Author: Chukwu Godlove
Some places help you escape the world. Others feel like they’ve escaped time itself. These cabins weren’t just built off-grid — they were designed for solitude. Tucked into whispering forests or set wide against Karoo plains, they’re off-noise, off-rush, and off-scroll. South African cabins built for silence Solitude Clarens – Riffontein Farm, Free State Just 7 km from Clarens but worlds away, this hand-crafted mountain cabin offers total off-the-grid seclusion in the Maluti Mountains. Built over five years with care and intention, it’s a private farm stay with sweeping 360° views, a wood-fired hot tub, and deep quiet. Reconnect with…
Milan Bergamo Airport suspended all flight operations for nearly two hours on Tuesday morning after a man was fatally pulled into the engine of a departing aircraft. Milan Bergamo Airport/Bahnfrend/Wikimedia Commons According to Italian news agency ANSA, the man accessed the taxiway and ran toward the aircraft—an Airbus A319 operated by low-cost carrier Volotea—which had just completed boarding for a flight to Asturias, Spain. Authorities believe he was attempting to take his own life. He was not a passenger or airport staff member. ALSO READ: Panic at Palma airport as passengers flee Ryanair plane According to Corriere della Sera, the…
The 17th BRICS Summit concluded yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, marking a pivotal moment in the bloc’s history. The summit was attended by ten partner countries, significantly expanding BRICS’s global reach and solidifying its role as a formidable force for a more multipolar world order. Under the resonant motto, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the gathering underscored BRICS’s burgeoning appeal as a viable alternative to traditional power centers, reflecting a collective desire among nations to foster more equitable and sustainable global governance structures. The historic expansion saw the official integration of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Egypt,…
Extended stays in Africa mean you get to fully learn about the area you’re visiting and how you can enrich it. Your trip can contribute directly or indirectly to the legacy of wildlife conservation in Africa. So, choose wisely for ripples of regeneration. What if your next holiday didn’t just change your life – but helped protect an entire ecosystem? Your pool with a view, Image Credit: Last Word MadikweA Slow Safari: My Family’s Stay in MadikweI’ve recently returned from a family safari in South Africa, and we chose to stay at Last Word Madikwe, a wonderful micro-camp in the western part of…
Image: Getty A male caracal was fatally attacked by four off-lead domestic dogs near Soetwater in Kommetjie this past weekend, prompting outrage from conservationists and wildlife advocates. ALSO READ: South Africa’s national bird uplisted to vulnerable status The incident occurred in a known restricted area where dogs are not allowed — a crucial African oystercatcher breeding site and a key corridor for wildlife on the Cape Peninsula. According to the Urban Caracal Project, the dogs were reportedly brought in from the direction of the nearby crayfish factory by a woman walking them off-lead. The NGO confirmed that the caracal was…
Addis Ababa — More than 189,000 domestic and international tourists have visited the Adwa Victory Memorial over the past 11 months, according to Girum Girma, Director General of the Adwa Victory Memorial. Built in Addis Ababa to commemorate Ethiopia’s historic victory at the Battle of Adwa, the memorial has become a major cultural landmark. It stands as a symbol of African freedom and black empowerment, attracting a growing number of visitors and hosting numerous national events. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Girum Girma, stated that the memorial has seen a steady increase in visitor numbers since its opening. He…
A formerly reclusive elephant, Jokia, has blossomed into a grandmother figure following a time of bonding with a rescued mother and calf. Picture of elephant not affiliated to the one mentioned in the article/Wolfgang Hasselmann/Unsplash At Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, a heartwarming reunion of sorts has captured global attention—this time, between elephants. Jokia, a blind elephant with a traumatic past in the country’s logging industry, spent years in solitude, avoiding other elephants and struggling to trust again. But everything changed with the arrival of Moloh Loh and her calf, Lek Lek, rescued from a tourist riding operation. Their story, shared…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply alarmed by recent revelations regarding alleged irregularities in the awarding of a R100 million tender by SA Tourism to Pomme Express, a company reported to have failed to show proof of experience and alleged to have provided false and misleading information in its bid. The DA calls on Minister Patricia de Lille to ensure full transparency and accountability in this matter. We demand an immediate and fully independent forensic investigation into the allegations of favoritism and fraud in the award of this tender, including the role of implicated officials. The results of this investigation…
Image: TikTok A false fire alarm onboard a Ryanair flight led to chaos on the runway of Mallorca’s Palma Airport over the weekend, with at least 18 passengers sustaining injuries after jumping from the plane’s wing in panic. ALSO READ: Teen tourist survives night at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in Cape storm The flight, scheduled to depart for Manchester on Saturday night, was preparing for takeoff when the cabin crew alerted passengers to a possible fire onboard. Videos circulating online show travellers climbing out onto the aircraft wing before leaping onto the tarmac, with several landing awkwardly. As per The Independent,…
Despite the growing importance of air travel for trade, tourism, and regional integration, not all African countries operate a functional national airline. While some nations, such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, have flag carriers, others have grounded their fleets due to financial challenges, mismanagement, or political instability. In many cases, these countries now rely on foreign or private carriers for both domestic and international connectivity. The absence of a national airline not only limits travel options for citizens but also affects potential economic growth tied to aviation. Below are 10 African countries currently without a functioning national carrier. Nigeria Nigeria’s long-defunct…