Travel Africa

Travel Africa is published quarterly by: GECKO PUBLISHING LTD 12 The Butts, Aynho, Banbury, OX17 3AN, United Kingdom (ISSN 1561-2783) travelafricamag.com facebook.com/TA.magazines @Travelafricamag travelafricamagazine Tel +44 (0)1844 278883 Editorial

One day in mid-1997 there was a knock on the door of my aunt and uncle's house in Oxfordshire. Responding to a promotional flyer, a retired doctor had driven 20 miles to subscribe to our as-yet-unpublished magazine. It was an early indication of the

In 1997 the internet was in its infancy and people still gathered most of their travel ideas and advice from newspapers and magazines. On the newsstand in the UK at the time, there were four travel magazines (all still going today) and thirteen on mo

Opened with Brian Jackman’s ‘The attraction of Africa’ — a masterpiece that stands the test of time. Parting Shot was created on print day because a story didn’t come in on time; it has stayed ever since. “Is that the image of Africa you should be po

Times visited: 22 Country count: 12 Next up? Kenya and Tanzania in September. I keep returning to: Kenya. Place I'd most like to go? Rwanda. 'Big Five' or 'Little Five? Definitely 'Big Five'. Guided or self-drive? Guided; but have done both. Direct o

In 1994, there were just five of us in a Unimog (an extreme off-road truck) on an adventurous camping trip from Johannesburg into Botswana and Zimbabwe. After the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Okavango Delta and Moremi, we came to Savuti Campsite in Chobe N

Ever since National Geographic's iconic documentary Gabon: The last Eden in the mid-noughties, there has been an allure among Africa aficionados to visit the country, particularly Loango National Park, where rainforests stretch all the way to the oce

1 First up, find a good, fully-equipped, reliable vehicle — Foley’s (www.foleysv.com) has a few already prepared for overlanding for sale. 2 It costs about £4,000 to ship a vehicle to Africa from the UK (less if you can share a container). 3 You will

Camping in Africa gives you the chance to immerse yourself in nature and to stay in some incredible locations, often with breathtaking views. Namibia's camping infrastructure, in particular, is excellent, making it one of the easiest self-drive desti

✓ Camp in a designated site ✓ Keep noise levels down, especially at night ✓ Manage your campfire and make sure it is completely out before you go to bed ✓ Use the refuse bins provided ✓ Recycle what cannot be used ✓ Buy firewood on route where possib

You’re well-travelled safarigoers, always with an eye on the next adventure. With so much to explore across the vast continent, it was no surprise that when we asked you for your bucket list destinations, it was an exciting mix of renowned and off-th

Permit cost: Currently, DRC sets you back US$400; Uganda US$700 and Rwanda US$1500 per person. Accessibility: Rwanda's Volcanoes NP is easier to get to than DRC or Uganda. It is a two-to three-hours' drive from Kigali; Uganda's Bwindi is about nine h

Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve: The “Eden in the Sahara”, Ennedi is a ‘garden’ of sandstone cliffs, arches, mushroom rocks, labyrinths, water reservoirs and 7000-yearold rock art. Binder-Léré Faunal Reserve: See the venerated Gauthiot Falls, man

When getting your visa, check its validity (usually three months or less) and when it becomes valid — the date of issue or the date of arrival? Check if it is a single entry or allows multiple entries. If you've only ever stayed in lodges, book a mob

Equatorial Guinea is one of the least visited countries in the world. This is not surprising given their visa policy, which only allows visa-free access to nine nations (mainly CEMAC countries plus US citizens, thanks to links between the two countri

The rolling hills and lush vegetation of Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands district — pine forests fed by perennial streams and punctuated with fynbos and waterfalls — have earned it the nickname the ‘Switzerland of Zimbabwe’, and it’s where we holiday wh

ADAM STEPHEN MESHALLU PROUD AFRICAN SAFARIS, TANZANIA The plan for our 12-day trip was to track big cats as we followed the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti Plains. Adam's patience rewarded us with exquisite sightings: cheetah cubs sharing

GOVERNMENT GUIDE, KAKAMEGA FOREST, KENYA There is nothing Wilberforce doesn't know about the forest. He has even lectured in Japan and Germany. He lives in a wooden hut with his wife and family, with no electricity or running water. I hope when I vis

You’ll find the answers on page 159 Part 2 Q1: How many species of bats are there worldwide? 1. 300 2. 450 3. 1200 4. 2000 Q2: What are baby bats called? 1. Cubs 2. Pups 3. Infant 4. Doll Q3: Which animal class does a tortoise belong to? 1. Mammals 2

With vast expanses of habitat ranging from sweeping savannahs and verdant rainforests to lush wetlands and arid deserts, all home to exceptional fauna and flora, Africa is one of the most biodiverse continents on Earth. But with its human population

Every safari should have a positive, sustainable impact on everyone involved. This was brought into sharp perspective by the Covid-19 pandemic and the incalculable effect the global travel bans had on the people who live in and around the wilderness

Many shops offer a range of African homeware, from soft furnishings to furniture. Training local women to be artisans, Katundu (katundu.com), on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, sells beautiful lighting and wall decor, textiles and tables all made with

Before you leave for Africa, make a note of what you might want or need, so you can keep an eye out for it on your travels. This will help you to shop with a conscience as well as with a purpose. On safari, when you see something you like, buy it — y

African Saga by Mirella Ricciardi African Rainbow by Mirella Riccciardi Vanishing Africa by Mirella Riccciardi An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark On Leopard Rock by Wilbur Smith The Trouble with Africa by Vic

The answers How did you get on with our quiz, on page 124? Check your answers here. 1 (3) 1200 2 (2) Pups 3 (3) Reptiles 4 (1) Because a tortoise often urinates in fear 5 (1) An animal that lacks a backbone 6 (1) Cold-blooded 7 (1) True 8 (1) True 9