Author: Chukwu Godlove
Capital cities are sometimes treated as little more than transit points — practical places to land before heading somewhere more “authentic.” But look closer, and you’ll find that some of these overlooked capitals offer a rewarding mix of culture, history and everyday life that rivals any top destination. For travellers who lean into slow travel, enjoy a bit of urban grit, and want to sidestep the usual tourist trail, these underrated capitals are more than worth a detour — they’re worth staying for. Ljubljana – Slovenia Zach Pickering/Unsplash Slovenia’s pint-sized capital has all the enchantment of a storybook town —…
Namibia’s tourism sector is set for major restructuring under the proposed National Spatial Development Master Plan, which targets an increase in direct tourism jobs from 57 000 to 80 000 by 2030. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is leading the plan as part of the country’s Vision 2030 goals. The ministry’s executive director, Sikongo Haihambo, says the plan aims to reduce pressure on popular destinations such as Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei by spreading tourism activity across all 14 regions. “The tourism sector employs about 57 000 people. That’s now direct jobs. We’re looking at around 2030 to have…
Desert-adapted elephant – Inhabiting the rugged landscape of northern Namibia, desert-adapted elephants have unique physical traits and specific behaviors that have evolved to thrive in a desert environment. From the Martian-like landscapes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to the harsh Skeleton Coast, characterized by wind, sand dunes, and skeletons of whales, seals, and wrecked ships littering the beach, Namibia is a country of contrasts. From desert-adapted wildlife to the San indigenous culture, one of the oldest people on Earth, the country is about being different from the rest. Far from ordinary, it is extraordinary. Even Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie brought…
3. Cecilia Forest to Constantia Nek, Cape Town Shaded by towering trees, this rocky forest trail feels almost enchanted in winter. Waterfalls flow stronger, mist rolls through the pines, and the cooler weather makes it perfect for a peaceful hike. The hike 5–12 km depending on the route you take. The easy to moderate hike takes you through waterfalls, magical mist, and lush winter greenery. Image: Alltrails / Gavin Robertson 4. Klipspringer Trail, Augrabies Falls In summer, this desert-like park is a furnace. But in winter, it becomes ideal hiking terrain. The Klipspringer Trail is a three-day hilly route through…
Rwanda’s national budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 has been set at Rwf 7,032.5 billion, reflecting a significant increase of 20.9 per cent compared to the revised budget of Rwf5,816.4 billion for 2024/25. This year’s budget underlines the country’s growing fiscal independence, as most of the financing will be sourced from domestic revenue, with tax collections taking center stage. Domestic revenues are projected to contribute Rwf4,105.2 billion, representing approximately 58 per cent of the total budget. Tax revenue, which remains the primary engine of domestic financing, is forecast at Rwf3,628 billion, an increase of Rwf677.6 billion over the previous fiscal…
An Air India aircraft en route to London tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing more than 200 people in what is now considered the deadliest aviation disaster globally in the past decade. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters/The Guardian The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, went down in a densely populated area, striking a doctors’ hostel at the B.J. Medical College during lunchtime. The aircraft, headed for Gatwick Airport, was carrying 242 people, including crew, according to Reuters reports. According to Ahmedabad police chief G.S. Malik, “204 bodies had been recovered”, with expectations that some may be of individuals…
A Liberian delegation led by Assistant Minister for Tourism, Atty. Dogba K. Norris, Jr., has departed Monrovia to participate in two high-level African tourism events in Abuja, Nigeria, aimed at advancing regional collaboration and sustainable tourism practices across the continent. The delegation from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) is attending the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), followed by a Thematic Conference focused on “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism through Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Creative Industries in Africa.” Both events are scheduled to run from June 11 to June…
Magic happens when art and nature collide. Sculpture parks and gardens are a great way to enjoy art in nature as you admire creativity in a refreshing atmosphere. Throughout South Africa, there are a number of sculpture gardens which are worth the visit. Here are some of them: NIROX Sculpture Park Image: Sourced The NIROX sculpture park is a paradise for art enthusiasts and nature lovers. It boasts striking works of art which are found among grassy fields, winding pathways, lush trees and waterways. Image: Getaway Gallery At the park, you can view more than 50 permanent and long-term installations…
African authorities and citizens expressed shock and dismay on Thursday over the abrupt decision by the Trump administration to impose travel bans on people from a string of countries on the continent. African nations made up seven of the 12 countries banned from entering the United States under the decree signed Wednesday by President Donald Trump. They are Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. The African Union (AU) said in a statement that the ban would harm “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations” built with the US over decades. It…
Deserts tend to be misunderstood and most would feel like they are barren spaces, but they are places that have been sculpted over time by wind and weather patterns into inspiring forms of nature. From the red dunes of Africa to the salt plains of South America, here are the deserts that don’t just dominate maps—they define continents. The Sahara – Africa Graphe Tween/Unsplash Covering over 9 million square kilometres, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert overall—and perhaps the most iconic. Stretching across 11 countries in North Africa, it’s a place…