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Travel Africa, Maplewood Lodge, College Farm, Garsington (2024)

04/12/2024

New issue out now!
Walking in the bush is a wonderful thing — proper soul food. It greatly enriches your engagement with nature, but also softens your mindset. Freed of the pressure to see ‘big game’, you slow right down, all of your senses are heightened and you become absorbed. Denis Costello describes this elquoently at the start of our mammoth celebration of the joy of walking published in our new issue, and available on this link: https://travelafricamag.com/

12/11/2024

On the Edge: RGS London Event 14 November
Tickets are still available for 'On the Edge' — "an unmissable evening exploring wild places, threatened species and why we travel" in aid of conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction. Headlined by Dr Julian Fennessy, Director of Conservation and Co-founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and Rebecca Stephens MBE, the first British woman to climb Everest and all seven summits, it promises to be a fun and fascinating evening.... and you can save 20% on selected tickets using the code: RYZZWK
Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/explorersagainstextinction/on-the-edge/e-vlgykd
The event is at the Royal Geographical Society in London, Thursday 14 November.

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Explorers Against Extinction Giraffe Conservation Foundation

29/10/2024

What a guy!
It’s a challenge to drive the length of Africa, but doing it with Parkinsons is particularly impressive. In our current issue, Graeme Green asks Guy Deacon about his remarkable journey, captured in his book Running On Empty.
When asked why he wanted to drive the length of Africa, Deacon replied “Africa has a romance no other continent has. It has history, excitement, edge and fascinating people. It has interested me since I was a young boy.”

For the full interview, pick up a copy of Issue 105 here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

28/10/2024

Deep impact
Africa’s most successful wildlife conservation projects ensure that communities benefit too. There are few places where this is more evident than in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, which employs over 1800 local people. Virtually devoid of animals when philanthropist Greg Carr founded the Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP) in 2008, the park is now home to 102,000 large mammals. The stats relating to its surrounding human populations are equally as impressive. In 2023, GRP started a pre-school programme for literacy, numeracy and languages that will eventually reach 10,000 children and began building 26 schools for 15,000 pupils, using ‘resilient architecture’ so that communities have safe havens in extreme weather disasters. It provided healthcare services to more than 200,000 people, built 18 water wells for over 7000 residents, along with 175 “elephant-proof” silos to protect vital crops. GRP established community projects in beekeeping, ecotourism and fish farming that brought in nearly US$200,500 and supported 307 community rangers. And 20 per cent of Gorongosa’s entrance fees are paid to local communities. A perfect example of community and conservation symbiosis… and all the more reason for you to visit!

Picture credit Olivier Grunewald / Gorongosa

Gorongosa National Park The Explorers Club

25/10/2024

Shoebill protection
African Parks developed the Shoebill Nest Protection Programme in 2012 to ensure the protection of Bangweulu’s threatened shoebills. Community members are employed as guardians to protect the birds round the clock during peak nesting season (June–November).
In May 2022 the Shoebill Captive Rearing and Rehabilitation Facility was established to boost breeding success. It’s the first of its kind in the world, with state-of-the-art incubators and brooders, designed to care for chicks at every stage of development from eggs to up to three months old.
With the birds destined to be released back into the wild, habituating them is counter-productive, so the centre is off-limits to the public, though occasional guided tours can be booked only when conditions are suitable.
Shoebill breeding:
May: Shoebills start nesting
June: Eggs appear. Most have one, some two
July: Eggs start to hatch; some chicks appear
Aug: All nests have chicks
Sept: Fledging starts, through to November
Dec: All nests are empty
Access to nesting sites is prohibited

Image credit Edward Selfe Photo Safaris

24/10/2024

Bead working
If you’re heading to the Maasai Mara, try and pop in at the Beads Museum, located near Sekenani Gate. It’s a “captivating cultural oasis”, says writer Samuel Kinyanjui, that left him “with a tapestry of emotions: the vibrancy of the beadwork, the warmth of the Maasai community and the empowering spirit that filled the air had left an indelible imprint on me.”
Beats Of Beads Trust is a non-profit trust established in 2022 to celebrate the rich custom of East African beads while empowering Maasai women, fostering a deep connection
between tradition, artistry and community. Displays show the continuous evolution of craftsmanship and an interactive workshop allows visitors to try their hand at creating their own beadwork. That sounds like a very worthwhile opportunity to gain a deeper insight to the cultural heritage of this precious swathe of Kenya. Guest rooms are also available, offering a more immersive stay.

23/10/2024

"Tanzania’s real pulls, I soon realised, were its people, its energy and the opportunities it offered to be surrounded by a way of life completely unlike all that I was familiar with." So says Mary Fitzpatrick in our current issue of the magazine.

These are her travel tips for Tanzania:
1. Take the bus.
Journeys are long and slow, often crowded and sometimes uncomfortable, but they offer an authentic feel for Tanzanian life.
2. Learn some basic Swahili phrases.
Even just a few words will go a long way in opening doors and building bridges.
3. Stay in local guesthouses and dine Tanzanian-style, enjoying favourites such as wali na maharagwe (rice and beans), nyama choma (grilled meat) or ugali na mchuzi (pap and sauce) at streetside eateries.
4. Purposefully seek out destinations that are off the beaten track.
5. For safaris and treks, use locally-owned and locally-operated tour companies.
6. Spend more time in one or two parks, rather than trying to fit in too much.

If you'd like to read her whole story, pick up a copy of our current issue here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

22/10/2024

Time to be taken seriously?
Malawi is one of Africa’s most underrated safari destinations, and for good historical reasons. Only two decades ago, the likes of lion, rhino and cheetah were either rare or extinct, and the network of nine national parks and wildlife reserves appeared to be in terminal decline. All that has changed dramatically in recent years, thanks to an ambitious rehabilitation and translocation programme that is gradually transforming Malawi into an all-round safari destination as rewarding as any in Africa.

Philip Briggs gives us an extensive overview in our current issue, available on this link: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

Image credits to Ariadne Van Zandbergen

21/10/2024

When Jenny Bowen set off to hike the 92km Fish River Canyon, she didn’t realise it would prove to be the adventure of a lifetime, which started with a baboon defecating on her kit list (before stealing her lunch).

We had to know more... and if you'd like to read her whole story, pick up a copy of our current issue here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

Sense Earth Holidays

18/10/2024

Kwa-Zulu Natal
"For those of us who live in this beautiful province, it is easy to feel permanently on holiday. It’s a great place to kick back and relax, to unwind and rejuvenate the soul. I love that the sea is warm, the sun is hot, and the leaves are big and sultry; that there is snow on the mountains in winter and there are whales in the ocean; that our society is diverse, and the people are laid-back and friendly. I love that strong, living, traditional cultures still impact people’s everyday lives. Perhaps because of its cultural and environmental diversity, more than anywhere else KwaZulu-Natal encapsulates the look and feel of contemporary South Africa all in one province. By all accounts, once you have been here, you will definitely want to visit again. Or, like me, you may never want to leave."
By Sue Derwent, introducing this vibrant province in our feature on South Africa’s 9 provinces in our latest issue, available here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

-Imfolozi

16/10/2024

Free State
The Eastern Free State is strikingly mountainous, with distinctive sandstone hills dotted about the landscape and the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho in the far distance.
The artists’ and retirees’ haven of Clarens, cheerfully situated under the looming gaze of Titanic Rock just 18km from the Golden Gate, has evolved into one of South Africa’s prime tourist destinations and a popular weekend escape for Johannesburgers. You could go hot-air ballooning, abseil off a cliff, take a horseback trek, quadbike, slackpack or fish.
Yet most visitors to Clarens seem to just take it easy, indulging in long breakfasts, trying a cider, craft beer or gin at the Clarens Brewery or browsing for books at The Bibliophile. Plus, there’s always a scenic game of golf to be had under Mount Horeb.
You should definitely take the short drive to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The sandstone formations are unforgettable, as is the vulture hide to facilitate sightings of the big raptors.

For more features on South Africa's nine provinces, our latest issue is available here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

15/10/2024

Soweto, in South Africa's Gauteng Province, is a definite must-visit — the biggest and best known township has a rich history, and was at the epicentre for the struggle for democracy. Vilikazi Street is quite touristy, having the distinction of being home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners — former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Hector Petersen Museum and Regina Mundi Church are worth visiting, but for Bridget Hilton-Barber the most exciting way to see Soweto is on a guided walk with Soweto Night Tours. These are accompanied by a youth choir, whose sweet strains add a magical dimension. Staying overnight gives a real sense of life here.

Our latest issue's feature on South Africa's nine provinces is available here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

14/10/2024

Mpumalanga: The Panorama Route
Road-tripping heaven: steep mountain passes, astonishing views, small town stopovers and quaint little eateries. The Blyde River Canyon, with its luscious subtropical foliage, has been dubbed the world’s biggest green canyon — and is the second largest canyon in Africa, after Namibia’s Fish River Canyon.

Our latest issue's feature on South Africa's nine provinces will give you tons more information, and is available here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

11/10/2024

South Africa’s North West Province

Madikwe Game Reserve
For Bridget Hilton-Barber, malaria-free Madikwe is the gem of North West province. Bordering Botswana, close to the Kalahari Desert, it offers vast open plains of woodlands and grasslands, rugged mountains and a thrilling safari experience.
It’s the fifth largest game reserve in the country, developed from reclaimed farmland and renowned for hosting the world’s biggest successful wildlife relocation, called Operation Phoenix. Over 8000 animals of 28 species were reintroduced here, including entire elephant herds and wild dogs.
With roughly 20 accommodation options including luxury lodges and family spots, there’s also a real sense of history here — the famous Mafikeng Road, once an historical route used by chiefs, traders, missionaries and explorers, runs through the area.

For more gems and nuggets of info on South Africa’s nine provinces, pick up a copy of our latest issue here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

Photo credit The Last Word

09/10/2024

South Africa's Limpopo Province

"Magoebaskloof: I’ve been many times over the years and remain astonished by the spring spectacle of cherry trees and azaleas in full Impressionistic bloom at Cheerio Gardens in the heart of the forested Magoebaskloof, with the friendly hamlet of Haenertsburg at its centre. I love the hikes around here, and I always end off with a cold beer at Zwakala Brewery, just outside the village, and stock up on treats at Stella’s Deli, off the main road.

From Haenertsburg, the 40km-long Magoebaskloof Pass descends 600m in a series of dizzying bends to the subtropical town of Tzaneen. It’s an extraordinary mountain pass, with each bend offering a different surprise: waterfalls, historic blue gum trees, lookout points, nurseries or roadside stalls. Stop halfway at Magoebaskloof Farm Stall for the best coffee and pizzas. The area has a lovely collection of farmstays, guesthouses and B&Bs."

So says Bridget Hilton-Barber in our latest issue's feature on South Africa's nine provinces, available here: https://travelafricamag.com/product/travel-africa-105

08/10/2024

Zoom until your bird fills the box...
The Merlin Bird ID app, by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a must-have for bird enthusiasts. It’s totally free to use and can identify birds through photos, sounds and by answering simple questions. The vast database covers bird species worldwide and even offers offline functionality, making it perfect for remote safari locations.
And did we mention that it's free! Check it out, and download it here: www.merlin.allaboutbirds.org

04/10/2024

The ties that bind
We're freshly back from a couple of weeks in South Luangwa (Zambia), grateful for the opportunity to spend an extended period in one park.

We managed to visit a number of community and conservation projects while we were there and to learn more about the operations of some of the camps we stayed at, gaining a much deeper appreciation for the interdependence between tourism and economic sustainability in the region. Without tourism, the whole area — Mfuwe town, the regional villages and the park itself — would struggle.

Operators are acutely aware of the need to manage tourism to ensure growth can continue sensitively and positively, and we will explore this more fully in a feature on Luangwa in one of our future issues. Suffice to say, there is plenty to be optimistic about. We met so many truly inspiring people across all walks of life, each doing their bit to build a more stable and prosperous future.

Subscribe to receive our new issue with the Luangwa feature in November: https://travelafricamag.com/subscriptions

06/09/2024

"If you love animals, you'll love Gary Hodges drawings," says wildlife TV presenter Michaela Strachan. And you can join her — and fellow animal lovers such as Dame Virginia McKenna, Sally Gunnell, Jenny Seagrove, Dame Maureen Lipman and Hayley Mills, among others — at an exclusive Private View Gala at Mall Galleries in London on 1 October, ahead of an exhibition of Hodges' drawings from 2 – 5 October.

Says Gary Hodges, of his visit to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia last year: "We like to stay in one area for many days. You get used to the different animals and how they live. In Zambia, for example, we stayed at Flatdogs Camp for the whole two weeks and either went out early in the morning and late in the afternoon, or sometimes for the whole day so we could travel further afield."

To see more of his work, visit https://www.garyhodges-wildlife-art.com/ or sign up to our newsletter at https://travelafricamag.com/

Travel Africa

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm