One of the most thrilling ways to see the globe is through adventure travel in unexplored areas, and my recent trip to Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans aptly captured this sensation. The huge, arid salt flats in the center of Southern Africa are so far away that they seem to be on the edge of the world. Being fully submerged in a landscape that few people have ever seen was an absolutely transforming experience.
It was difficult enough to travel to these unexplored areas. Without cell coverage or any obvious traces of civilization, we traversed rocky terrain in a 4×4 vehicle. All we could see in the expanse of the pans was the sky, the limitless salt, and the rare animal. It was awe-inspiring and humbling to feel as though you were in an area that had not been touched by human progress.
The chance to camp under the stars was one of the adventure’s most exciting aspects. The night sky was unlike anything I had ever seen in a country so disconnected from the contemporary world. I had the impression that I was seeing the universe in its most pristine state as the Milky Way stretched across the horizon, unhindered by city lights.
I also got to meet indigenous tribes who had coexisted peacefully with the land for millennia during our time in the pans. I gained a deeper grasp of how human life can flourish in even the most hostile environments because to their extensive knowledge of the land.
I learned from this experience that exploring new places for adventure is about more than simply getting your heart rate up; it’s also about experiencing the unadulterated, wild beauty of the earth. It’s a fresh perspective on the earth, characterized by inquiry, learning, and a greater respect for the natural world.
