Think you know Africa? Ugandan tourism specialist Lynett Nakamanya is here to show you why one country is never the whole continent.

Uganda is smaller than you might expect, yet it holds mountain gorillas, snow-capped peaks near the equator, roughly 150 crater lakes in a single region, and a nightlife scene people call unmatched. In this episode of The Wander Lounge, Ariel sits down with Lynett Nakamanya, a Ugandan tourism specialist who markets the country on TV, radio, and at expos around the world.

Lynett shares what it was like to grow up in the middle of Kampala, where her parents ran shops and her family hosted exchange students from the US. Those early moments sparked a career that took her from volunteering at tourism expos to working across Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, and back home to the Uganda Tourism Board.

They talk about how the traditional safari is changing, why slow travel and wellness matter (especially for women), and what to know before you trek mountain gorillas. Lynett also explains why she started Girls Travels Africa, a community for women who want to explore the continent with more confidence and connection. Ariel adds a few stories of her own from her years in Mozambique and China along the way.

About the guest:

Lynett Nakamanya is a passionate tourism expert and East Africa travel specialist based in Uganda. She supports the Uganda Tourism Board, founded the women's travel community Girls Travels Africa, and hosts group trips around Uganda. She speaks Luganda, Lusoga, English, Swahili, and a little Spanish.

Connect with Lynett

Instagram: @lynett_luxtravel

TikTok: @Lynett_luxtravel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nakamanyalynett8341

Connect with Ariel:

Instagram: @wander_lounge

Website: https://www.wanderloungepodcast.com/about

What does it look like to build a life rooted in family, adventure, and an unshakeable belief that the world is meant to be explored? This week's guest, Lisa Stanworth, is living proof that the two don't have to be in conflict.

Lisa is a Salt Lake City-based mom of five, host of the Choose Your Happy Place podcast, and a lifelong adventurer whose travels have taken her from the mountains of Utah to the beaches of Hawaii, and all the way to Japan, Thailand, and Italy. A Brigham Young University graduate with a degree in child development, Lisa brings a thoughtful, family-centered lens to everything she does, including how she moves through the world.

In this episode, Lisa shares what nearly two decades of marriage and motherhood have taught her about saying yes to new experiences, how she navigates travel with a big family, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your children. She also dishes on some of her most unforgettable bucket list moments, including swimming with whale sharks.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone still dreaming of your first big trip, Lisa's warmth, humor, and passion will leave you ready to book the flight.

Connect with Us:

Ariel Travis

• @wander_lounge
• wanderloungepodcast.com

Lisa Stanworth:

• @chooseyourhappyplace
• Choose Your Happy Place Podcast

In this episode, host Ariel of Wander Lounge speaks with Colleen Vincent of Elevate Travel Group, to walk you through the full itinerary for our upcoming Greece group trip. Together, we break down what to expect in Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, how the trip is designed to balance culture, connection, and ease. We answer the most frequently asked questions; from accommodations, activities, and payment plans. If you’ve been curious about joining a women’s group trip to Greece, this episode gives you all the details you need to decide if it’s the right fit.

Sign-Up for the Greece group trip at www.wanderloungepodcast.com

Connect With Us:

Ariel Travis: @wander_lounge

Colleen Vincent: @colleenvincent7