Author: Chukwu Godlove

South Africa is often the main event. But with excellent flight connections, solid travel infrastructure and its position at the southern tip of the continent, it is also one of Africa’s easiest gateways. Image used for illustrative purposes/Ross Parmly/Unsplash From here, travellers can add island escapes, desert road trips, dramatic waterfalls and world-class safaris without overcomplicating their journey. Some of the most rewarding African holidays are not about choosing one destination but about pairing places that enhance each other. These African trips work beautifully alongside a South African holiday, whether the focus is wildlife, culture, adventure or pure relaxation. South…

Francistown — The Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe has emphasised the crucial role of tourism in driving socio-economic transformation and shared prosperity across Botswana. Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the 2026 Tourism Pitso in Francistown on Thursday, Mr Gaolathe, also Minister of Finance, highlighted the sector’s potential to contribute to economic diversification and job creation. He explained that the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) and National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) were designed to deepen citizen participation in the economy, strengthen collaborations and foster inclusive growth. He added that the tourism sector remained top priority, with strategic focus…

Tomb of Ramses VI (KV9) Most travelers leave the Valley of the Kings impressed, but completely unaware they’ve only scratched the surface. I watched it happen during my first visit. Tour buses would pull up, groups would shuffle through two or three tombs, snap photos inside, and then head off to the next stop on their itinerary. But here’s what I learned after spending an entire morning there, wandering at my own pace: those quick visits miss the whole point. The tombs that most tour groups see are impressive, sure. But they’re also the most crowded, often the most faded,…

South Africa is a country made for road trips, scenic train rides and long, meandering routes that beg for detours, writes Zoë Erasmus. Laura Alessia / Pexels Here, the landscape doesn’t politely sit in the background, it performs. Mountains rise suddenly, coastlines stretch endlessly, and small towns surprise you when you least expect it. These are five South African journeys where the getting there is not just part of the plan, but the highlight. 1. Chapman’s Peak Drive, Western Cape Best by car Chapman’s Peak Drive is short, but it packs more drama per kilometre than most long-haul journeys. Hugging…

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) has cautioned intending travellers to strictly adhere to due process when applying for travel visas. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, the spokesperson of PSFU, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, cautioned intending travellers against scams. Ewhubare urged members of the public to remain vigilant against the activities of fraudsters. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn NAN reports that scammers in the country have increasingly targeted visa applicants by posing as embassy officials or agents, using fake websites and urgent messages to demand quick payments. The…

Rangers from Table Mountain National Park and police arrested suspects in a series of joint operations that targeted people using mountain routes to commit burglaries and to remove illegal abalone from coastal waters, reports Cape {town} Etc. The coordinated actions, carried out early on 25 January, followed intelligence that linked suspects to a string of house break-ins and to marine poaching activities. ‘Intelligence indicated the suspects were using mountain routes to access and flee residential areas,’ said SANParks spokesperson Lauren Howard Clayton, describing a Vredehoek operation that led to two arrests and the recovery of stolen property. She added that K9 Leah assisted…

Nairobi — The government is equipping its newly appointed envoys to showcase the country’s unmatched natural beauty, wildlife, and rich cultural heritage to international audiences. In a special session at the Ministry of Tourism headquarters on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, alongside the Brand Repositioning Taskforce and Chief Executive Officers of Kenya’s tourism and wildlife entities, hosted the Ambassadors-designate as they prepare to embark on their tours of duty. “Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Consuls are the foremost bearers of Kenya’s story globally, and tourism is a major beneficiary of their work,” said CS Miano. “To our envoys–go forth and market…

Valentine’s Day is a popular time for couples to plan romantic getaways, but not everyone wants busy restaurants or crowded destinations, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Image used for illustrative purposes/Everton Vila/Unsplash For couples who would rather trade reservations for rivers, forests and fireside dinners, a digital detox getaway is a quieter and intimate way to celebrate. Across Southern Africa, there are lodges, cabins and camps designed for privacy, simplicity and immersion in the outdoors. Kolkol Mountain Lodge, Botrivier, Western Cape Kolkol Mountain Lodge is a well known romantic retreat near Botrivier in the Western Cape. Set in a protected fynbos valley,…

– At the end of 2025, Madagascar was the scene of a new political crisis. The removal of the president amid an electoral standoff, followed by demonstrations in Antananarivo and internet shutdowns in several tourist regions, plunged the sector into a sudden downturn. According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, nearly 80 percent of bookings were cancelled between October and December, affecting hotels, tour operators, guides and restaurateurs. Madagascar, which had only just returned to its pre-Covid visitor levels, fell once again. To counter this image of instability, the government rolled out an express communication campaign: television adverts, travel…

There’s something quietly thrilling about having a single free day and absolutely no plan, writes Zoë Erasmus. Angelique Neethling / Unsplash No bookings, no colour-coded Google Maps, no pressure to “make the most of it.” Just 24 open hours and the question: where should I go? In the Western Cape, the answer doesn’t need to be complicated. This is a place where spontaneity works in your favour—where a wrong turn can lead to a perfect view, and where one town can hold enough texture, taste and stillness to fill a day. If you wake up with 24 hours and nowhere…