Venture Travel

Venture Travel isn’t standard tourism. It’s about connecting to people and place. You leave thinking differently (video).

Ventures include Rwanda, Tanzania and Guatemala. We connect to the economic and cultural beat of a dynamic place. We meet artists, students, entrepreneurs and journalists. We connect to individual and family stories.

We spend time in large cities and rural areas. We hike and bike; we enjoy exceptional local food and drink. Specialized experiences better our understanding of culture & history.

What makes Venture Travel unique? The curious-minded people who join each intimate (max 10 people) journey.

2024 Venture Travel

GUATEMALA

March 11-18, 2024

**SOLD OUT** With an easy flight from the U.S., this 8-day/7-night experience connects you to the colors and young female leaders of Guatemala. It’s a unique opportunity to travel with global gender-equality expert Dr. Denise Dunning, founder of Rise Up. We connect to Guatemala’s history and current politics in Guatemala City. We explore vibrant villages around beautiful Lake Atitlan and day-trip to Quetzaltenango (“Xela”). We end in beautiful Antigua, a hub for social enterprises and creativity, and make a memorable hike up Volcan Pacaya. Interest in visiting Mayan ruins of Tikal? It’s an easy add-on.


TANZANIA

May 20-28, 2024

This 9-day/8-night immersion offers the best of Tanzania beyond safaris. You connect to the future of a young, rapidly changing country. We engage with leaders in media, business and creative arts in vibrant Dar es Salaam, see Tanzania’s future through the eyes of student and alumni hosts like Juliana (below) at SEGA Girls’ School, hike through mountain villages and visit a friend’s Maasai homesteads in Morogoro, and end with a safari at Foxes Safari Camp’s Vuma Hills in Mikumi National Park. It’s culture, education, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Want to add on a safari or Zanzibar extension? Easy to do.


RWANDA

Sep 24-30, 2024

This 7-day/6-night immersion connects you to young, dynamic, trailblazing Rwandans. On a multi-faceted journey, you hike in the land of a thousand hills, convene with students and entrepreneurial visionaries, visit African Leadership University and Norrsken House Kigali, and enjoy the food, beauty, art, history and community traditions of Rwanda. We also spend time in the Virunga Mountains, exploring villages, agro-businesses and the newly-opened Ellen Degeneres Campus at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Always want to go gorilla trekking? We can help.

From Participants

Jodi has done it again! Rwanda was a life-changing trip for me and my adult kids. We participated in Umaganda, a countrywide community service program designed to unite and strengthen the nation at a local level. We immersed in the fast-paced entrepreneurial sector and spent time at with Africa’s future leaders at African Leadership University. Because of Jodi’s connections, we were invited into the thriving art scene, dined with a Cabinet Minister, and lunched at the home of two American expats bringing their dream to life by building Virunga Mountain Spirits, a potato vodka distillery, run by women and 100% sustainable. It was a magical journey, renewing my sense of resilience and curiosity.  –Pamela S., California, Rwanda 2023, Santa Fe 2021, Tanzania 2019

Jodi curated an incredible learning experience showing Rwanda through many different lens. After a quick overview of where Rwanda’s been, Jodi brought together an amazing collection of leaders, entrepreneurs and students to paint a picture of where it’s going next. If you’re looking for a well-rounded deep-dive into Rwanda, Jodi is the best guide! –Michele L., Rwanda 2023

“I would follow Jodi anywhere. I told her in 2020 that I would go to Africa and now here I am, gleefully booking flights and getting vaccines so that I can join another troop of like-minded adventurers in Tanzania (another place I wasn’t considering until Jodi put it on my radar). Here’s how I’m now Seeing Things Differently. –Kate H., Washington DC, Tanzania 2022 & Cambodia 2019

“Amazing trip. We packed a lot in a week, including beautiful accommodations, adventure and learnings with the wonderful nonprofit Rise Up. Highly recommend–this was a life changing experience.” –Kim S., California, Guatemala 2023

“Jodi opened up eyes to adventures I’d always dreamed of. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into besides jumping feet first. We had a week-long trip jam-packed with educational experiences–speaking with leaders from social enterprises, emotional trips to schools, and uplifting moments with locals in Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar. Traveling with Jodi is a cultural, spiritual and exciting experience. I feel lucky to have Jodi as a friend, mentor, and social impact leader.” –Andrew F., New York, Tanzania 2018

“I went on a Venture to Tanzania and cannot recommend it highly enough. Using her deep connections in the area, passion for education, and excellent planning skills, Jodi pulled together a trip that was fun, unique, and educational. The trip sparked my own interest in girls’ education in Africa – and now I’m heading back to Tanzania to volunteer at a girls’ school for three months. Thank you Jodi for making those connections possible! –Ali Z., New York, Tanzania 2018

“Our Venture was fabulous! All experiences were thoughtfully crafted to make the most of everyone’s time and each added to the collective experience. It was well-rounded, approaching Cambodia with a lens towards the future. I now have a better understanding of the country’s potential and the ways non-profits and local businesses are working together to make the future bright. Conversation and shared experiences have led to hopefully lifelong friendships.” –Heidi H., California, Guatemala 2023 & Cambodia 2020

“I was a seasoned traveler and now realize how surface level my previous travels had been. With this trip, I fell in love with travel all over again with a whole new perspective. I was so moved by all of the experiences, meeting so many different people and expanding my knowledge in so many ways. I will always cherish this experience and use it to shape the way I look at the world. I highly recommend joining a future trip. It will be the best decision you’ve ever made.” –Kym D., Washington, Tanzania 2018

“When I reflect on my experience, three words come to mind: LEARN, CONNECT, EXPAND. Jodi’s Ventures are tremendously exciting and thoughtfully curated travel experiences. She knows how to strike the perfect balance of advance planning and spontaneity. Every day will inspire you, surprise you, change the way you think about the world and your place in it. It’s a don’t miss this opportunity, one of the best travel decisions you can make.” –Nancy D., California, Tanzania 2018

“When my godmother invited me to venture to Tanzania, I had no expectation for how much it would change my life. Being 16 and not having had broad cultural experiences, it opened my eyes to how we need to support each other, no matter how far apart we live. While I know I helped girls in Tanzania in getting an education through my pre-trip fundraising, they did the same for me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Jodi and this experience.” –Rio R., Utah, Tanzania 2019

“Wow: a life-changing trip! Jodi was an impeccable and thoughtful host, we ate like royalty, laughed our heads off, and had the most amazing insider experiences. Remarkably, our group instantly got along because everyone was kind, funny, intelligent and inquisitive. The best thing I can share is I’m 100% in on Jodi’s next trip!” –Jennifer M., California, Santa Fe 2021

“I’d been to Santa Fe many times, but Jodi assembled an entirely different experience providing a more substantive understanding of history, workings, and aspirations of this vibrant city. She brought together engaging local experts on a variety of topical subjects to provide a fuller appreciation of what we were seeing. Her enthusiasm, attention to detail, and the gracious hospitality she extended resulted in a rare camaraderie and a thoroughly delightful experience.” –Rita C., Texas, Santa Fe 2021

Connecting Growth Globally is a proud Ally of the Transformational Travel Council (TTC)