Laying the Foundation: A Letter from the Founder on Building TerraFauna, One Wild Dream at a Time
If building a travel company is anything like building a house, then TerraFauna is a project filled with blueprints drawn in pencil, boots muddy from the field, and a whole lot of heart behind every nail.
You start with a vision—a blueprint sketched with care and conviction. You map out every wall, every window, every thoughtful touch that will make the place feel like home. But soon you realize: building something meaningful isn’t linear. There are surprises in the foundation, changes in materials, unexpected upgrades—and always another corner that needs just a bit more care.
Launching a mission-led travel company is no different.
From the very beginning, TerraFauna Journeys was born from a belief that travel could—and should—do more. More for wildlife. More for communities. More for the fragile ecosystems that make this planet extraordinary. Luxury travel has often been about indulgence; we’re here to reframe it as stewardship—a way to protect what’s wild and precious, while offering guests an experience that is deeply moving, purposeful, and soul-stirring.
Of course, there have been pivots. Systems that didn’t work the way we planned. Spreadsheets that made us question everything. Hours (so many hours!) spent perfecting the tiniest details. But here’s the beauty: every twist in the road brought us closer to the right design. The one that truly reflects what TerraFauna stands for.
And maybe the most joyful surprise of all has been the people.
Like any good build, we didn’t do it alone. The right “contractors” keep showing up—brilliant minds, generous hearts, creatives, conservationists, strategic partners, and friends who have lent their talents and wisdom to help shape this dream. It’s been humbling, energizing, and proof that when your mission is clear, the right collaborators will find their way to your door.
And on a personal note it’s deeply rewarding to wake up every day knowing I’m doing the work I was meant to do. There’s a quiet kind of joy that comes from aligning your passion with your purpose. I’m endlessly grateful for every roadblock, detour, and false start that led me here. Because this? This is exactly where I’m supposed to be. One of my favorite quotes of all time that has been resonating quite a bit lately,
“What do you desire? What makes you itch? What sort of situation would you like ... What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life. It’s b better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way”
We’re proud to say: the doors are now open.
Our first journeys are live and already welcoming guests who believe, like we do, that travel can be a force for good.
In Uganda, you’ll trek with mountain gorillas, meet grassroots conservationists, and support communities living at the frontlines of wildlife protection on our Guardians of the Wild: Uganda’s Ultimate Conservation itinerary.
In Australia, you'll snorkel alongside manta rays, work with wildlife stewards, and experience the vibrant culture and wisdom of Indigenous custodians on our Pulse of the Earth: Australia’s Reefs, Rainforests & Islands itinerary.
In Chile, you’ll trace the legacy of rewilding pioneers across the Route of Parks, joining efforts to restore one of Earth’s last great wildernesses on Patagonia Rewilded: A Conservation Journey through Patagonia’s Route of the Parks.
Each journey blends quiet luxury with deep connection—think remote eco-lodges, expert local guides, and hands-on opportunities to leave a legacy. These aren’t vacations. They’re transformations. And, we are just getting started.
Space is limited, and our first departures are already filling. If your soul is craving nature, meaning, and impact, this is your invitation to come along.
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This is just the beginning. We’re building more than a travel company, we’re building a movement. And we’re so grateful you’re here to witness the foundation being laid.
Here’s to all that’s still to come.
With wild hope,
Ami
Founder, TerraFauna Journeys