $1266 or 5 payments of $760 per person. 

If you choose to pay the remaining balance before those deadlines you can contact me at [email protected]

Your trip fee covers all accommodations in 4 and 5-star hotels and safari lodges, ground transportation with private drivers, all meals (except 1 lunch), experienced local guides, excursions, entrance fees, mindfulness practices, as well as a gallery of professional photos of your trip.

International flights to and from Cape Town, South Africa are NOT included in your trip fee. In addition, any optional activities on the free day, alcoholic beverages and snacks, tips for guides, incidentals, and travel fees are not included.

Keep in mind that travel medical insurance is not included, but REQUIRED for all YLA trip participants. You can get a fairly inexpensive policy often for less than $100-200 USD. I include reputable insurance companies in your registration confirmation email when you sign up.

February is summertime in South Africa and one of the best times of year to visit. Expect warm, sunny days, long daylight hours, and generally pleasant weather throughout the trip.

In Cape Town and along the Garden Route, daytime temperatures typically range from the mid 70s°F to mid 80s°F (24–30°C), while evenings cool down into the upper 50s°F to upper 60s°F (15–20°C). The Cape Town area can occasionally be windy, especially near the coast and on hikes such as Lion's Head and Table Mountain.

On safari, mornings and evenings are often cooler—especially during game drives in open vehicles—while afternoons can be quite warm. Expect temperatures ranging from the low 60s°F (16°C) in the early morning to the mid 80s°F (29°C) during the day.

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days, along with a light jacket or fleece for evenings and early morning safari drives. Comfortable hiking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a swimsuit are all recommended. Layers are key, as temperatures can vary throughout the day depending on location and activity.

All accommodations on my trips are based on shared occupancy, meaning you’ll share a room with at least one other woman from the group. You’ll each have your own bed, typically in a twin or multi-bed room setup.

Shared rooms are a great way to build connection and often lead to some of the most meaningful friendships on these trips!

If you’re traveling solo, I’ll thoughtfully pair you with a roommate—many women come on their own, and I do our best to match you with someone compatible.

That said, on rare occasions due to hotel layout or limited availability in remote locations, I can’t always guarantee separate beds in EVERY room. Usually this means sharing a queen or king bed. If this comes up, I’ll communicate with you in advance and do my best to make sure you're comfortable.

Private rooms may be available for an additional fee. If you’d like your own room, just reach out after registration and I’ll let you know what’s possible based on availability.

When you arrange your flights to South Africa, you will need to book roundtrip tickets to the Cape Town International Airport arriving no later than 3PM on Feb 18th (local time). 

If your flight comes in anytime that day, we will arrange transportation to pick you up. If you arrive the day before, you will need to arrange your own hotel for the night, along with transportation to and from the hotel.

As for return flights, please arrange your departure from Cape Town anytime on Feb 28th.

This is one of the most common questions I receive, and the short answer is yes—with the right planning and precautions. Like many destinations around the world, South Africa has areas that are best avoided, which is why we've carefully designed this itinerary with safety in mind.

Throughout the trip, we'll be staying in well-established tourist areas, working with trusted and reputable local partners, and using private transportation with experienced drivers. We won't be navigating unfamiliar areas on our own, and I'll provide guidance on common-sense precautions just as I would for any international destination.

I've spoken extensively with local guides, operators, and travel professionals while building this itinerary, and thousands of travelers visit South Africa safely every year. In fact, for many people, it becomes one of their favorite countries they've ever visited. The incredible landscapes, wildlife, culture, and experiences make it well worth the journey.

Safari is truly one of the most magical travel experiences in the world. During our stay at a private game reserve, we'll participate in four guided game drives led by experienced rangers who know the land and wildlife intimately.

Game drives typically take place in open-air safari vehicles during the early morning and late afternoon, when animals are most active. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, we'll have the opportunity to search for Africa's iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as giraffes, zebras, antelope, hippos, and countless bird species.

Each drive is different, which is part of the magic. One moment you may be quietly tracking wildlife through the bush, and the next you could find yourself watching a herd of elephants cross the road just feet away. It's an experience that leaves a lasting impression and is often the highlight of the trip for many travelers.

If you have food allergies, we will accommodate you food needs and preferences. I always send out a survey prior to the trip for this reason, so we can plan our meals at restaurants that accommodate different food allergies and preferences (such as gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free).

*Please note that alcoholic beverages or specialty drinks (such as mocktails) and snacks are not included in your trip fee. Also, keep in mind that there is a meal budget, so if you want to order more than that, you will just pay me the difference at the end of the trip.

This trip is designed to be active, adventurous, and accessible for women with a reasonable level of fitness. Most of our hikes range from 3–7 miles (5–11 km) roundtrip and include moderate elevation gain, with plenty of opportunities to rest, take photos, and soak in the scenery.

Highlights include:

• Lion's Head sunset hike (approximately 3 miles / 5 km roundtrip with 1,300 ft / 400 m of elevation gain)
• Table Mountain via the Kasteelspoort route (approximately 5 miles / 8 km with 2,500 ft / 760 m of elevation gain and a cable car descent)
• Robberg Peninsula coastal hike (approximately 5.5 miles / 9 km with 800 ft / 240 m of elevation gain).

For those seeking an extra challenge, you'll have the option to participate in the epic Jonkershoek Panorama Circuit (approximately 11 miles / 18 km with 3,600–4,000 ft / 1,100–1,200 m of elevation gain) or choose a luxury e-bike tour through the Cape Winelands complete with wine tastings and lunch.

Other activities include sea kayaking along Cape Town's coastline, a sunset catamaran cruise in Knysna, exploring the Cape Peninsula, and four guided safari game drives in search of Africa's iconic Big Five. Every activity is led by experienced local guides and partners who prioritize both safety and enjoyment.

Of course, participation in any activity is always optional. If you'd prefer to relax, explore on your own, or skip an activity, that's completely up to you. If you have any questions or concerns about the itinerary or fitness requirements, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected].

Absolutely. While all activities are thoughtfully curated to give you the best experience possible, everything on this trip is optional. If you ever need some downtime or prefer to explore on your own, you’re welcome to do so.

Just keep in mind that the itinerary is designed as a group experience, so transportation and logistics are arranged around scheduled activities. If you choose to skip something, any additional costs for separate transport or meals would be your responsibility.

This is your adventure—you get to make it what you need it to be.

If you choose not to participate in the mindfulness practices exercises such as guided meditations or journaling, that is completely up to you.

I offer "transformational" mindfulness practices on my group trips because they are a powerful way to reconnect more deeply with yourself, especially in the midst of such awe-inspiring places.

If you're seeking to build more confidence, gain clarity, release what’s no longer serving you, or simply feel more grounded and present in your life—these practices will fill your soul in ways you didn't expect.

Many of my past trip guests say these meditations were some of the most unexpected and life-changing parts of their journey. They came for the adventure…but left with something so much deeper.