If you want to see every post I’ve written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I’ve been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you’re a fellow solo traveler, or you’re thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you’re looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it’s blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I’ve visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that’s your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I’ve had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I’ve discovered about myself or about being, while I’ve traveled. If you’d like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.
7 Dangers of Visiting Africa – They Aren’t What You Think They Are
Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist
Setting your expectations…
Africa is one of the most fascinating continents on the earth. I loved it so much I’m already planning my return. However, it does come with a unique set of dangers. To help you prepare for your first, or next, trip to Africa, I offer you the 7 biggest dangers you’ll face on your next trip.
I had to take four game drives before I finally saw my leopard.
1. You’ll become addicted to safaris and if you don’t see a specific animal it will haunt you all your days until you do
Once you see a wild animal in the wild, instead of a zoo, you will become obsessed. Not just a little, either. You will crave seeing them and hours of your life will pass staring at them walking or twitching their tail. If you are unlucky and miss out on seeing, say, a leopard, it will become a quest that will consume your thoughts. You will plan more and more safaris until your quest is ended, and then a new quest for another animal will begin. One safari will never be enough.
2. You’ll become addicted to Nik Naks
Don’t even tell me they’re anything like Cheetohs. This corn snack will multiply in your bags because you can’t stop buying them if you taste them. I don’t know if it’s the packaging or something in the flavor, but you won’t be able to put these down. If you don’t work out while you’re touring and you eat Nik Naks, you better plan on a few weeks at the gym to work them off.
3. You’ll be humbled and want to do more for the planet.
If you visit a township or volunteer at a squatter camp, you will be forever touched how a small amount of your time and devotion can go such a long way. It will drive you to do more and be more in your own life. Whether you help a local business, feed those in need, or take care of animals, you will want to find ways to keep on giving. Once you learn the reasons and results of animal poaching, you’ll seek out ways to stop this disaster while also being strained by compassion for why people risk their lives to do it in the first place.
4. You’ll get addicted to Pinotage and African coffee
With some of the best wine in the world being in South Africa, and so many vineyards you’d need several weeks to try them all, you might get exhorbantly drunk or delightfully happy sipping wine every day. With a wine tram to take you around, it’s a no brainer to spend entire days drinking wine. Worse yet, to take you out of your tipsy bubble, you’ll have access to some of the world’s best blends of coffee. Between the two, you might find yourself in a wine and coffee coma which you will miss every day once you leave.
5. You’ll never want to leave the brai because the company is great and the meat is delicious
If you’re invited to a brai it means you’re in. You’ve shown yourself to be a good friend and people want to share their food with you, which is a big deal. That food is delicious and if you’re even luckier, the whole family will be there and you’ll have engaging cultural and life discussions and be part of something you’ll want to keep going.
6. You may eat animals that appear in “The Lion King”
Most likely, it’ll be Pumba that ends up as dinner. You might also eat zebra biltong an ostrich steak or kudu. It may be their wildness that makes these movie stars so tasty, and you probably won’t regret eating them, either. After all, you’re just another carnivore.
7. You’ll love it so much you’ll want to return every year to see more of it
Between the kindness of the people, the life of the native tribes, the call of the land and the animals, one trip will never be enough. You’ll find new motivation to find and earn money you never knew you had to make your way back, as often as possible. The continent is huge and you’ll quickly realize you need to see all of it.
![Could taking time away from work be one of the smartest decisions you make for your career and your life?
In this episode of How to Travel Full-Time, I explore why intentional time away, including a career break, sabbatical, or travel reset, may become an important part of the future of work.
Inspired by the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work episode, "Why Time Away May Be the Future of Work," this conversation looks at how longer careers, workplace burnout, artificial intelligence, and rapid professional change are challenging the traditional idea that we should work continuously until retirement.
But taking time away is not only about recovering from burnout.
A well-planned travel reset can give you the space to reconnect with yourself, reconsider what you want from your career, and decide what your next chapter should look like.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why the traditional 40-year career model is beginning to crack • How burnout can be information, not personal failure • Why vacations often do not solve deeper dissatisfaction • How travel creates distance, perspective, and clarity • Why taking time away does not have to damage your career • How a travel reset differs from a vacation or permanent full-time travel • What keeps accomplished professionals from taking extended time off • Why time away could become part of a long-term career strategy
If your life looks successful from the outside but no longer feels aligned with the person you have become, this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to this podcast for more conversations about travel resets, extended travel, burnout recovery, career reinvention, midlife transformation, and using travel as a catalyst for personal change.
🌍 Sign up for my upcoming free webinar (https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/) , How To Use Travel To Transform Your Life, Even With A Busy Career [https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/]
Link to HBR podcast: Click here (https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/podcast/why-time-away-may-be-the-future-of-work)
💬 Question for you: Have you ever considered taking one to six months away from work? What's the biggest thing stopping you?
#TravelReset #CareerBreak #FutureOfWork](https://heatherbegins.com/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)
great! so which country would you start with for a first time in africa?
I’d say South Africa or Namibia from my experiences. ?
I like the sound of these dangers!! ? Coming from a country that eats “weird” animals (kangaroo, crocodile, emu) I never stopped to think which animals might be on the menu in Africa other than “western” meat! Sounds like there’s a lot to tantalise my palate!
Oh that’s right! I ate kangaroo and crocodile I think when last in Oz. Yes you will love African food!
A wonderful account of the wonders of Africa. I love the taste of warthog and have sampled a few other tasty African critters. I can also appreciate the pang of passion to do more. An enjoyable read and delightful trip down memory lane.
Thanks Marilyn! ?
I am seriously considering Africa 2021. I’ve been figuring out the best time to plan my trip and hoping it all works out for next year. These are some great reasons to love Africa though
You must go! If you need any pointers please feel free to reach out!
Such a great post! I would love to visit Africa to go on a Safari ?
You have to! Well I highly recommend it.
Enjoyed this post. Especially 1, 2 and 3. Africa can be a wonderful experience. It’s also important to note the poverty and underdevelopment. And, figure out how to be part of doing something about it.
Could not agree more.
This is a wonderful post. I so want to get back to Africa. One day . . . .
I hope you do!
I love your list of dangers. I have been to Keny and Morroco in Africa. Both of them are awesome and so different. I loved safaris most of all. Thanks for sharing!