Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your African Adventure: Why First-Timers Should Start in South Africa

• 
  Eli Solidum, aged 28, embarked on an extensive journey across Africa, visiting 8 different countries during his adventure.
  
• 
  
  He reveals which nation is considered ‘otherworldly’ and which one boasts the ‘most friendly’ inhabitants.
  
  
• 
  READ MORE:
  I sold my home to embark on travels — here are the top countries I love.
  

I have visited more than 70 countries spanning five continents, yet nothing could truly ready me for many of the experiences I had in Africa.

TikTok
traveler and writer Eli Solidum
@elisolidum
From the Philippines, he is sharing with MailOnline Travel details of his incredible four-month adventure across Africa, a trip marked by numerous challenges yet also filled with ‘surreal’ and ‘otherworldly’ moments.

The 28-year-old shares insights into the top African nation for newcomers, describes how the wildlife can be overwhelming, and points out typical errors travelers often encounter when organizing an African adventure.

However, first, what was the nature of the challenges he encountered?

Eli went to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
Rwanda
, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and
South Africa
, and discloses: “In terms of logistics, this may well be the most challenging journey I have undertaken. Due to sparse and inconsistent public transport, limited affordable lodging choices in some areas, obsolete and imprecise maps, along with scant online resources for my intended locations, I frequently had to improvise and adjust spontaneously.”

I did not encounter numerous travelers to share tips and strategies with. Being a foreigner posed significant mental challenges as I always stood out regardless. Maintaining discretion proved unachievable, and I found it difficult to adapt to the persistent scrutiny, despite much of it stemming from innocent interest.

The traveler, who is 29 years old, mentions that there is an optimal point when it comes to organizing a journey in Africa. He states, “My itinerary did not firmly include specific countries, making unplanned side trips to Uganda and Rwanda necessary. However, these impromptu visits meant obtaining additional visas, a process that took some time.”

Eli was forced to remain in Kenya for an extended period beyond what he initially planned due to delays, which led him through a complicated 10-day process of resolving visa issues by navigating back and forth across Nairobi to get all the necessary arrangements sorted out.

He shares: “Even though you may not enjoy organizing your travels, and I certainly do not, I would suggest investigating the visa prerequisites for each country you plan to visit. Additionally, check the necessary vaccinations and medications, identify key transport centers and airports, and proceed accordingly.”

However, on the contrary, Eli cautions that it’s simple to commit the frequent error of overscheduling your journey to Europe.

The traveler remarks, “If you meticulously organize everything with rigid reservations and flight arrangements for each segment of your journey, that plan will likely crumble sooner rather than later.”

Things tend to progress at a leisurely pace around here; take, for instance, the three-day journey by train from Dar-es-Salaam to Lusaka. About midway through this trip, our train stalled just short of our destination. Later on, I encountered individuals in Lusaka who intended to board the very same train, aiming to arrive in Dar-es-Salaam precisely three days before their scheduled flight. Although we did not remain in contact, my guess is that these travelers likely missed their flights.

Next come the buses. Typically, they simplify traveling between locations; however, there’s always a risk of boarding the incorrect one.

Eli clarifies: “In East Africa, buses and shared minibusses known as matatus were abundant, making travel between locations quite simple. However, bus terminals frequently appeared disorganized or intimidating. As a foreign traveler carrying two backpacks slung on either side, I would typically find myself being pulled around by various individuals attempting to direct me onto their particular bus, even when those weren’t necessarily the right ones for my journey.”

‘Events are destined to occur, and a single domino tipping over can ruin your whole plan.’

Fortunately, you don’t need to plan extensively to experience Africa’s incredible wildlife. Eli mentioned being astonished by how prevalent it turned out to be.

He elaborates, “Seeing wildlife doesn’t require going on safaris. Once, as I cycled down the path, I had to halt so a giraffe could pass by effortlessly. On another occasion, while heading out for lunch, a baboon tore into a garbage bin right before my eyes, and simultaneously, a warthog seized some refuse and dashed off with it. In Botswana, during a journey, we stopped our vehicle mid-highway for 30 minutes since a large group of zebras and elephants alternated between sipping water at a trough beside us. This spectacle remained breathtakingly impressive throughout.”

In Botswana, Eli had one of the most tranquil moments of his existence, even though an unwelcome visitor appeared. He shares this about his experience: “Sailing in a mokoro—a small, slender canoe—across the Okavango Delta at dawn was among the calmest times I have ever encountered. The serenity was palpable; the quiet surface of the water combined with the bird calls made everything feel almost surreal.”

While you’re floating on this small, vulnerable wooden platform amidst waters teeming with numerous hippos and elephants, danger lurks around every corner. On our return trip to where we started, a charging hippo confronted us, turning moments into hours as tension mounted. Fortunately, it turned out to be just a mock charge, yet it sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through us—a stark shift from the serene tranquility experienced earlier that day. This encounter underscored the raw wilderness, unpredictability, and pristine nature of the locations I visited.

Therefore, excluding Botswana, what are some must-visit destinations on your list?

Eli suggests visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia, a salt pan enveloped by desert dunes, calling it “the most surreal, otherworldly location I explored.” The ascent up Mount Kenya stood out as well. According to Eli, reaching the peak of Mount Kenya was an extraordinary experience due to the difficulties faced, battling against high altitudes and starting their climb at midnight.

He adds that Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Zambian National Park that’s home to half of the Victoria Falls waterfall, is ‘awe-inspiring, living up to the hype and then some’.

And don’t miss Uganda.

Eli shares: “When I arrived in Kenya, Uganda hadn’t crossed my mind at all. However, I encountered numerous Ugandan people who seemed perpetually cheerful and jovial. This piqued my interest, prompting me to find out what made everybody in their nation so incredibly joyful consistently. Despite staying just ten days, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

‘This place offers a mix of activities including gorilla tracking, chimpanzee trekking, visiting Murchison Falls, exploring the origin of the Nile River, discovering crater lakes, and seeing the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains with their towering African summits. This country stands out as one of the lushest destinations I have visited; the locals are incredibly friendly and humorous too. Additionally, its night life is top-notch and likely unrivaled within all of Eastern Africa.’

Eli suggests that for someone visiting Africa for the first time, South Africa makes an ideal starting point. He elaborates: “Cape Town and the Garden Route offer a perfect blend where you can ease into the experience. These places combine elements of both Western and African cultures nicely. This way, newcomers get acclimated gradually, preparing them for potentially more isolated areas with distinct cultural nuances.”

If I hadn’t traveled to Cape Town half a decade earlier, navigating the remainder of the continent might have been much tougher for me. Additionally, it serves as an excellent spot to connect with fellow travelers where you can seek their insights or potentially join forces with them during your journey.

Although Africa may not be a popular destination for backpackers, this scarcity has its advantages. Eli shares, “When I visited, there weren’t many fellow backpackers exploring the continent. This meant that paying $10 (£7.88) for a shared dormitory often allowed me to enjoy the entire room—or occasionally even the complete hostel—to myself.”

Eli mentioned that certain upscale lodgings priced at several hundred dollars per night also provide campsite options for much less money. He would occasionally opt for staying in a hotel or an apartment when he needed rest following a major expedition, yet generally, his lodging expense stayed around $20 (£15.76) or below each night.

What advice might Eli offer to someone hesitant about visiting Africa?

He states: “It’s beneficial to experience some hesitation and worry before embarking. This isn’t an ordinary place to visit, so expect hurdles along the way. African backpacking might not suit everybody; however, if seeking thrills, very few regions worldwide provide experiences comparable to those found in Africa.”

The majority of travelers I’ve encountered share this sentiment. While not simple, it proves to be profoundly enriching and possibly the most satisfying journey I’ve embarked upon. Should you desire numerous tales and enduring recollections following your excursion, Africa will generously supply them. This adventure stands apart from all others I have experienced.

Read more