Ghana is a great introduction to west Africa. English speaking, culturally-rich, packed with history – and though you might not believe it, a great place for wildlife spotting too. Sure, you won’t encounter huge herds on never-ending savannah. And the Big Five are nowhere to be seen (not all of… Continue reading
Anyone with a passion for history and culture should consider including visits to historic sites of the slave trade in Africa on any itinerary. It’s a history which hangs over much of Africa, and has everything to do with many contemporary issues the continent faces. As a visitor from the… Continue reading
When I first visited Ghana in 2006 most of my friends thought I was crazy. What they didn’t know was the vast array of attractions that (I hoped) awaited me. Added to that was the country’s reputation as a great destination for a first visit to Africa. Unlike elsewhere on… Continue reading
While you can now go on safari in India and South America, safaris began in Africa. The word itself comes from Kiswahili, spoken widely on the eastern side of the continent. Initially meaning a journey, it now specifically refers to wildlife encounters. The word’s Kiswahili origins also hint at the… Continue reading
Africa’s reputation can be intimidating to say the least. However, go behind the headlines and you’ll find a mesmerising continent full to brimming with sights and experiences. Heading out on safari is a no-brainer. But there’s a lot more to Africa besides. Here are what I think are the top… Continue reading
Long before Richard Burton married Elizabeth Taylor, he (or at least a namesake) was a Victorian explorer fluent in 29 languages. Being barely fluent in one makes me inordinately jealous of the man’s skills, as well as what he termed his “wanderings”. Burton’s wanderings took him through Asia, the Middle… Continue reading
The road to Accra is as good as any I have travelled on. We kept bumping into the coast as we followed the road East, passing old haunts like Apam and dreamed of destinations like Elmina and Winneba. It takes 45 minutes in heavy slow moving traffic to get to… Continue reading
Despite the skyline there’s little to do in Abidjan, and I’m glad to be able to move on. After two and a half months of travel, the last week was a designated rest week, for recuperation and birthday celebrations. From Abidjan I made the relatively short hop by minibus back… Continue reading
