Traveler Interviews April 2020 Guest: Afrika Travel – Nihan Konak

April 2020 guest of Traveler Interviews is Nihan Konak, aka Afrika Travel, who lives in Mauritius with her son and husband and has made travel the center of her life. Nihan has lived in different African countries such as Kenya and Congo with her family since 2007, and her last stop was Mauritius.

Our paths crossed with Nihan thanks to her Instagram account, where she shared the beauties of the little-known island country Mauritius and her African experiences. Our friendship, which started in the digital world, turned into coffee conversations when he came to Turkey. Nihan provides support in travel planning for those who want to travel to Africa, and organizes tours, especially in Mauritius.

Nihan's instagram account @africa_travel Don't forget to follow.

Let's get to our interview. I asked Nihan 10 questions about her love of traveling, Africa and many more. He answered without hesitation. I hope you will take a journey with us as you read!

First, can you briefly tell us about yourself, who is Afrika Travel, what does it do? How did this love of traveling begin? 

Hello, my name is Nihan Konak. In 2009, we moved abroad with an offer to my wife from the company she worked for. We have lived in 11 different countries in Africa for 3 years. We also have a son who will turn 13 in June.

Until 2009, I was working in a corporate company in Turkey. Between 2009 and 2018, I did volunteer work in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I traveled mainly in Africa and became a university student again. I am currently dealing with tourism business in Mauritius where I live.

For as long as I can remember, we used to travel mainly in the country with my family. When my wife was also a travel lover, we continued on the road together.

What does traveling mean to you? Which one is wandering, escaping, going away, seeing new places, meeting new people, getting out of the novelty routine? What is the motivation that drives you? 

In fact, a little bit of everything you mentioned, but mostly discovering new places, new people and cultures.

Traveling at first meant only going to popular countries and not very long touristic trips for me. Over the years, it gained a different dimension: The countries I wanted to go to became less developed and less known. Of course, the fact that I live in Africa plays a big part in this. What is important to me now in my travels is not the “Top 10 places to see” lists, but discovering as much as possible by living to the fullest in the regions of the country I have visited. I feel that the 1 week – 10 days allocated to travel is not enough. My biggest wish is to be able to travel for months in a single country. Let's see when I can do it.

In short, traveling is an addiction for me. At the end of each trip, I am one of those who dream and plan for the next flight on the plane before I get home.

You are currently living in Mauritius, which is little known in Turkey. How is it to live abroad, can you travel there more easily and often within Africa? Do you have any advice for those who want to settle abroad?

Living abroad is a choice for me. Of course, like every choice we make in life, there are both things they bring and take away. But if I want to be happy in life, I think I can be anywhere and I am…

I owe that to the last 11 years of my life.

I wouldn't say traveling within Africa is easy. Africa is a very costly destination. As African lover, we allocate most of our travel budget to this continent. We haven't finished yet.

Recently, I have been getting a lot of messages from Turks who want to move abroad. It needs to be evaluated in every aspect. I think they should first contact an embassy if there is one. If conditions allow, they should definitely make an expedition before moving and talk to the Turks living there.
get in touch.

You have lived in different countries in Africa, do you have anything to add about life in Africa?

Living conditions in Africa are very difficult. People live daily, so all they think about is being able to fill their stomachs and survive that day. For me, Africa changed my priorities in life and made me who I am today.
my home made.

Among the places you have been to so far, what are the places that impressed you the most, what is your favorite place/s? Why? 

All of them are very different. But for me, Madagascar and Ethiopia always have a different place. I've been to Madagascar twice. There are still places I have not seen, I am waiting for the time when I can go again. The fact that Madagascar is the second largest island country in the world is a reason in itself. Since it is an island, almost all of the vegetation and animals can be seen in their natural habitat only in Madagascar.
The profile of the island people becomes a separate thesis topic.

️Ethiopia, on the other hand, makes you feel as if you have traveled to another century from the very first moment. In its North and South, life, culture and human profile are completely different. Tribal life in the south seems to you
It makes you feel like you're in a documentary. You find it hard to believe that people in the 21st century still live under these conditions and so attached to their traditions.

Where did you make your first trip abroad? What would you do differently if you went to the same place today? 

My first trip abroad was to Egypt with my family at the beginning of secondary school. In my child and pre-adolescent minds at that time, I could not understand why we went to Egypt and not Paris. My current mind is not willing to see Europe at all.
değil

if not Africa...

What has been the most interesting thing that has happened to you on your travels so far? Maybe you can tell us a few stories. 

The first thing that comes to my mind is that I was attacked by a rather large baboon in Kenya. Luckily I had no trouble as I knew what to do. But the fear was enough.

Secondly, when I woke up in the morning on our first trip to Madagascar, I was eye-to-eye with the huge cockroach in the mosquito net.

One of the most asked questions is, where does the water of the mill come from to travel so much? 

Travel is the biggest cost in our life. Therefore, we do not spend money on anything that is not needed. Both my wife and I work and invest in travel. To me, it's a matter of priority. Some
If you can give up on things, you must have a budget for a trip.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for those who say they want to go away too? 

I always say this; Traveling is not necessarily going out of the country. It can be starting with small steps, exploring the city you live in or traveling around the country. Let's say you want to go abroad; Midterm exam
There are countries that do not want to and can be reached by land, you can arrange your accommodation for free with applications such as Couchsurfing.

After you want to travel, there is always a starting route.

Finally, my classic question: “Does he who reads a lot or does he who travels a lot?”

I can't think of the two separately. If we do not read and travel a lot, how can we apply it to life?

I would like to thank Nihan for her sincere answers and heart-warming and energizing photos. If you are planning a trip to Africa, I strongly recommend that you get Nihan's opinion and support. It is not easy to find someone who knows the black continent so well.

Nihan's Instagram account: @Afrika_Travel

Stay home for now!