It’s that time of the year; right at the cusp of Christmas when things are about to erupt in a shopping, feeding and gifting frenzy and when all is said, done and eaten…we’ll crawl with bloated bellies, out under the starry skies and watch fireworks pop as the old gives way to the new.
If you ask me, 2017 was a relatively calm year. I broke a leg in 2016, I broke my camera in 2017. A leg demands time and space to heal and slows one down considerably. A camera demands repair or an upgrade, but with insurance and a spare wheel, it was as good as new.
There were a couple of highlights back home on our continent. We’ve held elections, not once but twice in Kenya…and there was regime change in Zimbabwe. I must admit, Zim was a big surprise. The army took over in one of the most peaceful revolutions witnessed on the African continent. Many folks never thought they’d live to see the end of Mugabe’s era, and especially not in this military-style ‘is it a coup or not‘ kinda way.
My personal highlight would ideally be the time I spent frolicking on Montenegro‘s beautiful sun-kissed beaches; but it was not…(though I so needed that downtime); rather it was the Bonn media conference.
Sitting through some of the plenary sessions, I felt the conference was ‘missing’ some people; the political satirism of the XYZ show would have been a good fit here me thinks. I hope the organizers of the Deutsche Welle 2018 conference will include the XYZ show in their conference next year.
I also missed the presence of seasoned African journalists. Getting visas in time may or may not have been part of the challenges faced as an impediment to them attending this important media conference.
I’m eager nevertheless, to see where this coming year will take us. The us being the media fraternity. I know I will spend part of 2018 on the African continent.
I’d love to see more representation of the African continent when it comes to the global travel blogging conversations; more and more Africans are trotting the globe which is a good thing. Europe is a favorite of many due to the abundance of travel possibilities buoyed up by great infrastructure, curated budget trips and the strict adherence to time and schedules. Things run smoothly in Europe like a well oiled machine.
Asia is another favorite because they take tourists seriously. The region is backpacker friendly with cheap living (depending on the country, of course) a variety of exotic tasty food, hospitable locals and lots to do and see.
Africa as a region treads slowly behind as everything is geared to those with deep pockets. As an example, I stayed in a four star-hotel in Bangkok for six days and spent roughly 100 dollars equivalent…If I booked a four-star hotel in Nairobi for the same price, it would likely offer me just a day with very few perks if any. Then in almost every country on the continent, there are different rates; much cheaper for residents and wildly overpriced for non-residents.
We should visit Africa nevertheless, we should try to at least, mostly because Africa is not a country but is a continent teeming with ambitious and talented locals having a burning desire to show you their countries and to shake off every stereotype shadowing or boxing them into a single narrative, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie so articulately expressed in her piece, “The danger of a single story.”
As a fitting ode to the close of 2017, I dedicate a whole post to kickass influencers based on the continent. These influencers have sparked and lead conversation in their individual capacities. They remain authentic to their art, and it has been a blast following their journeys vicariously. Mostly, they help me feel connected and a little less homesick, as they share stories and take Instagram worthy shots.
So here goes in no particular order;
Irene Koki Mutungi
My last memory of Irene just before connecting with her again on Facebook and Instagram, was of this spunky, sportive friendly girl. She grew up and went on to train as a pilot. That’s right. A pilot. In 2014, she became the first female African pilot to fly the Kenya Airways Boeing dreamliner. I hope that on one of my gambols she’ll be the captain of the flight. I so look forward to that day.
Jackson Biko
If you live in the East, South or Central African region, and are a young middle class girl or guy, you surely must have heard or read Jackson’s work. He has a mastery of word play and descriptive writing; and makes his audience feel like a fly on the wall as he draws them into everyday occurrences in his world. A couple of his stories that have gone viral include; ‘Visa denied,’ ‘Letter to Kenyans abroad‘ and the sad and shocking tale of a woman’s life in the Democratic Republic of Congo captured in, ‘There were birds but they did not sing.’ Biko has garnered several awards in his capacity as a freelancer contributing on several platforms like his blog, Msafiri, True Love, Business daily and Mantalk. He has written a book, and holds a Master Class every quarter or so.
Martha Mukaiwa
Martha is a freelance arts, entertainment and travel writer as well as a weekly columnist living in Windhoek, Namibia. She is a wordsmith extraordinaire with an entertaining way of presenting her stories; be it daily life in Namibia, or critiquing restaurants in the region or travel tales in South East Asia. Some of her stories that have gone viral include; Traveling while African, the logical reaction, hello chocolate and two travelers. Her work can be viewed at the Namibian, Matador Network, Quartz or even on her personal blog.
Chick about town
Looking to travel within the East African region? Your best bet for loads of info would be the Chick about Town blog. She gives entertaining stories and never shies away from controversy. Her honesty and sass always keeps us coming to her blog for more, whether her writing gives directions to great products and services within the region, or even her favorite contraceptives.
Ugaasaada
I went to Mogadishu in the summer of 2015, a longtime dream that had finally come to fruition. Ugaasaada was one of the people I stumbled upon while researching about life in Mogadishu before I left for Somalia. What begun as humorous clips showcasing daily life in Somalia for Somalis living in the diaspora has grown into Instagram stardom
as Ugaasadda humanizes the Somali capital.
Any other African influencers I have left out but you feel should have made this list? Please mention them in the comment section below.
Categories: World
Travelogues of an African Girl 
This is nice Caroline and very interesting!
I sometimes enjoy reading posts from bloggers who are based in Asia and Africa. I used to follow at least 20 just because it’s interesting to see their points of view, but I believe that I’ve cancelled them all leaving just 9! Three of them, I know personally (Indian & the Philippines), 2 others are based in India, and 2 are based in Indonesia, and 2 are based in China! I used to follow 2 bloggers from South Africa too, but their blogging was so sporadic, or they would only write a few sentences, that I stopped following!
Having said this, I’ve been through the influencers that you recommended, and I find the “Letter to Kenyans abroad” by Jackson Biko hilarious. Is he connected to Steve Biko the freedom fighter? Martha Mukaiwa sounds interesting about her time in Thailand. But I particularly like Ugaasaada as she shows Somalia as being just another place where people live, work, and go shopping, just like any other place on earth rather than starving weeping Africans with bloated stomachs living on straw! I mean, they exist of curse, but that isn’t all that Africa is about!
‘Shame I’m not on Instagram!
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Thank you for going through the post! Much appreciated.
I wish you were on Instagram. It’s a nice platform to share your journey and I’ve seen you take really awesome pictures that would inspire many!
I agree…Africa is much much more.😊
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Insttagram? Ha! Ha! Ha! No thanks! 😀
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😄😅😊
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I would add Thuli Madonsela to the list.
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Lemme Google her…Thanks annpappas!
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Hi Caroline,
Thanks a mill for the mention—I am so honored. You know I am a big fan and faithful reader of your blog too!
I’ve discovered a couple of African influencers through this post. I can’t wait to dig further into their stuff.
Happy holidays!
Biche
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Happy holidays dear Biche! Keep on with the great work and keep representing East Africa as you do! Here’s to more travel stories in 2018! 😊🎉🎈🎊🎁✈
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To more travel stories in 2018. Happy new year!! 🙂
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Chick around town sounds great and l am going to check her out. Like Victoria, I am so bored with IG and have cancelled my massplanner plan so hardly go on it but once a week or so. I hear you about the insane prices. I wanted to visit Tanzania with my brother in November and coming from Nigeria, the prices were so insane..like 3 times the cost of what it costs coming from Spain that we scrapped it and went to Dubai instead. Kind of sad. I still keep an eye out for good deals though as l want to see more of Africa.
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Thank you Kemkem!
I always advise folks that the wisest way to do Africa is to get a local to hold your hand. The prices are insane otherwise and everyone thinks you’re a tourist and gives you non-resident rates..😢
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Hi KemKem,
You are warmly welcome to check out my blog and Insta feed. The exorbitant prices to Tanzania, were they mostly due to airfare?
Biche
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Thanks for sharing this list. I too am African (and a newbie blogger) and I’m constantly looking for African bloggers who are not just content creators and/ or influencers on social media. It’s important to tell our stories, share our experiences and really tell people what it’s like to live or travel in Africa, or travel as an African beyond beautiful photos. I’m excited to read and see the work of the people you mentioned. || http://www.lorikemi.com
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Thank you Lori, I will check out your blog. It’s true..really important to share our experiences and tell our stories and just be out there.
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