As 2022 dawns, I’m sure there are more than a few things that you hoped would be different by now.
…I thought this virus would be a thing of the past.
…I’m so tired of staying at home.
…I’m just ready for some GOOD news.
First of all, I think it’s important to acknowledge those feelings of frustration, disappointment, loss, and fatigue. It has been a long few years, and each corner we turn seems to offer an unwelcome surprise.
HOWEVER (and this is a BIG however) … focusing on those negative feelings can cause us to miss opportunities, can cloud our vision so we can’t see the positives, and can keep us stuck in negativity and disappointment.
So, I’m here to offer some positivity and to suggest you seize this moment as the one to make your dreams come true. There is no such thing as the “perfect time,” and time passes whether you want it to or not.
I’m reminded of a country song I heard mentioned recently — Till You Can’t by Cody Johnson. Here’s the part that resonated with me:
If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance
If you got a dream, chase it, ’cause a dream won’t chase you back
If you’re gonna love somebody
Hold ’em as long and as strong and as close as you can
Till you can’t
Oof, am I right? How long have you waited for your dreams to come chasing you? How many things have you put off for a “some day” that never seems to come?
So, I encourage you to join me in embracing 2022, warts and all. And I’m going to help out with that by providing you with some truly exceptional news — while 2022 might not be perfect in every way, it is the perfect time to chase your dream of visiting Africa. Don’t believe me? Here are 5 reasons why 2022 is the right time to visit Africa.
- The Original Social Distancing: One of the best ways to avoid Covid is to avoid other people, and Africa’s wide-open spaces make that easy. Other than your fellow guests and guides, you generally won’t see any other humans when you’re out on safari
- A Healthy Travel Bubble: Speaking of your fellow travelers and guides — testing, vaccination, and careful attention to symptoms are all a part of ensuring that your “travel bubble” is kept as safe as possible. Many lodges require that all of their staff members and guides are vaccinated, and they are all taking extensive precautions to ensure that travelers remain safe. Remember: Lodges are very motivated to keep guests healthy, since their livelihood depends on it!
- Smaller Crowds Make Your Dreams Come True: While tourism is on the upswing, there are still fewer than the usual numbers of international visitors to most African countries right now, so those who do visit are treated to a variety of exclusive experiences. Whether that means an uncrowded lodge and lower guest-to-staff ratios, longer stretches of uninterrupted time with animals on safari, or fewer travelers in your safari vehicle, right now can be the perfect time for an exclusive African experience you won’t get ever again.
- Your Travel = Conservation: It is always true that your tourism dollars in Africa contribute directly to conservation, but it is never more important than when tourism numbers are down. Many African countries have come to rely on tourism income as a way to show locals that wildlife is valuable and worth protecting, so when tourism dollars slow (or stop altogether), the conflict between humans and wildlife increases. Just by visiting, you reinforce that the breathtaking wildlife of Africa is of vital importance and worth protecting.
- A Truly Warm Welcome Awaits: Africa is a continent filled with warm welcomes, and as lockdowns ease and tourists return to explore, those welcomes are even more heartfelt. For example, when I first returned to Uganda in late 2020, strangers passing by would excitedly shout, “The muzungus are coming back to Uganda!” You probably think that’s an exaggeration, but truly everywhere we went, people greeted us with excitement and joy. Our presence brought a bit of hope that life was starting to get back to normal, and that is a truly amazing feeling.
There are some things that make travel to Africa a bit tricky right now (for example, testing and other entry requirements), but with Hills of Africa by your side, those aspects are not something you have to worry about. We handle all of those details for you so that you can focus on living your dream without waiting for “some day.”
Just contact us today if you’re ready to make 2022 your year for Africa!