BY GENIENE PRESTON 25 APR, 2016 10:55

Southern Sun Silverstar is perfectly situated at the end of the N14 Johannnesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The surrounding countryside is green and lush. But the weather is perfect for this, sometimes hidden, gem of a casino property. Myself and Keith - my husband, arrived at the hotel and we were greeted by friendly and courteous staff. Our check-in was smooth and efficient while sipping complimentary champagne. Our luggage was taken to the 

BY KIRSTIE NEIMAN 15 FEB, 2016 08:12

Situated within southern Tanzania’s Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve and between the mainland of Tanzania and Mafia Island, magnificent Thanda Island is a private island that offers absolute exclusivity for families and friends to enjoy on a sole-use basis. Off-grid and solar-powered, Thanda Island offers guests an environmentally sensitive, fun and restorative Indian Ocean experience in total seclusion.

BY HELEN WONDERLUST 17 JAN, 2016 10:58

When you think of the classic safari image, what do you think of? Elephant standing in front of Kilimanjaro, right? But where is that? The Serengeti? The Masai Mara? Nope! It’s Amboseli National Park in Kenya! It is a pretty small park at only 392 km² but with an elephant population of over 1500, it has one of the highest concentrations of elephant of all of the African national parks. Amboseli isn’t on the traditional overland truck route so I hadn’t managed to make it there on my first trip to East Africa, but I was 

WORDS BY KRISTIE OMAR,  14 DECEMBER, 2015 08:51

Johannesburg is a city which elicits strong opinions from people when mentioned, whether they've been there or not.  There is a wealth of perception available to make even the most experienced traveler view the destination with caution; or even fear.  I hadn't crossed the border into outright fearfulness, but i was certainly wary of what a city like this had to offer the traveler.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATHIEU DASNOIS,  26 OCTOBER, 2015 08:51

He moved to attack. I blocked. He pivoted, fighting for space, but I had seen him coming. His plan was to thrust with his elbow. I had allowed the original incursion, and now I was paying for it. I planned to use my current advantage to force him into a corner, and eventually, right off my armrest. The battleground for this titanic struggle, this epic duel, was a bus to Mtwara, in southern Tanzania. It was a hidden battle, fought silently in the shadows of the

WORDS BY JANIS THERON,  01 OCTOBER, 2015 11:01

What do you feel about sharks? Are they scary, majestic, evil or fascinating? Have you ever seen a shark, or know someone who has been attacked by a shark? Do you live near the ocean or inland where the ocean feels as if it is miles away? It is high time people realised that sharks are like any other predator – only scary to the prey they love to eat the most! Picture a lion on the hunt in a game reserve – it stalks its prey (maybe a buck, a buffalo, small giraffe, hare

WORDS BY KRISTIE OMAR,  20 SEPTEMBER, 2015 09:46

When the sun goes down there is no shortage of ways to fill your guests’ time, from special dinners in scenic locations to adventurous outings. Kristie Omar rounds up some of the best options on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls. On Zimbabwe’s side of the Falls, perched 120 metres above the rapids of the Batoka Gorge and just downriver of the Victoria Falls Bridge, is the newly opened The Lookout Café. Operated by Wild

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATHIEU DASNOIS,  31 AUGUST, 2015 02:49

Eight hundred years ago, the Great Mosque of Kilwa was a spectacular tribute to the richest state on the East African coast. Today it is a playground. The children are a ragtag bunch with split trousers, climbing over broken walls and running under ancient alcoves tinged yellow with age. They delight in the camera. They skip between old stone pillars, shout under the domed roof of the mosque, pose in the alcove which faces Mecca, just to be seen through my lens.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALESSANDRO PARODI, 19 AUGUST, 2015 09:55

The National Arts Festival took place in the city of Grahamstown, South Africa, between the 2nd and the 12th of July. Visual arts, live performances and crafts from the entire continent transformed the small town into the capital of culture of South Africa. 41 years after the first edition of the National Arts Festival, the city of Grahamstown proved once more to be the centre of the

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATHIEU DASNOIS, 10 AUGUST, 2015 15:45

Imagine sitting on a rooftop terrace, watching thousands of giant bats as big as a child flying overhead, from one horizon to the other. In front of you is a three-course meal: clams in cream sauce, tuna steaks from the local fish market you visited earlier, spinach from the garden, and more. In your hand is a glass filled with fresh fruit juice from fruits you can't pronounce. Welcome to Wete, a town in the north of Zanzibar's forgotten sister: Pemba, the Green Island.

WORDS BY MICHELLE COLMAN, 3 AUGUST, 2015 09:07

Balloon flights are wish list items for many.  Bill Harrop, founder of South Africa’s first commercial balloon flight operation, has made them a reality for thousands of happy passengers. If we flash back to 1972, we’d find the England-born Harrop working in Bermuda as a hotel management trainee-cum troubadour.  By day he’s learning the art of providing customer service to tourists, and by night he’s strumming his guitar in bars and clubs.  

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATHIEU DASNOIS, 9 JULY, 2015 09:50

“We are close. I can smell them”. Agre, my Tanzanian guide in this rainforest, either has an acute sense of smell or an odd sense of humour. I wonder if the Black and White Colobus monkeys are in heat, but I don't ask. Agre scans each tree. But all I can see are leaves. The monkeys would have to be within a hundred metres, or they might as well be in Rome. Apparently I am not to worry, we will see them today. Agre sounds sure of himself.

WORDS BY TAM SUTHERNS | PHOTOGRAPHS: JACQUES MARAIS, 20 JUNE, 2015 18:35

Trail running - the art of running trails – used to be a vaguely heard of sport made considerably more prominent by American writer Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run, published in 2009. In the last few years, it has taken off in the south of the African continent where some of the most beautiful and toughest trails exist. “Trail running has exploded onto the scene in South Africa,” says Megan 

WORDS BY BROOKE SAWARD, 07 JUN, 2015 05:31

There aren’t many hotels in the world that could rival The Royal Livingstone’s location — situated almost on top of Victoria Falls along the Zambezi River. Indeed, in just a few minutes you will reach the pedestrian entrance to the falls – flash your card – and you’re into the UNESCO World Heritage Site free of charge.  

WORDS BY VANGILE MKHUSELI, 23 MAY, 2015 22:35

The city of Cape Town, South Africa, attracts a lot of top-class Hollywood moviemakers and other international directors as a chosen location for filming. Filmmakers have been producing top class movies in Cape Town for a number of years. Simply put, Cape Town is super marvelous. Judging by its beautiful weather conditions, pristine beaches, numerous world class tourist attractions and 

WORDS BY TAM SUTHERNS | PHOTOS : BABYLONSTOREN 13 MAY, 2015 04:15

A working farm that is also a luxury hotel and innovative restaurant, Babylonstoren has earned its meaning: “Tower of Babel”. One of the winelands’ oldest estates, its rolling lawns, farm animals that include donkeys, chickens and turkeys, its array of wines and signature dishes and the opportunity for guests to pick their own fruit and vegetables are just some of the reasons why the ambience at the farm is difficult to recreate elsewhere.

BY KATLEGO KGANYAGO 2 MAY, 2015 07:52

I have always envisioned trailing along a sacred place for peace of mind, or one might say a spirit walk. It is 10:00, 34 °C in the Tshwane metropolitan area, 40 kilometers north of the city of Pretoria, situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa. I am eager to begin an adventure I have always wanted to do: explore the Tswaing Crater. This 220 000 year-old stone meteorite crash site is one of the best preserved in the world according to the National Science Research Foundation. The crater is bowl-shaped with a salt 

BY TIDIMALO SHABALALA 20 APR, 2015 07:37

Currency fluctuations have many a traveller assessing the options available to them. At a time with international travel is proving to be an option available to only a few would be tourists in South Africa, Lesotho presents a compelling proposition. Offering world class facilities, tourists are encouraged to discover the beauty of the “Kingdom in the Sky”.

BY JO ANNA HAUGEN 7 APR, 2015 14:06

I opened the front door to another sunny Kenyan morning. I jammed my dirt-encrusted feet into my flip-flops and shuffled to our outdoor drop. Kenyan mamas were lined up outside the dispensary and their wide-eyed babies watched me just like they did every morning as I walked past the sugarcane, around the banana tree, over the fire pit … and almost stepped on a medium-sized dog. 

It was an ordinary Kenyan dog—mangy, dirty, thin—but it didn’t run away like most of them did. “Are you seeking refuge down here?” The wandering eyes peeked up at me 

BY JILL PARIS 19 MAR, 2015 15:49

Add News Story here“We’re going to try and sneak up on those Cape buffalo,” Brent says winding down a path leading to the unspoiled African playground. The incredible thing about the Selous is the remoteness. They’re not kidding when they say: 300,000 acres and only YOU. Watching the sunrise through the Baobab trees has given me a newfound sense of bravery. So what if I’ve only slept three hours. The crisp morning air feels like a big smack in 

BY JILL PARIS 9 MAR, 2015 07:32

“Everyone out,” says Brent our safari guide who resembles Jude Law’s character in The Talented Mr. Ripley – bronzed, confident, model good looks. He’s the sort of guy who probably not only battles life-threatening situations on a daily basis, but also welcomes them. We’ve just spotted a herd of elephant near the Lukula and Luwegu river crossing and are about to try and catch a closer glimpse on foot. Why? I have absolutely no idea. The air is dry and the sun is hot. I’m finding it difficult to pry my fingers away from the 

BY MIA RUSSELL 24 FEB, 2015 01:46

Aptly dubbed ‘the Pearl of Africa’ by Sir Winston Churchill, Uganda is one of the continent’s most charming and diverse countries. Home to the tallest mountain range in Africa, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake, as well as half the planet’s remaining mountain gorillas, and the Big Five, this relatively small country has a lot to offer. We share our pick of some of the top things to see and do in this incredible country.   

BY LUCINDA LACON 13 FEB, 2015 16:49

Located in the beautiful Drakenstein Valley flanked either side by the dramatic Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains, a farmstay at Boschendal will offer a relaxed, natural and functional experience in the Western Cape. Boschendal, already internationally renowned for its fine wines and a rich history dating back over 300 years to Hugenot origins, is officially launching a new farm stay experience to South Africa’s Winelands region from 15th December.

BY JULIE PATERSON 2 FEB, 2015 06:10

We were all feeling exhausted but exhilarated… to be expected after a couple weeks of travel in an exciting place like Morocco. “Sensory overload” is the best way to describe it – it’s a journey of exotic sights, unusual sounds, intriguing smells and emotional highs. Every day is magic, and it leaves you wanting more. Yes, you can get a little greedy in Morocco!

BY ANOUK ELLIES 19 JAN, 2015 17:28

Botswana is well known for having some of the best wilderness and wildlife areas on the African continent. With a full 38 percent of its total land area devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas – for the most part unfenced, allowing animals to roam wild and free – travel through many parts of the country has the feeling of moving through an immense Nature wonderland.

BY JO KROMBERG 12 JAN, 2015 07:15

Five ‘o clock in the morning has never been my finest hour. Thus I find myself going through sleepwalking motions as the lovely lady from Air Namibia welcomes me aboard with a beaming smile en route to Walvis Bay in Namibia from Johannesburg, South Africa.

The country of vast, barren nothingness stretches to infinity beneath the plane from Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, to Walvis Bay, situated 310 kilometres away.

BY JO KROMBERG 3 JAN, 2015 01:15

A journalist called Elspeth Huxley once wrote: “Africa is a cruel country (sic); it takes your heart and grinds it into powdered stone - and no one minds.” And here I am again, my powdered heart and I – this time in Malawi, deposited here by Malawi Air.  As the midday Blantyre heat slowly defrosts our South African cryogenic state, the dusty, bustling road we’re on eventually reveals the magnificent winding mountain pass down into the Shire Valley.

BY JO KROMBERG 18 DEC, 2014 06:00

Pine Cyprus trees line the road into Stone Town from the airport. It is hot, really hot in this tropical late afternoon in Zanzibar and I gape at the scenery unfolding as we drive.

Children languidly make their way home from school and roadside hawkers loudly sell their wears between chats with friends. I have waited for years to see the spice island whose name runs off the tongue like golden, vanilla treacle. I arrive at the astonishingly beautiful Zanzibar Serena Inn hotel. 

BY LARA PRESTON 1 DEC, 2014 09:30

In a world where teenagers in West Africa and Eastern Europe can share videos and mp3s on youtube, a Sri Lankan urbanite is transformed by hip-hop and an American deejay re-mixes sounds out of a Brazilian favela, it is undeniable that the completely interconnected global village has arrived. Backlit by fiery mountain sunsets across acres of pristine farmland, MTN BUSHFIRE is Swaziland’s internationally

BY ADEPOJU PAUL 17 NOV, 2014 18:10

Lagos, Nigeria’s business nerve center and commercial capital of West Africa has every odd stacked against it yet it remains one of the most popular cities of the world. For anyone that loves to sleep a lot, Lagos is not the city for you because it is popularly known as the city that never sleeps. As early as 3:00, residents are already on the road and around 5:00, traffic begins to build up. No one knows when the last person leaves the street – that’s even if the street

BY PETER SULLIVAN 16 NOV, 2014 10:00

Venturing to Gabon's interior I saw more Giant Kingfishers in an hour than I had seen in my entire 64-year-old life. Africa’s biggest rainforest is awesome, getting there is worth the considerable effort as you will discover so much about the country, its people and its potential. Birdlife is special and prolific. On the estuary in the Louango National Park, hundreds of Darters flew with our small boat on the mighty Ongoue River, deep into Gabon's famed forest.It takes six

BY JO KROMBERG 5TH NOV,2014 13:24

“There are only a few places in the world where the mere mention of a name is enough to unlock a wealth of memories and an unknown yearning in anyone whoknows and appreciates it. The Kalahari is such a place.” - J. du P. Bothma, 1998

BY ADEPOJU PAUL & JOHN MENSAH 3 NOV, 2014 16:36

Who could ever believe that a carnival that is not held in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Cairo or Accra could become the continent’s biggest street party with unimaginable international participation? Nine years ago, a good looking governor had vision; he wanted to make his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. Today, the consensus is that he has been able to achieve it. His name is Donald Duke.

BY JOMARIE KROMBERG 1 NOV, 2014 07:00

Mozambique. The very name conjures up images of exotic cocktails, flaming sunsets over glassy calm seas and diving into waters the colours of your most tranquil mood ever. Airlink flies me to Vilanculos in Mozambique from OR Tambo in Johannesburg on a lazy, late-winter afternoon and I land just after noon in the afternoon.
 

BY TAFFETA GREY 24TH OCT,2014 13:35

Only 700 of these magnificent beasts live in the mountainous African jungle, but numbers are recovering and tourists are helping to ensure their survival. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest certainly lives up to its name. The canopy is a roof of tightly intertwined trees and vines that create layer upon layer of shadow

BY REBECCA BAM 10TH OCT, 2014 12:30

Beautiful rolling green hills, tropical palm trees, frequent cattle in the road, laughing children waving with both hands – these are my fond and eclectic memories of Swaziland says Nomad Africa Rebecca Bam. She explores the ancient arts of Swaziland to reveal more. The roads had potholes, the buildings were somewhat derelict, but the inhabitants were some of the friendliest, most hospitable people I have ever come across.

BY REBECCA BAM 15 JUNE, 2013 09:15

Accra has a great roadside food culture with fried yams, fried fish, grilled kebabs just some of the  delicacies on offer. But the most famous Ghanaian delicacy is kelewele — fried plantain spiced with ginger and pepper and served with groundnuts on the side. Stop anyone on the roadside and they’ll be able to point a good stall out to you.

BY ADEPOJU PAUL 13 MAR, 2013 07:30

Back in January 2011, in the neighbourhood of Abobo in northern Abidjan, civilians were getting dragged out of their homes in the middle of the night. Sometimes, they were killed on the spot. Other times, they were taken away, joining the ranks of the “disappeared.” “They end up over there,” residents said, nodding in the direction of a heavily forested area where rumour had it there was a mass grave, a body dump right there in the middle of Ivory Coast’s largest