Our love for travel and adventure began long before we set off on our world trip. Early in our marriage, we made a pact: before diving into the beautiful chaos of parenthood, we each had to pick a dream trip to experience together. With his love for the open road and exploration, Derek chose a three-month road trip around the United States. We started in the scenic Pacific Northwest, journeyed down to the coast of California, and then ventured through the Southern states to Florida, up the East Coast, visiting iconic spots like New York and Washington, D.C., then concluding our trip in the rugged landscapes of Wyoming and the Dakotas.
On the other hand, Kim had her heart set on a different adventure. She dreamed of a three-week camping safari in Eastern Africa, where we could immerse ourselves in nature and wildlife. We travelled through Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya, experiencing the raw beauty of the African savannah, observing majestic animals in their natural habitats, and sharing unforgettable moments.
These trips fueled our travel bug, and once our boys were old enough, we began dreaming of taking them on an adventure around the world. After three years of careful planning and saving, we made that dream a reality. We embarked on a 17-month journey across 21 countries, filled with incredible wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, cultural discoveries, and unforgettable experiences.
Derek is the backbone of our family’s adventurous spirit. A self-made entrepreneur and real estate agent, he’s always had a deep passion for travel and exploration. He’s the one who always pushes us to think beyond the ordinary, inspiring us to take risks and pursue adventures that many people only dream about. His big ideas led to our 17-month world journey, and now, even after returning home, he continues to dream of new horizons—his next goal is to get his pilot’s license.
When travelling, we affectionately refer to Derek as “Logistics.” He is the “how” behind every part of our journey. Whether there was a flight to book, a car to rent, or a place to sleep, Derek was the one who meticulously figured out all the details. A great navigator, he could pack our bags and cars like a Tetris game, expertly maneuvering our belongings for the long haul. Driving through unfamiliar countries was no problem for him, and his ability to chat with anyone about anything helped us connect with locals. In addition, Derek was also the primary photographer on our journey, capturing the moments that made our trip so memorable and providing us with lasting memories through his lens.
Kim is the heart and soul of our family’s travel journey. Before setting off on our 17-month adventure, she worked in healthcare as a program manager at a local hospital with a background in nursing. Kim’s passion for helping others and her organized approach to life made her the perfect counterpart to Derek’s adventurous spirit. While Derek was busy figuring out the logistics, Kim was focused on the “what”—researching our destinations and activities. She spent hours combing through travel books and online resources to find hidden gems that would make our travels memorable.
Kim is the primary author behind this website, capturing our experiences and travel tips while sharing stories to inspire others to embark on their own journeys. In addition to bringing the Animals Abroad website to life, Kim is a published author who has written a children’s series, Carter and Eli’s Map Quest, inspired by our real-life adventures. The series combines her love for animals, exploration, and storytelling, taking children on exciting journeys to discover the world’s wonders.
Jackson, our eldest son, initially hesitated about our world trip during the planning phase. The idea of leaving behind family, friends, and our dog, Charlie, made him pause. But as the journey unfolded, he quickly blossomed into one of the most eager travellers in our family. Our experiences on the road brought him out of his shell, allowing him to confidently meet new people, strike up conversations, and embrace the thrill of discovering new cultures. His confidence grew with each destination, and by the time we returned home, he brought that newfound self-assurance into high school.
Jackson pushed himself far beyond his comfort zone, facing fears he never thought he’d conquer. One of the standout moments of his journey was when he took a leap of faith and jumped off Table Mountain in South Africa, conquering his fear of heights. That moment marked one of many where Jackson stretched his limits and grew in ways we hadn’t imagined.
Now that we’re home, Jackson dreams of his next adventure and is more ready than ever to hit the road again.
Mason was always eager to hit the road and explore the world. From the beginning, he was excited about the trip, actively participating in planning and contributing ideas on where we should go. As a huge animal lover, Mason’s passion for wildlife shone through every step of the journey. He would often surprise our guides with his extensive knowledge of animal facts, impressing them with his ability to spot animals in the wild, identify species, and share interesting tidbits of information.
Incredibly curious, Mason would constantly start conversations with, “I have a question.” It was amazing to hear him process what he was learning and observing and how that led to even more questions and deeper curiosity. Whether it was about the behaviours of animals, the history of the places we visited, or the cultures we encountered, Mason’s inquisitiveness was a driving force of our journey. His eagerness to understand the world around him was truly inspiring.
Now that we are home, Mason talks about his future as a safari guide, and we have no doubt that his love for animals and his thirst for adventure will lead him to amazing places.
