Traveling as a Woman in Africa

How many times have you heard the sentences: ''It's dangerous there!'',
''But you're a woman, what if something happens to you?'', ''Don't you dare walk around alone!''
And my favorite—''Maybe change your destination??''
I've heard these sentences countless times, mostly from friends who are afraid of Africa itself.
And yet—I decided to travel alone.

There's a saying I heard a few years ago that goes 'Nothing stands in your way except yourself',
I wanted to see Africa and experience it from the perspective of the people who live in it, and the only thing standing between me and my dream was me.
The fears flooded in and somewhat paralyzed me because 'what if something happens to me? I'm a woman alone...'
I decided to at least try, and worst-case scenario, I get on a plane and head back home.

When I landed in Tanzania I went through my first crisis: people put their hands on me,

on the street as I walked and in restaurants where I sat.

Culture shock. (It's important to understand that this phenomenon usually happens out of cultural curiosity, and that the concept of "personal space" exists in a completely different way in certain cultures on this amazing continent).

The first thing I did was call my mom crying. And believe it or not, both men and women will experience various cases like this, don't forget that you are in Africa and the culture is different.

I refused to swallow the bitter pill and accept the touching and the lack of personal space. I wanted my personal space back, so to anyone who ever came and tried to touch me, I explained that I have a boyfriend—and that they respect.

You just need to find the point or reason that will make them stop. I tried talking, explaining, and I even compared their law to ours—at home people are judged in court for something like this, but for them there's no such thing for a curious touch. (And I've been to Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Namibia. Of course everything differs from country to country and I'm not generalizing).

Over time I felt my independence starting to develop (and believe me, in the market in Tel Aviv I don't bargain with the vendor over the price), I started finding myself bargaining over everything. Independence grows for anyone who travels, and especially for anyone traveling alone. Whether it's looking for buses, places to stay, or just wandering the streets to observe the locals...

The great advantage of traveling alone is meeting more people, getting to know them deeply, and the knowledge that I am not dependent on anyone to simply be spontaneous and do whatever I want.

One day I met a girl in a remote village in Uganda who invited me to her home. I met her entire family, we cooked food together (an experience in itself), and I spent hours at their house. It all started because I asked if she needed help carrying firewood, simple as that. And I was alone, privileged to decide whatever felt right to me.

Throughout the trip I met different people from different countries who added to the backpacking experience, and everyone always asked what it's like to be a woman

and travel alone??

At first I would think for a few moments about an answer, after all it seemed so obvious to me.. what's different from a man traveling alone? The dangers lurking for me lurk for men too, with all that implies.

After the long moments I took for myself, leaving everyone in suspense, I answered that I was having fun, I couldn't ask for a better experience for myself. The crazy independence, the difficulty that comes and builds resilience, and the people I meet along the way.

''And how do you walk around alone?'' was the second question.

Here the answer is more complex: ''I don't walk around alone in the dark. During the day I walk around wherever I want, but in the dark.. not alone.''

''So how do you go out and enjoy yourself?''

So I go out when I meet tourists or Israelis, go out with them to parties and pubs.. but alone? In the dark? That's a risk I preferred not to take.

But don't limit yourselves! Always be careful, like anywhere in the world, do whatever makes you feel safe in everything. You don't need to be paranoid, fear shouldn't paralyze you. Even if I'm a little afraid, that's not what will keep me in my room, I came to see Africa.

And I was never robbed or close to it. The bag on my back and the money inside, and nobody came close.

Traveling solo means facing many tough moments that you don't always have someone to share with. There are times when your strength runs out and you just want to rest for a few days, without traveling or walking around. Giving your body a little rest and letting your mind relax from just thinking about where I'll sleep tomorrow. And sometimes you just want to go home to mom's food (the food in Africa is good, don't panic. And even as a vegetarian, I always had something to eat).

Confidence while traveling comes from the traveler and how they feel in the environment they are walking in. I decided to walk with confidence as I walked around, talked with people, and learned about them, about African culture, and the story behind the person standing in front of me.

And I was fortunate to travel solo, fortunate not to live inside the backpacker bubble, but to truly experience the place I was in, to make decisions on my own, and to do whatever I felt like without considering other people (selfish or not, that's reality).

And I was happy when I walked around alone, took risks in my adventure, and was also careful, met people who did me good and taught me important life lessons, and most importantly - I learned to know myself better.

And nothing compares to the huge satisfaction that I did it all by myself, the feeling of victory over our society, which sometimes looks askance at women who want to travel solo. There is nothing to fear, we are no different from anyone else. Only we stand in our own way. And the moment you set foot in Africa - you won't want to leave.

Every woman can do it!