Morocco is a gateway to Africa in more than one way. The perfect destination for first time travellers to the continent, its wealth of attractions will also appeal to those knowing Africa well too. The best things to do in Morocco are therefore as diverse as they are alluring. If… Continue reading
If you’re considering a trip there, it’s important to first ask yourself ‘is Morocco safe to visit’? The kingdom’s proximity to Europe and easy air access has made Morocco a popular destination for generations. But is Morocco still safe given the threat from terrorist organizations and earthquakes among other potential… Continue reading
Western Sahara lies just south and west of Spain’s Canary Islands on the northwest coast of Africa. It has been one of the world’s trouble spots for half a century. A disputed region, Western Sahara is either an integral part of Morocco to the north, or the world’s largest non-self-governing… Continue reading
Something that worried me in the past was whether it’s okay to travel during Ramadan to Muslim countries. I needn’t have worried, but there are certain things to keep in mind if you plan to do the same yourself. What exactly is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the… Continue reading
Often considered the gateway to Africa, at its closest point Morocco lies just nine miles (14 kilometres) south of Spain. With desert, mountains and coast on two fronts, Morocco’s weather is pretty changable. This can make it tricky to work out the best time to visit Morocco. But help is… 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
The trouble with Mugabe’s apparent continuing election shenanigans in Zimbabwe – formerly the breadbasket of Africa – is that it tars the entire African continent with the same brush of unfree election cycles, which is simply no longer the case. Mali’s highly-praised presidential election just a few days before Zimbabwe’s… Continue reading
My legs aren’t too interested in Melilla’s hilliness. I take a direct route to what I had considered the fort, in fact Old Melilla, a series of 4 fortified precincts providing layer after layer of defence. Its not so much an old town as a giant castle rising and falling… Continue reading
I passed the tropic of cancer on Friday without much fanfare, having travelled back up the Dakhla peninsula onto mainland Africa proper. The border formalities, both Moroccan and Mauritanian, were free of excitement and I was processed by both systems reasonably quickly. Travelling through Western Sahara/Southern Morocco and Mauritania has… Continue reading
I find a shared taxi to Laayoune in about 3 seconds. Having to wait for it to fill, being the first, allows me to accept the offer of tea from the driver. The large UN presence in disputed Western Sahara is immediately obvious from the blue flags, large white SUVs and… Continue reading
