Why do we travel?
Why do we make the effort to pack up our lives, surrounded by friends and family, pets and routines, and clamber onto an aeroplane, bound for somewhere we’ve never been before?
Before leaving, we undoubtedly spend a lot of time planning our travels to make sure the trip is going to be as comfortable, as care-free and secure as possible; but there’s always something unknown about the destination. This is particularly true when embarking on a trip to Africa, where there are wild and open spaces with large animals, and strange and unique cultures on the other side.
So, why do we do it?
The reasons people travel might be different from one person to the next.
But for me, travel is about context.
I am fortunate enough to travel a lot in Africa. When I go to a new destination, whether it be Zambia or Namibia, Kenya or Botswana, I am exposed to many new things. In fact, I learn so much about each country and its inhabitants, that when I return, my context has changed, and my world view is never the same again.
As much as documentaries will teach you about these places, there is nothing like experiencing a new world to help you put your own life in perspective.
When I visited a Himba tribal group in the middle of the Namib Desert in Namibia, and sat inside one of their dry and smoky huts, I watched one of the oldest mothers in the group smoke her clothes as a form of cleaning. When I left I was incredibly moved. Being so reliant on the conveniences at home, it was life-changing to see a woman of her age, living so far out in the desert, having to smoke her clothes due to lack of water.
What was more interesting however, was how happy she was to do it. This is how she lived, from day to day, in one of the wildest landscapes in the world. I felt awfully small in that moment, and I went home promising to be more thoughtful about how I lived, more thankful, and happier to be alive, just as she was.
This is the context of travel. It shifts your perspective. One trip can change your life. And there are thousands of those moments that provide a similar kind of context and understanding in your own life.
Some people travel to make friends
I have been on a number of trips to Africa on which I haven’t known a single person at the beginning of the trip. And by the end of the journey, I’ve made a whole group of new friends.
There is something about sitting around a campfire, in the middle of the bush, chatting about all the unique animals you’ve seen, and the interactions of the day. There’s no room for small talk on safari; on these trips, you really dive in and get to know each other, and by doing so, you better understand how others experience the world.
Some people travel to get close to their loved ones.
Travelling with a loved one is one of the best ways to re-kindle and grow your love for another. In the rush of travel and new experiences, there is a bond that forms and strengthens. Sometimes things go wrong, and you need to come together to find a solution; and sometimes things go so right, and you might find yourself sitting on a kopje at sunset, G&T in hand, and be so glad that the other person is there to share the moment.
Some people love to travel alone.
Travelling alone can be one of the most fascinating ways to learn about your destination, but also to learn about yourself. Without distractions of conversation, you can truly study the places and people you encounter, and focus on what interests you as a person.
At first, heading off into the unknown on your own might seem crazy; but spend a little time drifting through beautiful places, and meeting new and interesting people and at some point, you’ll realise that your own company is far more wonderful than you thought.
Some people love to travel for adventure.
There is something amazing about venturing so far out of your comfort zone that you don’t even recognise yourself.
For me, several days in to a magnificent walking safari in Zambia and walking my feet raw whilst tracking wild animals, sleeping in a tent, waking up with the sunrise, listening to the sounds of leopard barking at night and hardly having a warm shower in days, I barely recognise myself. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but it’s this discomfort that allows me to feel a certain sense of peace.
Some people travel to learn
If you’re someone who is fascinated by everything new, then travelling is one of the greatest things you can do.
Whether it be walking along an ancient cobbled street in Stone Town, Zanzibar, or learning the difference between a cheetah and a leopard track during a wild bush walk in Tanzania, or understanding the breeding habits of green turtles on a Mozambican beach, you cannot go an hour in Africa without learning something.
It’s not something you can find on the internet, or in a classroom, or in a book; it’s about learning through experience.
Learning through travel
So, whatever your reason for embarking on a trip to Africa, take a moment to consider why you are going. Why are you packing up your life for a short time – a life that you will no doubt return to – to head into the unknown? What are you looking for on your travels? The next time you plan a trip, have a think – travel with a purpose, and some understanding about what you want to achieve. Travel with passion.
Happy wandering!
