One thing is certain about travelling: you’re exposed to new fresh ideas, sights, sounds and smells, and you cross paths with interesting people from different walks of life. Your eyes, your mind and your thoughts on life and the world are suddenly opened and altered, as you’re enlightened by what lays outside of your comfort zone. It’s a beautiful thing to be moved by the unique, the unusual, the new. That’s quite possibly why most of us yearn to travel. We are on a quest to learn and experience the wonders of the earth, people and ourselves.

While unique sights and experiences cause a soul-stirring feeling within, we can’t deny that meeting new people and seeing new faces takes our travelling experience to a whole new level. Exposing ourselves to unfamiliar ways of living and fascinating views, from locals and travellers alike, changes us for the better. It causes us to be more aware, more open-minded, knowledgeable of other cultures and beliefs and breaks down our stereotypes, and what we have led ourselves to believe. The locals allow us to tap into the authentic, ‘real’ heart of the place that we’re visiting and there’s nothing more special than delving into the minds of the people who were shaped by that country, city, town or village.

Other travellers speak to different parts of ourselves, as we find common ground in the similarities. We are all on a quest - seeking out to expand our horizons and acquire fresh new knowledge about the world. However, we still uncover the differences in our backgrounds, interests and reasons for venturing out into the unknown.

People are drawn to certain destinations for a reason and it usually has something to do with what is offered in that corner of the globe. It’s always interesting to chat to the people travelling alongside you, to find out what influenced them to travel to that exact destination.

When one visits Africa, for example, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll come across similar types of travellers. This is largely attributed to what one can see, do and experience here. For example, Africa is known for being home to a plethora of impressive wildlife species. This remarkable ‘feature’ attracts the conservationists, animal lovers and nature enthusiasts in a big way, so you're bound to cross paths with many travellers who have those interests.

Now if you’re eager to know more about the kinds of travellers you’ll encounter while venturing through the captivating continent of Africa, take a look at our fascinating list. It will not only prepare you, but will also enlighten you to the sides of Africa you were unaware of, and ultimately the reason why it’s one of the most popular continents to travel to.

The Photographer

With warm colours that are exuded from the yellow grasslands of the dry tundra and the exquisite African sunsets that emit a deep orange glow, photographers are aware of the treat that awaits them, in the form of impeccable lighting and unique colours. When the sun goes down over the red dunes of Namibia, or when the grasslands glisten from the light of the morning sunrise, Africa glows in all its glory and is a sight to behold.

Other than the remarkable natural beauty, photographers feast on the many other extraordinary sights that have a way of turning a simple snap, into something bewitching. From the charismatic eyes of the leopard and the unusual stature of the giraffe, to the strength of the lion and the innocence of the elephant, there are countless unique shots for photographers to capture, which act as a window into Africa, and the life that she serves.

The Humanitarian

Source: World Relief Fund

World Relief Fund Africa is a poverty-stricken continent, as it’s made up of third world countries that face many struggles. In some parts of Africa, children are unable to get an education due to limited resources and lack of intervention from governments and rulers. Many less-fortunate African’s are deprived of food and clean water and live in environments that are unsafe. Humanitarians from all across the world come to Africa to try and do their part in making a positive change. They bring solutions, reasoning, funding and improve the lives of hundreds, sometimes thousands of people.

Most times, these humanitarian workers seek to find out more about the continent by venturing out into the more ‘tourist friendly’ parts. You’ll more than likely cross paths with travellers who are doing work in certain parts of Africa, or who are potential humanitarian workers, who are expanding their views on the continent.

The Adventure Seeker

Source: Safari.com

Africa is all about thrill and adventure. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you’re bound to stumble on a new and exciting journey. Think of thrilling game drives that get you up close and personal to some of the world’s strongest and most dangerous beasts, extraordinary hiking opportunities such as Mount Kilimanjaro, adrenaline pumping activities such as sky-diving and sandboarding, desert hopping and animal spotting. It’s the epitome of adventure and most travellers who are interested in experiencing unique activities, sights, cultures, food and terrain, find what they’re looking for on this awe-inspiring continent, and they always seem to come back for more!

The Free Spirit

Free-spirits are in awe of the wide open spaces which are surrounded by nature and untouched landscapes. The opportunity to enter a world of freedom, peace and tranquillity is right up their alley, so you can be sure to meet them along the way. Those who enjoy a break away from the city buzz, feel like their prayers have been answered when they visit the desolate plains of Africa. With only wildlife, fauna, flora and beautiful bird species around you, travellers begin to feel like they’re one with the earth and Mother Nature herself. It’s an incredibly awakening experience and it opens one's mind to what really matters and helps travellers to sift through the challenges of the ‘rat-race’ of everyday life. The entire journey calms the spirit and leaves one with a new, fresh perspective on life.

The ‘5-star’ Fundi

In the tourist hot-spots of Africa, such as Botswana, Victoria Falls, Kenya, Tanzania and The Kruger National Park, it’s ‘5-star’ territory. The lodges, hotels and luxury camps are tailor-made for travellers who are looking for exclusivity, ultimate comfort and world-class service. Some of the world’s most famous names, such as Prince Harry and Prince William, frequently visit Africa for its top-class stays and unrivalled beauty. You may bump into some famous faces while venturing through Africa, or just travellers who love to leisure in the lap of luxury!

Hayden Myers is a South African travel enthusiast and aspiring writer with the dream and goal to travel the world and share her adventures. The travel bug bit her at the age of 10 when she went on her first overseas trip with her family. She has since travelled to many countries of the world including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Thailand just to mention a few. Hayden is a guest blogger at www.afritraveller.com where she passionately advises fellow travellers in need of tips, ideas and inspiration.

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