Wambui Gichobi says her reason for travelling is to show young adults of Africa that the world is our oyster too. After travelling to 49 countries, she intends to conquer the rest Wambui is an environmentalist and a visual media producer. She is in her early 30s.
Why do you travel?
My main mission for travelling is to try to connect funding to underprivileged students by giving scholarships, psychosocial support and also incubating talents and ideas through my venture known as Adventure 197.
The second reason for travelling is to show young adults of Africa that the world is our oyster too.
How do you document your travels?
I use my social media pages: @wambuigichobi or #Adventure197 for my travel stories. For our Education Fund and Incubator, check 197fund.org.
How do you finance your travels?
I backpack as I am unable to afford luxury travel. Like almost everyone, I work and save. When starting out, I sold everything I had and started my journey with a backpack and a few believers.
What will you never travel without?
My phone. These little devices are magic. To add to that list is a little bit of cash, a debit card and of course my passport.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
So far I have been to 49 countries among them Liechtenstein, Dominica, Zambia, Zimbambwe, Botswana, Mexico, Greece, Belize, Guatemala, Switzerland, Austria, El Salvador, Rwanda, DRC Congo,Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Grenada and Barbados. My goal is to visit 197 countries.
All these places are unique in their own way.
In Liechtenstein, they have self-service shops where operations are based on trust. Imagine that level of moral awareness.
In Dominica, there’s a boiling lake nestled on top of some really beautiful hills that will take you five hours of hiking to get to. It’s hectic, but worth it. They have black beaches in Greece, St Vincents and the Grenadines. High-speed trains are really something.
Dominica is a small island in the Caribbean that to me felt like a little piece of Eden. DRC and Rwanda have really beautiful thick equatorial forests that will make you understand why gorillas still thrive there.
The night skies in Turkana remain the best that I ever saw.
Lake Bacalar in Tulum and Cenotes in Yucatan, Mexico were unbelievable. Greece is gorgeous. From the ancient architecture in Athens to the volcanic rocks littered with white and blue buildings that jut out to blue green sea in the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Zakynthos.
Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria have really beautiful landscapes and lakes. Fall or autumn is really beautiful. The way tree leaves change colour is indescribable.
Adventure 197 is still on course. This means I still have 148 countries to visit and I am hopeful that I will be able to fundraise for the 197 Education Fund and Incubator during the rest of the travels.
OTHER WOMEN TRAVELERS
Helen Talaso: Fascinated to meet new people
Helen, 25, is a graduate of Economics and Statistics. She runs an experiential travel company called Happyfeet Adventures. She describes herself as an adventurous person who finds happiness in going to new places, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.
Why do you travel?
To gain new experiences like enjoying new food and meet new people.
How do you document your travels?
I run a travel blog called Gamachu, which simply means ‘happiness’ in Borana. I also share my travel stories through the handle @helenatalaso both on Instagram and Facebook.
How do you finance your travels?
Mostly through savings and partnerships with different hotels and Airbnb’s. I once used all my savings to go to Addis Ababa.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
Zanzibar and Tanzania have the warmest people I have ever seen, and their food is also super great. Zanzibar also has very beautiful white sandy beaches.
I loved the rich culture in Ethiopia, while the party never stops in Uganda.
I intend to celebrate my 30th birthday in Bali, Indonesia, due to its rich culture, beautiful places and beautiful people.
Wangechi Gitahi: ‘Latter-day Vasco da Gama’
Wangechi, a polymath, is an award-winning travel writer and content creator under the brand Wangechi Gitahi Travels.
Why do you travel?
I travel mainly to learn, discover, explore, engage deeply with a destination, hear people and cultures and also share about myself. I think that I hold the title of “Modern-Day Female Version of Vasco Da Gamaa”.
How do you document your travels?
I run the travel website wangechigitahitravels.com. It was voted the best travel blog in 2019 at the Bloggers’ Association of Kenya (Bake) Awards. I also share my travel stories on my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages named Wangechi Gitahi Travels.
How do you finance your travels?
My travels have mainly been financed by personal savings, family, and partnerships and sponsorships.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
I have been to several countries among them Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Dubai, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. I intend to visit every country in Africa.
Lea Wanjaria: She offers labour in exchange for accommodation
Lea, 33, is a free-spirited soul always looking for new adventure and experiences. She lives a life of chasing sunsets, eating tasty foods and having a good laugh. When not travelling, she helps travellers find great experiences in Africa and mainly in Kenya.
Why do you travel?
Travel for me is a mix of new cultures, beautiful landscapes, interesting people and great food.
How do you document your travels?
I share my travel stories on my blog; walkwithlea.com.
How you finance your travels?
At the beginning of the year, I choose two to three destinations I want to visit in the course of the year. Then I do the budgets and develop a saving plan. I also device ways to meet the travel costs. For instance, I did eight months in Peru where I taught English and volunteered in a horse farm in exchange for accommodation and Spanish classes.
What will you never travel without?
Leopolo II, my tripod. Most of my pictures are self-taken thus he goes everywhere I go.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
Tatra National Park in Poland, I experienced my first knee-deep snow experience. I enjoyed the most scenic drive along Chapmans Peak drive in Cape Town, South Africa. Rowing a boat on a crystal-clear blue picturesque Lake Bed in Slovenia is something that never leaves your mind.
I had the best shower at Champagne Ridge in Kenya. It has the best shower with a view of the rolling hills of Ngong.
I visited my dream destination, Santorini in Greece, when I was just 18. Visiting the place with some of my closest friends was a dream-come-true.
I plan to visit Japan and Cuba.
Are you normally a solo adventure traveller?
I travelled solo for five years since my first international travel in 2010. It is therapeutic to travel solo. I now travel mostly with my partner, whom I met while in Holland.
Caroline Somba: She travels for food
Caroline Samba, who is in her early 30s, describes herself as open-minded and adventurous woman, who is always out to try new things like talking to strangers. She is a costing finance manager for a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) company.
Why do you travel?
For food. I just returned from a food trip in Italy for my birthday, where I did a pizza making class at the birthplace of pizza, Naples.
How do you document your travels?
I post them on my Instagram page @MyGlobalAttitude
How do you finance your travels?
I’m a finance girl so I keep a monthly budget and any savings I get from groceries, entertainment, among others, I channel to my travel account. For example, if I take a bus instead of Uber, the fare difference goes to travel, or if I cook instead of eating out.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
I’ve been to 20 countries namely South Africa, Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Canada, USA, Netherlands, Belgium, France, UK, Austria, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Iceland.
My most memorable one was in Vietnam, where I went to a local street food restaurant and since they couldn’t speak English, they took me to the kitchen to point at which foods I wanted to try.
Later on that trip, I spent 48 hours in a boat in the middle of the ocean at Halong bay without internet.
I intend to visit Argentina and Brazil because I want to see Iguazu Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. I’ve seen Victoria Falls and Niagara Falls, and they’re dreamlike.
I also hope to do a food trip to Mexico and maybe watch my favourite tennis players at the Acapulco open.
Why do you travel?
To learn, enjoy and relax. Travelling is geography and history lessons 101!
How do you document your travels?
I post them on my Facebook Page: Kemunto the Traveller.
How do you finance your travels?
I finance my trips mostly from my savings, and I have occasionally received pay for work-related trips. I always take advantage of any work-related trips to add some adventure. Saving sometimes requires drastic lifestyle changes to save that coin.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
I have travelled to 16 countries.
Victoria Falls in Zimbambwe are absolutely spectacular. I really enjoyed the safari experience too, that included walking with lions and riding elephants.
How cool is that?
Spain has absolutely beautiful and very hospitable people. The food variety is amazing and tasty. It’s also very easy to move around.
Malaysia is a very affordable destination with cheap options for accommodation, food and excursions without compromise on quality. It also neighbours many visa-free countries for Kenyans.
Seychelles has insanely stunning pristine beaches, biodiversity and good climate.
- I intend to visit Turkana and Maasai Mara in Kenya. Greece, Indonesia and Italy are my next top international destinations.
- Her husband pays for her travel costs
Daisy is a bit shy but very outgoing once she gets comfortable around someone. She describes herself as a 25-year-old lady with some years of experience.
Why do you travel?
I travel to sample food and breathtaking landmarks in new places.
How do you document your travels?
I share information about my trips on my Instagram page @daisyrioba and YouTube channel, Daisy Rioba.
How do you finance your travels?
My husband pays for everything.
Which places have you visited? What was nice about them?
I have been to 14 countries and 21 states in the US.
I loved the warm weather in Thailand and Florida, the food and blue waters of Mexico and the polite people, landmarks and fashion sense in Italy. I still have The French Polynesia, the Maldives, and Japan in my bucketlist.
By Nyambega Gisesa
Source-https://nation.africa/
Kenyan woman Wambui Gichobi who have traveled to 49 countries
