• Beth Graham and her brothers cared for their mother for four years after she had a stroke.
• After their mom died, the siblings decided to spend the $75,000 inheritance on a trip to South Africa.
• Spending quality time with her brothers helped her deal with the loss.

I grew up in one of those weirdly close families where we all genuinely enjoyed spending time together.

My dad died young, at 56, leaving my adventurous, spirited mother a widow. I'm the youngest of three kids, with two older brothers, and we all share a love of travel.

Five years ago, during a visit back home to Florida to see my mom, she came into my room early in the morning complaining about "the worst headache of her life." It was confirmed later, at the hospital, that she had a stroke.

For the next four years, we were her caregivers. Thankfully, her long-term insurance covered most of the expenses, but my brothers and I chipped in to cover things like round-the-clock caretakers and a new stereo so she could listen to soothing music.

As a wealth manager, my middle brother managed her larger assets and took care of things like selling her home, paying off her mortgage, and settling her estate. After she died and all of her outstanding expenses were covered, we were left with about $75,000 of inheritance.

Our initial thought was to split that among her three grandchildren to help jump-start their young adult lives. But one of my brothers doesn't have children, so it didn't seem fair. We began talking about how best to honor her with those remaining funds.

While it may sound selfish to some, we determined that she would have wanted to treat us with something — she was the kind of mom who always put our needs ahead of her own.

Caregiving is hard, and we all experienced burnout at different times, both emotionally and physically, so we wanted to find a way to unwind from the past few years.

Including grandkids was too complicated

As my brothers and I all enjoy traveling I suggested we take a trip in her memory. Getting everyone to agree to that was actually the easy part. Deciding where to go proved more difficult.

The original plan was to include everyone on the trip: my husband, my sister-in-law, and the three grandkids. I suggested we rent a chateau in the south of France or a villa in Italy since my mom was such a foodie. But because of our range of interests — some like museums, others like organized tours, and others crave adventure — we concluded that a relaxing vacation in a home wouldn't work.

We settled on a trip to South Africa that would include a one-week safari and another week in Stellenbosch wine country — paying tribute to my mom's love for great wine.

We soon realized that including our kids, some still in college and others just starting new careers, would not work. They wouldn't be able to take two weeks off. So, as disappointing as it was, we decided to leave them behind. We were also very aware that this would give us the extra money to plan a more luxurious trip.

A trip to honor our mom

We flew business class from New York to Cape Town and spent two days exploring the region with a local guide. Then we traveled to Kruger National Park to our luxury resort in the private Sabi Sands Game Reserve and spent five days tracking the Big 5. We saw all five almost every day.

I ordered three small memorial key chains. Each sibling was to bring along some of my mother's ashes so that she could join us on the trip. One evening, we gathered at the resort's bar, poured a glass of wine for her, surrounded by our keychains, and toasted her for our amazing lives and sibling relationships.

After a memorable — and emotional — week, we journeyed on to our luxury Airbnb in Stellenbosch to toast her some more as we sampled the wines of the region. The end of our trip was bittersweet because we knew our time together honoring her with this trip was coming to an end.

We spent all of that money and then some, but none of us had any doubt that she was looking down on us and smiling. As an adult, it's rare that I get time to properly catch up with my own siblings. That quality time together was special and, hopefully, exactly what our mom would have wanted.

Got a personal essay about reconnecting with family that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: [email protected].

• I spent three nights at Singita Sabora Tented Camp, a luxury lodge in Tanzania.
• While it was technically a canvas tent, the lodge was filled with high-end amenities.
• My safari experience included welcoming staff, delicious food, and endless animal sightings.

The moment the bush plane touched the runway at the Sasakwa Airstrip in Tanzania, I knew the safari experience at Singita Sabora Tented Camp would be different.

Just 20 minutes earlier, I was at the Seronera Airstrip in Central Serengeti. I joined dozens of safari vacationers waiting for flights out of the national park. I met airport staff at plastic tables, where my name was crossed off a sheet of paper and I was handed a ticket with my flight number written in pen. Among the groups of tourists and safari guides, porters bustled about carting off luggage.

As my plane barreled down a dirt runway, I waved goodbye to a parking lot of 20 safari vehicles and guides waiting for the next batch of tourists.

When I landed at Sasakwa, things were quiet. A serene tent sat empty. Plastic chairs were swapped for cushioned couches. Restrooms were not only stocked with toilet paper but also perfumes and bug spray.

If this was the airstrip, I wondered what Singita's accommodations were like. I quickly discovered the answer.

Singita owns some of the most expensive lodges in the region — a night at Sabora, for example, starts at $2,045. Business Insider received a media rate for a three-night stay. Along with that cost came a safari vacation filled with endless animal sightings, delicious food, and more.

The Singita lodges sit in the Grumeti Reserve

After disembarking the plane, my guide for the morning, Yusef, heaved my 30-pound backpack into our open-air Toyota Land Cruiser, and we were off to Sabora Tented Camp — one of Singita's three lodges in the area.

Yusef gave me a quick rundown: Singita has exclusive use of the Grumeti Reserve, a 350,000-acre private concession on the northwestern border of the Serengeti National Park. The reserve is managed by the nonprofit Grumeti Fund in partnership with Singita. Within the concession, Singita operates three lodges and four private villas and camps.

Minutes later, our conversation was interrupted by a herd of giraffes. As we turned another curve, Yusef pointed to a buffalo carcass. Less than two miles down the road, we spotted another.

It was my fifth day in the Serengeti, but it was my first time seeing a dead animal without swarms of vultures or hyenas. Yusef read my mind.

"Welcome to Grumeti," he said. "There's such an abundance that predators don't even need to finish their kill."

For the next four days, I saw that abundance firsthand. I spent the rest of my time with guide Peterlis Kibwana. With so much land and so few people, we rarely encountered other visitors during our game drives.

We checked in on hyena puppies one evening and sipped sunset drinks near a herd of zebras the next. We observed countless elephants and giraffes, spotted lions, and tracked down hippos.

The animals were incredible, but so was Kibwana's guidance. After learning that I had been in the bush for five days and seen popular African animals, Kibwana shifted our focus to the creatures people sometimes miss on a safari.

On our first afternoon, we pulled over to watch a leopard tortoise scurry through the grass. We gasped as we spotted a martial eagle fly away with its prey. Kibwana identified countless birds: grey-breasted spurfowl, Coqui francolin, and superb starlings. Watching these smaller animals offered a new perspective on the Serengeti.

Each game drive ended with drinks in the bush. As the sun dipped below the horizon, I battled a mix of emotions: I didn't want to leave the wildlife, but I knew I was heading back to one of the most luxurious properties I'd ever visited.

The Sabora camp consists of nine canvas tents

Singita's properties, which range in cost, are some of the most expensive lodges in the region. For instance, its newest lodge, Milele, costs upward of $35,000 a night.

In 2024, guests at Sabora paid between $2,045 and $2,975 per person, depending on the season. I visited during October, where rates were $2,585 a night. The price includes meals and beverages, daily game drives, laundry service, and road transfers between the Sasakwa airstrip and the lodges.

I was surprised when I arrived at my canvas tent for the first time.

From the outside, the tent is simple. Canvas panels stretch across a metal frame. From the front, there aren't any windows into the tent, and the space didn't look particularly large.

Stepping inside was a different experience. The open-concept tent was far larger than I had guessed. The back walls of the tent were a combination of screen and glass, ushering in plenty of sunlight.

A bedroom area had a large bed and two leather chairs. There was a kitchenette and living area, along with a closet and a massive bathroom with a two-sink vanity, standing tub, and shower. Attached to the tent was an outdoor shower, meditation platform, daybed, and alfresco dining area.

"The style and design here is very straightforward compared with other lodges," Hamisi Abdi, Sabora's assistant lodge manager, told me one morning. "It's a tented camp, but it's in a modern vibe."

What stood out was the attention to detail. Local art was featured on the walls, a stocked pantry offered sweet and savory snacks, and bathroom amenities like bath salts and toothpaste were within arm's reach.

It was impossible not to relax. Between a comfortable bed and chamomile tea waiting for me after dinner each night, my three nights at Singita was the best sleep I had during my 20-day trip.

Abundance defined my stay

As I left Singita after my third night, I reflected on Yusef's original mention of abundance. It was everywhere at Singita.

Beyond game drives, wildlife can be spotted throughout the day since Sabora is unfenced. On two of my three nights, I safely encountered lions prowling the grounds — once with a guard and the second seated in the dining area.

Abundance continued outside my tent. The lodge's main camp had plenty of places to relax. Each evening, guests gathered around a communal fire to sip cocktails and share stories from the day.

In the morning, tables were placed in the grass for breakfast and lunch. A small pool with daybeds was nearby, and a fitness center and spa were a short walk away.

The all-inclusive dining was also impressive. Singita's executive chef, Mia Neethling, explained that the lodge's kitchen revolves around a "deli" concept. Throughout the day, a small deli was stocked with salads, fruits, yogurts, desserts, fresh juices, and drinks so guests could dine at the lodge, in their tents, or out in the bush with their guides.

Plated meals were also served three times a day, with ingredients grown by farmers in nearby villages.

My days were filled with highlights beyond the traditional game drive. I spent a morning on a guided walk through the bush and an afternoon visiting the nearby community, both of which have additional costs. If my stay had been longer, I could've commissioned a hot air balloon ride, booked spa treatments, and spent longer at the pool.

It wasn't just what Singita offered; it was how they offered it. At times, it felt like the staff could read my mind. Shafuu, my waitress, quickly learned my taste preferences and made suggestions, like trying the fish fritters. Another night, the lodge's sommelier picked wine pairings for each course of my meal.

Three days passed by too quickly, and as I sat on a wicker couch waiting for my flight out of Sasakwa, I reflected on what made the lodge worth the price.

Hearing lions roaring at night and antlers colliding in the morning from my king-sized bed was magical. Eating meals cooked with passion was unforgettable. And getting into the bush with Kibwana was thrilling.

"We were in such a beautiful place," Kibwana told me. "That's what makes this place so special."

I couldn't agree more.

• I spent eight days on a safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.
• I thought packing for the trip involved a strict color palette and rugged outdoor clothes.
• I'm glad I had items like jackets and binoculars, but I'd do some things differently for future trips.

Packing for a 20-day trip, regardless of location, is a challenge.

Packing for a 20-day trip to three destinations is even harder.

And fitting all your clothes in a soft-sided bag weighing less than 33 pounds feels impossible.

But that was my task for my first trip to East Africa, where I spent eight days on a safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

I managed to fit it all in a backpacking pack, but not without making a few mistakes. Take a look at what I did right, what mistakes I made, and what I'd pack for future safaris.

I almost skipped packing binoculars because of the added weight. I'm glad I didn't.

My bags weighed 31 pounds the night before my trip. Most of the small-plane bush flights I was about to board had weight restrictions of 33 pounds.

If I wanted any souvenirs, I'd be tight for space. I eyed what I could leave behind and initially considered ditching the pair of binoculars I had packed.

Ultimately, I took out a few pairs of shorts instead, a choice I'm thrilled I made. It's not guaranteed that your safari lodge will have binoculars for guests, but having a pair enhances the entire experience.

Sure, I got close to lions and elephants from my safari vehicle, but a pair of binoculars could showcase details — like whisker patterns, bird feathers, and skin textures — that I couldn't see from the car.

For future trips, I'll be investing in an even nicer pair — and making sure there's enough room in my bag.

Bug spray and sunscreen were a necessity.

A few days before my trip, I spoke with Meg van Niekerk to discuss my trip's final details. As a safari expert for Go2Africa, van Niekerk knows just what people need for a safari trip.

"Leave your perfume at home," she said. "Your DEET cream becomes your safari perfume."

DEET is the active ingredient in most bug sprays, so van Niekerk stressed that I should pack bug spray and sunscreen for my trip.

I was glad I did. The Serengeti sun was harsh, and even on shorter safari drives, I could feel my face burning. Meanwhile, bug spray gave me some added reassurance against malaria.

While some lodges provide bug spray and sunscreen, I was glad I didn't rely on others and packed my own.

Layers were useful for chilly mornings and hot afternoons.

Before spending a week in the Serengeti, I pictured long days in the sun, afternoons driving down dusty roads, arid climates, and sweat.

Thankfully, I was smart enough to check the region's weather, where lows dipped into the 50s.

As someone who hates the cold, I knew I'd need more than the tank tops and T-shirts I originally planned to pack.

For this trip, I made sure I had a sweater, puffer vest, lightweight button-downs, tank tops, T-shirts, shorts, pants, and rain gear.

I was thrilled I had options throughout the trip. Mornings and evenings in the bush are chilly, afternoons are scorching, and some afternoon showers also hit.

Having a variety of clothes for all temperatures and weather was key to being comfortable.

I would change one thing about the layers: I'll skip packing base layers next time.

Packing layers was key to my successful safari wardrobe, but surprisingly, I didn't wear any of the light, long-sleeved shirts I packed.

That's because the temperatures changed drastically in the Serengeti. When it was chilly in the mornings, I needed heavier layers like jackets and sweaters. When the sun finally came up, it got hot quickly. Instead of wanting a tight, long-sleeved layer, I opted for looser button-downs.

Next time, I'd skip packing base layers altogether.

I stressed far too much about only packing neutrals.

Everything I saw, read, and heard leading up to my safari trip emphasized the need to pack neutral colors.

Olives, tans, browns, and khakis were good. Blues and blacks were a no-go since those colors attract tsetse flies, which carry a sleeping sickness disease.

Meanwhile, bright colors can alarm and scare off animals.

As someone whose wardrobe consists of 80% black clothing, discovering this was a major stressor, and I ended up on a shopping spree before my trip.

But when I spoke to van Niekerk right before my trip, she reassured me that safari attire is much more casual and flexible than I had read online.

Her advice is to pack what you already own. Don't stress too much if you don't have a complete khaki-colored wardrobe. Instead, prioritize neutrals where you can. She added that you don't need to avoid colors completely.

Besides a walking safari, there was never a time when I felt like the color of my clothing would have impacted my trip or animal viewing. By the end, I regretted buying clothes I might not wear again.

Similarly, my packed clothes focused on the outdoors when I should've prioritized comfort.

"This might change your whole packing list, but I actually take a lot of dresses," van Niekerk said. "You want to be comfortable."

As we chatted via video, I eyed my packed bag. It was stuffed with hiking pants, sweat-wicking athletic shirts, and hefty khaki cargo pants.

My focus had been on packing clothes for the outdoors, but van Niekerk reminded me that much of a safari vacation involves a lot of lounging — you're often sitting in a safari vehicle or hanging at a lodge.

"People are dressing like they're rangers going into a park. You're on vacation," she said.

After our call, I swapped a few pairs of pants for a dress and squeezed in a pair of sandals. I'm glad I did.

While I did need closed-toe shoes for a walking safari, there were days when I only wore sandals. The same goes for my clothing. I did need some pieces designed for hiking, but most of the time, I could prioritize comfort.

If I were to pack again, I'd listen to van Niekerk even more with a packing list full of dresses and comfy clothes.

My biggest packing mistake was the cash I brought.

Tipping is the norm across most of Africa.

Travel agents and outlets like Go2Africa have outlined the standards of what to tip, so figuring out the currency and how much cash to bring wasn't difficult.

What I didn't know is that people prefer (and sometimes require) new, undamaged dollars.

When I landed in Tanzania and went to pay for my first taxi ride, the driver refused my $10 bill — it had a small tear in the middle.

For the rest of the trip, I sorted out my nicest dollars to give to lodge staff, safari guides, butlers, and drivers. When I landed in Uganda for the second portion of my trip, the guidelines were clear, "Please be aware that only post-2006 US Dollar bills are acceptable. Bills should be in excellent condition with no tears, stains or markings," my safari outfitters website said.

Next time, I'd make sure my bank was giving me new money for tips.

Small items like a reusable straw and packs of tissues will be in my backpack for the next trip.

Thankfully, the lodges I stayed at had almost everything I needed. Most had reusable water bottles, bug spray, and sunscreen ready.

There were just a few small items I wish I had packed.

For example, I would have loved to have a reusable plastic straw. Safaris are bumpy rides, which means drinking out of a water bottle's open mouth was nearly impossible. A reusable straw would've allowed me to drink while we were on the move.

There were also a few times I used public restrooms — at airstrips and park entrances — where there wasn't toilet paper. A pack of tissues would've solved that problem.

Considering my biggest mistakes were forgetting a straw and not having enough dresses, I'd say packing for my first safari was a success.

The safari experience was much more casual than I anticipated.

Between the clothing and lodges stocking necessities, it was hard to make any significant packing mistakes.

For a future safari, I'll prioritize comfy clothes, packing new money, and having a reusable straw handy.

• There are several things I wish I'd known before I went on my first safari in South Africa.
• I didn't expect to experience a wide range of weather conditions in the winter months.
• If possible, I'd recommend booking a guided drive to get the most out of the safari.

When I went on my first safari, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect — lots of animals, plenty of sun, and maybe a little dust.

But now that I've been on over 30 safaris in South Africa, I've realized just how little I knew back then.

Here are six things I wish someone had told me before I embarked on a safari for the first time.

The weather in Africa isn't always hot and dry.

When envisioning a safari, the image of a hot, sunny African day probably comes to mind. Although that's often the case, weather on safari can be unpredictable and have a huge impact on the overall experience.

South African winters — which last from around June through September — can be surprisingly cold, especially on early morning game drives. That's why I recommend bringing a warm jacket, hat, and gloves during these months.

The good news is that the best wildlife-viewing opportunities often occur in cooler weather. The lack of rain usually makes the animals easier to spot since scarce water forces them to gather around watering holes.

Don't self-drive on your first safari.

Self-driving in places like South Africa's Kruger National Park is a fantastic experience — if you know what you're doing.

For a first-timer, hiring a game ranger or opting for guided drives can be an invaluable experience. This is because these guides are wildlife experts trained to spot animals the average viewer may not notice by themselves.

Countless times, I've had rangers spot big cats and even elephants that I would've driven right past because they were camouflaged with the trees. I've learned plenty about the terrain, animal behavior, and history of the park from these guides.

Private reserves offer a different — and often better — experience for first-timers.

Private reserves are protected wildlife areas owned by individuals or organizations. They usually offer the same wildlife-viewing options as national parks, but a few key differences can make going private a better option.

In some reserves, rangers are allowed to drive off-road to get you closer to the action, whether that's a pride of lions or a herd of elephants.

You're also less likely to encounter large crowds at a private reserve. For example, in some popular national parks, it's not unusual to find 10 or more vehicles jostling for a view of an animal sighting. However, in private reserves, the number of vehicles is limited.

The catch is, of course, that private reserves are more expensive. But in my opinion, the intimate and exclusive experience is well worth the extra cost, especially for a first-time safari-goer.

The smaller animals are just as exciting to watch as the Big Five.

Before my first safari, I didn't give much thought to the smaller animals. I was focused on the Big Five — lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.

But one of the unexpected joys of safari is witnessing the incredible variety of smaller creatures that call Africa home.

For example, Africa is a birder's paradise, and even if you don't consider yourself a bird enthusiast, it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement.

Some of the less-famous animals — like wild dogs, cheetahs, servals, and hyenas — are stunning to see, too.

Don't forget to pack binoculars.

People often underestimate the importance of a pair of binoculars.

The guide will typically have a pair and offer to let you have a look, but that typically means sharing with five other people who are all trying to check out the same thing.

Make sure to tell the ranger it’s your first safari.

When you board the safari vehicle, you'll usually have a chance to chat with your ranger beforehand. If it's your first time, let them know.

If your guide thinks you've seen the "everyday" stuff, they might whizz past zebras or skip talking about some basic animal behaviors and fun facts.

However, for a first-timer, these are magical and exciting experiences. If you let them know you're new to this, game rangers will usually want to make your first time as memorable as possible.