1 April 2015 Encouraging the Travel Culture in Africa

Africa offers a rich variety of cultural experiences, there is nothing quite like it. It's an exquisite blend of the good, the bad and the ugly. The travel culture within the continent has yet to be completely embraced by Africans. In many cases, if special occasions are not involved, the preferable thing to do is to stay put in the comfort zones but there is so much to explore in Africa. It is almost as though it is preferable to travel to “exotic” destinations in Europe rather than explore the fascinating places within the rich African continent.

Domestic travel ought to be better encouraged, the potentials of many African destinations remain untapped. Many African mountains remain “un-climbed” and the hiking trails “un-treaded”. Jovago.com brings you 5 reasons why you should explore the bountiful African continent...

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
Traveling would open your mind to realities different from yours allowing you see the world from a different vantage point. Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro is a great way to start, if that's too adventurous for you, the exotic island of Seychelles is a more suitable option!

“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb
Make friends from each state on the continent if possible! You may think the cultures and people are different but opening yourself up to the world as you travel will help you see just how interconnected everyone and everything is. Perhaps chilling on the Kiwayu Island in Kenya could win you some friends from the Eastern part of Africa.

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang
Tired of the routine? Then it's high-time you pack your bags and take that long-awaited break! Don't limit yourself to just the luxuries, get a tour guide and explore the crevices of perhaps Nigeria or Ghana, undoubtedly you would appreciate everything in your life a little more. And remember, there's nothing quite like your old comfy pillow.

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson
Travel enhances your ability to perceive and understand the dynamics at play wherever you go. Frolicking in Uganda's Lake Bunyonyi may give you sustainable ideas for that lake in your hometown.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Venture out, be adventurous, surprise yourself. Travel is your chance to go out of your comfort zone! Better to “just do it” now, than to regret later. Take that plunge!

Quotes curbed from the Matador Network.

About Jovago
Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with offices in Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Dakar (Senegal) founded by Africa Internet Group and has MTN and Millicom as investors. Jovago.com, Africa's No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and easy-to-use services. Jovago.com has over 20,000 local hotel listings across Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.

About AIG
Africa Internet Group introduces and accelerates the online shift in Africa – for its people and its culture. It is committed to running successful and vibrant internet companies which boost the evolution of African online culture. AIG is the parent group of nine successful and fast-growing companies in more than 26 African countries, accounting for over 3,500 staff. AIG cares about entrepreneurship and brings together all the key elements required to build great companies: team, concept, technology and capital. Its network of companies includes JUMIA, Kaymu, Hellofood, Lamudi, Carmudi, Zando, Jovago, Lendico and Easy Taxi.