When I came to Africa in October 2020 my plan was to spend maybe 3 months in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. A longer „holiday“. Time to reset. To recover. It wasn’t going according to plan. I traveled Southern and Eastern Africa for 4.5 years. And enjoyed every second. With all the good and bad.
I was all alone in the Sossusvlei in Namibia. Got stuck for three days in the Hoarusib Canyon. Escaped a lightning storm in the Drakensberg mountains. Have fallen in love with the South African wildcoast. Got threatened and robbed in Pretoria. Climbed Kilimanjaro. Lost my Landy in Katavi National Park and set up a „Robinson Crusoe“ camp for two days.
I met awesome people on my travels. People, that changed my way of thinking. People, that became close friends. People, that taught me lessons without knowing it. People, I might never see again but I will always remember them. Always!
I was laughing and crying. Tears were running down my face while sitting at a campfire. And I sat in my Landrover the other day, with a big smile and my music in the speakers. Happy days and sad times. A mixed bag of emotions. And memories. I’ve seen the desert and the mountains, the beaches and the sea, the savannas and the woods. The diversity of Africa.
„We might have different colors of skin, but we have the same blood. We are brothers“. That’s what someone said to me in Uganda and it’s true! People who had nothing invited me and we shared what we had. As one. Unforgettable. I experienced great hospitality and I experienced rejection. I made mistakes, so many mistakes. But the people always told me it’s okay. I’m grateful and in awe. I experienced great help when I thought I was lost. And people disappointed me, when I thought they might help me. In some situations I haven’t given enough. And in others I got betrayed. Africa is a tough job and I feel that you can never do it right. But I still try …
At Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania I became part of a family. They were not interested in what I’ve done, who I’ve been in the past, they have just seen the man that I am. I miss you tremendously and I will be back one day. Never experienced such great hospitality and friendship! And please don’t call me „Boss Thomas“ anymore. Call me „Rafiki yangu“.
I climbed Africa’s highest mountain. Crossed the biggest lake on a 100-year old ferry. Camped at the longest river. And in the oldest desert. I found the adventure and the silence. Got stuck. Got rescued. Found solitude. Peace. And myself.
I found the love of my life. The most beautiful woman I ever met. The one who ticked all my boxes within days. The one I would have married. But I lost her. We lost us. Devils of our past. I try to let it go …
Africa was truly a life changing experience. But now it’s time to stop. To stand still for a while. To gather my strength and find my Africa again. I’m taking a break in southern Europe. Recover. Get my life and dreams in order. Reset.
Africa is truly not a place to visit, it’s an emotion that you take back home. Wherever home is. I will find out …
To all the overlanders … travel safe, respect the people and the land. Respect the wild nature and the unforgiving roads. Try to see everything with your heart, not your eyes. Step bravely into unknown land and explore. This is your time …
