May I share my thoughts with you?

Our 14-day journey began in Johannesburg and took us through the wild beauty of Dinokeng Game Reserve, then onto Kaingo Reserve in the UNESCO Biosphere. From there, we crossed into the Tuli Block, returning to Lone Tree where Kamilla and I had first met. We then explored the dramatic landscapes of the Soutpansberg Mountains, before ending the adventure in the iconic Kruger National Park — a perfect finale to an unforgettable trip.

Why am I telling you this? Because on these journeys, I’ve witnessed changes in people that are hard to put into words. It’s like watching guests “breathe” again. Mama Africa has a way of reconnecting us — maybe because we all originated here, who knows. Africa is a vibrant mix of colours, cultures, and emotions. She heightens our senses — sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch — as well as our emotions and our connections with each other and ourselves.

Around the campfires or during long drives, I love listening to conversations unfold. On this last trip, I realised something simple but profound: we are all SO different, yet connected by a shared purpose. Everyone brings their backstory, and in these safe spaces, people open up. Magical things happen. In 12 years of leading trips, I’ve never had one where someone didn’t leave with a new friendship, a life-changing career insight, a reconnection with themselves, or simply the gift of stillness. That’s a powerful thought — and it’s what drives and inspires me to keep going.

Doing these trips isn’t easy. Finding and connecting with like-minded people who need this type of journey has always been a challenge. As I mentioned, we’re constantly bombarded by choices, so why would this journey be any different? I can’t give you the answer — all I can say is: come and see for yourself.

One lesson I was reminded of on this recent trip (thanks to Lloyd and Isabel Gillespie from Lone Tree) is this: if you sit quietly in nature, there are endless lessons and signs waiting for you. I even co-wrote a blog last year called “Are Your Eyes Wide Open?” — another reflection from a past trip, if you’d like to read it. In our day-to-day lives, we’re constantly bombarded by noise, choices, and distractions — what to eat, what to watch, what to do next, even how to feel. Over-stimulation has become the norm, something we’ve almost accepted as daily life. But at a watering hole in the bush? Life slows down. You sit. You watch. You wait. And you learn.

The elephants arrive first — bold, loud, grey, charging in with dust clouds and drama — the big mothers with teenagers and little babies in tow. They slurp up water and push everyone else aside, flicking their trunks at anything in their way. Meanwhile, the zebra stand quietly on the outskirts. One afternoon, we watched a dazzle of zebra wait nearly three hours for their turn. Each time they crept closer, the slightest rustle of a jacket (we were tucked away in the hide), the click of a camera, or even just a leaf in the wind sent them bolting back to safety. They never even got their drink that day. Talk about a masterclass in patience. Moving forward, if I’m ever feeling overwhelmed or anxious, I’ll remind myself to channel my inner zebra.

And that got me thinking….. isn’t that JUST like life? Some people charge in and take up all the space. Others wait quietly, sometimes too patiently, for what they need. Some relationships are fleeting, some long-lasting, some deeply rooted. And all of them teach us something. Another lesson I’ve learnt: before offering advice to a friend or family member is to  ask, “May i share my thoughts with you?” We often want to rush in and fix things for people by telling them what we know, but sometimes the greatest gift is simply listening.

On this past trip, we spoke a lot about the five senses, and how nature heightens them:

1. Sight  – the dazzle of zebra flashing black and white, elephants at the waterhole, a lion camouflaged in the grass.
2. Hearing  – the dawn bird chorus, the crackle of campfire whispers, the whoop of hyena or the roar of lions echoing across the Kruger night.
3. Smell  – dust hanging in the air, food sizzling in the lodge kitchen, the unmistakable earthy scent of rain.
4. Taste  – a crisp gin and tonic at sunset, that first bite of a homecooked meal after a long drive, the sweetness of fresh fruit in the bush.
5. Touch  – the evening breeze on your skin, the comforting weight of a soft blanket, or the warmth of a ‘bush baby’ hot water bottle tucked into your bed to keep you warm.

These journeys are more than just trips. They’re about connecting with like-minded people, healing from past experiences, and sometimes finding direction for the future — whatever it may hold for you. Nature has a beautiful way of meeting us exactly where we are — whether for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

I always come back from these trips happily exhausted (let’s be honest!), but with a soul and heart that feels full. Then, of course, I start planning the next one. Yes, it’s my drug and I can’t help myself, they can be costly, but really — how much is an investment in yourself worth? The chance to make a difference, to find yourself, to be heard, to be still, to listen for the messages nature is whispering to your soul.

I don’t claim to have the answers by any means, but I know this: I always return having learnt something. That’s why I wanted to share these thoughts with you. And who knows — maybe one day we’ll share a campfire, swap stories, and laugh until our bellies hurt.

Take care of yourselves, my fellow tree people.

With love always,
Carla Geyser