For Alexandra, a safari wasn’t just a trip. It was her ultimate wish. And with support from Make-A-Wish and National Geographic Expeditions, it became a reality.
Alexandra’s Journey
For as long as she can remember, Alexandra has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world.
Inspiration came from many places, including conservationist Jane Goodall, whom she met as a child and has admired ever since. As her passion for this work grew, she began putting it into action, securing an internship in Alaska the summer before her senior year of high school, where she planted native trees, removed invasive plants, and helped develop environmental education programs for kids.
Alexandra was diagnosed with cancer and during her treatment in the hospital, her care team approached her with an opportunity to have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish, sparking an adventure of a lifetime. When asked what her heartfelt wish was, the answer came easily. She wanted to see wildlife up close and conservation efforts at work.
The excitement only grew when Alexandra learned her safari would be granted on a National Geographic Journey with G Adventures trip in Africa. For someone who grew up reading National Geographic magazines and learning from the National Geographic Explorers, it felt full circle.
“When I was little, I used to look at the Nat Geo Explorers and think, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to do that’… Whenever I read the magazines, I would always look at the pictures and think how gorgeous the world is and how important it is to protect all the natural resources and wildlife,” Alexandra remembers. “Yeah, I think it (National Geographic) really gave me a deep appreciation for the world and all of its natural resources.”
An Unforgettable Adventure
On the trip, Alexandra saw the lessons she had studied in the classroom demonstrated in real life. From learning alongside local guides and conservationists to watching wildlife in its natural habitat, Alexandra witnessed conservation efforts at scale and making an impact.
Among the many unforgettable moments from Alexandra’s trip, one memory stood out.
“We waited by this watering hole, and all the elephants came walking toward us. For about 30 minutes, they were playing in the water, splashing each other, and rolling around in the mud,” she recalled. “They were so close. It was unbelievable.”
“It’s been kind of crazy going from laying in a hospital bed to being in Africa,” Alexandra added.
Just as memorable as the wildlife and scenery were the connections Alexandra formed along the way.
“Every single person that we met was just the kindest person you will ever meet,” she shared. “Everyone was just so friendly and so open to learning about our lives and so willing to share about their lives.”
Alexandra shared that her and her mom made friends with so many people that they hope to stay in touch with forever, including their field guide, Uncle Philly, who they hope to visit again one day when they return to Africa.
The Lasting Impact of a Wish
Alexandra’s wish was more than an unforgettable journey. It was an opportunity to see her passion for conservation in a new way and to imagine where it could take her next.
“This experience confirmed that I’m meant to do wildlife and environmental conservation,” revealed Alexandra. “I think that’s my life’s purpose, no doubt.”
It’s the kind of next generation passion and purpose that Disney and National Geographic are committed to nurturing. A portion of all National Geographic Expedition trips are donated back to the National Geographic Society to fund a variety of research and conservation projects.
It’s the same spirit championed by the Disney Conservation Fund, which helps inspire young people to connect with nature, take action for wildlife, and become the next generation of conservation leaders. Since 1995, the fund has supported 600 nonprofit organizations working to protect more than 1,000 species of wildlife across half the countries in the world and all five oceans. And with Alexandra, these values are already taking root.
Alexandra is entering her senior year in high school with dreams to study environmental science and biology in college and the goal of becoming a wildlife biologist. She wants to conduct field research that can help inform policies protecting nature and wildlife, and later pursue her Ph.D.
For more than 45 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to create moments of joy and hope for children and families, granting more than 175,000 wishes around the world.
To learn more about Disney’s longstanding work with Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org/Disney.
