Thesolowanderer

Roaming the streets of Mauritania. I know applying for visas as an African is tedious and one of the worst experiences you will ever go through. I have first-hand experience of this. I have had to apply for 14 visas for my #BreakingBorders journey, I only applied for 6 visas and these are visas I had to get from my country of residence.  I have spent over R7000 (US$520) in 6 weeks applying for visas. Bear in mind I only had to pay for 3 visas. Nigeria, Morocco and The Gambia. The amounts for all these visas did not even get to R2000 (US$180). The rest of the money was wasted on transport, photo prints, photocopying the various documents to make sure that they have stripped me naked and know everything about me, my travel history and non-existent criminal record. And yes, most of the visas I had to apply for were free of charge. In these costs, I don’t account for my wasted time. I remember my last day traveling from Johannesburg to Pretoria going to fetch the last ...

I have been receiving a lot of questions regarding backpacking Cape to Cairo. I do appreciate all the messages from everyone who tells me how I have inspired them to travel the continent. I know now more than ever that my journey was not in vain, I have achieved my goal. My goal was to get Africans travelling Africa and even if one person gets out of their comfort zone and ditch the negativity that we are constantly fed about this continent then I have achieved that goal. Above, is a map of the world. This map shows the 91 countries that a South African traveling on a South african passport can enter without needing a visa. A bit disappointing to learn that you are better off just heading to South America right?! Most of the questions I receive are obviously from people interested in long term travel. I will call it long term travel because it's between 3 to 6 months and going through numerous countries. I have always said the importance of visiting your high commissioner...

Africa sweet Africa my home. Africa my sweet home. My black race I will embrace My black race I’ll not disgrace. Africa the land of the black warriors. I thank you God for having made me black African, A black survivor. Real African black and proud. Africa rise before they arise. The Roots food and joy of my soul. Africa the land of the great ancestors. The land of the highest mountain. You the land of long flowing river bank (River Nile) Africa the land of black ancestral Savannah’ s. Africa the mother of all continents. The land of Mandingo warrior (Kunta Kinteh). My black race I will embrace. My black face I’ ll not disgrace. Africa My Beautiful Africa. You kept this history for your offspring’ s You never dash away the culture to the vulture. Your hands are full of history my Africa. Africa my my Africa YOU watered my heart with the smell of your beautiful forest. You enlightening me with the light of your beauty: Mama Africa you are my home. Africa You are the light that shine you...

I have traveled across Africa on my own for 6 months and most people who have contacted me have been wondering how I did it. So today I thought to share with you some tips on wanderlusting solo. Firstly, I think it is very important to note that when traveling DO NOT expect the luxury and comfort you have when you are at home. Traveling does not teach you how to think out of the box, it is imperative that you think as if there is no box… because there is no box. You need to make peace loneliness. You might not feel lonely during the day when you are with all other travellers but when you jump into your bed at the end of the day, that loneliness monster will sure creep up from under the bed and come to you for cuddles. Although after a while, you are too intimidating for the monster and he won’t be visiting you anymore, I best describe this stage of your life as being comfortable with your best friend – You. You will never truly learn how to be comfortable...

I have stayed at enough budget backpackers to believed I am qualified to advise backpacker owners and managers on certain things. In no order of importance, here it goes: Free unlimited WiFi should be a basic at a backpackers. You have no idea how much publicity you get from budget travelers checking in on Facebook at your establishment. Most solo travelers have blogs as well, as a way to keep their families updated of what is going on in on their travels. Do yourself a favor and stop limiting the WiFi. And what's the point of WiFi if Whatsapp has been blocked from working on it? This is madness, please stop it. Some of us really pick which accommodation establishment to stay at based on availability of WiFi. Thank you. A "Free for all" box in the kitchen. This is useful when travelers have have left over groceries that they don't need. Instead of throwing it away, you keep it for other guys coming. If I'm here for 2 days it doesn't ...

I have been in Windhoek just over a week and I love it here. Although yesterday was unbearably hot I couldn't function. Having spent a week in Windhoek meeting the locals, there are some misconceptions (can't think of a better word at this point) that Namibians have about South Africans. I have put together the 5 that I have dealt with almost daily... 5. Kapana is like Shisanyama. Honey, No. I might not be a carnivore but the 2 aren't the same thing. Shisanyama, you buy your meat and braai/bbq it yourself. Usually at a watering hole. Kapana is what we would call chicken dust, but it's beef strips. 4. Windhoek is like Johannesburg.. you hear this mostly from the locals who have never been to Johannesburg. So cute! Windhoek is like Nelspruit. But we forgive you. 3. Soweto is a very dangerous place. I don't want to go there. I've felt safer in Soweto than in Sandton. That's just me. From my experience, Soweto is much safer than Katitura. Quot...

Windhoek is the Capital city of Namibia. It's not surprising that this is the ideal place to start your Namibian adventure. There is a lot to do in Namibia for tourists. From game drives, sandboarding and other sand activities, desert excursions and even the coastal town of Swakopmund offering great entertainment. In my week here I have realized that Namibia is not a solo travellers dream come true. Most of the activities are very expensive compared to what I have already paid for in other countries such as Botswana. As much as I like discovering countries as a local, I would also like to feed my adventurous streak and experience some fun times and get my adrenaline going. For me go on a weekend away from Windhoek on an organised your I would end up paying what I have budgeted for for my 2 weeks stay in the country. Traveling is easy on a budget with a group of friends, you can hire a car and share costs without having to use a your operator. In that case that also means thi...

The countdown is on!!! With just a day to go till I get to start my adventure backpacking Cape to Cairo, The nerves have really kicked in and reality is more exciting than ever. For the past 6 months I have been planning for the biggest adventure I will ever go on. I have resigned from my day job to chase a life of being a tourism social media marketer. This adventure that I speak of will see me travel through 11 countries including my home country of S.A. The countries are as follows: ·         Namibia ·         Botswana ·         Zimbabwe ·         Zambia ·         Malawi ·         Tanzania ·         Kenya ·         Ethiopia ·  ...

And the fun planning continues... I have 115 days left to do all the planning that I can possibly do to make this trip happen. I am besides myself with excitement already. I have a lot of surprises for you guys that MIGHT be revealed a few days before I start the trip or I might not even tell you guys and you will just have to stay glued to this website J all in the name of keeping you entertained and wanting more. Remember, anyone who wants to come with me is invited. I still have space in my first aid kit. I am pretty sure I can fold someone and they will fit in there. In much greater news, a lot of kind hearted Africans have come to the planning and have offered me to stay with them J The UBUNTUness of Africans will shine through on this adventure. I will bring Africa one passport stamp at a time and the whole Africa will shine. I have been asked by other Africans why I am not going through their countries on this adventure. Well, I can’t go from Kenya in the East...