Adventures To Fill Your Soul
Getting into travel can be both intimidating and exciting, and for many of us, the thought of being in faraway lands fills us with dread. Rejoice Nxumalo makes this experience memorable through her travel agency
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and in Rejoice Nxumalo’s case, her travel album speaks a million words. Under her own travel planning business, The Afreakan Dream, Nxumalo has travelled over 40 countries, sometimes twice. She has dined in France, stomped on grapes in Italy, woven carpets in Persia, shopped in London, and danced in Mozambique. Through it all, Rejoice has captured every moment and got a t-shirt for it all.
After leaving her cushy research job, she went to live in the US with her husband, who was an actor in The Lion King. She had started small – exploring the US, when she decided to travel the world, sometimes with her children in tow. “Travel does something deeper than just an Instagramable moment. It almost seems spiritual, like I was born to wander,” she says. “Travel fuels my fire, soothes my soul ... it rejuvenates and excites me every time I see new places, meet people, experience cultures, and taste delicious cuisine.”
Rejoice wanted to share these moments with fellow South Africans. “I offer personalised trip planning from A-Z, taking the stress out of planning and ensuring the best experiences. I am a researcher, so I find joy in discovering exciting destinations.” Asked what her greatest travel moments have been, Rejoice says it has been experiences that she has shared – both jovial and “flexibility inducing ”– times with her clients and friends. “It’s difficult to single out one experience All my stays have been great, but the Europe trip is by far the most memorable. I had planned to visit five countries, but ended up travelling 11 countries and 23 cities.” And the worst? “The difference between a disaster and adventure is your attitude. I don’t have the worst stay. Everything is an experience for me, nomatterhowdifferent.Youcanbeinayachtsippingonthemost expensivechampagneandstillbemiserable,andfindyourpeace in a budget hotel with a cheap bottle of wine and have the time of your life.”
It is for these reasons that she asks personality-analysis questions to clients who come to her without a clue of where they would like to go. “I have this love affair with oceans and sunsets. But I have a number of clients who would call that experience “roughing it out”. For other travellers, the idea is to break a certain norm and they prefer their itinerary to be more soothing than what we could offer high adrenaline junkies who would want a bungee jumping activity over high tea in their package.”
Her travel packages range from family holidays to divorce therapy getaways. “The idea is to make sure that every item serves the purpose of the holiday. I had to arrange a getaway for a soon-to-be-wed couple and the bride was later left jilted at the altar. She decided to go to the honeymoon despite, or maybe because of the trauma, and guess what? She found someone from the same hotel where she thought she’d spend the entire time wallowing in her situation. That’s what travel does. It’s very rewarding,” Rejoice explains.
IS IT expensive to travel? Expensive is relative, but NO travel does not need to be expensive. For example, if you can’t afford to fly to Cape Town, take a bus. Nowadays there is all kinds of accommodation – from Airbnb, hostels, motels and B&Bs to five-star rated establishments. There’s something for everyone.
What do you think DISCOURAGES South Africans from travelling? The notion that travelling is expensive, and generally, a fear of the unknown.
What has been the most difficult experience in your business? By far, dealing with Covid-19 has been the most difficult. No one knows what to expect. People can’t plan, some can’t afford anymore, and most are simply scared.
What advice would you give to people who love to travel but have no budget for it? Just like with everything else in your life, you have to save money and stick to it. I launched Afreakan Dream Travel club for people to save money for travel with us because if you save it yourself, you may use it when other important matters arise.
What are things to consider before hitting the road? Learn as much as you can about the place you are visiting. Do research on the laws, safety, culture, and what you can expect. Don’t overdo it though. Just go on an adventure.
How have you managed to travel with kids in tow?
Thank goodness, my kids are disciplined and enjoy travelling. Kids are easy to please; just have enough food. Now we mostly road trip to our destinations.
Are you ever too young, too old or too busy to travel? No. My daughter’s first international trip was at six weeks.
A granny did Cape to Cairo at 80. The sooner you explore, the better, before those knees refuse to climb mountains.
If it is important for you to travel, make time. Travel is part of self-care; you can’t be too busy. ■
Socials: Instagram: @rejoice_ afreakandreamtraveller
Facebook: @www.afreakandreamtravel