7 Powerful Lessons Africa Will Teach You About Life

Image to the left of Maasai village members on a woodland walk from Ol Donyo Wuas

As many of you know, I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, but now live in the United States. I personally have gained so much from my travel experiences in Africa (and other continents around the world for that matter) and have been unbelievably lucky to help others enrich their lives through travel to Africa.

Below are some of the things that Africa has taught me, as well as many of the clients that we have sent over to Africa along the years:

1. Helping others is one of the most enriching and life-fulfilling experiences you can have: This is one of the most impossible things to explain. I seriously don’t think any combination of words can do a goodwill activity or trip justice! When you lend a hand to those in need—whether it’s helping to build a new school, teaching an arts and crafts class, planting a tree with community members, or simply working to enrich the lives of others—you’ll feel convinced that you received more benefits from those acts than the individuals that you’ve helped. In fact, you become addicted to the feeling of helping others and witnessing their reactions of pure gratitude.

2. No matter our cultural differences, we all share commonalities among us: Even though we all come from different backgrounds and societies, we still share commonalities such as love, compassion, and curiosity. We’re not all as different as we think . . .

3. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things is the best way to grow as a person: Whether you’re tasting a new food, talking with someone you normally wouldn’t speak to, embarking on an activity that seems a bit too adventurous for you, or even taking part in a traditional tribal dance among a small crowd, trying new and exciting things can add a tremendous amount of zest to your life and help you grow as a person. New experiences can work to enrich your life and they can even be as powerful as changing your perspective on life.

4. Most of the misconceptions we have about continents and countries around the world are false: The media can play a powerful role in shaping our perceptions of the world and its people. And often times (sometimes not intentionally) the media begins to influence the way we view other countries and cultures around the world.

Over the past decades, the media has played a role in shaping Africa as a dark, dirty, and scary place. As we all know, parts of Africa have had a brutal history—but what place hasn’t? Today, the parts of Africa that we send our clients to are peaceful, absolutely stunning, and modernized (without taking away from cultural authenticity). And, of course, you must always take normal safety precautions when traveling—no matter where you go.

5. Unplugging from technology can create some of the most refreshing and eye opening experiences (and it’s not as difficult to unplug as you might think): If you really think about it, how long do you spend using technology everyday? That’s X-hours or X-minutes of you missing what’s happening in the world around you. So instead of spending time watching a real sunset, spending in-person time with your family, observing the people of the city as you walk to work, watching your kids play at the beach, or simply relaxing on a park bench as you soak in the soft sounds and smells of nature, you’re fixated on social media or email, missing real life.

When you take a trip to Africa, you don’t have the opportunities to access technology like you normally have in the United States—and trust me, you won’t want to! As soon as you step foot on African soil, experience the wildlife of this great continent and interact with the people of Africa, you’ll forget all about Pinterest and Facebook updates!

6. Retreating to nature is one of the most powerful ways to revitalize the mind, body, and soul: Everything from the soft sounds of the bush to the beautiful landscapes, and the touch of African soil to the smell of the first rains, Africa’s natural places have the unique ability to reduce physical and emotional stress, as well as facilitate a clearer mind. It also helps you to connect with yourself—something that we forget about way too much in our daily lives.

7. Travel is more precious than the materials we posses: When was the last time a material possession transformed your perspective on life, or helped make you a more fulfilled individual? Probably never—or at least very rarely! Taking an African safari vacation, however, literally is food for the soul. Being able to interact with new cultures, observe landscapes and wildlife you’ve only seen in books and on television, taste unique and authentic flavors, and discover how others live their lives is truly fascinating and priceless.