About

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.

An Ostrich Neck Massage in Oudtshoorn

Roaming Giraffe at the Devils pool
The Devils Pool at Victoria Falls in Zambia
Standing on Ostrich Eggs in Oudtshoorn

I loathe being in photos’s #justsaying

Why the name the Roaming Giraffe?

I chose this name mainly for my great stature of 150 cm fully grown.

I also like giraffes because they eat leaves and berries rather than other animals. Much as I adore nature, I never want to see a kill because I would be the one making the ugly cry and rooting for the animal that is about to become lunch.

Woolies Tidal Pool, Cape Town

Young Meerkat at Meerkat Adventures in Oudtshoorn, South Africa

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.

Pale Chanting Goshawk
Magnificent lioness at Samara Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Not a foodie

I just can not 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 an not a coffee snob. I rarely drink, because I react badly and just feel sick,and I am usually just high on life and still being alive- its an achievement these days.

I love…

Flying my drone and not crashing. Meeting new places through the stories of the people. Being outside, in nature, or on a beach. I am trying to master photography and having the time of my life experimenting, failing, learning and spending thousands of hours happily practicing.

St James Tidal Pool, Cape Town

Green is important

I believe in responsible tourism and earth friendly living, and I am always trying to reduce carbon footprint. I do recycle, conserve energy and shout out for animal rights in tourism and hands off our wildlife. At the places I visit I always like to find out about 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.

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.

Life at home

When I am not travelling, writing, editing, taking pics, pitching stories, tweeting, posting, liking and sharing, my off-line life is lived out in Cape Town.

Family

I am mom to two sons and gran to an adorable 11 year old girl and a 8 year old boy. My ninja, bike riding, fast walking 87 year old mom and a fussy 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. Its a lifelong learning curve. I

I love my Olympus mirrorless camera, currently using an E-M1 Mark II and a have an older E-M10 Mark ll 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.

My approach to life 

I love to laugh, enjoy life and choose happiness and a positive outlook most of the times. I do have the odd grumpy day, especially when I am tired. I try to always be kind, the world really needs more kindness.

Anything else you want to know, please get in touch, I would love to hear from you.

Disclosure.

Much of my travel is as part of a media group, some is independent and some is partially or fully sponsored. 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.