22. ‘Cause this is Africa: Johannesburg

A 10-hour flight took me from São Paulo to Johannesburg, one of the rare direct links between South America and Africa.

I stayed at a beautiful hostel in Maboneng, a vibrant neighborhood packed with bars. The staff were incredibly friendly and took us on a comprehensive city tour. We saw everything from local street art to the panoramic view from the 50th floor of Africa’s tallest building. The tour was essential because, while the street outside the hostel was fine, we were strictly advised not to walk around after 7 PM or stray too far from the area.

The hostel bar was the place to be at night. I met travelers from all over the world, most of whom were on long-term, multi-month journeys, so we spent hours swapping stories from the road.

A visit to the Apartheid Museum is mandatory here. I spent hours immersing myself in the country’s turbulent history and the incredible life of Nelson Mandela.

The weather was generally great (20-30°C), but when it rains, it pours. I experienced the loudest thunder of my life here, truly insane!

Visiting South Africa was an eye-opening experience. You can really feel the complex dynamics of a society once deeply divided by racism, now growing but still grappling with significant inequality.

I hope to explore more of this continent someday. For now, I’m heading north to continue the adventure!