Hi, I’m Lori. I wander, wonder and write – mostly about Africa.
This is my journey of how my wandering, wondering and writing came to be.
You can take the girl out of Africa, but you can’t take Africa out of the girl
There was nothing extra-ordinary about my childhood years in Florida except for the exotic playmates my siblings and I had. Besides Shane the dog, and our two cats, Precious and Snowball, we had a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles wandering around the garden and house. My brother’s bunk-mate was a goat, and a squirrel monkey could often be found napping in my mothers hair. Rocky the raccoon was potty trained, our skunk was de-scented, and our bobcat mostly stayed in its cage.The swimming pool was home to a sea turtle, alligator and duck, (not at the same time), and the bathtub housed my brothers snake collection, although the black indigos were more often found slithering under the couch. One Thanksgiving our retired race-course greyhound stole the turkey off the table.
While neighborhood kids sold lemonade for extra change, my sister Holly and I charged twenty-five cents for animal shows. It was in this home menagerie that my love affair with animals and the natural environment blossomed. As a Jane Goodall wanna-be I had plans to intern under her in Tanzania after graduating from college. Jane’s mother Vanne was great friends with my grandfather Denis, giving me contact (although minimal) with the famous chimp researcher, and fueling the desire to follow in Dr. Jane’s footsteps. But during my senior year in high school a couple of interns working for Jane in Gombe Stream National Park were kidnapped, negating the possibility of me, or any other American, working there for her.
Meanwhile, a part-time modeling career paid my college tuition and took me to exotic places on location. 
When I was twenty-six, an assignment for a beverage commercial (Mainstay spirit) took me to South Africa. Despite the fact that I had gone as a model and not as a conservationist, I was finally in Africa and it was magical. I called my mom in Florida, “get rid of my rental apartment and send me some of my clothes. I will be gone for 3 months.” At the end of the 3 months, I called again, “ Sell my car, and send me more of my things, I will be staying a while longer.”
Cape Town and Johannesburg were home for the next three and a half years. I loved South Africans, they in turn loved Americans, and I took full advantage of the opportunities that came my way because of my nationality. Modeling led to a job as a television presenter for a live entertainment show called Prime Time (South Africa’s equivalent of Entertainment Tonight), and gave me the celebrity to author a book, ‘Model Answers’. 
I did photo shoots in Game Parks, spent time with the Kalahari Bushmen (read story: DIAMOND RELATIVES), and visited other Southern African countries including Namibia (read story: TRANCE DANCE), Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
But it was the late 1980′s; aparteid and sanctioning were in full force (read story: GOOD LUCK), ultimately making the politics were too depressing. Shortly after my thirtieth birthday I returned to America.
But my love affair with Africa had only deepened. The continent had become my second home and I longed to go back. Settling into a marriage that wouldn’t last, and new careers that changed direction twice, kept me from returning. Until I circled back to Jane Goodall. Designing a travel program for members of her organization to visit East Africa to witness first hand their donations at work was my ticket back to Africa.
Currently I travel at least once per year to East and Southern Africa leading tours, and sponsoring bush experiences for locals who have never seen a elephant or been to their national parks. I have visited eleven of the continents fifty-three countries.
As little children we often know what our lifes passions are. In my case, my love for animals and the natural world started at a very early age and has been a constant thread throughout my life. Deepening my connections to nature and animals happens easily in Africa but Africa remains inside of me no matter where I am. And I am committed to helping others find the Africa Inside of them.
I remember that elephant and that kiss – missing you right now and Africa. love, Michelle
Lori,
thanks for the article / post. I’ve never really been that interested in Africa but after reading this I’m wanting to learn more.
Hi Lori: Have been reading your blog today and am so happy you are taking the time to share all of this…it is like we are sitting together having a lovely conversation about your experiences and insight…great writing girl…God Bless
Hi Lori,
Your love for the natual world…is so beautiful!
Sign me up for a safari !
Love,
MatyAnn
Hey MaryAnn, I would love for you to come with me a a group of friends next August to Kenya. I have 4 spots left.
Lori, Loved the personal blog. I never knew the animal part, but it makes sense now. What an intro to a different kind of life. I think you would have a hard time sitting still with just chimps. I admire what you are doing with the bags. That in itself is an accomplishment! Keep us up to date with your adventures.
Ditte
Welcome back, Lori, and congrats for the Wanderwoman award!
I’ve always loved that story about you and your birder Dad!
One of my favourites amongst many gems.
Your stories so vividly encapsulate your love of Africa.
More, please!!
What a fascinating life you’ve lived and are living! They say every person has a spiritual connection to a special place and how wonderful you have found yours and are sharing it with others.
Thank you so much Michele. So nice to hear from you. I agree about connecting to places. Where is YOUR place that most touches and heals your soul?
What I like about your writing Lori, is that it takes me ( and I believe all your readers) on the journey with you. It’s not a flowery travel guide and I know it is not you intention to create of those.
THIS IS REAL.
joseph
thanks so much Joseph. Once again it is so nice to hear from you on my site and I am honored you are part of the growing tribe at Africa Inside.