Masai Mara and Serengeti are not only the two most famous safaris in the world, but also the more expensive and crowded national parks too. If you’re searching for something a bit more budget friendly and under the radar, South Luangwa National Park in Northern Zambia near Mfuwe is your park.

The Datonga tribe share some of the same cultural aspects such as jumping and chanting with the Maasai but they farm in addition to grazing cattle.

The Hadzabe bushman live in caves and eat whatever they hunt or forage. The tribe trades honey and bush meat with the Datonga tribe for the arrowheads which they then attach to wooden sticks to make arrows.

The entire experience of Serengeti was absolutely amazing and quite different than Masai Mara. Although the distances are vast between places in Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, the large herds of animals made the Serengeti visit worth it.

The 10 day East Africa Highlights tour from Intrepid combines a mix of cultural experiences with safaris at a reasonable price, inclusive of everything including park entry fees, meals, and transport. The tour is an Intrepid “Original” style tour which means basic but clean private rooms and tents, shared 4x4 safari trucks, and a group leader who also serves as the main guide for the group.

Like most travelers to North Korea, my journey started in Beijing where I picked up my tourist visa card.

I didn't really expect to go to the DPRK without being forced to participate in their rituals. When in Rome, do as the Romans do right?

I got up at 6AM to catch breakfast at 6:30AM so we can depart by 6:45AM. Most of the tourists were still asleep so the hotel restaurant with the breakfast buffet was empty.

As much as I enjoy basking in the fictitious glories of communism, I really miss freedom and having personal space. It's definitely been an angsty trip for me.