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Backpacking in Mauritania: An Unforgettable Adventure
Mauritania? Where is that? You’re going there for vacation? Isn’t it dangerous? These were just a few of the questions my friends asked when I told them I was heading to Mauritania. Now, I’ll admit, Mauritania might seem like a random vacation spot. But as someone with the goal of visiting every country on earth, it’s all on my bucket list. Plus, it’s a lot easier to travel to places like Mauritania when you’re child-free and unmarried—might as well see it now. I flew into Nouakchott, the capital, directly from Casablanca, Morocco. Considering there are only about 13 direct flights into Mauritania, it quickly became clear that getting here isn’t…
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Travel Guide to Tunisia
Tunisia is one of Africa’s most visited destinations, but somehow it still feels like a country off the beaten path. Tunisia is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Morocco, which is the most visited country in Africa. I spent 5 days in Tunisia, just enough to get a feel for the country. You can see most of the highlights (excluding the sites in the south) in this timeframe. If you’re limited on time, you’ll want to concentrate all of your energy in the north; this is where you’ll see Roman archeological sites, beaches, and the capital. Here are the must sees for anyone traveling to Tunisia. Tunis + Sidi Bou Said…
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Backpacking Benin
Benin was part two of my journey to the motherland, as I also discovered I have Beninese ancestry. After a week in Togo, I took a taxi to the border and walked across after going through customs, which was a pretty painless process. I spent a week in Benin, which I found to be a bit more lively than Togo. Below are my recommendations for any trip to Benin. Grand Popo A beach city about 15 minutes from the Togolese border. It’s a great place to relax and unwind; many residents from Cotonou come here on the weekends to escape the city life. Porto Novo Benin’s capital and second largest…
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Backpacking Togo
Years ago, I took an Ancestry DNA test and found out I have roots in Togo. Naturally, I began to do more research, which led to my trip here. After all, why not visit the motherland? Togo is a small French speaking (despite being colonized by Germany initially) nation in West Africa, which borders Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana. Not much is known about Togo, as it is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Ghana, but it’s definitely worth seeing if you’re in West Africa. What to see in Togo Lomé: Voodoo Market The capital and your starting point in the country if you arrive by air. The capital is pretty…
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Best Day Trips from Nairobi
Kenya is a country with it all; there are beaches, safaris, mountains, a thriving capital, 5-star accommodations, etc. Unlike most travelers visiting Kenya, I passed on the safari, as I was coming from Tanzania and just did one there. This left me scrambling to find non-safari related day trips to occupy my time while in Nairobi. Below, I’ll highlight my three favorite day trips from Nairobi. 1) Giraffe Centre Located just 20 kilometers from the city center is Giraffe Centre , a place where you can actually feed giraffes. I’ve been to many parks/zoos in my life, but never have I been able to feed a giraffe! Coming from a…
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How to Plan a Safari in Tanzania
Planning for a safari can be an overwhelming task, as there are many moving parts – accommodation, type of tour, number of days, route, etc. Sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start, which is why you’re reading this. There are two ways to do a safari in Tanzania – through a tour operator or by yourself; however, 99% of people opt for a tour, which I recommend. Tour guides handle all administrative tasks and most importantly, are knowledgeable about the landscape, animals, and culture. Now the hard part, selecting a tour! There are several tools you can use such as Trip Advisor, Viator, Safari Bookings, etc. After you…
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How to Spend a Week in Egypt
Egypt is Africa’s most visited country and after spending 9 days here, it is no surprise why. Egypt is easily accessible for most travelers and hosts so many historical sites that you’d think that the country was one large open-air museum. I decided to make the quick trip to Egypt from Sudan for the holidays, which was only a 2.5 hour flight from Khartoum. I spent 9 days here, but if you’re short on time you can definitely see all the major sites in less time; however, this will likely make your trip more costly, as you’ll be paying for domestic flights between cities to save time rather than taking trains…
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The Nubians of Egypt
Ask anyone about the great civilizations of the past and you’ll likely hear about the Greeks, Romans, and Mayans, but very rarely are the Nubians ever mentioned. Who are the Nubians? The Nubians are the original inhabitants of modern-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Historically, these lands were all known as Nubia, and unknown to many, is home to one of the greatest civilizations in history. In fact, the Nubians ruled ancient Egypt for a little over a century! Egyptians referred to the Nubian region as “Ta-Seti,” which means “The Land of the Bow,” a reference to Nubian archery skills. The Nubians had their own distinct culture despite their proximity to Egypt;…
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Best Places to See in Cape Town
Very few cities have left a lasting impression on me, but Cape Town is one of a kind. Coming into Cape Town, I didn’t quite know what to expect. In fact, I was constantly briefed on the dangers of the city rather than what to actually see. Not only did I find the city to be safe, but I also found it to be one of the most naturally stunning places on earth. Cape Town is more than just a tourist destination, but a booming cosmopolitan city great for expats. The weather is great, the things to see and do are endless, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Here are my recommendations…
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Backpacking in Sudan
When I tell my friends I went backpacking in Sudan, the response I usually get is, “Sudan? Why?” Like most people, I had limited knowledge of Sudan; my image was entirely shaped by the mass media. When I envisioned Sudan, I thought about rebels on the back of pick up trucks riding with long rifles, and hungry children roaming the streets. My experience was far from that, in fact, it was the opposite. When I arrived in Khartoum it was probably the most peaceful city I ever set foot in. Wherever I went, I was greeted with the Arabic words “As-salām ‘alaykum.” I truly felt at home in this foreign…
