Every family holiday has one.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Howard R Wheeler/Unsplash
The dad who somehow turns a roadside stop into a gourmet feast. The one who knows the history of every monument you pass. The photographer who has already been awake for two hours before everyone else emerges from the tent. Travel has a way of amplifying our quirks and dads are no exception. Every father brings a unique energy to an adventure.
With Father’s Day around the corner, we take a light-hearted look at seven classic travel dad personalities. Which one sounds most like you?
The Braai Master
The destination hardly matters. For the Braai Master, the true purpose of any trip is finding the perfect place to light a fire.
Whether it’s a seaside campsite along the Wild Coast, a bushveld lodge in Limpopo or a mountain retreat in the Drakensberg, this dad is already assessing wind direction, firewood quality and grill space before the bags have even been unpacked. His travel kit includes enough braai equipment to stock a small outdoor store. He knows exactly how long the coals should burn before cooking begins and will happily spend an hour discussing the merits of different woods.
The Amateur Historian
Every road sign is a conversation starter.
The Amateur Historian can transform a simple stop at a small town museum into a fascinating lesson on battles, architecture or local legends. While others might rush through a heritage site, this dad is reading every plaque and eagerly sharing interesting facts. Family members may occasionally roll their eyes when another historical detour appears on the itinerary, but they often leave knowing far more about a destination than they expected. Travel with this dad and you’ll discover that every landscape has a story behind it.
The Road Trip DJ
The Road Trip DJ firmly believes that every great journey deserves a soundtrack.
Long before departure, playlists have been carefully curated. Classics from decades past sit alongside family favourites, singalong anthems and perhaps a few songs that nobody else would voluntarily choose. The result is often an entertaining mix of nostalgia, unexpected discoveries and spirited debates over whose turn it is on the aux next. While navigation apps may guide the route, this dad is responsible for setting the mood. Every road trip becomes a rolling concert with eternal memories attached to the songs that played along the way.
The Bird Nerd
Most travellers notice birds when they fly across the road.
The Bird Nerd notices them before anyone else has even stepped out of the vehicle.
Armed with binoculars, field guides and an impressive ability to identify species by sound alone, this dad transforms every destination into a wildlife experience. Wetlands, forests, grasslands and coastal reserves all offer opportunities for exciting sightings. Family members quickly learn that a sudden request to stop the car usually means something feathered has appeared nearby.
The Gadget Dad
No trip is complete without technology.
The Gadget Dad travels with chargers, power banks, smart watches, action cameras, drones, GPS devices and enough cables to fill an entire backpack. He is always testing the latest gear and enjoys finding ways to make travel more convenient. Need weather updates? He has an app for that. Looking for the best route? Already downloaded. Want a time-lapse of the sunset? Consider it done. Although you may occasionally question the necessity of every device, they are often grateful when the technology proves useful in unexpected situations.
The Campfire Storyteller
As the sun sets and the fire crackles, the Campfire Storyteller comes into his own.
This dad understands that travel is about more than destinations. It is about the stories that stay with us long after the trip ends. Some tales are family legends that have been told countless times. Others involve adventures from years gone by, often becoming slightly more dramatic with each retelling. Children and adults alike gather around to listen, laugh and contribute their own memories. In many ways, this dad helps preserve the family history that future generations will continue sharing.
The Early-Morning Photographer
While everyone else is still asleep, the Early-Morning Photographer is already outside chasing the first light of day.
This dad understands that some of travel’s most magical moments happen at sunrise. Golden light spilling across mountains, wildlife emerging from the bush and mist drifting over valleys all provide irresistible photo opportunities. The reward for waking up early is often a collection of spectacular images that help preserve family adventures for years to come.
So, what type of travel dad are you?
Most dads will probably recognise a little of themselves in more than one category.
The Braai Master might also be a Campfire Storyteller. The Bird Nerd could secretly be an Early-Morning Photographer. The Road Trip DJ may double as an Amateur Historian whenever the journey passes an interesting landmark. That is part of what makes travel special. Our personalities shape the way we experience the world and influence the memories we create along the way.
This Father’s Day, celebrate the travel dads who make every adventure a little more memorable. Whether they are tending the fire, scanning the skies for birds or providing the soundtrack to the journey, they each bring something unique to the road.
And if you are still unsure which category fits best, just ask your family. They probably decided years ago.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
Saving Perlemoen: Inside the fight to protect the Western Cape’s most valuable shellfish
