Author: Chukwu Godlove
When thinking of a safari, it is very normal for the iconic Big Five to come to mind. While the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are undoubtedly the highlight of any African safari, focusing solely on them can limit your experience. Picture: iStock / ludex After all, Africa boasts an abundance of natural beauty and biodiversity worth exploring and enjoying. Here’s how you can stretch your safari experience beyond the Big Five: Explore the Little Five Although the Big Five may easily steal the spotlight, the ‘Little Five’ (elephant shrew, ant lion, leopard tortoise, red-billed buffalo weaver and the…
Lagos — COORDINATING Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has said Nigeria loses about $2 billion yearly to medical tourism, saying the country must build health sovereignty and not rely on foreign care. Pate said the lack of confidence in local healthcare and the citizenry’s inability to access quality health partly contributed to the figure. Pate, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Wasiu Adeyemo, stated this during the commissioning of Avon Medical Centre, a 50-bed speciality hospital in Surulere, Lagos. However, he expressed optimism that Avon Medical Centre, among others, would…
Technology is moving rapidly and everything is at the touch or scroll of a button. There is something fulfilling about switching off and winding down—no endless emails and social media notifications pinging at every moment. The only noise you will hear is the whistle of the wind through the trees, the crackle of a campfire, or the lull of the waves hitting the shore. Across South Africa, hidden gems are designed to help you unplug, unwind, and reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and nature. Here’s a go-to guide to some screen-free destinations that offer that true digital detox package:…
An attempted sexual assault on Devil’s Peak has prompted renewed safety concerns for hikers and joggers frequenting Cape Town’s mountain trails. On April 9, 2025, a 45-year-old woman was found injured on the slopes of Devil’s Peak after reportedly being accosted by an unknown suspect while jogging near De Waal Drive. Picture: Devil’s Peak / Secret Cape Town Following a report from her family that she was missing, SANParks launched a search operation, says Cape Argus. The victim was located on the mountain with visible bruises and scratches. A suspect was also found on-site and subsequently detained by the South…
When it comes to holidays, summer often steals the spotlight. However, winter in South Africa deserves a standing ovation of its own. Although many of us tend to retreat indoors clutching hot water bottles and dodging the cold like the tax man, winter is actually a lovely time for local travel. Picture: iStock / Jacoblund Think fewer crowds, wide open spaces and prices that won’t make your wallet weep. It’s the underrated season with serious main-character energy. According to Nick Dickson, group custodian at Dream Hotels & Resorts, South African winters are some of the best times to travel as…
The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, will be on the ground to monitor the accelerated security control measures at the Lebombo port of entry before the Easter holidays. As the third law enforcement service in the Republic, the BMA has also deployed drones and body-worn cameras for additional technological support. Masiapato will monitor deployments and traveller movements. Most of the ports not operating for 24 hours have adjusted their service hours for the Easter holidays. “Commissioner Masiapato will be in Lebombo from 15 to 18 April 2025, while most travellers are exiting the country before…
There’s a common myth about African travel that still surprises me. It’s the idea that you come here once, tick off a few bucket-list animals, snap a lion or two at golden hour, and head home feeling you’ve “done Africa”. That’s like visiting Paris for a croissant and calling yourself a connoisseur of French cuisine. Having lived in Africa my whole life – and explored its many corners, over and over again – I can tell you with confidence that the first trip might be unforgettable, but a return trip to Africa is where the real magic begins. It doesn’t…
According to expert reports, Turkey is set to begin restoration and remodelling work on the Hagia Sophia dome, which is believed to be one of the most significant repair projects on the iconic one-thousand-year-old landmark. Before its capture by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, the dome was the largest cathedral for 900 years, and after that, it became one of Islam’s most holy mosques for nearly 500 years. ALSO READ: Exploring the rich history of Robben Island beyond Nelson Mandela Nabil Adham/Unsplash Turkey’s secular republic turned the building into a museum for approximately 70 years until President Tayyip Erdogan converted…
TANZANIA has been selected to host the prestigious World Travel Awards ceremony for the Africa and Indian Ocean region, scheduled to take place on June 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. The event will be coordinated by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB). Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on April 14, 2025, the Director General of TTB, Mr. Ephraim Mafuru, said the awards were established in 1993 by the World Luxury Media Group to recognize, reward, and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries worldwide. Mr. Mafuru noted that the awards honour a…
Do you love journeying through time? Are you excited by the idea of exploring the world with the aim of unearthing the past’s hidden treasures? Undoubtedly, there’s a magic attached to tracing the footsteps of those who came before us. Diving into the deep exploration of historic monuments, sacred ruins and past ways of life can be fascinating and empowering. There are plenty of historic destinations which have rich and interesting stories to tell. If you are a history buff, here are some historical havens around the world which are worth visiting: Athens, Greece Image by Jaafar Alnasser With a…