Author: Chukwu Godlove

Hiking in winter can be a breathtaking experience, offering serene landscapes and a unique perspective on nature. With cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, it is indeed an ideal time to explore the great outdoors. However, the cold weather can also present specific challenges that require careful preparation and awareness. Picture: Unsplash/Faruk Tokluoğlu Here are some essential safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter hiking adventure: Dress appropriately and in layers When it comes to winter hiking, layering is key. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin. You can then add an insulating layer…

Nairobi — Kenya youth now account for 70 percent of the industry’s workforce, significantly surpassing the global average of 50 percent. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano hailed the achievement as a reflection of the government’s deliberate efforts to empower young people and drive economic growth through sustainable employment opportunities. “Tourism is one of the sectors the government is prioritizing to bridge the unemployment gap among our youth and provide more long-lasting opportunities for Kenya’s young population,” said Miano. She spoke during the inaugural East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC) held at Strathmore University, an event where she…

May might not scream “peak safari season”, but that’s exactly why I love it! It’s a shoulder month – the sweet spot between crowds and cost – where you’ll often find yourself enjoying Africa’s great outdoors without jostling for space or sweating through your sun hat. Cooler days, clearer skies, and first-rate game viewing in some parts of the continent make May an excellent time to travel. Here’s where I’d go – and where I’d stay – if I were planning a May adventure.Tranquil beach bliss away from the crowds, Image Credit: Constance Tsarabanjina1. Nosy Be, MadagascarThere’s something a little…

We always need a character to tell a story, and most people respond best to bold personalities, but what about the little guys? Habitats like the seabed don’t tend to receive much attention. You’re like, ‘oh, bland sand,’ but living among those grains are organisms working hard to power the livelihoods of larger animals. Eighty percent of the world’s oceans are entirely unknown – which means we can still save them. So, I look at the bigger picture and how each entity or unit collaborates to ensure this vast environment’s functionality. What lives on the seabed, why it’s there, what…

-The Amhara State Culture and Tourism Bureau announced that it has collected over 5.2 billion Birr in revenue from more than 8.6 million domestic and foreign tourists over the past nine months. The Bureau’s Public Relations Chief, AbebeEmbiale, told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that approximately 8.6 million domestic and 16,956 foreign tourists visited the state during the first nine months of this fiscal year. He pointed out that the number of domestic and foreign tourists exceeded the planned targets for the period by 91.3% and 67.7%, respectively. Accordingly, the state achieved 5.1 billion Birr in revenue, surpassing the planned…

In an unusual encounter at the Pilanesberg National Park, a hippo was seen trying to join in on a lion’s meal. The sighting was shared by field guide Solomzi Radebe on Latest Sightings. Radebe was on a safari and did not expect to see such an encounter. He had come across a pride of lions on his earlier drive as they headed towards the waterhole but they didn’t show up as he arrived back. Assuming they would soon return to the waterhole, he waited patiently but there was no sign of them. However, he later managed to come across the…

In recent times, Ethiopia has been making significant strides in promoting its tourism sector, particularly through the restoration of historical sites and the promotion of its natural landscapes. Recent discussions involving key stakeholders highlighted the nation’s commitment to preserving its rich historical, religious and cultural heritage while simultaneously increasing tourist influx. As part of this effort, recently, Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa convened with French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Alexis Lamek, and members of the Lalibela Archaeological Site Maintenance Monitoring Committee and reviewed the project’s status. The primary focus of this meeting was the ongoing restoration efforts at Lalibela, a UNESCO…

The Himalayan region is known for its extreme climate, with icy winds and frigid temperatures making survival difficult for most wildlife. Yet in a surprising twist, a species usually found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia has been sighted there for the first time, over 600 miles from its known range. Picture/PeakVisor During the summer of 2023, researchers deployed 200 infrared cameras in the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve in southern Tibet to monitor local wildcats. Although this part of the reserve is milder than the iconic snow-covered peaks, it still lies within the heart of the Himalayas. Within a…

Nairobi — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its global Together in Travel initiative, aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the travel and tourism sector. VFS Global has joined as a Founding Partner, bringing with it a global footprint across 150+ countries and decades of industry experience. The initiative, launched in collaboration with leading industry players, seeks to bolster SMEs by providing access to international markets, investment opportunities, digital tools, training programmes, and frameworks for sustainable business practices. “We are delighted to welcome VFS Global as a Founding Partner. Their global reach and expertise…

Image: Instagram / @the roperunner Marissa Groenewald redefines endurance sport as she prepares to tackle the Comrades Marathon – the ‘ultimate human race’ – with a skipping rope in hand, raising funds for a worthy cause along the way.  ALSO READ: Nepal plans to restrict Everest permits, allowing experienced climbers only Durban resident Marissa Groenewald is not your average marathon runner. The 41-year-old mother of two has pioneered a new sport she calls “rope running” – completing gruelling long-distance races while continuously skipping with a jump rope. Having recently conquered the Two Oceans Ultramarathon with her rope in hand, she’s…