Nathan Fluellen, aka Nate, is an adventure traveler based in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. The 37-year old has visited over 60 countries on six continents, and considers himself a professional eater and a “ghetto ballerina.”
He has spent a significant amount of time traveling the continent of Africa and experiencing things that many of us could only dream of.
We had the chance to talk to with him about his life as an adventure traveler and his greatest experiences in Africa thus far.
Travel Noire: What exactly is adventure travel?
Nate: Adventure travel is doing something physically challenging, that has an element of danger, something you don’t have access to on a daily basis at home. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, like hiking for five hours in a desert in Jordan, scuba diving amongst 12 Oceanic Black Tip sharks with no cage, or climbing four hours to the top of the Nyiragongo Volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Related: Marriott Hotels To Increase Reach In Africa By 50 Percent In 2023.
Travel Noire: What inspired you to get into adventure travel?
Nate: I’ve always been outgoing and fearless. When I started traveling the world, I wanted to experience every unique thing each country could offer. I try to live life with no regrets and my thirst to do things new and different is infinite. I remember when I ran with the bulls in Pamplona, it was a pure adrenaline rush running with charging, 500-pound bulls.
Travel Noire: How did the idea of traveling Africa come about?
Nate: I wanted to demystify travel to Africa for the average American millennial and celebrate the amazing culture, cuisine and adventure activities that are literally everywhere. Ever since I saw Coming to America, I believed there was some sort of truth in the fictional country of Zumunda, and I’ve been curious about the continent since I was a kid. Every time I visit Africa, I’m at peace, and its refreshing to see people who look like me everywhere I go.
Travel Noire: Tell us about your favorite experience while in Africa?
Nate: My favorite experience was in Durban, South Africa in the Valley of one-thousand Hills. While there, I was dressed in traditional Zulu attire and participated in a song and dance ceremony. I grew up watching the TV mini-series Shaka Zulu and have an affinity for the Zulus. I’m completely fascinated by the dancing and their powerful kicks and dreamed of dancing with the Zulus. During one of the dances, the group of Zulus and I performed the kicks and it was exhilarating. I never felt that much energy take over my body from inside out. You can watch the dance performance on my TV show, “World Wide Nate: African Adventures, streaming on UMC.tv.”
Travel Noire: Will you continue to visit Africa?
Nate: Yes, every year, at least twice a year, I plan to visit Africa. My long-term goal is to have a second home in Africa and spend 2-3 months out of the year there.
Related: Meet The First African Couple To Travel The World On Motorbikes.
Travel Noire: What’s next for you and your adventures?
Nate: I’m a brand ambassador for Breitling and we’re creating some amazing content together that I’m sharing with my audience on Instagram. I partnered with Patagonia, they’re supplying me wetsuits & surfboards, and we’re donating them to an amazing organization in Durban, South Africa called Surfers Not Street Children. They use surfing as a vehicle to combat child homelessness and mentor the youth into adulthood. The support they provide these young kids is impactful, and the African surfer vibe is crazy fun! I featured them in my TV show, and I’m looking forward to making other donations in the coming months.
Travel Noire: Where can our audience find you on social media?
Nate: The Blavity and Travel Noire family can find me on Instagram @worldwidenate.