The Roaming Giraffe is an independent travel blog that tells the stories of adventures, discoveries and mishaps of an aging South African travel writer.
Hi, I’m Di Brown aka the Roaming Giraffe.
If you believe you are never too old for a new adventure, are intrigued by Africa, wish to be a more responsible traveller and love to discover new places, then you have come to the right place.
Join me on my travels as I try to be adventurous, fail at being a foodie and admit that I will never be a ninja.
I’m very camera shy and awkward; I loathe being in photos #justsaying
Why the Name the Roaming Giraffe?
I chose this name mainly for my great stature of 150 cm, fully grown, and sadly starting to shrink with age. People automatically assume I am really tall, lol
I also adore giraffes because they eat leaves and berries rather than other animals. Much as I love nature, I never want to see a kill because I would be the one doing the ugly cry and rooting for the animal that is about to become lunch.
Living My Life Like…
I have accepted that life is messy, mundane and unpredictable. I choose to be happy and positive.
I Love to do Stuff
I am petrified of heights and snakes, and I am a bit claustrophobic. But I love adventures and have had so much fun putting this old body to the test by zip lining, surfing…. sort of, white water rafting, shark cage diving, gorilla trekking, aqua hiking, SUP, kayaking, cheetah tracking and walking safaris, horse riding, hiking, flying in, and hanging out of helicopters, 4 x 4 driving, climbing sand dunes, quad biking, and more.
Not a Foodie
I just cannot get excited about food and cooking, but I do love to eat. I don’t like funny stuff, like organs, octopus ovaries – which might have been mistranslated from Thai- but I did not take a chance.
I love coffee, but am not a coffee snob. I rarely drink alcohol, because I react badly and just feel sick. I am usually just high on life and still being alive- it’s an achievement these days.
I Love…
Flying my drone and not crashing. Discovering new places through the stories of the people. Being outside, in nature, or on a beach. Wildlife, game drives, walking safaris. Trying to tame my garden and grow stuff.
Green is Important
I believe in responsible tourism and earth friendly living. I do recycle, conserve energy and shout out for animal rights in tourism and hands off our wildlife. At the places I visit I am interested in community projects and eco- friendly initiatives.
I have Huge Respect for Firefighters
I have a fascination with fire, and although it has nothing to do with travel, fires are a big reality in summer in Cape Town, and my youngest son is a firefighter, so expect the occasional post about fires.
Life at Home
When I am not travelling, writing, editing, taking pics, pitching stories, and forcing myself to go onto social media (which I used to love, but find it more like a toxic war zone these days), my off-line life is lived out in Cape Town.
Family
I am mom to two sons and gran to an adorable 12 year old girl and a 9 year old boy who live in Namibia, so I visit there often. My ninja, bike riding, fast walking 88 year old mom and a fussy ageing pooch called Lulu share my house.
I read compulsively, fight with technology continuously and I am easily distracted by true crime and hard news on You Tube. I can usually be found on a beach with my camera and drone instead of at my desk in front of the computer.
Photography
I am addicted to it, and I try my best. It’s a lifelong learning curve.
I love my Olympus mirrorless camera, currently using an E-M1 Mark II and have an older E-M10 Mark II as a 2nd camera. I spend most of my spare cash on camera gear.
My drone is a DJI AIR 2 S, and I have a DJI Action 3 camera, used mainly for car photography – I have a great relationship with Ford.
Latest additions to my gear are an Olympus 100 – 400mm lens, a DJI Ronin 3 gimbal and a compact Canon EOS R50V camera. Broke but happy 🙂
My Approach to Life
I love to laugh, enjoy life and choose happiness and a positive outlook most of the time. I refuse to act my age because what does that even mean? I am almost 65 and excited by life.
Anything else you want to know, please get in touch, I would love to hear from you.
Disclosure.
While some of my travel is independent, much of it is as part of a media group or a paid job producing content through written articles, interviews, videos, drone, and still photography.
I only accept trips/jobs for activities and places that interest me. My opinions are always my own and I do not accept payment for a rave review.
I get given apparel and gadgets from time to time and accept and review them if they are relevant to my lifestyle.
I do not approach brands or destinations and offer exposure in exchange for accommodation or activities.
I like to build relationships with the people that I work with. Everything is up for discussion or negotiation.
If you would like to work with me, please get in touch and request my media kit and a meeting.