What I learned from a 9 month overland Africa Trip
Africa is a continent of diversity. Whether it be the land, people, food, religious groups, animals or buildings, this continent has it all. Below are some of the things I learned in 9 months going by overland truck.
Cities vs. Villages- If you go to any African city, it is usually the same thing all over. They are big, polluted, and overcrowded. People come to these cities in search of work and often times they find nothing. The villages are the quaint part of the continent. They often give a glimpse to what Africa was before big cities and often times people live the same way as they have for a few hundred years. This is why people should visit Africa. Staying in big cities will not give you a glimpse about the African way of life or the people.
Friendly People despite their conditions– Day in and day out, we often hear about the problems in Africa. We hear about the violence, the diseases, the corruption that runs rampant in many countries, and how the people sometimes live in deplorable conditions. What we do not hear is how friendly and welcoming they are, and how they are always willing to lend a helping hand with anything. They believe in a sense of community and that is what helps them stay strong.
Shopping in the local markets is hectic, but it is cheap– In many places in Africa you will not find big supermarkets or hypermarkets, however what you will find is local village markets in which everyone comes from the surrounding areas to sell their fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken, or any other items that people need. Most of the fruits and vegetables are organic as they are grown on local farms. This is something that we have lost in the first world countries with supermarkets. This also gives people a chance to socialize which I believe is the main social centers in these surrounding villages.
The people have uses for everything-Whether is be old liquor bottles that are filled with some sort of nuts or candies, to liquor bottles or glass bottles filled with a liter of petrol, these people can pretty much find a use for everything. Old tires are oftentimes made into shoes, and scrap metal is welded together to make house hold items are just a few of the items used and reused time and time again.
Trash, Trucks, Tires, and Tidbits- going into any small village in Africa or any big city for that matter, you will find the local trash piles (which is sad), but there is literally no trash service anywhere. Most of the people have to burn their trash in order to create space. Old trucks or cars is a commonality in most of these places as again their is no recycling. A rule of thumb, is that anytime you have a decline on the highway or small road, you will find a truck at the bottom that has gone off the cliff. Old tires everywhere seem to be another commonality in these countries as again…..There is no recycling!!!! Is it the peoples fault? No, it is what they are used to in life…..
Bush camps are the best , campgrounds are descent– I have to agree with many other people that bush camping is probably the best way to camp. Sure campgrounds have showers and electricity and cold drinks, but the way to really see a place is by setting your tents on the side of the road or an quarry and relaxing and talking to people. When you are at campgrounds, everyone goes their own separate way with showers, and wi-fi and bars or restaurants. Not to mention that campgrounds are very loud and you have no privacy at all…
Landscapes are diverse– I would have to say that Africa probably has the most diverse landscapes out of any continent in the world. From the deserts of North Africa, to the Sahel region right below the Sahara, to the tropics along the equator, to the vast deserts of Namibia, to the Savannah’s and Grasslands and rolling hills of South Africa, to the mountainous regions of Rwanda and Ethiopia and the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania , this continent has it all. No wonder why so many different types of animals and people have survived here for years!!! South America probably comes in a very close second in my opinion.
Troubles in Zimbabwe- This country pretty much has it all. Historical sites from early civilizations, to many types of game animals, to big cities with supermarkets next to village markets. However with the mismanagement of funds for many years, the economy is taking a huge hit and the people are the ones that are suffering. Bank Machines closed down, and the ones that are open often have lines of people wrapped around the corner. It is so sad to see such a wonderful country in disarray. Time will tell if things get better or worse…..
Money is not always a means to buy things– I will again use Zimbabwe as an example. Often, people around the world use a hard currency to buy certain items. I noticed in Zimbabwe that the people cared more about getting clothes, toiletries, or any other items that are either becoming too scarce or the money value on them is to high. I found this also in Guinea, Malawi, and Ethiopia. I happily traded my old clothes for certain souvenir items that I was after, and I did not have to pay a single bit of currency. Perhaps one day we can all go back to bartering which is an effective form of transfer if both parties agree on it! Perhaps this can be applied to the saying “One Mans Junk, is Another Mans Treasure“.
Food Service is not on par with western standards- In the west, we have a certain high standard of criteria for food service. In Africa they do not. More times that not if you order meals, they may come out half hot, or half cold. You may order something that you have a preconceived notion on what that item is, and something else comes out totally different. Often times you will find shacks on the side of the street with food items that by western standards would not be allowed to be served because of the sanitary conditions. This is usually the best food in Africa vs. going to a sit down restaurant.
People can survive in any conditions. Their resiliency to various conditions makes them strong and proud people- Going through different villages (mostly around West Africa), I noticed one thing that stood out- the people can pretty much survive in any conditions imaginable. Whether is be no water in their village (they hiked miles to the nearest stream), or lack of markets (grow your own food and slaughter your own animals), or simply collecting wood to cook food and/or keep warm, the people of Africa have done it all. Many of them have grown up without roads, without electricity, and without common knowledge of the western world. Perhaps in the future when we run out of all of our national resources, these will be the people that know how to survive.
Cows, Goats, Sheep and Donkeys rule the streets- Forget about cars or trucks having the right of way through Africa. Seems that the animals will usually rule the streets here and sometimes they do not like moving for anything. Gone is the time driving as fast as you can down the street as a Cow, Sheep, Goat or Donkey may decide to run out and collide with you. It seems like people here give the animals freedom to move around. I think the animal rights activists from around the world would applaud this, as they are not kept in small cages. Watch out for elephants in parts of Africa, they are surely to leave a dent in your vehicle. I say, let the animals continue to roam, and watch your driving…
The roads are social circles where people meet to discuss things- Most shops are located along the roads or highways (for obvious reasons). In most western countries to meet up with people you would go to a restaurant, mall, or club. In a lot of African villages or cities the main social gatherings occur on the side of the roads. Whether it be to sell something, talk about village politics, or just to have a drink, most people will be out of their houses in the plain site of all vehicles passing by.
Kids everywhere– With the population booming around the world (about 7.5 billion), the situation is no different in Africa. Going through villages and cities you notice that most of the people usually are the ages of 1-20. Most of the people in villages usually have a high number of children for one of two reasons- 1. a high infant mortality rate as the medical care is not always prevalent in many countries 2. As most of the people work in rural parts of Africa, they need help on their farms. Having a high number of kids results in help around the land. The kids learn from an early age that you must work in order to eat and live, and that is passed down from generation to generation. It was not so different in First World Countries as recent as 60 years ago.
Second Hand Clothes– One Mans Junk is another Mans Treasure- Do you ever stop to think about how many clothes you discard each year? I got a glimpse of this through Africa in seeing all of the clothes people wear. Most of them were discarded American shirts or jeans. Jerseys from football, basketball, baseball, and soccer teams dotted the landscapes filled with people. Often times big piles of clothes would show up at a designated place and people would get what the need for their own personal use or to sell to other people.
Diversity of Animals– Why would most people go to Africa? I would say it is for the great game drives offered in different parts of the continent. Animals that you will not find anywhere else in the world are obviously located on this continent. From Rhinos, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, and Gelada Baboons. This continent has it all. In recent years they have really clamped down on illegal poaching for many animals which may be the reason some of the populations are getting higher. Unfortunately there is still a decline in certain populations with the inevitability that they may become extinct.
Colonization really screwed things up– In the late 1800’s with the Europeans in a race for land, they ended up colonizing a big part of Africa. Before the arrival of the Europeans in mass numbers, Africa was divided not by countries but by ethnic groups. When the Europeans came in, they started partitioning out the different areas to make countries. They divided along natural formations like mountains, rivers, lakes etc. This really messed things up as many groups were now separated by country borders and not ethnic borders. An example of this is the border between Mauritania and Senegal. Exact same people live in this area, but there is a river that divides them. The effects are still being felt a hundred years later.
Women with babies going to work in fields or selling stuff and also pregnant?– Maternity leave is a big issue that developed nations tend to fight with governments over. I can tell you that in many countries in Africa, you will see women selling stuff on the roads, or working out in the fields with babies on their back and they are pregnant with the next baby. It amazes me how they do this and still go home to run the house holds. I commend all of them for doing this as it would be rare to see this happening in any First World Country.
The West is the Best- There is a sharp divide between Western and Eastern Africa. Eastern Africa is seen as the place where most tourists go to see game parks or historical sites and their tourism is shooting through the roof. Western Africa has very little tourism and even less infrastructure. This is why I have chosen Western Africa as my favorite place on this continent. It is still unspoiled by tourism and giant buildings that dot many places in Eastern Africa. The people (also in the east), are very friendly and some of them have never seen a westerner before. It may be one of the true “Wild West Frontiers” left in the world today.
Namibia and South Africa having the best food– If you are a fan of game meat, then Namibia and South Africa are for you. Take your pick from Kudu, Oryz, Springbok, Giraffe, Zebra, and Warthog(just to name a few). The meat is sold to you to cook yourself or available at many restaurants. It is probably better than any meat I have ever tasted. I could go weeks with only eating this food.
Kudu Steak in Namibia
