Author: Chukwu Godlove

Thupeyo Muleya — The new state-of-the-art Beitbridge Border Post promises to revolutionise trade and travel between Zimbabwe, her neighbours and the international community, ably aided by its cutting-edge technology, expanded capacity, and enhanced security features. The US$300 million-dollar project has transformed the critical gateway, reducing congestion and time needed to clear both cargo and travellers, which had become a major bottleneck to trade and movement of people in the SADC region. After so many years of bungled immigration challenges, the New Dispensation through a robust Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Zimborders Consortium has turned a new leaf at the…

Hear about travel to Reunion Island, an outpost of France in the Indian Ocean as the Amateur Traveler talks to Collin McFadden about his recent trip to this adventure travel paradise. Why should you travel to Reunion Island? Colin says: “Reunion is, I would say, first off, an adventure destination. It is not a place to go for beaches and just hanging out mostly because they don’t have beaches per se, there are a few, but it is a volcano, very much like the Hawaiian Islands. It is a place to go for hiking, biking, climbing, canyoning, paragliding you name…

There’s something about a hot air balloon safari that makes everything else feel a little too… grounded. Rising with the dawn, we’ve tested and approved some of Africa’s finest places to experience this extraordinary adventure. From wildlife-packed plains to otherworldly deserts, these destinations deliver the best views in a way only Africa can.An aerial view reveals zebras and wildebeest traversing Africa’s golden plains, Image Credit: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge1. Serengeti National Park, TanzaniaIf you want to talk about bucket-list moments, a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti National Park sits comfortably at the top. The sheer scale of the…

Travelling can be stressful for both mind and body. In your quest to enjoy memorable experiences, various aspects of your life can be unsettled, including your gut health. Air travel, a different diet, a changed routine and a new environment can all get in the way of a happy and healthy gut. Picture: iStock / PeopleImages Of course, this can potentially affect the overall enjoyment of a travel experience. However, a grumpy gut can be avoided through a number of intentional choices.  Here are a few ways in which you can keep your gut healthy while travelling: Stay hydrated Drinking…

VICTORIA Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, was abuzz with excitement as the legendary former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, made a surprise visit to the resort town. The 83-year-old football icon arrived in Zimbabwe’s tourism capital on Sunday, leaving locals and tourists star-struck. His two-day visit was a testament to the country’s growing reputation as a premier tourist destination, attracting high-profile figures from around the world. Sir Alex’s presence in Victoria Falls was a significant event, with fans and locals alike clamouring for photo opportunities. Despite his private holiday, he graciously posed for pictures…

Hear about travel to Southern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ady from Hit The Road Music Studio about an area he fell in love with while touring it in a mobile recording studio. Ady recommends a detailed itinerary for a week-long trip exploring Southern Morocco, starting and ending in Marrakesh. Here’s a breakdown of the suggested trip: Day 1: Marrakesh Arrive in Marrakesh and spend the night. Experience the bustling city, try a mix of European and Moroccan cuisine, and get a taste of the local culture. Day 2: Travel over the Atlas Mountains Travel from Marrakesh over…

I love looking through old photos and reminiscing. Some snapshots are in old photo print wallets or beautiful hardback volumes; others are well-thumbed photo albums as old as the hills. Sometimes, I have social media to thank as my memories pop up – such good times. What memories do you intend to make this year? In this blog, journey with me as we explore how the wonders of Africa, a continent rich in diversity, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, speak to all generations of travellers, from young adventurers to seasoned explorers. Gather as a family and make memories in Africa, Image Credit:…

Image: Pexels Your friends (who earn a lot more than you) have suggested going on holiday together – you want to go, but you can’t afford exactly what they’re suggesting. You don’t want to miss out, and when you earn less than your friends it can be tempting to get out the credit card to match their spending energy, but you don’t have to go above your means to have a memorable trip. Travel expert Justin Chapman at Go2Africa reveals how to navigate and bridge the friend group wealth gap when it comes to travel plans, and the biggest mistakes…

Nairobi — VFS Global has launched an AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance the visa application experience for UK-bound travelers. The chatbot, which leverages advanced Generative AI technology, provides instant, human-like responses via both voice and text commands, ensuring accessible and accurate information for customers. Key features of the GenAI-powered chatbot include human-like interactions, country-specific information, and data masking and PII detection, among others. Developed by VFS Global’s AI team, the chatbot aims to meet the increasing demand for efficient customer support by allowing users to seamlessly navigate the visa application process. “The rollout of VFS Global’s AI-powered chatbot demonstrates our…

Each year I asked the listeners of Amateur Traveler to vote on a destination for a small group trip. Let’s ignore for a moment how crazy it is to let strangers or mostly strangers vote on where I spend my vacation. This year’s trip was the second trip to Morocco. We did this trip with Intrepid Travel. I have previously traveled with Intrepid to China, Cambodia, India, Southern Africa, and southern Morocco. This year’s trip was to Northern Morocco. It was Intrepid’s North Morocco Adventure tour. Table of contents: (Hide) Itinerary The northern Morocco intrepid tour starts in the city…