The brain recognises awe-inspiring experiences garnered through travel as rewards. Experiences like walking through a boulevard of gigantic baobab trees in Madagascar, swimming to breakfast in Lake Malawi, surrounded by colourful fish, enjoying a castaway picnic on a toast-coloured sandbar, the warm Indian Ocean lapping at your feet, for example, get racked up in the brain’s equivalent of a premium bank account. And, just like a real-life bank account generates interest, our brain’s reward centre seeds more interest, creating the desire to repeat the experience as a well-being measure.
It’s time to make a deposit in your brain’s happiness bank, Image Credit: Kaya Mawa Lodge
Homo sapiens are a social species, and the positive effects on our spiritual happiness increase exponentially when we travel with loved ones. Memorable travel adventures flood the brain with dopamine, signalling that we are thriving beyond mere survival.
Africa is a natural choice for human rewilding; however, in this blog, I’ll highlight a few of Africa’s countries that pick the human rewilding lock with awe-inspiring finesse where you can lose and find yourself in their immersive embrace.
Lose and find yourself in Africa’s immersive embrace, Image Credit: andBeyond
Travel Inspiration on Repeat
Have you ever felt that a specific destination calls your name repeatedly? Can you count the times you’ve been there? Was your trip a solo adventure? Or did you visit with your partner, family and friends?
You may return to the same spot time after time. Each time, the connection deepens, and you feel more and more at home. You may find the siren song to return to a destination calls you to the same continent but to explore another country.
Each time I return to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, my soul is soothed. I adore the sun-tropical landscape, the diverse ecology and incredible opportunities to encounter the wonderful wildlife.
On my horizon is Kenya for a future-forward safari. There are many wonderful examples of sustainable tourism within the borders of this beautiful East African country.
The siren song of Africa will entice your return
Getting Back to Our Roots
If you’ve not yet heard of the new buzz term “human rewilding”, it involves reconnecting with nature and exploring untouched landscapes, getting reacquainted with the primordial side of our humanity through pared-back experiences steeped in nature.
Some interpret it as foraging for food and adopting a Paleolithic lifestyle where we return to a lifestyle dictated by nature’s rhythms, opting for non-processed foods and prioritising sleep and physical activity.
Through this approach to daily living, we reconnect with our intrinsic human spirit, peeling back the layers of modern convenience that separate us from our humanity.
Experience human rewilding – where life feels raw, real, and refreshingly grounded in nature, Image Credit: Four Seasons
Places That Make You Go “Mmmmm”
Discover how Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique perfectly characterise Africa’s natural beauty. Understand how nature, wildlife and culture in these unique countries can restore your world-weary spirit through a deep connection.
Madagascar – The Island of Biodiversity
- Unique Flora and Fauna: Madagascar is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth, such as lemurs and baobab trees. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this unique biodiversity.
- Natural Wonders: The Avenue of the Baobabs and Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park are iconic natural landmarks. Madagascar’s diverse ecosystems range from lush rainforests to arid deserts.
Embrace rewilding among the ancient roots of the “Tree of Life”
Malawi – The Warm Heart of Africa
Lake Malawi: Lake Malawi is renowned for its clear waters and unique species of colourful fish called cichlids. It’s a haven for water activities like snorkelling, diving, and kayaking, ideal for adventurous honeymooners and families seeking a spellbinding holiday steeped in nature.
Majestic Mountains and Wildlife: Mount Mulanje offers breathtaking hiking trails. Liwonde National Park is prime for seeing elephants, hippos, and other wildlife. The Zomba Plateau serves up views for days.
Discover Malawi’s wild side with a boat safari in Liwonde National Park, Image credit: Malawi Tourism
Mozambique – The Coastal Gem
Pristine Beaches and Marine Life: The Bazaruto Archipelago boasts stunning beaches and rich marine life, including dolphins and whale sharks. It’s a paradise for divers. Explore Gorongosa National Park to commune with nature in a once war-ravaged wilderness undergoing restoration on an epic scale.
Cultural Richness: Mozambique’s culture blends African, Portuguese, and Arab influences. Historical sites like Ilha de Moçambique reflect this rich heritage.
There’s always more to explore in Mozambique, Image Credit: &Beyond
Start Your Human Rewilding Journey at Home
In between your travel adventures, here are four tips for paving the way to human rewilding at home to keep your inspiration levels topped up.
1. Create a Natural Space
Designate a part of your home or garden as a natural sanctuary. Fill it with plants, natural materials, a minor water feature, rockery, succulent collection or a desk zen garden. Connect with nature daily in this humble space and interact with the natural elements.
2. Unplug and Disconnect
Set aside regular times to step away from digital devices, instead allowing yourself to connect to nature, such as reading a book outdoors, gardening, or walking in a nearby park. Try to walk barefoot as part of your grounding practice. Try to work a device-free hour (TV, kindle, phones) into your schedule to give your brain time to wind down before bedtime.
3. Grow Your Food
Start a small vegetable or herb garden. If you don’t have a garden or allotment, create a vertical garden or put a few pots on your kitchen windowsill. Getting your hands into the soil and growing fresh produce helps you reconnect with the natural cycles of planting, cultivating, and harvesting. It also builds a sense of self-sufficiency and achievement that promotes mental health.
4. Nature-filled Hobbies, Home or Away
Cultivate hobbies such as birdwatching, stargazing, or nature journaling that you can do from home or further afield. These practices encourage you to observe and appreciate the natural world around you, fostering a deeper connection with nature. Walk barefoot outside on the grass or next to the ocean.
Birdwatching is a wonderful way to appreciate the natural world around you, Image Credit: Simbavati
Craving Africa: Always More to Explore
Return to Africa and visit Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique to take your African experience to new heights. These dreamy destinations are bound to leave you craving more and your brain’s reward centre very happy.
Whether you’re returning to Africa for rewilding or visiting for the first time, Rhino Africa’s Travel Experts are here to turn your travel dreams into reality.
