My trip to South Africa with En Root Travel, LLC. was a complete dream come true, from the moment my flight took off in the States to the moment I landed back in the States almost 11 days later. This was not my first time abroad; I visited Mexico City in 2014. But this was my first time in South Africa. If my memory serves me correctly, the first time I seriously contemplated going on this trip with En Root was around August 2019. I had been in conversation and prayer with one of the co-founders of En Root about going on the trip around early or late May 2019, but at that time I had just left a job and was not working full time. So, like I said, when I first heard about the trip, I had no other option but to leave it in prayer (lol) because of the way my money was set up. When August rolled around and I spoke with one of the co-founders about the trip again, I fully decided to commit because despite what I had originally thought, I was in a position to afford the trip (because God is good)!

What I decided to do because I was determined to go, was to start driving for Uber in early to mid-August. So combined with my savings account, plus the money coming in from Uber—that was my deciding factor to decide to say yes on the trip! A rough estimate of my breakdown for cost was: $1,200 in personal savings that I was willing to use on the trip, $1,000 as Christmas gifts from family, and from there I wanted about another $1,000-$1,200 for my plane ticket and souvenirs.

$1,200 in savings

$1,000 Christmas gifts

$1,000 - $1,200 driving Uber

Total Saved: $3,200 - $3,400

From August 2019 to December 2019 I drove Uber for about 7 days a week. Because of the city I live in I would start driving around 2pm and end around 12am Monday-Thursday and from 5pm-3am Friday and Saturday. According to my Uber records, from August to December 2019 I had driven an approximate number of 1,100 trips, which is not a lot especially for the time frame I was working, but like I said the city I live and drive in is not urban or robust. One thing I will say is that for the number of trips I had, I could see the Lord’s hand in it because there were many times when I would have a short trip or a long trip and the rider would give me a very generous tip. Driving for Uber was not my first job choice after leaving my last employer but it was the most flexible and the fastest way to earn decent money.

For me, my main set back ended up being a bittersweet blessing because I did not 100% commit to the trip until August (the trip was in December) which meant I was late buying my plane ticket. Therefore, I bought my international plane ticket way later than any person should ever buy an international flight. I had just recently opened a sky miles account and in my head I was like, what do I look like with a new sky miles account and not being able to use it for this long flight to Africa? I was faced with two options, either I was going to get a cheap flight and not use my miles or pay more and be able to use my miles. More than anything I was determined to not fly with any other airline than my sky miles card holder. Thankfully, using my sky miles account was a good idea because I was able to secure those miles! If I could have changed anything about my entire South African adventure, it would be that I should have purchased my plane ticket when I first heard about the trip or at least earlier in the year, preferably January or February maybe even November or December 2018 (lol).

On balance, the entire trip with En Root Travel, LLC was extremely affordable; especially when I reflect on our accommodations, transportation, daily activities, safety, and our perfect meals (literally every single meal was bomb!). For what one will pay for a trip with En Root, you will want to do the trip 10 or 15 times over again. Why? Because not only for the affordability aspect but because of the care and compassion from the two founders of the organization! Tyshana and Nicole are phenomenal entrepreneurs but even better human beings and that goes a very long way, means so much more, and it makes the difference! If I had the chance to go back and either keep the money that I earned or go on this South African trip again…I would certainly choose South Africa!