South Africa

South Africa was one of the trips that truly changed me as a solo traveler. I made plenty of rookie mistakes, including booking a hotel in one of Johannesburg’s most dangerous neighborhoods. The hotel staff warned me every time I walked outside. Concerned for my safety, they arranged for a quirky local guide named Bongani to show me the city. With his bucket hat, larger-than-life personality, and endless stories, he quickly put me at ease. One stop that stood out was Soweto, where I visited Nelson Mandela’s former home. It was especially meaningful to walk in the footsteps of someone I so deeply respect. After exploring Johannesburg together, we decided on a last-minute road trip through Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique, which turned into one of the highlights of my time in southern Africa.

After we went our separate ways, I made my way to Cape Town, a city I genuinely believe is one of the most beautiful on Earth. Between the dramatic mountains, rugged coastline, and pristine beaches, it seemed as though every viewpoint was more spectacular than the last. I watched my first rugby match, went skydiving, and hiked around Cape Point, where the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashed against the rocky cliffs below. By the time I left South Africa, I felt like a completely different traveler than the one who had nervously arrived in Johannesburg just a week earlier.