Book Reviews

This is the story of an amazingly courageous woman who traveled from Europe to Zimbabwe on her own, and what a story it is!This book reall...
Alice
Dot Bekker…my favourite person. I feel like I know but I don’t. I’ve read your book describing your amazing journey about going home to Zimbabwe...
Adele
What an amazing read,what a brave woman!!!I just cant put the book down, shes such a good writer ❤️ (Facebook)
Thoko
This book was an answered prayer, a daily entertainment and a true inspiration. I feel like I know Dot personally after reading this book....
Michelle
I found “Going Home to Africa” a gripping, authentic, informative and humorous book! Gripping…in the countless unpredictable travel/r...
Gerald
From the first chapter I was hooked and followed Dot's adventures down the coast of West Africa with awe. I bought the book because I too am con...
Jordan
Dot took me on the journey of a lifetime. I witnessed the challenges, frustrations, joys and overwhelming beauty of Africa from the comfort of m...
Wendy
I had the pleasure of meeting Dot when she was living in Solsona and have followed her adventures on Going Home to Africa on IG. I have been so ...
Ruth
This is a brilliant story of a lovely lady driving solo from Northern Africa through many countries to go home to Zimbabwe. This touches my hear...
Dallas
Going home to Africa is an honest, humble and uplifting account of an incredible adventure and Dot’s fighting spirit and firm belief in the univ...
Fiona
Absolutely Compelling I could not put this book down and I am not an avid reader, getting bored quickly. I loved every moment of her jou...
Antoinette
FANTASTIC BOOK! I LOVED every page of this book and didn't want it to end. I have read many travelogues and this was by far my favourite...
Kevin
My first impression was just: Wow! Hats off! What an impressive book... I can already now say that it is, along with Doris Kearns Goodwin's Pulitze...
Susanne
Dot is one of the most amazing "road" friends we made while overlanding through Africa, and whatever we were doing she brought a tremendous sense o...
Laurie
I absolutely love travelling so this story really spoke to me. Having followed Dot in real time on her epic journey, I’m now absolutely loving the ...
Catherine
I think the fact that you share ALL of your experiences, good and bad, and do NOT leave out the huge challenges and obstacles you had to face on a ...
Susanne
I’ve just been spending the whole evening with your book. I feel so fascinated by your story and I love the way you’re describing both breathtaking...
Alexandra
Absolutely loved it. Very inspiring and Dot I would love to meet you one day when I visit Zimbabwe again. Thank you for sharing this amazing story....
Justyna
I have just finished reading Going Home to Africa and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more as the journey went on... Her experiences become more ...
Nicola

Going Home to Africa

Follow my dream to return to the African country of my birth from the continent of my heritage and the adventure that will take from from Europe down the bulge of Africa into South Central Africa.

Interview with a Friend

I had a delightful and interesting conversation with Catie and as someone who has done some of North Africa it was interesting to share our common experiences. See more about the podcast linke below.https://www.catiefriend.com/podcast/2021/12/11/chatting-to-dot-bekker

Expedition Portal Interview

Expedition Portal is a highly acclaimed magazine for overlanders and I was honoured to be interviewed by Ashley Giordano.  I enjoy doing interviews as each interviewer tends to focus on a different aspect of my journey and with each telling of my story I feel that I am reliving the adventure. Find the story using this link   https://expeditionportal.com/going-home-to-africa-interview-with-dot-bekker/

Round 2 with Joe Mars

When I first returned to Zimbabwe I had a really fun interview with Joe Mars and after reading my book he wanted to chat to me again about my return, my book and my work with girls.   https://joemarsonradio.wixsite.com/thejoemarspodcast Publish Post Once published, the post will appear on the blog listing

Podcast with Tantenda Rungisa

Tatenda reached out to me and asked me to contribute to her podcast.  Find it here ... https://anchor.fm/tatenda-rungisa/episodes/Dot-Bekker-shares-her-story-on-driving-20-000km-alone-back-to-Zimbabwe--A-story-to-remind-us-that-anything-is-possible-evg4dj

Local Newspaper - Chronicle

I was interviewed by a local newspaper about my journey home.  I struggle to get people here to understand that my journey was more than a tourist drive and certainly a whole lot more complicated.  Nonetheless, making it into the local paper has to be some kind of achievement.  Follow the local take on the link below.   https://www.chronicle.co.zw/just-in-60-year-old-embarks-on-19-country-tourism-drive/

Interview - Helen in Wonderlust

On of my posts on Facebook led to being contacted by Helen, herself an intredpid traveller who loves backpacking and West Africa.  With her own travels at a halt due to COVID she is keeping her blog going with stories of other travellers and felt my story merited being interesting and asked if she could interview me about my journey. I had great fun chatting to her and here is her interview. https://www.heleninwonderlust.co.uk/going-home-to-africa-driving-from-morocco-to-zimbabwe-via-west-central-africa/

MOST INSPIRING GUEST AWARD

I was invited by the Global Travel Channel which is run by Mark Philpott to do a podcast with him shortly after my return to Zimbabwe in late 2019.  This podcast was entered into an awards program whereby people could nominate the podcast against various categories.  I happened to win this one as the Most Inspiring Guest for 2019/2020.  I was most shocked and humbled to receive the award.     Below is the link to the episode.  

Podcast Interview - 4x4OutFar

Thanks to Anton of 4x4OutFar for interviewing me on his podcast and asking me some different questions and having a laugh with me. Follow the link below to find his podcasts with other overlanding stories. https://anchor.fm/4x4outfar/episodes/Going-home-to-Africa---Dot-Bekker--Happy-Zimbabwean--Learnt-the-overlanding-wave--tar-tyres-and-stuck-in-sand-eebu1o?fbclid=IwAR1iWpYO4sms_FvIr4jwqYosbxEygrpPtXLlc_m0LT_8_IE2lfVvYyt9WO0

Interview - The Edge of Adventure

Adam and I met via The Global Travel Channel on which we have both been guests and we found mutual admiration, plus the fact that I find him a pleasure to look at and listen to, I know, I have a penchant for delicious young men with a beard and hat, but there is no harm in pleasing the eyes. He really is charming with a huge heart and with the quarantine lockdown and a halt in his travelling he is doing some online interviews with people he is connected to.  It was my pleasure to be asked to join...
Continue reading

Global Travel Channel Podcast - Visit Zimbabwe

I was delighted to join Mark Philpot of the Global Travel Channel Podcast for a second time to talk about why Zimbabwe should be on everyone's bucket list as a holiday destination. Listen to his podcasts and enjoy Visit NEW PODCAST. EPISODE 122 Listen here  https://www.patreon.com/ posts/35581631 Amazing Zimbabwe Woman Dot Bekker takes the time to personalise a trip for you to her beautiful country. We start at the majestic Victoria Falls, and then move onto one of Africa’s best Game Parks at Hwange National Park. After that a side trips are possible to Mlibezi or Binga on Lake Kariba,...
Continue reading

Interview - Les Marioles Trotters

I first met French couple Anatole and Marion in Togo as we were crossing the border.  Our journey's crossed paths several more times into Nigeria and then we next met when they came to visit me in Zimbabwe.

They travel full time and their YouTube channel is very successful.  I was delighted when they asked me to do an interview to help them answer some of the questions that they get asked by their audience, such as, can a woman do this kind of travel, do you need to know about your car, do you need a 4x4.  

IntBelow is the interview.

 

Continue reading

Magazine Interview - Nzira

When I was in Namibia Julie Havercroft contacted me from Nzira Magaine and some months later the magazine published the article.  Nzira means road in the local Shona language. Below is an image of the article. 

Good Morning Zimbabwe - Interview

It was an early morning start to get to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation studio for a brief interview with Merelin Ngwenya the host for Good Morning Zimbabwe coming out of Bulawayo. Regret the video was taken with a direction switch.      

Interview - The Inspired Nomads

I was pleased to be interviewed by traveller Heather Markel who also interviews other travellers and their journey's.  Below is the interview   Heather Markel and Dot Bekker discuss the value of leaving stability - especially when what's keeping you stable is also keeping you tethered to unhappiness and stuff. There are some excellent insights in this interview, especially for those of you on the fence about leaving stability. You'll want to listen to this one! Dot Bekker heads up a great girl's education charity, Kusasa. You can learn more about it at www.kusasa.africa and on Facebook at @kusasa.africa Dot...
Continue reading

Radio Interview - Capitalk with Joe Mars

I had an amazing interview with Joe Mars of Capitalk Radio 100.4FM.  Joe also visited with BlueBelle and I for a cup of coffee. The podcast of the interview is below: https://soundcloud.com/capitalk-fm/dot-bekker-travels   The Facebook video of Joe's visit for coffee, link is below: https://www.facebook.com/goinghometoafrica/videos/784820851968052/  

Global Travel Podcast

It was a great pleasure to be able to join Mark Philpott ont he Global Podcast Travel and discuss my journey with him.  Find the link to the Podcast below ... and many other great travel stories.   https://www.globaltravelchannel.com/home/episode/dd11d048/barcelona-to-zimbabwe-by-van-with-dot-bekker   Global Travel Channel Podcast Show   -    9/17/2019 Walking out on a broken marriage and with little money Dot Bekker was closing in on age 60. She decided to challenge herself, a van and the African continent. What happened next was extraordinary. Driving solo for 20'000kms she ventured into territories and country's where not so long ago wars were raging....
Continue reading

Delano - Luxembourg - Follow-up Interview

Jessica Bauldry of Delano once again interviewed me after the completion of my journey to Zimbabwe.   See the article online on the Delano website. https://delano.lu/d/detail/news/one-womans-journey-give-women-africa-keys-their-future/207569  

Short Film Entry - The Life in Your Years

I was approached by Nathalie Baker who found my story inspirational and wanted to use it to enter into a short film competition.  She joined me for 3 days on the road when she filmed away as we drove through some beautiful areas of Morocco.  This is the film entry.   It’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years. And with her 60th birthday fast approaching, Dot decides to live out the adventure of her dreams - a solo 20,000 km journey across Africa in a van she built herself. Is life over at 60?...
Continue reading

Letz Cast Podcast

I had met Jessica Bauldry when she interviewed me on the phone for an article which she published in the Luxembourg magazine Delano.   She had been inspired by what I was aiming to do and wanted to take a different angle by interviewing me for her personal podcast.   I was, at the time, already in Barcelona and working on BlueBelle when she did the interview.  Technology enabling me to be sitting in the back of the van in the street in Barcelona while she was in Luxembourg.   Follow the link to hear the podcast  Many of may know her...
Continue reading

Magazine Interview - Celsona (Solsona Magazine)

In the summer of 2018 I spent several months in Solsona, Catalonia in Spain and was welcomed by the local community and made some life-long friends.  To me it was the first time in Europe that I felt at home.  Despite not speaking the language Catalan (a mixture of French and Spanish), or Spanish, yet whether they understood me or not they made me welcome and it remains a memorable time.   The people also embraced me by helping me raise funds for Kusasa and the local Language school (EOI Manresa and Solsona) remains a loyal supporter of our girls. Celsona...
Continue reading

About Dot

Dot is Zimbabwean born and raised and after having lived in Europe for 20 years she decided to return home but uniquely she decided to drive  through Africa to get there.

She achieved her dream by driving 20,000kms through 18 West African countries over 8.5 months on her own for most of the journey.  Her book of the same title will soon be launched,and you can find out more about Dot or subscribe to the Blog for more.

 

Kusasa Scholarship Fund

Alongside my journey I've decided to raise funds for scholarships for girl's education in Zimbabwe, find out more about that here, to contribute to the Scholarship Fund please do so here.