Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for asking!  I did a guest blog for Modern Elder Academy while I was in Namibia and titled it Today is My Someday.  It follows my unusual and very long road to get to Namibia.  That journey made me realize I had put off so many wonderful things until 'someday...', ignoring the reality that all I really had was today, and I needed to make it count. Here is a link where you can read the blog! Blog: Today is My Someday

While my dream has always been to offer others the opportunity to explore far flung and internal landscapes through combining travel and volunteering, this first trip is a biggie for me.  While I've led volunteer groups before (4 to Ghana, one to Colombia, and a small staff trip to Tajikistan), my ideal trip is one with a group of like-minded people who I know. So I've decided to discount this first trip, giving friends the opportunity to explore Ghana with me, and to ensure I've got everything as perfected as possible (haha!) before opening the trip up to the world at large.

I am not a fan of the stereotypical tour - rushing onto a bus, driving forever, stopping for a few minutes to takes some snaps, then off again. Nope, that's not this trip. You can see on the itinerary all the personal time this tour offers, with only 3 days out of 18 with 5+ hours of travel - that's a pretty great ratio! 

Our trip is about coming together as a group of friends but respecting each other's desire to do some of your own exploration, to have time to breathe by yourself. If you want to eat by yourself for a few meals, that's fine. I am not there as a task-master, schlepping you from one activity to the next until you drop with exhaustion. I am there to coordinate, facilitate, encourage, ensure safety and health, timeliness when needed, offer positivity, humor and to help foster comradery.. Hence the phrase I came up with, "gently-led tour".

It's an interesting phrase, hmmm? Conscious travel is a relatively new travel phrase that means as a traveler, you experience and connect with the people, culture and environment around you in a mindful way.  To be responsible for your effect on those who live in the place you are passing through, and hopefully leaving it a bit better in a way that is meaningful to them, not just a photo op for you. 

Ghana is ranked 76th and Namibia is ranked as the 63nd safest country in the world (the USA is 134th), according to the Global Peace Index.  That said, it is always a great idea to be cautious in major cities like Accra and Windhoek, where petty crime (purse-snatching, pickpocketing) has been on the rise. Be smart when you are out and about. And while I felt safe enough while I was in Ghana and Namibia, I took certain precautions like using a known taxi driver, not wearing flashy clothes or jewelry, using the hotel safe, and only pulling out small quantities of cash from an ATM that had a guard, or inside the bank. For more info: Namibia's safety profile. For those that prefer an international perspective, here is the UK site on safety in Namibia.

Places in Ghana can be conscientious about accommodating different dietary needs - but not small village communities can be challenging.  If your health is dependent upon gluten-free or other specific diets, this might not be the right trip for you. Talk with me for more information.

Speaking only to American citizens, yes, you need a visa for Ghana, but not Namibia.  You can get an evisa, a quick online process. Click HERE to go to the site to apply. Ghana requires a Yellow Fever vaccine with proof for entry.  Ghana is also malarial, meaning you need to get anti-malaria medications before you go.  For information about vaccination recommendations, please refer to the CDC Ghana and the CDC Namibia, or even the UK's recommendations. Staying healthy is so important when you travel, especially in a country whose medical system might not be as robust as our own, so I encourage you to speak with your physician about your vaccination and medical needs.

That might be the hardest question here! Since we will be south of the equator, the seasons are flipped - so Namibia will be coming out of its winter which is typically it's drier season. By the end of October, the possibility of afternoon rain showers will be decreasing. The rains will have brought plants to life, and its also the season for animals to give birth. Of course, weather forecasting is difficult the best of times, but historically temperatures in late March to early April are in the mid 80's at their highest during the day, and down to the mid 50's at night. The desert can get cold at night, so bring an extra layer or two, especially if you want to sit out and stargaze! 

I've been lucky to only need trip insurance a couple of times in all my travels - knock on wood! However, when I have needed it, or have had travel companions that needed trip insurance, it was a lifesaver! From a stolen passport, to trip delays, to a broken wrist, trip insurance gives peace of mind that if something goes wrong, there is help available. Travel insurance should cover last minute trip cancellation, trip delays, and all things medical - including epidemic outbreaks.  There are numerous sites and plans available, including comparison sites, while Allianz travel insurance is a favorite of many. For on-the-go travel insurance, you can look at World Nomads. Please carefully review what is and isn't covered and under what circumstances. I'm happy to chat with you more about travel insurance!

I'd say you should be moderately fit. I found that there were some minor things at Na'ankuse I couldn't do (swing a hammer or carry concrete- thanks, tennis elbow!), and my team helped out in those instances. But you do need to be able to walk around 4 miles (mostly flat terrain), not mind if it gets hot or rains, and be willing and able to put together 'alluring' food stuffs for the animals, or clean their cages. I'm happy to discuss this further, it is a very important topic! 

For the other locations, climbing up a sand dune or walking on uneven terrain is exciting, but not required.

YES!  Absolutely, you can book a private room. Please see the single supplement pricing.

Ghana is my pilot trip, followed closely by Namibia, and if it goes as beautifully as I hope, I'd love to do it every year.  I am also looking forward to adding volunteer-based travel to other countries.  

I would love to discuss your flights and some potential add-on opportunities, but I would rather put you in touch with either the local agent in Ghana or Namibia or the US agency I'm working with to actually book those travel items. Let's talk about your options!