When you think of island escapes, you might picture the Seychelles or Zanzibar, but South Africa has its island getaways—no passport required. From penguin-filled marine reserves and kayaking spots in turquoise lagoons to wild river islands where elephants roam, these local gems offer a surprising mix of seclusion, scenery and soft adventure. Here’s where to cast off (without going far). Thesen Island – Western Cape Picture/Cornelius M Muller Tucked into Knysna’s lagoon, Thesen Island is a former timber-processing hub turned upmarket marina village. Wooden walkways, quiet canals and pastel cottages give it a holiday-town charm, while boutique stores and seafood…
Author: Chukwu Godlove
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A delegation led by the Divisional Senior Vice-President of International Affairs of Emirates Airline, Mr Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, this afternoon, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. The meeting aimed at exploring new avenues to strengthen strategic partnership between Mauritius and Emirates. In a statement, the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, who was also part of the delegation, indicated that the meeting with the Prime Minister was cordial and fruitful, adding that it was an opportunity for both parties to discuss…
Copenhagen is set to relaunch its eco-friendly travel initiative, CopenPay, offering visitors a chance to earn rewards for making greener travel choices. From 17 June to 17 August, the programme allows travellers to exchange their sustainable actions for entry to more than 100 cultural and local attractions. Nick Karvounis/Unsplash The initiative follows the success of a pilot programme trialled in July 2024, as reported by Travel News. Now returning on a larger scale, CopenPay includes major sights like The National Museum, Kronborg Castle, The National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhill, and The Urban Garden, among others. ALSO READ: Kenya aims spotlight…
It started with a kitchen table and a clunky desktop computer. A man with a passion for Africa and a dial-up connection. And if that sounds like the start of a punchline, well… perhaps it is. Because over two decades later, Rhino Africa is still proving that planning a luxury safari doesn’t have to follow the same tired script. You don’t need to tick boxes, download an app, or follow a crowd-sourced checklist through the bush. You need a person. Preferably one who knows which bend in the river the leopards favour at dawn – and why it matters. That’s…
Image: Unsplash / David Heiling The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has launched A Journey Through the Wild Heart of East Africa, a multimedia campaign. ALSO READ: Dancing with tradition in enchanting Eswatini Produced with BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, the initiative promotes Kenya as a leading adventure tourism destination through the perspective of Nairobi-based photographer and adventurer Jack Swynnerton. The multimedia series spans three chapters—Land, Water, and Air—each highlighting a distinct aspect of Kenya’s iconic African landscapes and wildlife. In the Land segment, Swynnerton explores the Maasai Mara, capturing images of lions and interacting with the Samburu community to showcase their…
Tourists were forced to flee for cover as parts of the roof of China’s centuries-old Drum Tower dramatically collapsed on Monday evening in Fengyang County, Anhui province. ALSO READ: Frenchman reaches Southernmost point of Africa after years on the road Footage from the scene shows hundreds of tiles crashing to the ground, narrowly missing visitors below. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. CHINA: China’s Fengyang Drum Tower, a historic landmark originally constructed in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, has collapsed barely a year after undergoing a major restoration in Anhui province. pic.twitter.com/LaBFkRSWB8 — @amuse (@amuse) May 21, 2025 The…
When it comes to travel destinations that offer the perfect blend of history, culture and breathtaking landscapes, Greece stands out as a must-visit. Greece (Picture: Sourced) Steeped in mythology and tradition, the enchanting country is a treasure trove of experiences. Here’s why it should be on your bucket list: Rich history and ancient ruins Picture: Sourced / Getty Images Greece is often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization, and it’s not hard to see why. The remnants of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country, with iconic sites like the Acropolis in Athens, the ancient city of Delphi,…
According to new satellite data, the world’s tropical forests – vital buffers against climate change – vanished at an unprecedented rate in 2024. Researchers found that 67,000 sq km (26,000 sq mi) of old-growth tropical forest were lost, equivalent to the size of the Republic of Ireland or 18 football pitches every minute. Picture/WIRED Fire overtakes farming as a primary threat For the first time on record, fires became the dominant driver of forest loss, surpassing agricultural land clearances. The Amazon, already under stress, suffered acutely amid its worst drought, fuelled by climate change and the El Niño weather pattern.…
MODERATOR: Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub. I welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining us. Today, we are very pleased to be joined by the Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Troy Fitrell. Ambassador Fitrell will review his commercial diplomacy trip to West Africa and outline the U.S. State Department’s new commercial diplomacy strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa. Joining Ambassador Fitrell in answering questions is U.S. Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba. We will…
Some landscapes do more than just amaze you — they speak. Caves echo with old chants, mountains carry myths, and ancient rock carvings trace stories from long ago. In these places, the rocks don’t just sit there — they remember. Here are the destinations where the rocks tell the stories: Picture/Nelspruit Lodge Echo Caves – Limpopo Tucked into the escarpment near Ohrigstad lie the Echo Caves — chambers so resonant that they’re believed to “speak” when struck. For the Northern Sotho people, these caves are more than a geological curiosity; they’re a place where ancestors linger. Legend has it that…
