Africa
Where the passion of traveling brings you back to the basics
Extreme and overpriced, but rewarding
During my first experience in Africa through African Big Tour, I often faced difficulties related to poor infrastructure, challenging travel conditions, a lack of attractions, and costly services. I asked myself on many occasions: “What am I doing here?”
Recently, however, I have matured as a backpacker and have come to cherish Africa more profoundly than any other continent.
I tend to begin my journeys with low expectations, which often leads me to find inspiration in the smallest details that make my experiences unique, unconventional, remarkable or unforgettable. Africa gives me a profound sense of freedom, allowing me to embrace spontaneity. It encourages me to explore unconventional aspects of travel, from cuisine and communication to accommodation.
From stone age to a modern globalized era
In the 2020s, I focused on learning French to communicate better during my travels in francophone African countries. This new skill helped me connect better with local people and understand their daily life. Not using interpreters, who are often also the most cunning people, helps me get fair prices.
The landscape is marked by a significant diversity of countries, with some being quite large and others considerably smaller. There is a wide range of religious beliefs, languages, and cultural traditions throughout the continent. However, many regions share notable similarities. Certain nations have established robust tourism infrastructures, while others only receive hardcore backpackers.
The evolution from a stone age existence to a modern globalized era is most clearly reflected by the evolution of communication and payment systems.
Mobile connectivity and mobile payment solutions have reached even the most secluded areas, where previously, the local populace had little knowledge of the outside world.
How I explored Africa
On my first trip through the continent, I focused on East Africa, where English is common and Islamic influence is strong. My trip through West Africa was shaped by the French language, poor infrastructure, and several dangerous areas. The lack of interesting places to visit and things to do, together with bad roads, made the journey difficult.
Central Africa can be very hard to reach, and in some countries foreign visitors are seen more as a problem than a source of income. Hard-to-get visas, internal conflicts, and limited accessibility make these countries feel very exotic. Still, I discovered the true essence of African culture and began to appreciate the adventures the region offers.
When I finally reached the southern part of the continent, I discovered the easiest region of the continent to travel. Where the tourist-friendly countries of Southern Africa and Eastern Africa meet, I found many exciting attractions, magnificent places to visit, and plenty of things to do. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies, good flight connections, affordable hotels, and national parks attract large numbers of international tourists and tour groups. The crowds are so big that it is hard to find an authentic environment.
Countries visited in Africa – 41 of 54
