Author: Chukwu Godlove
The maiden flight of the 2025/26 tourism season on Saturday landed at the Banjul International Airport with 189 passengers on board. The inaugural flight, operated by Gambia Experience, arrived at the Banjul International Airport around 1;30 pm, amid a befitting, vibrant cultural display, showcasing the country’s warmth and rich cultural heritage at welcoming ceremony held at the airport terminal. The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdou Jobe and senior members of the Governing Board of the Gambia Tourism Authority and staff were at hand to receive the visiting tourists, marking the official start of the 2025/26 Tourist Season. However, this…
Africa’s beauty isn’t only found in its sweeping savannas or bustling cities, it’s also hidden beneath the ground. Church of Saint George, Lalibela / Thomas Fuhrmann / Unsplash Across the continent, underground spaces have been carved, built, and preserved for centuries, revealing stories of faith, ingenuity, resistance, and adaptation. From ancient rock-hewn churches to Cape Town’s forgotten tunnels, here are some of Africa’s most fascinating subterranean wonders. 1. The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia Few places in the world compare to Lalibela, where 12th-century artisans carved an entire complex of churches straight from volcanic rock. These eleven rock-hewn churches, built…
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially presented diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians in recognition of their contributions to promoting the country’s image abroad. The gesture, a fulfilment of an announcement made by Mr. Ablakwa on September 17 during the launch of the 2025 Diaspora Summit, forms part of broader efforts to support citizens whose work has attracted international attention through cultural diplomacy. The recipients of the diplomatic passport include Rocky Dawuni, Grammy-nominated Reggae Star; Broadcaster Anita Erskine; Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya, a travel vlogger; Visual Artist Ibrahim Mahama; and…
Sustainable travel in Africa has evolved beyond merely using recycled-paper straws and making token “green” gestures. Across the continent, small lodges powered by solar energy and operated by local communities are demonstrating that low-impact travel can still offer a sense of luxury. Image: Getaway Gallery From the Xhosa heartland along the Wild Coast to the tranquil lagoons of Botswana, these seven eco-lodges are redefining what it means to travel responsibly in Africa. 1. Bulungula Lodge, South Africa Where: Wild Coast, Eastern CapeEco edge: 100% solar-powered and community-owned Tucked away on the remote Wild Coast, Bulungula Lodge is not just an…
National trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, is facilitating the participation of over 20 Zimbabwean companies at the 18th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Business Forum and Exhibition, taking place from October 6-9, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. The event, which precedes the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, will see seven companies physically showcasing their products and services, while others will be represented through the ZimTrade pavilion. Held under the theme “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” the Forum brings together policymakers, investors, innovators, and private sector leaders from across…
Hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to Mount Everest after a powerful blizzard trapped more than a thousand hikers on the mountain’s eastern slopes over the weekend. Image of Mount Everest Base Camp used for illustrative purposes/Rajan Dahal/Unsplash According to the BBC, at least one person has died, with rescue operations ongoing in Tibet’s Everest region. Reuters, citing a government source, reported that evacuations are underway and that weather conditions are gradually improving after several days of severe snowfall and strong winds. KZN local among those caught in the storm Among those who endured the ordeal is Lee Maree, a…
The boundaries of credibility are moving. Perhaps then, Nigeria’s talk of reverse medical tourism should not be read as self-congratulation but as a glimpse of a shifting map. Competence and confidence are no longer monopolies of wealthier nations. The future of healthcare will hinge less on where technology sits and more on where trust can be found, on which systems can deliver timely, affordable, and humane care when people need it most. For some, that place is now closer to home, for others it remains abroad. Recently, a US physician named Pamela Buchanan MD wrote on LinkedIn with startling candour.…
Africa is vast and filled with adventure, yet many of its most extraordinary destinations remain relatively unknown. Beyond the popular safaris and well-trodden hiking trails, some landscapes provide solitude, raw beauty, and a sense of discovery. For those seeking experiences that combine nature, wildlife, and culture, Africa’s emerging adventure destinations offer journeys unlike any other. This guide focuses on three types of adventures: remote trekking, offbeat safaris, and desert excursions. Each of these options presents unique challenges and rewards for those willing to venture beyond the familiar. Remote trekking Chimpanzee mother and child at Mahale Mountains National Park/Ryan Al Bishri…
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says South Africa’s tourism sector is not a “side story” but central to the country’s economic policy, driving jobs, transformation and sustainable growth. Speaking at the World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations held at Constitution Hill’s People’s Park in Braamfontein on Saturday, De Lille highlighted the sector’s contribution to the economy and new initiatives to boost arrivals and domestic travel. “It is a profound honour to celebrate World Tourism Day 2025 here at Constitution Hill People’s Park. This is not just a venue, but a place of memory and freedom. A reminder that democracy is not…
When you think of river adventures in Africa, names like the Zambezi or the Nile often come to mind. However, the continent is home to hundreds of lesser-known waterways that few have explored. These hidden rivers wind through dense forests, tranquil deltas, and wildlife-rich reserves, making them perfect for those who seek wilder adventures and prefer less-travelled paths. Here are seven off-the-beaten-path African rivers where you can grab a paddle and embark on a journey through some of the continent’s most pristine landscapes. 1. The Lubefu River, Democratic Republic of the Congo Flowing through the heart of the Congo Basin,…