Yes, That is Me, Jen from Africa
Most likely, if our paths crossed on the road, you would find me with my camera in hand. I must admit, I spend quite a lot of time behind my lens, but now and then I remind myself to enjoy the moment, put the camera down, and live in the present.
I had a Travel Habit and a Dream
I used to seize every chance to travel. In just an hour, I could pack my cameras, my favourite coffee blend, and my French press, and I was ready to go. Admittedly, I am a certified coffee snob, but a bad cup in the morning can ruin my entire day!
Whenever my husband, Dave, accompanied me on these trips, we enjoyed discussing the idea of packing up and exploring our beautiful country, South Africa, and its neighbours full-time. We talked about it so often that it gradually became our shared dream.
In the dream, we’re happily exploring as part of an epic adventure, travelling from one wonderful place to another. Sometimes we linger for a week or even a month, truly embracing the joy of slow travel and soaking in the wild, beautiful surroundings.
What is Slow Travel?
For us, slow travel is about doing our own thing at a relaxed pace without the pressure of timekeeping. It’s about embracing the experience and the unexpected moments and encounters along the way.
But, most of all, slow travel is a deliberate choice that lets us fully immerse ourselves in our surroundings. To breathe deeply and reconnect with ourselves and the natural world around us.
The Dream is Now Our Reality
Back in early 2025, we enthusiastically decided to jump in and turn our dream of an epic adventure into reality by the year’s end at the very latest. It turned out to be more challenging than we had initially thought.
It took a lot of planning and more than a few tough decisions.
I was already retired from my career as a film and television producer, but Dave was still working at a job he loved. And then there was the life we built together in Johannesburg over 35 years to deal with as well. Let’s be honest, after all that time, you do end up with a lot of stuff.
Dave finished his working life at the end of August, and then the real mission ‘nomad’ prep began.
We chose to sell our house and one car, donating nearly everything else to charity, while keeping our beloved caravan and tent to serve as our new home. We explored other options, but nothing else really felt right for the exciting nomadic adventure ahead of us.
After three whirlwind months filled with exhaustion and deep emotions, we happily left in mid-November to begin our first nomadic adventure at Punda Maria, tucked away in the beautiful far north of Kruger National Park for a month.
If you want to understand why we selected Punda Maria as our starting point, click the link to read about my love affair with this stunning rest camp, and I’m sure you’ll see why.
Or if you prefer, pop across to Dave’s The Nomad Years YouTube channel.
5 Star Luxury, Glamping or Camping?
Of course, I love a bit of 5-star pampering. Who doesn’t? However, we have a limited accommodation budget, so we usually book campsites.
While I have to admit, I’m not really a traditional camper; I’m more of a glamper who enjoys life’s little luxuries. I never sleep on the ground or use plastic tableware. Instead, I love setting a lovely dinner table, adorned with candles and a bottle of wine, to create a warm and inviting outdoor dining experience.
So, Is The Nomad Lifestyle Everything You Hoped It Would Be?
Oh, most definitely! Although as I write this update to my About Me page in January 2026, only a month and a half has passed. So, it is early days.
Staying right on the edge of the Punda Maria campsite means that northern Kruger is essentially our backyard. Birds come and go, impala, elephants, and zebra roam past the fence. Cheeky monkeys drop by, hoping (in vain) for forgotten treats. A bushbuck and her fawn are now regular visitors, and we even have a nightly visit from a greater galago (bushbaby).
It honestly feels like we’re living inside a dream.
You Have Both Got To Want This Nomadic Lifestyle
Friends of ours have been living the nomadic life for the past two years. They told us that we both need to want this lifestyle, or it won’t succeed. While I thought I understood this concept, it was only when we began living it that I truly grasped their point. It certainly isn’t easy and could be a nightmare if one of us discovered that the reality isn’t quite what we expected.
Fortunately, that hasn’t happened. It’s hard to believe how easily we settled in. We quickly adjusted to a new daily rhythm dictated by Mother Nature’s whims, whether extreme heat or cold, rain, or the wildlife in the bush around us.
It’s Not All Rainbows and Moonbeams
Of course, no adventure is without its hiccups! But, at the end of the day, each one has been a minor inconvenience if it means we get to live the dream, a nomadic life ensconced in nature.
Every setback is just part of our exciting adventure, and we’re truly enjoying every wild, unpredictable moment. Well, almost every setback—some aren’t so much fun while they’re actually happening!
Why Postcards From the Road?
As you read my stories, I intend to whisk you away to each of these places for a minute or two with my words and photographs – my postcards to you from the road.
Take a moment to explore my postcards from the road and join me on this journey. I’ll tell you about beautiful places. And share our stories, surprise moments, and unexpected encounters that make this nomadic adventure so special.
Thanks For Visiting And Reading My Postcards From The Road
If you’d like to ask me anything or share an idea, go ahead and drop me an email at jen@jenfrom.africa.
I look forward to hearing from you here or in the blog comments section.