Author: Chukwu Godlove
After years of construction delays, the long-awaited visitor centre at the Vredefort Dome — one of the world’s largest meteorite impact craters — is finally nearing completion and is expected to open to the public by early 2026. Vredefort Dome signage/Leo za1/Wikimedia Commons Funded through the Department of Tourism’s Working for Tourism programme, the new facility will feature interactive geological exhibits and audiovisual presentations detailing the formation of the 2-billion-year-old crater, as previously reported by Tourism Update. Located around 120km south-west of Johannesburg in the Free State, the Vredefort Dome spans an incredible 190km radius and is recognised as a…
Travel has taken on new meaning in recent years. Casprine Assempah/Unsplash Across Africa, small villages are creating fresh ways for travellers to explore the continent. Instead of conventional tourist attractions, these destinations offer meaningful, community-driven experiences that preserve culture and protect nature. Here are five places where you can experience Africa’s most inspiring examples of sustainable, people-focused tourism. Nzulezo, Ghana Nzulezo, floating above Lake Tadane in western Ghana, is one of the most remarkable villages on the continent. Built entirely on stilts, this settlement has existed for centuries and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Reaching Nzulezo…
South Africa’s landscapes are not just breathtaking, they’re storied. Thomas Fuhrmann / Wikimedia Commons From the mist-shrouded peaks of the Drakensberg to the endless plains of the Karoo, every mountain, cave, and valley hums with tales whispered through generations. These myths aren’t mere relics of the past; they shape how locals see their land, turning geography into something sacred, mysterious, and deeply human. The Drakensberg: mountains of dragons and spirits PhillipN / Wikimedia Commons The Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning “Barrier of Spears,” already hints at the Drakensberg’s grandeur. But its English name, “Dragon Mountains,” comes from legends that something far…
Monrovia — Stakeholders and participants at a one-day Public Policy Dialogue on Tourism, organized by the Governance Commission (GC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), have called for enhanced measures to strengthen Liberia’s tourism sector. The dialogue, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, focused on strategies to unlock the full potential of the multibillion-dollar industry, including the role of government, financial institutions, and public-private partnerships in promoting tourism. During panel discussions, participants highlighted the importance of promoting tourism from the grassroots to allow counties to…
When people think of a Tanzanian island escape, Zanzibar almost always takes the spotlight. Its spice-scented markets, iconic dhows and white-sand beaches have made it one of Africa’s most famous destinations. Zanzibar, Tanzania/Humphrey M/Unsplash From remote marine reserves to forest-covered islets, these islands encourage you to slow down and explore a quieter kind of paradise, still filled with beauty and charm. Pemba Island: The green jewel Vumawimbi Beach, Pemba Island/Marcel Oosterwijk from Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Wikimedia Commons Often called Zanzibar’s wild sister, Pemba is everything Unguja (Zanzibar’s main island) isn’t: rugged, forested and blissfully untamed. It’s famous for its hilly landscape,…
Stakeholders at a one-day Public Policy Dialogue on Tourism have called on the government and its partners to make meaningful investments in Liberia’s tourism sector, describing it as a potential driver of economic growth and national reawakening. The dialogue, organized by the Governance Commission (GC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), was held under the theme, “A Review of Liberia’s Tourism Sector for Sustained Economic Growth.” The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, tourism operators, and development partners at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex. Participants agreed…
Sometimes, all you need to recharge is a good tune. Nikola Đuza/Unsplash Across South Africa, live music venues are keeping the mid-week spirit alive with intimate performances and local talent. Here are some of the country’s best local venues for a mid-week wind-down. Johannesburg The Orbit, BraamfonteinThe Orbit quickly established itself as one of Johannesburg’s leading jazz venues, attracting both local and international musicians. Its modern yet relaxed atmosphere provides an ideal setting for music lovers looking to escape the weekday rush. Guests can enjoy smooth jazz, fusion, and soulful performances while sampling a curated menu of wine and light…
Wine tourism has long put South Africa on the agritourism map, but a new generation of farm experiences is redefining indulgence. Beyond the vineyards, olive groves, honey farms, and truffle trails offer visitors immersive, multi-sensory adventures that combine food, nature, and culture. These three artisanal treasures are not only delicious—they tell stories of place, season, and sustainability. Olives: Liquid gold from the Karoo and beyond Image of olive tree used for illustrative purposes/Lucio Patone/Unsplash South Africa’s olive estates are flourishing in the Western Cape and Karoo, where sun-drenched valleys produce fruit that rivals Mediterranean classics. Farms like Olijvenhof in Montagu…
From golden plains where ancient stone cities rise to mossy fjords carved by millennia of ice, 2025 has unveiled a world rich in texture–think Zimbabwe’s thunderous gorges, Lithuania’s midsummer meadows and Sri Lanka’s jungle-wrapped railways. Soulful countries like South Korea invite quiet reflection amid temple-laced forests and volcanic island trails, while Morocco shimmers in desert hues and Norway gleams with waterfalls and glinting glaciers. To help narrow your search, I’ve spoken to experts from a world-leading travel site, Kayak, to choose its best countries to visit in 2025. Partly based on insights laid out in the company’s Travel Check-in report,…
Nobody loves pumpkin quite like South Africans. Andrew Robinson/Unsplash This enduring, versatile ingredient is a staple that appears in homes, farm kitchens and restaurants across the country. From sweet fritters in the Western Cape to pumpkin curries in KwaZulu-Natal, each region adds its own touch to this versatile vegetable. Here’s where to explore the country’s diverse pumpkin traditions. Western Cape The Western Cape is a treasure trove of pumpkin-based dishes that reflect both farm-style cooking and Cape Malay heritage. Travellers can start in Stellenbosch, where Oom Samie se Winkel serves traditional pampoenkoekies which are light pumpkin fritters sprinkled with cinnamon…