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
The experience of seeing Africa’s wildlife icons in their natural habitat cannot be beaten. Each and every one of the continent’s national parks has something special to boast about. However, few safari-goers can resist the allure of catching sight of a big cat (lion, leopard, or cheetah) on the prowl…. Continue reading
This short guide aims to highest Africa’s best diving destinations. Think of Africa, and it’s likely that it’s the continent’s plains and rainforests that come to mind. And you should definitely take any opportunity to head out on safari and enjoy the sights and sounds of happy elephant. But don’t… Continue reading
What to do in Cape Town – what a question! I can say without hyperbole that Cape Town is one of the finest cities I’ve ever visited. I love the place. Cape Town warrants as much time as you can give it. There’s its commanding location between Table Mountain and… Continue reading
Think of Africa’s top national parks and thoughts of great swaths of savannah grassland prowled by lion probably come to mind. This iconic – perhaps stereotypical – scene does exist, and really is a bucket list experience. But there are more to Africa’s top national parks that wallowing hippos and… Continue reading
Sitting around the African continent like the jewels on a necklace are some truly exquisite islands. Here’s my personal guide to the top small islands in Africa to visit! Almost always unique in one way or another, some are nation states. Other are autonomous regions. Still more just happen to… 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
This blog is a chance to relive what I was up to 6 months ago this week during the Encircle Africa expedition. My joy of having reached Cape Town – the halfway point on the exact half-year anniversary of leaving London – was tempered by the knowledge I had to… Continue reading
Being a Croydon boy, it’s sometimes difficult to be proud of the place I was born and brought up, faced with the obvious jokes and the ugly post war buildings. For its faults, of which there are many, Croydon does have things to be proud of. For one, it isn’t… Continue reading
All across Africa I was aware others had been there before me. This became increasingly apparent as I reached southern Africa – Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias reached Tombua, in the far south of modern day Angola in 1487. He had made his way along the… Continue reading
