She’s trekked nearly 300km in the Sahara Desert. Climbed mountains to reach the holy rock-hewn churches of Gheralta in Ethiopia. Swam in India’s sacred Mother Ganga. Traveller Linda Ricketts is living the life most can only dream of.
When Linda Ricketts got a taste of travelling to foreign countries years ago, the die was cast and she never looked back. But, instead of turning to a guidebook that suggests a certain route with stops at all the usual touristic hotspots, this bona fide explorer prefers travelling off the beaten path.
“I want to travel to experience, not to see nice things. I don’t want to lie on a deck chair sipping a cocktail next to a swimming pool. I want to sit on a stool in a shack next to a road, talking to the locals and learning about their culture and traditions while trying their food.”
More than a decade ago, she was involved in a life-altering collision. “I smashed both my knees in a car accident and I was absolutely devastated. Especially since I’ve always loved running. After a couple of operations, it took me eight months to walk again and I had no choice but to accept the fact that I’ll never run again. In the same breath, I refused to use it as an excuse.
“So, I started walking and worked my way up to the point where I am now a long-distance walker. I did belly dance classes and yoga for some years which kept my knees flexible. From there I’ve built up the strength and completed a couple of long-distance Caminos, here and abroad. Which is more than enough to ensure I can still have my adrenaline rush, and fulfil my purpose in life, which is to move. I can explore the world on my feet, I can walk this earth!”
It wasn’t long before she came to enjoy journeying on roads that circle outside the normative values of society. Leading not only to some of the most thrilling rural destinations but also to her own, true self. Apart from giving her a plethora of stories, her experiences have also shown her the value of sustainable travel.
For Linda, life goals are created during her travels – under a canopy of stars in the Moroccan desert, on a hike to the majestic sulphur pools of Dallol, next to the active Erta Ale volcano in Afar, or in the war-torn region of Tigray. Because there’s just something about discovering a place very few have seen or been to!
Although she’s explored more than 45 countries around the world – from the Far East to the Middle East to Europe – she will always enjoy travelling Africa the most … Morocco in particular.
“I’ve always felt the pull of exotic Morocco, just because it’s so different from any other country on earth. Ever since I visited the country for the first time, I just knew it’s where I truly belonged. I never go to the same country twice, but I’ve criss-crossed the entire Morocco and I’m always surprised by something. It’s such a wonderful and stunningly beautiful place. I’ll just never get enough of it!”
“I even spent three months volunteering in a tiny village, teaching English to the mountain girls and living with them in their hostel. I initiated a private fundraiser for girl’s education in Morocco by trekking nearly 300 km through the Sahara Desert for two weeks as a solo woman, with my small nomad trekking team.”
“As a solo traveller I have a purpose – to come to terms with something, to find answers, to be spiritual. I don’t get lonely; loneliness is just a mind concept. I am at peace with myself and this gives me the opportunity to really in-depthly explore my own inner thoughts and experiences to find the answers I came to seek. Yes, it’s invigorating, powerful and liberating to know I am capable of looking after myself in even the deepest and most isolated places on earth.
“My travels to India changed and shaped my life completely and forever. It humbled me and triggered my slumbering inner spirituality to come to the fore. Yes, India inspired me and taught me to share what I have, a concept I proudly practise. India shares the African concept of Ubuntu which is also a principle that I greatly belief in as together, we can achieve so much more.
Linda dedicates her greatest African travels inspiration to her long-time friend Youssef SahSah, a Moroccan who has cycled Africa for the past five and a half years, on his Africa Dream journey.
When not travelling herself, Linda makes other traveller’s African dreams come true. “I started a tour agency – Morocco Bucketlist Tours – with my Moroccan business partner about six years ago. We have standard packaged tours, and unique signature tours, including an extreme Sahara Desert trek, which I am hosting as an experienced desert trekker. But I mainly design bespoke tours for private clients.
“I also host my own female tour groups to Morocco, where we can thoroughly enjoy the experience to the fullest. It’s hard work, but so worth it in the end to know that my clients can leave Morocco with fond and life-long friends and memories!”
Details: Follow @Linda Ricketts and @Morocco Bucketlist Tours on Facebook
10 Must-know tips for new travellers
- Research, research, research your destination and make sure this is what you really want to do or travel to.
- If you need a visa, be sure to apply way ahead of time.
- Purchase travel insurance.
- Do your homework. Search and search again for the best flights and accommodation. Pre-travel research can save a lot of money which could become your daily spending funds.
- Make a file with copies of all your travel documents, including copies of identity documents, passport, visa, bank cards, accommodation and flight details, and receipt for foreign exchange.
- Make a spreadsheet list of what you need to do, what to take with, when to do certain things, if you are not used to travel, this can become very overwhelming!
- Research how to pack, what to pack, the best suitcase / backpack for your needs.
- Research what transportation is possible to use at your destination.
- At your destination, be aware of your surroundings at all times and watch out for scams.
- Learn a few words in the local language, it helps tremendously!
Linda’s top travel tips
- Saving for travel should become a lifestyle. Create a special travel account and be committed to saving a certain amount of money per month. Learn what you can live without to make this a reality.
- Rather take more funds than you think you will need, as well as an emergency international currency card. There’s nothing worse than being in a foreign country with no funds till your flight home.
- Less is more. Pack the clothes you think you’ll need, then put half back in the cupboard. Take only enough toiletries for the time you’ll be away. Decant into small plastic containers where possible instead of the larger original bottles and mark with a permanent marker. It saves on weight and space too.
- Be original. Don’t hesitate to go outside of your comfort zone and choose an off-the-beaten-track destination instead of the safer resort or tour. Discover who you are and what you are capable of achieving. It’s a very rewarding experience.
- Travel slow but with intent. Explore, experience, observe, enjoy.
- Try local. It’s cheap and you’ll enjoy it much more.
- Be a humanitarian and help other travellers when in need.
- Once at your destination, use your travel itinerary only as a guideline and simply go with the flow.
10 Things you never knew about Africa
- The most widely language spoken is Arabic.
- Africa is the origin of the human race.
- There are around 3,000 tribes in Africa.
- Africa is the earth’s second largest and second largest most populous continent.
- The largest city in Africa is Cairo.
- Africa is the source of the longest river in the world flowing through 11 African countries – the famous Nile River.
- The world’s oldest university can be found in Fes, Morocco.
- The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert and covers 11 African countries.
- Africa is the home of the world’s largest annual wildlife migration.
- The lowest and hottest place in Africa is Lake Assal in Djibouti, at 157m below sea level
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. • Photographer: HILDA MANS. • Make-up: HEIDIE FOURIE. • Hair: JANINE LATEGAN.
