Author: Chukwu Godlove

Gaborone — Botswana nationals will require an entry visa to visit the United Kingdom (UK) with effect from October 14. According to the press statement from the Ministry for International Relations, the announcement comes in response to the ongoing illegal and irregular migration of Batswana to the UK, including the significant number of asylum applications from Batswana since 2022. Therefore, the UK government has revoked the ‘visa free status’ and introduced a visitor visa requirement for Batswana planning to visit the UK. Furthermore, Batswana transiting through the UK, will also require a direct airside transit visa, which similarly comes into…

Africa’s landscapes are best explored at your own pace, with the road beneath you, the wind on your face, and the horizon stretching ahead. Ilha do Ibo, Mozambique/Dimitry B/Unsplash Beyond the usual safari routes, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique offer deserts, deltas, rivers, and quiet coastal villages. On these routes, the journey is just as exciting as the places you reach. Planning your loops Bwabwata/Delabye S, Sedláček O, Maicher V, Tropek R (2020)/ Wikimedia Commons Two primary loops take adventurous travellers deep into Southern Africa’s hidden gems: Loop A: Northern Namibia → Okavango Delta → Mozambique Coast Start in Windhoek, Namibia’s…

Nigeria is consolidating its national hydrographic capacity and driving Africa’s regional hydrographic agenda. This was the key highlight at the African Cooperation Seminar on Hydrography, Oceanography, and Marine Cartography, held in Casablanca, Morocco, from 8 to 10 October 2025. Delivering a presentation on “Progress Made in Hydrography and Marine Cartography in Nigeria,” the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer (HoF/CEO) of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, revealed that Nigeria has made significant strides in building institutional capacity and expanding its regional influence in hydrography and marine cartography. The landmark event, hosted by the Kingdom…

Johannesburg is a city in constant motion, where art, ideas, and caffeine flow freely. Kushal Permal / Unsplash Between the glass towers and leafy suburbs, Joburg’s coffee culture has quietly evolved into one of South Africa’s most vibrant, shaped by local roasters, creative communities, and loyal regulars who know exactly where to find the city’s perfect flat white. Here’s a list of Johannesburg’s best cafés and coffee shops — each with its own flavour, story, and sense of place. 1. The Whippet — Linden Stylish yet unpretentious, The Whippet has long been a Joburg institution. Nestled in the heart of…

That Uganda is a country truly blessed by nature is never in doubt. From the various natural resources to the green savannahs, a road trip through this naturally endowed nation would be incomplete without a visit to the national parks that harbor the wild life. For your information, six new national parks have recently been gazetted to add to the already ten major ones which shows how richly endowed the Pearl of Africa is! Self-drive in Uganda Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn Combine all that with the freedom of a self-guide adventure, it feels like…

Africa’s waterfalls are nature’s applause—thundering, misty, and endlessly captivating. While Victoria Falls, the UNESCO-listed “Smoke That Thunders” on the Zambezi, is the continent’s most famous, countless lesser-known cascades await, each with its own rhythm, myths, and raw beauty. What makes a waterfall a wonder? A waterfall’s wonder isn’t only in its height or volume. It’s in its setting, story, and soul. Some spill from volcanic escarpments into thick jungle; others carve through barren highlands or tumble down mountain plateaus. Many are sacred to local communities or anchor ecosystems teeming with life. These natural cathedrals remind us that water, in motion,…

Welcome to the Great Big South African Lifestyle Survey 2025 Welcome to the Great Big South African Lifestyle Survey 2025 Ready to share your thoughts – and maybe win an all-inclusive trip to Mauritius? This is your chance to tell us how you’re living, spending, saving, scrolling, shopping and thriving in today’s South Africa – and stand to WIN unforgettable travel prizes worth over R350,000, including an all-inclusive 6-night stay in Mauritius for two. We get it, it’s thorough. BUT stick with it: every section you complete (yup, all 8) boosts your chances to bag that trip of a lifetime!…

The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa has received one of the highest international distinctions in hospitality — a MICHELIN Key in The MICHELIN Guide 2025. Image: supplied Often described as the hotel world’s equivalent of the MICHELIN Star, the MICHELIN Key celebrates more than 7,000 properties worldwide that stand out for their sense of place, service, and character. This year marks the first time South African hotels have been recognised in the Guide’s hotel category, with just 27 properties across the country earning the honour. The Cellars-Hohenort now joins this select list of destinations offering an exceptional guest experience. Set on nine…

It remains too difficult for Africans to travel between African countries. Africa-wide reforms have failed. The keynote continental agreement, the African Union’s Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018, still has only four country ratifications from 55 members. A new report of the African Union bemoans the low (though slightly improved) level of human integration in Africa. It describes the main challenges as legal fragmentation, weak institutional frameworks, security concerns, and limited mutual recognition of documents and qualifications. Nevertheless, some consolation can be drawn from the fact that African migration governance systems have been moving in the right…

Africa’s forests hold a magic that is ancient and grounding. These forests offer some of the most peaceful and immersive camping experiences on the continent. A forest is much more than just trees and each of these ones offer a unique camping experience worth any travel stress. While there are many worth mentioning, here are 5 of some of the best to start you off. Baviaanskloof Wilderness Campsites, Eastern Cape, South Africa Deep within the rugged Baviaanskloof, a World Heritage Site known for its dramatic mountain passes and ancient forested valleys, the wilderness campsites offer a rare opportunity to sleep…