For far too long the perspectives of travel and expat life in Africa have been dominated by White voices.
I can remember the months leading up to my 2010 move to Namibia. I scoured the Internet for blogs, advice, reflections… anything that told the experience of a present day African American’s life on continental Africa.
The viewpoints from Black foreigners visiting or living on the African continent were disappointingly scarce. I yearned to know how a Black American female might be received in a certain African nation. Yet I could only find stories related to how Whites and their complexions made them stick out like sore thumbs.
I wanted to know what it felt like to step foot onto the continent of which our ancestors were stolen. Most of my Google searches listed tales of white travelers and fascinations with game drives and village children.
I knew that the experience of an African American traveler would be vastly different from that of a Caucasian. Yet these perspectives were extremely hard to come by. Not enough of us were sharing our experiences and few African Americans seemed to be visiting the African continent on a whole. Europe, yes. The Caribbean, yes. Asia, yes. However Africa was seemingly unchartered territory for the majority of the African American travel community.
I somewhat blindly stepped onto the continent. Nevertheless, I called on my own experiences of living in the Caribbean nation of Barbados. Luckily, there were subtle similarities between Namibian life and Bajan life that made my initial experiences in Namibia seem less foreign.
A few years later, I was drawn to share my experience in Namibia on Youtube, with a specific emphasis on my life as an African American in Africa. That ultimately led me to create this website, to chronicle the story of modern day African Americans living across the African continent.
Why is our story so important?
To amplify the voice of the African American traveler/expat in Africa.
The voices and perspectives of African American travelers in Africa desperately needs to be amplified. As people of African descent, we have a particularly important story to tell. Our reconnections, welcoming, and struggles among countless other experiences are all of unique and valuable significance.
To encourage more people of color to move to or visit Africa.
There are many misconceptions and unknowns about life on the African continent. Topics such as traveling costs, health, safety, and supposed strife are deterring too many diasporians from experiencing African travel. The mere fact that there are African Americans living across Africa will encourage and offer clarity to other people of color who have uncertainties about visiting the continent.
To narrow the gaps within the African diaspora.
By sharing our stories, we can begin to bridge the centuries old gaps within the Africa diaspora. By broadcasting my experiences in Namibia alone on the Internet, I have made rich connections with Africans and diasporians from all over the world. Publicizing our experiences also connects those of us who have moved to the continent, forming a much-needed tribe of support.
To educate others about the endless cultures and communities across the African continent.
One of my favorite past times is learning about the various African societies. By sharing our experiences across the continent, we can educate and offer clarity to others about what modern-day African life is like.
For record keeping and to pave the way for future generations of Black travelers.
Without our voices, future diasporian travelers may begin their continental experiences armed with little advice and resources. Much of our histories were lost due to colonialism. This is also why sharing and recording our continental travel experiences is crucial for future generations as well as for the Black narrative.
Are you an African American living on the African continent who would like to share your experience? Or do you know one who does? Get in touch at, afroamericaninafrica@gmail.com!
bronzevoices says
Agreed
Kaylan (Admin) says
Thanks for reading!
Lalaphansil says
I have been following your youtube videos and reading your articles on your website. I have enjoyed the information very much. I am a citizen of Botswana and I went to Namibia in 1998, an experience I enjoyed and I hope to visit again. What you are doing is what BBC, CNN and all these other major news networks have failed to do. Again, thank you for showing the world another African angle they don’t see on mainstream TV.
Kaylan (Admin) says
Thank you so much for the kind words and continued support! I sincerely appreciate it!
Chavunduka says
fortunately, my google searches led to you. you’re so awesome!
Eric Madden says
Great read. We are already making plans to visit. This Website is a huge motivator in that decision. Thank you so much.
mzkim815 says
Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences in Namibia. I am “Africa curious.” Meaning I am so interested in visiting but somewhat apprehensive. Your videos and website have made me start planning a trip in the future. I know it will be life changing.❤
Kaylan (Admin) says
That’s exciting news! All of the best in your travels!
Kaylan (Admin) says
Thank you and all the best in your travel plans!
Cres B. says
Great site, I think this could be a nice resource for establishing a network. From the little research I’ve done most African Americans seem to favor Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania. Tanzania has my interest, their political system seems to have the brightest future of the three. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about Frank Weston of IMSCO but he is very active with the duel citizenship issue, he also has a great must read book for any African in the diaspora considering resettling in Africa.
Thanks for sharing your experience, I wish great things for you and your family!
Kaylan (Admin) says
Thank you so much! I hadn’t heard of Frank Weston, but just googled him and will but definitely purchase his book and share it with my followers, thanks for letting me know. Tanzania is actually one of the top places on the continent that I’d like to see.. I can’t wait to visit myself!
Umar Mohammed says
I just got hooked to your channel my sister. I have already started asking my friends to like and watch your videos. You are an inspiration. Really. You seem so down to earth and not very aesthetically centered. Your emersion into the village life is what got me believing you really truly mean to come part of Namibia. Your wedding and all the luxuries you forwent was truly amazing. I wish and hope other African American ladies would learn from you. You my sister is a gem for us all. You are humble. You chose a simple guy who loves his roots and is willing to do local farming and local life. You married him and accepted his family. I can keep on rambling but I sure think you are such an amazing woman and a role model both for African women and African American women and us brothers as well. I have finished watching all your videos. Let more flow. All the best. And lest I forget, your baby is so cute and such a bundle of joy and happiness. Looks a lot like his father too. You should definitely visit Ghana. I am from Ghana, now getting a PhD in Texas. Can’t wait to go back home.
Kaylan (Admin) says
Thank you for the wonderful words of support! Visiting Ghana is definitely in my plans for the future!
Maya says
You have such a great site with beautiful pictures. I’m headed to Africa this summer for the first time and am beyond excited. You are so right about the scarce viewpoints. Can’t wait to have my own experience to tell, but glad to have found your site to read as well.
Kaylan (Admin) says
Hi Maya! Thank you so much for the kind words! Wishing you all the best on your summer trip! So exciting!
Monica says
I wholeheartedly agree with this blog entry! I found your youtube videos while researching my butt off trying to prepare for my upcoming travels. I have read countless travel blogs and watched countless youtube videos, trying my best to prepare for extended slow travel, and you are absolutely right, the overwhelming bulk of the blogs are written by and for white travelers, and it simply isn’t a one size fits all in terms of experiences abroad. While I have been able to find a handful of Black travel bloggers, I think I have only come across one who has traveled Africa, so their experiences about southeast Asians touching their hair, or rural Europeans’ reactions at seeing a Black person for the first time in their lives isn’t relevant for me…(although I do know that I was easily recognizable as a foreigner in Ghana, but it wasn’t in an alien sort of way, more people assumed Eritrean than American before I opened my mouth to speak)
Also, I’m not a poverty tourism seeker at all, and many of my internet searches about Africa travel are full of white travelers taking smiling pictures in orphanages, makeshift health clinics, and the most rural and remote and barren schools that they could find. It offends me because I know that orphanages aren’t hot spots that people seek out in the States or in any European country for selfies and tourism. I know that there are many museums, statues, manmade works of art, malls, places of worship etc that they could easily visit and photograph, just like they do in Europe and southeast Asia, but poverty tourism seems to be the draw for many visitors who blog. Poverty tourism, safari, and feeling right at home in South Africa are the three themes that recurrently pop up in my internet searches…none of which are helpful to me and the info that I am seeking.
So sorry for rambling. But I appreciate the insight that you’ve provided so far. It is only a small glimpse into the some of the experiences of one person living in one city in one country, but it helps. I also enjoy reading the contributions from the other expats in other countries.