Ana Santa Maria has accomplished a number of tenting journeys in her lifetime however none of them evaluate to her overland safari and tenting in Southern Africa.
“I’ve accomplished a variety of completely different journey kinds with G and this journey nonetheless, is considered one of my favourites,” she mentioned.
“For this journey particularly, it was a really distinctive solution to expertise Africa.”
For the final three years, Santa Maria has labored as a World Goal Specialist, aiming to assist journey brokers develop their position and higher perceive what G Adventures has to supply.
We sat down along with her to ask why overland journey in Africa is a singular solution to see the continent, and why she encourages travellers to step out of their consolation zone.
What’s it like travelling within the Lando (overland journey car)?
“It simply appeared actually neat that there was this practice overland car constructed only for these journeys. Each compartment had a function. We have been going via some wild terrain in Southern Africa and we by no means acquired caught. And the drivers have been superior, as a result of they know the way to drive these roads. It lived as much as the expectations, I used to be obsessive about that car. And my good friend that travelled with me, she was like, ‘I do not sleep on buses ever.’ However by day three, we’re each handed out in Lando as a result of it is truly actually snug.”
What was a standout expertise in your overland journey in Southern Africa?
“We went via the Okavango Delta. So you are taking the normal mokoros (slender dugout canoes), and we have been very distant. I feel should you’re gonna go to Botswana it’s a must to expertise the Delta, as a result of it is very genuine. And individuals are at all times asking me, ‘Have been you not afraid?’ At no level was I scared as a result of the guides know what they’re doing. All people there makes you’re feeling actually snug and the night time sky that day, since you’re up to now faraway from all mild air pollution, you may see the Milky Approach simply completely. It was so uncooked, so actual, so genuine, to simply simply be tenting, very a lot in nature.”
What makes an overland journey completely different from different tenting journeys you’ve skilled?
“Tenting with G Adventures is rather a lot simpler. The very first thing that involves thoughts is the meals. Every time I am going tenting, I battle with what to eat. I by no means know what to cook dinner. And despite the fact that that is participation tenting and also you’re serving to, you do not have to give you what to eat. There’s additionally a group side to it. Once I go tenting, it is perhaps me and my associates, and it is simply our group, however that is it. Right here you are tenting with the whole group, and it simply turns into a pleasant little group.”
How did the CEOs (Chief Expertise Officers) play a component in making the tour particular?
“For some of these excursions, there’s two CEOs, so there’s even an additional layer of security, I discovered. And the CEOs, they, they’re only a wealth of information. I feel our CEOs do an incredible job, however we are sometimes supported by further native guides that form of present further assist in sure areas. We did a strolling safari with rhinos, and one of the simplest ways for me to explain this information was principally like Steve Irwin. He knew all their names, he knew their behaviors. He knew every part you may take into consideration rhinos.”
Why would you encourage travellers to guide an overland journey?
“It was a really distinctive solution to expertise a distinct facet of Africa. Attending to camp in a few of the nationwide parks and the reserves, it is only a completely different solution to journey. And I feel there’s one thing very distinctive, or very empowering about stepping out of your consolation zone, and attending to the campsite, pitching your tent and serving to together with your meals. It’s a distinct form of bonding. It is a completely different form of group while you’re all form of on the identical boat, you are on the identical Lando. I am very glad I did it. And I feel you see a lot while you’re on land.”
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