Travel Journal

Field notes, hotel opinions, destination essays, and the kind of travel knowledge that only comes from having been there.

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By Sarah Casewit, luxury travel advisor and founder of her namesake travel consultancy. For the traveler who hasn't decided where yet but knows it has to be worth it.

Sarah Casewit 4/27/26 Sarah Casewit 4/27/26

Akagera National Park: Africa’s Most Underrated Safari Destination

Once devastated by war and poaching, the park has become a conservation success story, now home to the Big Five and diverse species. Over several unhurried days, we experienced intimate, awe-inspiring encounters with wildlife, including a rare sighting of a critically endangered black rhino. Compared to the more adrenaline-driven gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Akagera offers a reflective safari experience rooted in restoration and resilience.

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A woman kneeling on the ground arranging colorful flowers and candles for a memorial or altar.

Green aurora borealis in the night sky with stars.

Interior of a dome-shaped tent with a blue starry sky ceiling, fairy lights, and cozy seating.

A smiling woman with long hair in a ponytail, wearing a light pink dress, stands on a balcony at dusk, looking towards the water. There is a large potted plant with pink flowers and a lantern nearby.