Blogs from Africa - page 2

As I made my way back up the Westside of Tunisia I couldn't believe the quantity and quality of the ancient ruins. It also had very lush and green landscape compared to the desert south and the eastern coastline. I started at the Ruins of Sbeitla dating back to 138 to 161. This was the entry point of the Muslim conquest of North Africa. It is believed this settlement reached great prosperity through the olive industry allowing them to build such impressive buildings. Sbeitla is known for having the best preserved Forum in the world. Instead of constructing only one temple dedicated to the three most important Roman gods: Jupiter, Minerva, and Juno the inhabitants of the city built separate temples for each one. One of the most famous collection of ruins is Dougga which UNESCO ... read more

After exploring the coast of Tunisia I headed into the central part of the country which is where Tunisia connects to the Sahara Desert. The southern part of the county is very sparsely occupied as it is a primarily desert. My first stop was to stay in a cave in a mountain community of Chenini. The mountain village dates back to the 12th century when the Berbers took refuge to escape the invasion of the Caliph Fatmide al-Mistansir. The striking white mosque called the Seveln Sleepers was constructed at the same time. The occupants built their homes in caves in the side of the mountain to have protection from the harsh temperatures. In the summer it can get to 60C (140F) but the temperature inside of the cave stays significantly cooler. I had a tour from ... read more

This African adventure is drawing to a close. After cycling over 4,000km since January I've arrived in Banjul. This is as far south as I'm heading. That's probably just as well, because the sun is now very strong around midday and the afternoons are very hot. To reach Banjul, I had to cross the Gambia River on the ferry. I loved the thought of getting on a ferry from Barra to Banjul. Barra, the Scottish one, is one of my favourite places to visit. I definitely think a Barra to Barra ferry service would be a brilliant idea! Even better if it would stop in Derry on the way past. I'd read online about how chaotic buying tickets for the ferry was, basically a scrum and how crowded it was on the ferry. Maybe I was ... read more

When you go on an organised tour of any region, there are always a number of prescheduled excursions included in the base package. But sometimes it is the spontaneous or unexpected stop that can be a highlight. Such was the case for me at a place called Atakpame in Togo, which just happened to be on the day of my 75th birthday. As we were driving along, we made a spontaneous stop when we interrupted an outdoor school lesson of grades 3 and 4 to check out their facilities and get familiar with their lessons approach. There was a beautiful moment for me when the whole class sang “Happy Birthday” to me (en Francais) then stood up and gave me a big clap. This was followed by one of our tour group, who had brought his ... read more

Africa is renowned for its abundance of wildlife and unspoiled landscapes that offer unparalleled opportunities for safari experiences. In this article, we will explore the most important factors to consider when planning unforgettable African safaris. From choosing the right destination and timing your trip for optimal seasonal game viewing, to immersing in local culture and navigating logistical details, following these top tips will help ensure you make the most of your adventure. Tailoring Your Safari Experience There are many wonderful places to go on safari in Africa, each with its special attractions and seasons. When planning, consider which ecosystems and wildlife species appeal most to your interests. Deciding between popular locales like Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and others involves researching their unique flora and fauna. For example, Eas... read more