Why I love travelling and working in Africa
Amanda, one of our tour leaders talks about why she loves Africa and her job with Africa Expedition Support.
A cheese platter and sundowners looking out over the beautiful scenic view of the Great Rift Valley with a spectacular sunset on the horizon… what more can one ask for? I just realise how much I love living in Africa!!
My love affair with Africa started when I grew up on a game farm not very far from the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Being a very young girl my dad took me to work with him on the farm and taught me animal and bird names and to have a respect for nature. There was no doubt in my mind that I would never be living in a city.
Now, so many years later I still do what I love and that is travelling through some of Africa’s beautiful countries and passionately share it with our groups on our guided 4×4 self drive safaris with Africa Expedition Support.
When I think of what it is that made me so passionate about travelling in Africa it will be the diversity of each country we visit, friendly African people, lots of sunny days, breathtaking landscapes and the privilege to experience the most amazing game viewings you can think off! Nights around the campfire telling stories and looking up to the starry skies while listening to animal sounds in the background.
Amanda with a new found friend in Malawi
One of my favourite experiences is game driving after a good thunderstorm. Smelling the clean washed, fresh field and seeing gazelles running around, all silly with renewed energy. Elephants drinking from the water puddles and a beautiful rainbow in the sky. Rain in these countries is a glorious blessing since water is scarce in a lot of regents and regarded very precious. Animals migrate and people travel great distances after water sources.
Another unique experience is driving through villages and looking at the different styles in which each African tribe build their houses, set up their businesses and go about their daily living. Goats, sheep, cattle and other livestock casually walking through these villages are a very common scene and makes driving days much more interesting. Shop names can also be very funny. Anything from “God Bless You Barber Shop” to “ 2 Missed Calls Enterprises” can be found here and they are very proud of their businesses.
On our overland trips we have quite a few border crossings and here you learn that patience and humour is a virtue… Africa has its own time and to go with the flow is one thing I learned very early on my travels.
Meeting the people of each country with their different cultures and beliefs is so interesting and I have learned a lot from them. Some of these countries we visit are of the poorest in Africa but these people are living their lives to the fullest and are some of the most helpful and friendly human beings you will ever encounter.
There is nothing better for me than preparing for the next trip with such excitement of the idea of sharing my passionate love for Africa with a new group!!! My heart will always be in Africa!!
For more information about our safaris peruse Africa Expedition Support
