Author: Chukwu Godlove
Popular destinations often arrive with fixed narratives, writes Miriam Kimvangu. A city becomes known for one landmark, a country for one experience and a region for a single postcard view. However, after spending a holiday lounging on a gorgeous beach in Dar Es Salaam despite being so close to Zanzibar, it made me think. Surely there were other destinations that were overlooked in favour of more popular options within their region. Here are 4 places worth considering while on your bucket list adventures. Dar es Salaam instead of Zanzibar, Tanzania Dar Es Salaam/Miriam Kimvangu When I travelled to Tanzania, most…
Wide horizons, dusty roads, and sheep farms stretching to the skyline define the Karoo. Yet the real magic of travelling through this semi-desert lies in what waits at the next stop. Houw Hoek Farm Stall/Olga Ernst/Wikimedia Commons Pull off the N1, drift along the R62 or veer towards a gravel road, and you will find farm stalls perfumed with fresh bread, cafés humming with local gossip and dining rooms where Karoo lamb remains the undisputed hero. The best way to experience this region is one bite at a time. This guide follows a classic Karoo road-trip route and highlights where…
Africa’s wildlife is magnetic, from elephants tromping through savannahs to lions lounging in the shade of acacia trees, writes Zoë Erasmus. Pixabay / Pexels But as tourism rebounds across the continent, travellers and operators alike are asking a vital question: how can we experience wildlife in ways that place dignity, conservation and local communities at the heart of the journey? The answer lies in ethical wildlife experiences that deliberately shift the focus away from sheer access (think “seeing everything at any cost”) to respectful, responsible encounters that minimise disturbance, maximise conservation impact and honour the intrinsic value of fauna and…
Cape Town’s vibrant tourism scene is no stranger to headlines and recently, buzz has been growing around rumours of a new “Airbnb tax” in the Mother City. Tomas Wells / Pexels But here’s the real story for travellers and hosts alike: there’s no entirely new tax on holiday stays coming. What’s really unfolding is a proposed Short-Term Letting By-Law aimed at ensuring that properties used predominantly as commercial accommodation — think full-time holiday rentals — are paying the right commercial property rates rather than residential ones. This clarifies an existing rule rather than creating a fresh levy on visitors. This…
Living in Cape Town has a way of making you complacent, writes Zoë Erasmus. The mountain becomes background noise. The ocean is something you drive past on your way to errands. You tell visitors you’ll “do that hike soon” or “finally go wine tasting one day”, and then… life happens. Traffic, deadlines, load shedding, the same coffee order on repeat. Stefan Maritz / Pexels This is for the people who call Cape Town home but feel like they’ve somehow missed the memo. The ones who know the city by routine, not discovery. Consider this a gentle invitation to re-meet the…
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa says a proposed minimum wage of R30 per hour still leaves workers thousands of rands short of basic monthly expenses. Rising food and electricity prices mean minimum wage workers cannot afford nutritious meals, with staple foods like beef increasing sharply over the past year. The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa says the proposed national minimum wage increase is an insult to workers who are already struggling to survive. The union has reacted angrily to a proposed five percent increase, which would push the minimum wage to about R30 per hour.…
Not every river adventure has to involve rough tracks or steep climbs, writes Miriam Kimvangu. From Stellenbosch to Grabouw, there are accessible spots where families, friends, or solo adventurers can enjoy a day by the water. Pack a picnic, grab a swimsuit and head out to the waiting river. Eerste River at Stellenbosch HelenOnline/Wikimedia Commons Close to town and easy to reach, the Eerste River winds through Stellenbosch vineyards. The banks offer flat grassy spots for picnics, and the water is calm enough for a gentle swim. On weekends, locals often bring folding chairs, coolers filled with snacks, and inflatable…
NAHCO Travel and Hospitality Limited (NHTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NAHCO Plc has officially commissioned Sapphire Hotel a premier luxury hospitality suite located directly within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal II departure area. The 20-room luxury hotel which marks a significant expansion of NAHCO’s footprint in the aviation service industry is specifically designed to offer world-class comfort and convenience for international travellers, transit passengers layovers and business executives. A statement from the company said the hotel is strategically situated just seconds away from the airport check-in and boarding areas, Sapphire Hotel operates 24/7 providing a seamless transition…
The Eastern Free State is filled with mountain vistas, art-filled villages, and wide-open skies. Using Clarens, Fouriesburg, or Rosendal as a central base allows travellers to experience the region at a relaxed pace while discovering hidden gems along scenic drives. Ventersberg in Rooiberge, Fouriesburg/JMK/Wikimedia Commons This five-day itinerary combines nature, culture, adventure, and local flavour without the need to constantly pack and move. Why Clarens, Fouriesburg or Rosendal makes the perfect base These towns are small enough to feel intimate yet centrally located for easy day trips. Staying in one place saves time on travel and lets you explore at…
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to strengthening border infrastructure operations and other trade Both countries also agree to improve rregional trade facilitation, safeguarding transit cargo, and enhancing cross-border security cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly the Republic of Niger. CGC Adeniyi made this disclosure during a high-level bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by its Director-General, Muhammadu Yaqouba, at the Customs House⁸ According to the Customs boss “Cooperation between the two Customs services is shaped not only by shared borders but also by international obligations,…