In March, Thilak Dharshan completed an incredible 18-day journey through Southern Africa.
The destinations themselves were unconventional, but what made his trip even more remarkable was how he managed to do it on a shoestring budget of just S$3,000.
Despite his modest budget (and also because of it), the 22-year-old Singaporean had an unforgettable experience filled with adventure and challenge.
Of course, that also came with its own share of quirks. His budget meant he had to step well outside what most people would consider their comfort zone.
Not only did he have to give up physical comforts, like luxury hotels or lower transit times, but he also had to make new connections with people on the ground despite being an introvert.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
Speaking to MS News, Dharshan shared how much he prepared before setting off, the wild twists and turns he experienced during the journey, and why he decided to travel this way.
For the young concierge assistant, this journey was a part of his goal to visit all 195 countries on the globe.
“I see every country as another step towards my 195-country goal,” he said.
“I treat every place as a once in a lifetime there so I maximise it. If I want to go to every country in the world, then I can’t be wasting money on the same country again.”
Source: Thilak Dharshan
Beyond that, his humble budget also meant that Dharshan had to consider what he really wanted from the trip.
He was ready to make compromises for what he valued most, and first off that list were the luxury accommodations and transit options.
Dharshan opted for cheaper but long connecting flights instead of direct ones and kept track of all his expenses “down to the last cent”.
“Some might find it annoying, but that is what will give you the reality of your finances,” he said.
Additionally, he also noted the importance of understanding that your budget must depend on what country or countries you are visiting.
“Just because a budget worked in this country, doesn’t mean it will work in the next too,” he added.
Travelling on such a light budget meant that the young Singaporean had to be ready for any possible pitfalls.
In addition to six months of research prior to departing, Dharshan also made sure that his itinerary was flexible.
It was so flexible that he, in fact, described it as almost having no itinerary at all.
“When I landed in Johannesburg, all I had was a return ticket to Singapore 18 days later, accommodation in Johannesburg, and a bus ticket to Lesotho,” he said.
The rest of the journey was done on the fly based on prior research or “just doing it the local way”.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
But the flexibility, in both time and money, was necessary. Even if Dharshan had a very tight schedule, because of his plans to visit so many countries in the region, he still needed buffer days in case anything went wrong.
As an example, he spared a few days in his schedule just in case his entry into Mozambique was denied, as it was a remote border.
The extra days would be for him to travel back into South Africa, so that he could use the Ressano Garcia border post.
In addition to time, there were also situations where he had to fork out funds unexpectedly.
Dharshan mentioned being shocked at having to pay over S$80 for his Mozambique visa.
But all that “hardship” is part of the flavour of travelling for Darshan.
To him, the most important part of the journey was visiting all the countries on his plan, seeing the key attractions, and seeking experiences that no guided tour could provide.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
While Dharshan visited major tourist attractions, he feels that the most unique experiences come from “unpredictable, raw and real places” rather than any curated spot you can find online.
To find these unique spots, he made sure to spend time simply exploring.
“I don’t jump to the next and make sure to spend some time wandering the streets nearby,” he said.
Just after visiting the Casa de Ferro in Maputo, Mozambique, he came across a relaxing park that stuck with him.
Also in Mozambique, he decided to explore a local market he stumbled upon and ended up finding souvenirs for his family for well under the price of an “arts and craft market” targeted at tourists.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
“For me, the tight budget was the main reason for all these unique experiences,” he said. “These are things money can’t buy.”
With such a challenging budget, Dharshan had to step outside his comfort zone. This meant occasionally approaching locals for help.
In doing so, he forged real human relationships that he would have otherwise missed in a safer or more luxurious trip.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
One such memorable experience occurred during a border crossing at the border town of Ladybrand in South Africa.
Dharshan had just arrived on a bus and needed a ride to cross the border. He approached a police officer to ask for help.
Instead of simply calling a cab, the officer noticed a nearby car with Lesotho plates.
He approached the car owners and explained that the young Singaporean needed a ride, to which they agreed.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
What started as a simple ride turned into something special as the family not only helped Dharshan sightsee in Lesotho, but also gave him a bed to sleep in.
He even had home-cooked meals for breakfast.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
While Dharshan would not have had this trip any other way, he admits that this sort of travel style is not for everyone.
“To some, this is stressful and exhausting,” he said. “They see travel as a way to relax and enjoy, so it’s a very subjective thing.”
There were also moments when he brushed shoulders with danger.
After reaching Johannesburg from Lesotho, Dharshan tried to withdraw money from an ATM but found that all his cards were declined.
In desperation, he frantically rushed to find any currency exchange in the area. His searches on Google yielded nothing.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
Deciding to wing it, he proceeded to the bus stop without a clear idea about how to pay for his fare.
Upon reaching his destination, he began asking around for ATMs or currency exchanges.
Some men asked if Dharshan had US dollars and he was quickly ushered to a van in a secluded area.
Source: Thilak Dharshan
While Dharshan wasn’t robbed and the men did give him South African rand in exchange for his dollars, the Singaporean noted that the exchange rate was “unfavourable”.
However, he had little choice as he needed cash for his ride.
The numbers on Dharshan’s budgeting are certainly impressive. A mere S$100 to rent a room for four days in Johannesburg and S$30 for gas while riding with locals in Lesotho.
He even went to the market like a local and cooked his own breakfasts during a portion of his trip.
But the real value was not in the money he saved, but rather in the experiences he would have missed out on in a less challenging trip.
For Dharshan, this was a crash course in backpacking and in how much he could endure.
“The decision to backpack Africa gave me an unknown sense of courage to embrace the unknown and overcome challenges,” he said.
Also read: What the Changi Beach foraging controversy tells us about S’pore’s marine laws
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at hello@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image courtesy of Thilak Dharshan.