This is a story about Africa. And an adventurer named Nick. It’s a travel podcast sharing a story about family, travelling, growing up and discovering yourself through things like exploring…and river rafting…and safaris…and stargazing. Hear a unique story of experiences in Africa told through the voice and opinions of Nick Bratton who (although American) spent much of his childhood in Africa exploring with his parents. After college in the US, Nick returned to Africa to be a river rafting guide on one of the most challenging rivers in southern Africa, the Tugela.
Listen to “EW 1 Africa Adventure Life and River Rafting w Nick Bratton” on Spreaker.
Welcome to the first story episode of the Everywhere Travel Podcast from Amidlife Traveler. We are kicking off this new travel podcast with an amazing place: Africa. And, with a very interesting person: Nick Bratton.
For anyone interested in visiting Africa and wondering what it is like there, this travel podcast episode shares some travel advice and insights… such as when podcast host Laura learned the risk of running into snakes in South Africa is lower than she had thought it would be (phew!).
Nick is currently writing a book about his experiences as a river rafting guide on the Tugela river. In Nick’s words, here is a bit about that upcoming book:
“It’s about living my experience as an outsider who’s very alone in this country (Africa) because I had no one and I was on my own in this remote camp out in the rural area. I didn’t know anybody. I didn’t speak Zulu. I didn’t speak Afrikaans. I was very much of my own. I also, to be honest, was not a very good rafting guide. So, the valley of 1000 falls is kind of the progression of my experience as a guide kind of learning the ropes, making a lot of mistakes and surviving.”
SHOP AFRICA VACATIONS
QUOTES from PODCAST
“I lived in Zimbabwe from when I was six to nine and then age 10 in Kenya so in a pretty typical situation my parents would pull me out of school on Friday and we’d have a Range Rover and go driving somewhere to visit game parks, mountain ranges and deserts.”
“I just fell in love with travel and excitement and adventure and going to remote wilderness areas.”
“…the Tugela river which is in the Kwazulu-Natal province drains from the Mountains and flows out into the Indian Ocean and it’s one of the most challenging water rivers in southern Africa.”
“We didn’t have so many trips, but it was maybe a six hour drive from Johannesburg (five hour drive from Durban) and the Tugela was so far removed from the major cities that you had to make a weekend of it.”
“So we hike up there and then we would spend a few hours up there like sliding down waterfalls and rappelling off waterfalls and jumping off of cliffs.”
“One of the most precious memories that I have of this year as a guide… I would climb up a ladder and sleep on the roof of the kitchen and just lie there and watch the African sky….it was like being in this ocean of stars.”
“One of the most powerful experiences of traveling to Africa is I think what a lot of people feel is the sense of connection. There’s this kind of familiarity.”
“This is a book about my experience as a rafting guide on the river and the title is The Valley of a Thousand Falls, and about my experience as an outsider who’s very alone in this country.”
About Nick Bratton:
Nick is a writer, photographer, adventurer and explorer. He is currently writing a book about his time in Southern Africa and is the COO of Global Exploration & Recovery. You can find more of Nick’s work online at www.nicholasbratton.com or on Facebook as /brattontravels.
NOTE: Keep checking back for updates to this post, Nick might share a preview of his book!
About The Adventure Hub:
This podcast was recorded at The Adventure Hub. What is the Adventure Hub? It is a unique gathering place, in the SODO area of Seattle. It’s what happens when adventure travel companies intersect with a winery, in a cool location for people mix and mingle.
It’s place to research, learn, and engage with passionate adventure travel professionals who can help you cultivate a transformative travel experience for your next escape. People visit the Adventure Hub for personal travel consultations or captivating presentations that will summon your inner explorer.
Amidlife Traveler Podcasts:
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- EVERYWHERE: Amidlife Traveler
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- WOMEN TRAVEL
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- IRELAND: Amidlife Traveler
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- SCOTLAND: Amidlife Traveler
BUCKET LIST AFRICA TRIPS: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS
CLICK HERE TO SEE 15+ NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS IN AFRICA
Looking for the Ultimate List of Bucket List Africa Trips? We’ve got it. They are called National Geographic Journeys in Africa and guided tours from G Adventures. It would be hard to look at these safari and Africa cultural vacations and not get excited to go. These trips look amazing and National Geographic Journey has been on our Vacation Bucket List for years.
10 SAFARIS in KRUGER PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
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JOHANNESBURG S. AFRICA DAY TOURS AND THINGS TO DO
SHOP AFRICA VACATIONS
