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Safari, Sisterhood & a Whole New World of Inspiration

I’ve been trying to find the right words to describe the beginning of this trip… and the truth is, I don’t think any combination of words can fully hold it. But I’ll try — because so many of you walk alongside me on this creative journey, and I want to take you with me into the heart of this experience.

After months of planning and packing, the adventure finally began with a long journey to Johannesburg and then on to Harare, where my sisters and I stayed with a dear friend. Starting this trip in a home — not a hotel — grounded us in warmth, conversation, and laughter before everything turned into full-throttle safari mode.

 

 

From Harare, we flew to Victoria Falls and met the rest of our group — the incredible humans and artists who would share this journey with us. With art supplies tucked into our luggage and wide-open hearts, we headed to Hwange National Park.

Our safari guide met the bus at the Painted Dog Conservatory and gave us what was meant to be a simple transfer to the lodge… but a “simple transfer” in Zimbabwe means animals everywhere. We hadn’t even checked in yet, and we were already stunned.

 

 

We were originally booked to stay at Robins Camp, but were unexpectedly upgraded to Sable Valley#mce_temp_url#. The moment we stepped onto the deck, everything stopped. A lush green valley stretched before us — affectionately nicknamed “the golf course” because herds of animals wander across it the way golfers move across fairways. We could have sat on that deck for days and watched wildlife without ever leaving.

 

 

 

A safari that felt like stepping into another world

One of the things we learned right away: the rains came early this year.
And that changed everything.

Early rains meant:

• more water in watering holes

• more food for the herds

• more babies being born — and visible

• and yes… more bugs

The bugs were definitely a nuisance — constantly reminding us of where we were — but we all agreed that if more insects meant more life on the landscape, then we were grateful for every tiny wing that buzzed near us. Anything that allowed more animal families to thrive was a gift.

And we saw the results immediately.

Our very first full day began with a moment that left us speechless:
a lioness with her kill. Powerful. Honest. Humbling.

 

 

 

 

Not long after, we saw something most safari-goers never witness — a leopard sitting high in a tree, calm, regal, surveying everything below. We just stared, knowing how rare that sighting was.

 

 

Later that morning, my sister had a hilarious and magical exchange with a yellow-billed hornbill (think Zazu from The Lion King). He flew right up to her, stood just a few feet away, tilted his head, squawked in different pitches, and acted as if he were having a full conversation with her. We laughed so hard, and it felt like the wilderness wanted to personally welcome us.

 

 

 

As the days continued, the magic didn’t slow down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not all encounters were gentle. One afternoon, a mother elephant gave us a false charge to warn us away from her calf. It happened in seconds — trunk up, ears out, the deep warning rumble. Terrifying and breathtaking all at once. A reminder that we were guests, not spectators. I did post this encounter on my Instagram which can be seen here.#mce_temp_url#

 

One evening we drove through the forest in the golden light and suddenly found ourselves surrounded by zebras, which are typically skittish. The dappled sunlight across their stripes made them look unreal — like mythical creatures. For a moment we all sat in silence, absorbing it. It truly felt like being in a dream.

 

 

 

But nothing — absolutely nothing — compared to our last morning.

 

The moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life

We spent that final morning at the bunker — a grounded hide right at eye level with the watering hole. As the sun rose, a family of elephants approached. Not cautiously, not nervously… but with intention.

 

They walked so close we could feel the earth shift beneath us.

 

They looked at us. Truly looked.

 
And then — one by one — they nodded before turning to walk away.

 

No one spoke. None of us even breathed for a moment.

It felt like a goodbye… or a blessing… or both.

 

There was something spiritual in that silence — something I will carry with me forever.

 

(You can view this encounter by going to my Instagram here#mce_temp_url#)

 

Trying to paint — in the middle of the most beautiful distraction on Earth

 

We did try to paint!
I shared a quick lesson on:

• using a water brush for fast washes

• sketching pen lines over watercolor

• painting shadows first to build structure

But when lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and hornbills show up around every corner — it turns out painting can wait.

And that felt perfect.
There are seasons for painting — and there are seasons for filling the soul so there is something new to paint later.

This trip was very much the latter.

These first days in Zimbabwe were full of awe, adrenaline, tenderness, laughter, curiosity, and meaning.
And as unbelievable as they were… they weren’t even the true highlight of the trip.

What came next — our day at Lesedi School — changed us in a deeper way.

 

Part 2 is coming soon.

Thank you for walking with me, whether through my art, my words, or my heart.

This journey is already shaping the paintings to come — I can feel it.