Gorilla Trekking is serious business, it is not just an activity to get a shot for the “gram!,” and while I am sure that adrenaline junkies all over the world have been drawn to go down this path — gorilla trekking is for individuals who embrace and value nature. Gorilla trekking is for the conservationist, naturalist and animal lover at heart. It’s an opportunity to see an endangered species while trying to understand the very complex issues surrounding the decline of this GREAT APE and the beautiful resources of Africa.
Now that we have all of that out of the way, on to the gorillas!
Welcome to Travel + Explore & Play with Sallee Jay, I am your host. While my entire trip to Africa was transformative, my solo travel to Lake Mutanda is an experience that I’ll never forget. This is going to be a long one so go grab a snack, something to drink and sit back relax and enjoy my story of healing, walking in purpose and pure joy! Follow along, as I describe my private chartered flight, a day in the life of a traditional African and my charming accommodations in the Kisoro district of Uganda.
Welcome to travel + explore & play with Sallee Jay, where I am your host. 👋🏾💓‼️ I’m fresh off my second trip to Africa with Africa Development Promise, a non-profit organization whose mission is improve the lives and livelihoods of rural women in East Africa, through training and resources that support their collective efforts to operate competitively in the marketplace. However, while the primary focus is women, ADP is helping East African families with training and resources. The impact and reach are undeniable.
Last year when we travelled, the country was on lockdown due to Covid restrictions and while we were able to experience movement, the Africa and programming that I experienced this year was much different. Follow along as share this year’s ADP travel experience, provide updates regarding the cooperatives and programs and introduce you to some of the remarkable staff!
To end the year, I sat down and spoke with Kathy Lawless about the creation of salleejay.com and the path to starting my blog. It was a great way for me to revisit and reflect on my personal and professional journey to my version of freedom and happiness.
Listen to my career reflections as I unveil parts of my journey with themes in music, writing and community.
After about a decade of career and life experience I discovered another theme — I was living for other people, trying to fit into a mold that didn’t work for me, and focusing on making other people comfortable when I was miserable.
This prompted me to make some big bold changes in my life all in one month — March 2013! Fast forward to today where, life as “awesome” and I have big plans for travel and my blog — inspiring others to travel solo (guided by her), international business leadership and to see the world!
Our raft guide Josh explained the layout of our 4 hour day and then asked, “does anyone want to hop off the raft and take a swim before we meet our first set of rapids?” Naturally, I had some apprehension as I am not the strongest swimmer, I was with new friends and in unfamiliar surroundings….
As I debated the decision in my head, the next thing that I heard was a big “SPLASH” in the Nile River. Manny, the youngest member of our entourage had taken the plunge. Never one to be outdone, I leaned back and fell into the water! I REPEAT‼️‼️ -- I am not the best swimmer, that said, we had on lifejackets, I love the water and I have strong faith. As the cool water touched my sun kissed brown skin and engulfed my entire body, I felt reborn. As I began to rise to the surface of the water, a feeling of euphoria came over me --- followed immediately by shear panic because I realized that I had just JUMPED in the middle of the Nile RIVER!!!!!
