Author: Chukwu Godlove
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been binge-watching every season of “The White Lotus” as soon as it dropped. Just hearing that intro song gets me excited! The HBO series is highly addictive because it contains so much tension, glamour, secrets that keep you guessing, but most of all – locations that can only be described as wanderlust fantasy. But Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand are old news… Rumour has it that Season 4 might be set in Africa – possibly at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. So, I couldn’t resist imagining what the next chapter of HBO’s luxury-meets-chaos series might…
The Museum of Illusions is set to open its doors on Saturday, 31 May 2025, adding a playful twist to the already cultural hub that is Kloof Street. Picture/MOI Cape Town Already a hit in global cities like New York, Paris and Dubai, this world-famous museum franchise now brings its mind-boggling magic to the Mother City. It’s only the second Museum of Illusions in South Africa (after Johannesburg’s wildly popular launch last year), and the 61st to join the international line-up. The international line-up includes cities like Barcelona, Paris, Shanghai, New York, and Dubai, to name a few. What can…
As the race to elect the next Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) intensifies, candidate Shaikha Al Nowais is making headlines for her bold call to reposition Africa not just as a destination but as a driver of the global tourism agenda. Her platform, rooted in digital inclusion, equity, and regeneration, offers a compelling vision for a sector long in need of systemic reform. Al Nowais, a business leader and the first Arab woman ever nominated for the UNWTO’s top post, is using her campaign to spotlight the untapped potential of Sub-Saharan Africa’s youth, tech sector, and…
Image: X / @Lanseria_Int Lanseria International Airport, South Africa’s only privately-owned international airport, is set for a possible name change. Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero confirmed the development during his State of the City Address on 8 May 2025, reports African Insider. “We are informed that the airport management is contemplating renaming the facility to more closely reflect and celebrate its connection to our city,” said Morero. “The city will support this initiative, which will strengthen the airport brand and foster a stronger sense of belonging.” The name change is part of a broader strategy to grow Lanseria’s identity and…
·The author with an Egyptian journalist in front of the Chongqing Hotpot Restaurant, a bomb shelter converted into a restaurant in Chongqing, China. BY the time I stepped off the third plane–legs heavy, eyes fighting sleep, body jetlagged–I knew this wasn’t going to be just another trip. From Lusaka to Dubai, then Dubai to Guangzhou, and finally to Chongqing, the 18-hour journey was a lesson in distance, scale, and anticipation. China wasn’t just far away in kilometers–it pulsed with a different rhythm, another world entirely. And I had arrived not as a tourist, but as a storyteller, a journalist tasked…
Travellers heading to Mozambique from certain visa-exempt countries now face an important new requirement: advance trip registration. Red Charlie/Unsplash Effective immediately, visitors must complete an online application via Mozambique’s official Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at least 48 hours before departure. This rule applies even to those who previously didn’t require a visa for short stays. Failure to comply could result in denied boarding or entry into the country, according to a recent notice shared by Tourism Update. ALSO READ: Destinations that feel magical in every season Who needs to register? Citizens of the following countries must now complete ETA…
Addis Ababa, — Ethiopia, an East African country long known for its cultural history and unique cuisine, is beginning to attract more international attention. In its in-depth report, the Nigerian Business Day, stated that Ethiopia is home to what many claim is the best food in Africa and the best coffee in the world. A recent report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) revealed a 40 percent increase in international tourist arrivals in Ethiopia over five years to 2024. This growth reflects deliberate efforts by the Ethiopian government to make tourism a key part of its economic development.…
When I travelled through Africa, I used public transport. And that changes almost everything. There’s so much more interaction. In a car, you’re in a bubble and miss out on things. So, you have to stop and talk to people. That’s why I’ve never understood this concept of international tourists coming to Johannesburg, booking into a four- or five-star hotel, and then getting into their air-conditioned buses and going to Soweto. They look out of the window, they might even have a meal at one of the restaurants, but then they get back onto their buses and head back to…
Africa’s aviation sector stands at a pivotal crossroads. While innovation and investment are vital, the true catalyst for transformative growth lies in the liberalisation of our skies. The persistent reality that an African traveler often must transit through Europe to reach another African nation is not just inconvenient–it is a stark indicator of systemic inefficiencies that hinder our continent’s progress. The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched in 2018, was envisioned as a solution to these challenges, aiming to create a unified air transport market across Africa. Despite 37 countries committing to this initiative, implementation has been sluggish, mainly…
My husband and I celebrate birthdays differently. We avoid big parties, balloons, and crowds and rather escape the noise to remote cottages across the Western Cape. This year, I spoiled him with a romantic getaway to Spier in Stellenbosch. It has been one of our favourite experiences as a couple since 2015, and we’re returning to celebrate my birthday in October. Everything was on point, and I really appreciate the attention to detail. So here’s our itinerary for two nights and three days. There are a variety of activities available on the farm, and I suggest spending at least two full days…