5 Essential Tips for Visiting The Motherland as a Foreigner

Start your "Visiting The Motherland" with knowing your Travel Personality!

TRAVEL

Leslie Jones

10/25/20247 min read

1. Know Your Travel Personality

Understanding your travel personality is a vital step towards enriching your experience when visiting The Motherland as a foreigner. Each traveler possesses distinctive styles and preferences, which significantly influences how you engage with the surroundings. Typecasting these personalities into categories can help identify what truly resonates with you, ensuring your journey is both enjoyable and fulfilling.

One common type is the adventurer, who thrives on thrill-seeking and exploration. This traveler often seeks heart-pounding activities and is eager to discover hidden gems in unfamiliar areas. If your personality leans towards adventure, consider incorporating activities such as hiking, exploring remote villages, or engaging in extreme sports.

This approach can provide a richly rewarding experience, showcasing the natural beauty and unique landscapes of The Motherland. On the other end of the spectrum, the cultural enthusiast gravitates towards deeper understanding and appreciation of heritage. This individual might favor visiting museums, historical sites, and engaging with local traditions.

For such individuals, participating in cultural festivals and local culinary experiences is essential for immersing oneself in the local way of life. Recognizing if you fall into this category focus on enriching cultural experiences during your visit. For travelers who enjoy structure, the planner may prefer a detailed itinerary, with prearranged activities ensuring every moment is purposeful.

This approach fosters a sense of organization and clarity, particularly in a country that may feel overwhelming at times. Alternatively, the spontaneous explorer embraces last-minute decisions, seeking opportunities that arise organically while traveling. By identifying your travel personality—whether it be the adventurer, cultural enthusiast, planner, or spontaneous explorer—you can tailor your itinerary, activities, and interactions to align with your preferences.

This personalization not only enhances enjoyment but also leads to a more fulfilling visit to The Motherland. Take the Travel Personality Quiz built by me and find out what your travel vibe is. You'll be glad you did it!

2. Curated Trip

I strongly encourage a curated trip for your first trip to The Motherland as a foreigner, thoughtful curation of your itinerary is paramount for an enriching experience. Key locations that encapsulate the essence of the country you have chosen is most important when it comes to your itinerary.

Let someone else do the researching of historical sites, cultural hubs, and natural wonders to serve as a foundation for your selected destinations. Combining both well-known attractions and hidden gems will create a balanced itinerary that showcases the depth of the culture.

Your curater will consider integrating diverse experiences that reflect the traditional and contemporary aspects of the country of your choice. This could involve scheduling visits to museums, attending local festivals, or exploring artisanal markets that offer insight into traditional crafts.

Incorporating modern elements, such as contemporary art galleries or popular music venues, allows for a contrast that highlights how the culture has evolved while retaining its roots. While prioritizing must-see sights is essential, it's equally important to leave room for spontaneity in your travel plans.

Allow yourself the flexibility to explore unplanned opportunities that arise during your journey. This could manifest as a chance encounter with a local who shares insights into hidden aspects of the culture or stumbling upon a pop-up event that captures your interest.

Engaging with locals can deepen your understanding and appreciation of that country, enhancing the travel experience. Curating your trip thoughtfully can transform your visit into a memorable exploration of The Motherland, bridging the gap between past and present in a meaningful way.

My family and I visited Tanzania/Zanzibar this year which was fully curated. We experienced travelers and it was a unanimous decision that Tanzania/Zanzibar was the #1 trip so far. Click here to see the schedule of up-and-coming trips to The Motherland, which is also the company who curated our trip to Tanzania/Zanzibar.

3.Travel in Groups

Traveling in groups can significantly enhance your cultural experience when visiting The Motherland. The benefits of group travel are manifold, including safety, the richness of shared experiences, and creating opportunities for deeper interpersonal connections—both with fellow travelers and locals.

When exploring a new environment, particularly one steeped in familial history, traveling with others can provide you with a comforting layer of security. It is generally safer to navigate unfamiliar areas in numbers, reducing the risks associated with potential issues. Moreover, group travel introduces diverse perspectives, allowing you to exchange stories and insights.

This sharing of experiences enriches the journey, as each member may have different backgrounds or points of view that can color the understanding of your heritage. The collective enthusiasm of a group often transforms mundane activities into memorable adventures, fostering camaraderie and collaboration.

To find or form travel groups, you can leverage various resources, including tour agencies that specialize in heritage trips, social media platforms, or local meetups. Online communities and travel apps frequently host forums where individuals seeking travel companions can connect. Feel free to join out Facebook Travel Community!

Participating in cultural workshops or guided tours can also be an effective way to meet like-minded travelers who share an interest in exploring their roots. Engaging with group dynamics can encourage both social interactions and cultural immersion. A group that engages in local events, food markets, or festivals can yield a more authentic experience as it allows for interactive learning about the customs and traditions of The Motherland.

Interactions can solidify a connection to your cultural identity, providing profound insights that individual travel may not replicate, ultimately leading to a more enriching visit. May I add, traveling in a group can come with candid pictures. One of the women I traveled with loves taking pictures and she shared candid pictures with me and I used them on my website. Moments captured that I would not have been able to capture myself.

4. Embrace E.C.O.W.A.S. Opportunities

The Economic Community of West African States (E.C.O.W.A.S.) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen West African nations. Established in 1975, it aims to foster economic integration, promote peace and stability, and facilitate cooperation among member states.

For foreigners visiting The Motherland, E.C.O.W.A.S. presents a wealth of opportunities that can significantly enrich your travel experience. Understanding the regulations and benefits associated with E.C.O.W.A.S. travel can be invaluable. One of the key advantages of E.C.O.W.A.S. membership is the relatively lenient visa policies that allow for easier movement within member countries.

Many E.C.O.W.A.S. nations have adopted protocols that permit regional citizens to travel without a visa for short stays. Foreigners having connections to these countries can often take advantage of these provisions, which can simplify travel plans dramatically. Depending on your nationality and the specific E.C.O.W.A.S. member country, visa requirements often vary.

It is advisable to consult official resources to fully understand your eligibility and the necessary documentation. Additionally, E.C.O.W.A.S. facilitates collaboration among its members to promote tourism and cultural exchanges. These initiatives include local events and festivals that showcase the rich heritage and traditions of West Africa.

Engaging in such cultural activities allows foreigners to reconnect with their roots while experiencing the diverse lifestyles across the region. Through E.C.O.W.A.S., visitors may also find opportunities to participate in community service projects or educational programs, which can offer a deeper understanding of the local customs and practices.

By embracing the opportunities laid out by E.C.O.W.A.S., visitors can enrich their travel experience and build meaningful connections that transcend borders, ensuring a more rewarding visit to The Motherland. For example, Sierra Leone is apart of E.C.O.W.A.S. and African Ancestry .com has a relationahip with the Sierra Leone government.

If you get a DNA certificate through African Ancestry that confirms you descend from Sierra Leone, you are granted automatic citizenhip. You will receive an ECOWAS passport and become a dual citizen at the end of the curated trip through African Ancestry. This does depend on the presidency in office. So take the DNA test and find out if you qualify for automatic citizenship. To get your DNA results, Click here

5. The Value of Reading Blogs

When preparing for a trip to The Motherland as a foreigner, the wealth of information available through travel blogs can be invaluable. These digital platforms not only present practical advice but also offer personal narratives that illuminate the unique cultural tapestry of your ancestral home.

Travel blogs written by locals and other foreigners who have visited the same destination provide crucial insights that traditional guidebooks may overlook. One of the most significant advantages of reading blogs is the direct access to first-hand experiences. Local writers often share tips on cultural norms that are essential for navigating social interactions.

Understanding these norms can greatly enhance your visit, allowing you to connect more authentically with the community. Also, many travel blogs highlight local favorites—restaurants, markets, and parks—that are often unknown to tourists. This insider information can lead to discovering hidden gems, such as cozy eateries or stunning viewpoints, which might not be featured in mainstream tourist literature.

Additionally, off-the-beaten-path destinations are frequently covered in travel blogs. These places offer a unique perspective on The Motherland and are typically less crowded than popular attractions. Blogs often include personal anecdotes about these locales, helping you to appreciate their significance beyond what a guidebook can provide.

Furthermore, practical travel advice found in blogs—such as transportation tips, safety considerations, and money-saving strategies—can aid in creating a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience. Incorporating various perspectives from travel blogs allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and cultural nuances of The Motherland.

This knowledge not only enriches your journey but also fosters a sense of belonging as you reconnect with your roots. By exploring these diverse narratives, you are likely to enhance your overall travel experience in meaningful ways. Of course visit My Blog Page for my peronal experiences and insights regarding traveling and doing business within the Motherland.

P.S. Just in case you missed my recommendations, here are the links:

Travel Personality Quiz

Tour Africa Recommendation

African Ancestry

My Blogs

Stay Connected!

Youtube

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn