Kristin Addis, a solo female travel expert from Be My Travel Muse, shares her experiences and advice on solo travel every month. This time, she’s talking about her unforgettable Thanksgiving in Tofo, Mozambique. She was surrounded by a diverse group of people, all of whom had found their way to this corner of the world just like she had – through word of mouth. They were all thankful for the moment, and their expressions of gratitude were deeply moving.
Before this, Kristin had been scared of traveling through Mozambique. There was a lot of uncertainty and not many answers online. She knew a little about the country from her South African friends. Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony recovering from a civil war that ended in 1992, is a coastal country bordering South Africa’s east coast. It’s stunningly beautiful, with fresh seafood and long stretches of beaches with endless sand bars and baby-blue water.
However, traveling through Mozambique isn’t easy. The police are corrupt, the local buses (known as chapas) are overcrowded, and scams are common. There’s some tourist infrastructure in a few places, but mostly, it’s full of bad roads and mysteries. Online information about the country is scarce and often discouraging, especially for solo female travelers.
But Kristin remembered that there are many misconceptions about Africa. People often forget about the kind people, beautiful landscapes, good food, and unique adventures that can be found there. She had experienced this when she first went to South Africa, despite warnings about Ebola, rape, and violence. With the right precautions, she found that fear is often more limiting than helpful.
When it came to Mozambique, she realized that her fear was irrational. Traveling to a country with little information is just like traveling to any other place. You figure out the visa requirements, get the right immunizations, ask locals for the best transport method, and ask locals at your first stop about where to go. You stay friendly and inquisitive upon arrival, and deal with taxi drivers and border crossing guards confidently.
Traveling in Mozambique was just like traveling to any other place she had visited. She figured it out as she went, asked locals and expats questions whenever she got the chance, and realized there was no reason to be worried. There were a few dangerous situations, like the overcrowded chapas, but she managed to navigate them.
There were also times when things didn’t make sense, like having to go to the airport to book a flight because the online systems weren’t working. But she learned to adapt to the local norms, like ordering food two hours in advance, and dealing with strange police fines.
Despite the challenges, Mozambique was breathtaking and full of smiles. Kristin learned a lot about the culture, humanity, and patience while she was there. She was invited to experience "the real Mozambique" and made many new friends. It was a challenging and rewarding experience, made even better by the beautiful white-sand beaches, aquamarine waters, whale sharks, and devil rays. And all this for less than $30 USD per day!
The country wasn’t as scary or expensive as she had been led to believe. She was glad she didn’t let her fear stop her from having a wonderful travel experience. She met an amazing group of people, took on a challenge solo, and proved to herself that she was capable. She got to know a new country that few people visit intimately, and the good times far outweighed the bad.
Kristin’s story is a reminder that it just takes a little courage, overcoming fear, and confidence in yourself to have a wonderful travel experience. You can find more of her musings at Be My Travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.
