Immersed, in love and never wanting to leave. This was how I feel about Africa.
My adventure levels were really put to the test, especially at the ecological and physical levels when I was flung from a raft like a catapult from a level 6 river and run through a washing machine in a grade 6 river, and my now legendary slide through the Bwindi impenetrable forest channeling Diane Fossey as I was swatted with a tree wielded by an irate mountain gorilla.
I take on everything, even a silverback in the wild, eat anything like forest ants, and everyone smiles around me. I never get a cold shoulder because I am forever touching people’s throats as they speak so I can mimic their words, or break the ice…maybe both.
My first experience of Africa was Egypt, but that wasn’t really Africa but more of the Arab region. Ethiopia changed everything for me, and my recent trip to East Africa just caused me to be, what I term, #Africanized.
Saving my adventures on Uganda and Rwanda for a subsequent column, I decided to speak to other fellow inveterate travelers about my the one true place that taught me, we are part of one tribe.
Raymond Rufino
Sustainability champion and chairman of the Urban Land Institute
What’s your favorite African country?
Tanzania.
South Africa and Botswana, as these are the only two I have visited thus far.
What’s the one unforgettable memory for you? Tribes? Food? Safari? Nature?
During our Safari Walks, the local tribe showed us how they source water and medicine from the arid and barren desert—which apparently is not barren at all. Unforgettable and powerful experience.
Can you say you’ve been Africanized? How?
Not quite Africanized, but I can say that Africa and its people are special to me now.
Africa also brought me closer to my already strong sentiments to conservation and recycling.
Tito and I adopted two elephants!
Next wishlist destination in Africa for you?
Tanzania and Kenya for the great migration.
Rina Ortiz
Philanthropist and yoga teacher
What’s your favorite African country?
Tanzania.
What’s the one unforgettable memory for you? Tribes? Food? Safari? Nature?
The Samburu Tribe. The Samburu tribe and its diet of fresh cow blood and milk as primary source of nourishment fascinated me. They are really tall people, and thin but healthy beyond belief.
Can you say you’ve been Africanized? How?
Only that I love being in the bush and being among animals. I love the tribes, as they are so wise. Wiser than “educated” people. Ubuntu is a big thing for Tito (Ortiz) and I.
Next wishlist destination in Africa for you?
Ethiopia. I wish to go to Ethiopia to see for myself how Easter is celebrated there, as Christianity was there very early on. I have a unique affiliation for early Christianity.
Brad Geiser
Marketing futurist, cofounder, GeiserMaclang
What’s your favorite African country? You may mention several.
My favorite African country is Morocco because it is so culturally dense and authentic. It welcomes you as a tourist but it won’t put on a show for you.
What’s the one unforgettable memory for you? Tribes? Food? Safari? Nature?
My favorite experience is wandering the huge market of Fez, where I saw at least 50 things I had never seen before, where I felt truly transported to another place and time. It was beautiful, gruesome and confusing all at the same time.
Can you say you’ve been Africanized? How?
I haven’t. Africa is where I go to experience the unfamiliar, that beautiful sense of complete otherness, expressed culturally, ethnically and in encounters with wildlife.
Next wishlist destination in Africa for you?
Where in Africa do I want to go next? Swaziland. It is this isolated postage stamp in the middle of Africa. Very untouched by the world. I’ve gotta see it.
Chal Chang Lontoc del Rosario
President and general manager of Jerome Travel
What’s your favorite African country?
I’ve only been to Africa once, but we do intend to go back again when the kids are older. South Africa is definitely unforgettable. It was a good eye-opener and start for us to go around Africa in the future.
What’s the one unforgettable memory for you? Tribes? Food? Safari? Nature?
We had a 2-year-old who celebrated his birthday in Mabula Game lodge. Compared to other game reserves, this one was very kid-friendly. We even got to do lion gaming, where kids aren’t normally allowed to do. The safari experience was spectacular. As much as we love Disneyland, this was one topped it…. Mother Nature’s theme park!
I also enjoyed Lesedi Cultural Center. It got me acquainted with the many different tribes of Africa. And the music…wow! I still listen to African music to this day!
Cape Town is a breath of fresh air (literally, too!). Table Mountain was the perfect backdrop for everywhere and anywhere we went.
There’s so many to mention actually. I have deep respect for Africans and their roots. The rangers, guides, and random people, they all have a certain depth to them.
Can you say you’ve been Africanized? How?
Ha! Yes! Their history always allures me. Now, every time I see an article about Africa, I make time to read more about it. I listen to their music at home and during walks. Best of all, I’m in love with their textile and cultural fashion!
Next wishlist destination in Africa for you?
Zimbabwe and Kenya. It would be such a blessing to witness the great migration!
Leo Barre
Country manager, Nutriset
food sustainability advocate
What’s your favorite African country?
I’ve been growing in Reunion Island, a French colony that lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
If you don’t zoom in enough on google maps, you won’t even see it.
I only know Madagascar, South Africa and Mozambique. Mauritius, twin island of Reunion Island, is not really “african” in a way, as the indian influence is much more vivid.
Out of them, I have to pick South Africa. It has a diversity of landscapes that is exquisite. I don’t like all aspects about South Africa, don’t get me wrong. I feel blessed that I was living so close, but so far in terms of mind-set, as Reunion Island is a pure blend of cultures living in harmony. In that sense, my real favorite country in Africa is my own country: Reunion Island! Patriotism is important. As much as I love the Philippines, I am a bit struck to realize how so many traditions, ancestral spirituality are not being transmitted anymore from one generation to the other, at the expense of mmainstream American globalized culture (sorry USA, I’m French still!).
What’s the one unforgettable memory for you? Tribes? Food? Safari? Nature?
All of them. Just the African spirit is the one that makes people the most alive for me.
For me music is the best thing to experience living in an African country, for all forms of music expression originate there. It provides different ways of self-expression to unite people together. A lot is improvised, felt and not theorized.
Can you say you’ve been Africanized? How?
I have been Africanized, just like I’ve been Brownized, and still remain of white extraction.
I am a mix of all influences. Again it’s very specific to Reunion Island.
Next wishlist destination in Africa for you?
Morocco, Algeria and Cameroon as priority countries. For different reasons, including practical ones. They are French-speaking countries.