5 best travel books to spark your wanderlust

These are some of the best inspirational travel books out there (in my opinion). Most of these are memoirs - by far my favourite type of travel content, there's nothing like being in awe at someone else's real life story.

Well written travel books like these have helped inspire my own personal travel goals over the years — and will continue to do so. I also love to read books about the place or country after I’ve visited, too. Sounds strange but the story comes to life in a very special way once you’ve captured the essence of the place in real life.

So if you’re looking for motivation from great memoir writers or experience a travel adventure of your own, make yourself comfortable and grab a couple of my favourites listed here.

1. The White Masai

by Corinne Hofmann

The White Masai is a memoir that recounts Corinne’s extraordinary journey from Switzerland to Kenya. In search of adventure and independence, Corinne falls in love with a Samburu warrior named Lketinga and decides to marry him, immersing herself in the culture and traditions of the Samburu tribe. The book chronicles her struggles and triumphs as she adapts to her new life in the African wilderness, offering a fascinating exploration of love, cultural clashes, and the transformative power of cross-cultural experiences.

I picked this book up in a hostel in Tanzania - it's such an interesting read and still on my bookshelf at home now, I always keenly recommend it to anyone!

Check the price on Amazon here.

2. Marching Powder

by Rusty Young

Marching Powder tells the true story of Thomas McFadden, a British drug trafficker who finds himself imprisoned in the notorious San Pedro Prison in Bolivia. Inside the prison, McFadden offers a harrowing account of the lawless society that exists behind bars, including corrupt officials, drug production, and a thriving internal economy. The book explores McFadden's survival, his unlikely friendship with a fellow inmate, and the shocking conditions that make San Pedro Prison a unique and dangerous world of its own.

I stood outside this very unique prison and learned all about it through a free walking tour in La Paz, Bolivia. I read this book afterwards and it blew.my.mind. A must read.

Check the price on Amazon here.

3. Ubuntu

by Heather Ellis

Heather's travels on her motorbike take her through the whole length of Africa, from the dizzying heights of Mt Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzori Mountains, to the deserts of northern Kenya where she is befriended by armed bandits and rescued by Turkana fishermen, to a stand-off with four Ugandan men intent on harm, and to a voyage on a 'floating village' on the mighty Zaire River. Everywhere she goes Heather is aided by locals and travellers alike, who take her into their homes and hearts, helping her to truly understand the spirit of ubuntu - a Bantu word meaning 'I am because you are'.

A lesser known book, that I picked up in our accommodation in the Gili Islands. I was totally sucked into her adventure and it made me feel like anything is possible and life is worth some risks now and again.

Check the price on Amazon here.

4. The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

No inspirational travel book list would be complete without the Alchemist, the inspirational novel that follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd who embarks on a quest to discover his personal legend. Guided by a series of omens and encounters with unique individuals, Santiago travels from Spain to the Egyptian desert in pursuit of his dreams. The book explores themes of destiny, self-discovery, and the importance of listening to your heart in the pursuit of your dreams.

Check the price on Amazon here.

5. Shantaram

by Gregory David Roberts

My favourite book of all time. This book is pure magic (and much better than the tv adaptation).

Shantaram follows the tumultuous life of Lin, who flees from an Australian prison and lands in the teeming city of Mumbai, where he adopts a new identity and becomes involved in the city's criminal underbelly. The story follows Lin, who takes readers into a world of gangsters, slum dwellers, and corrupt officials. His relationships with characters like Prabaker, a local guide, and Karla, a woman with a mysterious past, add depth to the narrative as he grapples with love, loyalty, and personal redemption. The story gives us a captivating exploration of the human spirit and the contrasts between the beauty and the harshness of life in India.

Check the price on Amazon here.

That's it for now but watch this space for a part 2! Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles I recommend reading next:

• 5 reasons to use your retirement to travel longer and further

• My top 5 misconceptions about travelling

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- Kiarna