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africa’s doors are open! page 26

Africa Business Association Publications April-May 2021

In This Issue…

4

Travel Resources

From the Publisher…

Industry News 6 7 7 8 10 11 12 13 14

RwandAir Granted Ghana to US Air Route Delta Offering COVID-19 Home Test Kits for International Travel Requirements These At-Home COVID-19 Tests are Available at Walgreens Trends Set to Redefine the Travel Industry A Racist Incident Led this Black Man to Launch Noirbnb IATA says Covid-19 Travel Pass App to Launch on Apple Mid-April World’s Biggest Elephant Herd Opened for Hunters to Kill 287 Vaccination Top Criteria for Traveler Confidence in U.S. Egypt Aiming for US$7B Tourism Revenues

Feature Stories 17 18 20 22 26 50 52 57 68 70

April-May ‘21

The World’s Best Hotel Openings in 2021: So Much to Look Forward to! - Africa Here are the Most Popular Tribes in Africa Ghana’s Citizenship Invitation Extends “Beyond the Return” Meet The World’s First Black Female Balloon Pilot, Captain Joyce Beckwith Inside Naomi Campbell’s Stunning Kenya Oceanside Home Rare Photos Highlight Some of Africa’s Wonders How Black Sand Surf Collective is Bringing Racial Equity to the Oceanfront An African All-Inclusive Resort for Honeymoon Consideration In South Africa, Scientists are Piecing Together Dinosaur Fossils from a ‘Triassic Park’ Famed Egyptian Archaeologist Reveals Details of 3,000-year-old Lost City

46 54 56 65 66 28 30 32 34 36 37 41 61

Can I Travel Once I’m Vaccinated?

What to Know About Sunscreen Bans These Apps Will Make Booking and Planning a Vacation Easy First Black-Owned Luxury Travel and Airport Lounge Pass Set to Launch in May IHG MiraMar Luanda Open for Business The Best Restaurants in Zanzibar, Tanzania 2 Incredible National Parks in Africa Sun City, South Africa’s Golden City: from a Shady Past to a Shiny Present Cape Town and Western Cape Launch Campaign to Attract Remote Workers With Airbnb Everything You Need to Know About AllInclusive Resorts A Few of Africa’s 95+ All-Inclusive Resorts Ghana to Open its First Skate Park in Accra this Summer Deep in Uganda’s Kyambura Gorge, an Endangered Group of Chimpanzees Has Survived Against All Odds

Columns 74 76 82 84 89

World Heritage Site Travel Africa Ski Africa Golf Africa African Cuisine!

Travel Africa 21 24

The Travel Clan Aims to Show Black Travelers the Real Africa, on a Budget Inside Morocco’s Only Black-Owned Hotel, Jnane Tamsna 2 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

We Are Family Ernesto Murguia 3 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

From the Publisher…

Publisher’s Message

AFRICA IS THE CENTER of all ancient and cosmopolitan cities from Marrakesh in Morocco, Accra in Ghana, Zanzibar in Tanzania, to Cape Town in South Africa. The best people to sell African tourism to are the people of the African Dispora and those on the African continent.

African tourism, after this pandemic, will undergo significant changes some of which could positively impact the local African communities. All small local businesses have a new opportunity to sell themselves directly to the tourist client through the many online platforms.

The tourism industry pre-pandemic which was significantly structured to benefit western tourism agents in both revenue and job creation is no longer a force post pandemic. The collapse of this infrastructure has given opportunity for local businesses to reposition and source business directly from the tourists coming into the African nations.

Clearly an opportunity for African small businesses, and yes, with initial capital challenges. I believe it is time for the small businesses to sell their exciting cities, beautiful beaches, exotic game parks, expansive cultures and languages, long history, and great foods.

Seek your next Africa destination in the pages of Travel Africa.

Visit our website and take some time to peruse the pages of our past issues. But don’t miss the revelations in this issue:

Ricky Muloweni

Publisher

• • • •

ready to live on the Kenya coast, page 26 eateries in Zanzibar, page 28 cuisine of Eswatini, page 89 Sun City resort in South Africa, page 32. .

See you in the airport.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ricky Muloweni

View publications at: www.africabusinessassociation.com

Advisory Board Earl ‘Skip’ Cooper, II, CEO Black Business Association H.E. Sheila Siwela, Ambassador H.E. Kone L. Tanou, Ambassador ABA Publications Lion Communications, Layout/Typesetting www.africabusinessassociation.com travel-africa@africabusinessassociation

Copyright © 2021

by Africa Business Association Publications All Rights Reserved.

The posting of stories, commentaries, reports, documents and links (embedded or otherwise) on this site does not in any way, shape or form, implied or otherwise, necessarily express or suggest endorsement or support of any of such posted material or parts therein.

Cover Image credits: www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ tour-naomi-campbells-sprawling-kenyan-escape page 26

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Industry News

RwandAir Granted Ghana to US Air Route

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wandAir (WB, Kigali) plans to launch scheduled services from Kigali via Accra, Ghana to New York JFK in December 2021 using its own A330-200 or A330-300.

According to the airline’s application to the US Department of Transportation for an amendment to its current US Foreign Air Carrier Permit.

“RwandAir has already secured authorization from the Government of the Republic of Ghana to use Kotoka International Airport as the Last Point of Departure (LPD) into the United States of America,” it said. “At Accra, the airline will exercise fifth (5th) freedom traffic rights as provided for in the bilateral air service agreements of both US and Ghana with Rwanda.”

RwandAir requests that its existing US foreign air carrier permit be amended to allow it to use its own aircraft and crew, in addition to codeshares and wet-leases, for scheduled and charter flights for passengers, property (including cargo) and mail between any point/s in Rwanda and any point/s in the US; and between any point/s in the US and any point/s in Rwanda.

It also requests that this permission be granted when Rwanda’s Civil Aviation Authority successfully achieves an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating. Only carriers from Category 1 countries are permitted to operate into the US and/or codeshare with US airlines.

The airline’s current IATA Operations Safety Audit (IOSA) certification is valid until June 13, 2022, and its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is valid

until October 31, 2022, with a routine extension granted every two years. RwandAir in 2016 was already designated by the Rwandan government to provide air services on the Kigali-JFK route.

RwandAir operates a young fleet of 11 aircraft, including one owned A330-200, one owned A330300, two B737-700s leased from AerCap and Dara Aviation respectively; four B737-800s of which two are leased from Air Lease Corporation; two own CRJ900ERs, and one DHC-8-Q400 leased from Montrose Global, according to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module.

The airline flies to 24 destinations predominantly throughout Africa including Entebbe/Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi/Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Lagos, Nigeria, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Libreville, Sierra Leone; as well as intercontinentally to Dubai Int’l; London Heathrow, Brussels National; Mumbai Int’l; and Guangzhou. It was planning to expand its network “into various directions” including three routes in Africa in 2021, it said. Recently, it was forced to suspend flights to Zimbabwe and South Africa as part of efforts to curb a resurgence in COVID-19.

The airline has codesharing and interline agreements with, amongst others, Turkish Airlines, SN Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Proflight Zambia, and Precision Air. www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/100351rwandair-granted-ghana-5th-freedom-rights-to-us

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Delta Offering COVID-19 Home Test Kits for International Travel Requirements

These At-Home COVID-19 Tests are Available at Walgreens

By Ayah A.

By Parker Diakite

D

elta Air Lines is trying to make it easier for customers to navigate the evolving travel requirements.

The airline announced that customers would soon be able to purchase at-home COVID-19 to meet international travel requirements. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a pack of six COVID-19 tests can be purchased on Delta’s website for $150, plus taxes and shipping.

The kits will allow passengers to test before departure and then “pack another with them to comply with negative-test requirements before their trip back to the US,” the carrier said in a statement.

“Customers have more travel information coming their way than ever before, with updated COVID-19 testing requirements to digest, new forms to complete, and different digital experiences to download and navigate,” said Bill Lentsch, Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer. “From simplifying testing to developing an integrated suite of tools on Delta.com, we’re continuing to introduce additional features meant to enhance the existing experience and strengthen the airline’s position as a leader in charting the global recovery.”

Delta also plans to allow customers to upload documents verifying COVID-19 test results on its website.

Beginning with U.S.-entry flights, the airline is working with the app TrustAssure, so customers can directly upload and verify their documents at check-in. https://travelnoire.com/delta-covid-19-home-kitsfor-international-travel-requirements

T

ravelers can now complete their pre-travel COVID-19 testing at home using a highly accurate and convenient PCR saliva test that can be purchased at Walgreen’s.

The Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL) Rapid Response COVID-19 Saliva Test costs $119 and can be ordered through the Walgreens Find Care digital health platform available on Walgreens.com and the Walgreens mobile app.

“Increasing access to COVID-19 testing is a priority for Walgreens and CRL’s at-home test provides a convenient way to offer testing and care when and how patients need it,” said Walgreens Boots Alliance Senior Vice President of Healthcare Services, Giovanni Monti.

After collecting their saliva in the provided vial, individuals place the sample in the included prepaid FedEx Priority Overnight package and drop it off at the nearest FedEx location. Results are available through a secure portal within 24 to 48 hours of receipt, and are also provided via text or voice message.

Anyone testing positive will be contacted by an independent telemedicine provider and provided with next steps, which include the option to speak with a licensed physician.

“Testing continues to be a critical tool to keep Americans safe even as the vaccine rolls out,” said Clinical Reference Laboratory CEO, Robert Thompson. “Our goal is to make the test as accessible and convenient as possible to encourage consistent, widespread testing.” https://travelnoire.com/these-at-home-covid-19tests-are-available-at-walgreens Image credit: Chain Store Age

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Industry News

Trends Set to Redefine the Travel Industry

By Ian Knox, Vice President, Product & Marketing at Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS)

ordering, invoice retrieval and refunds processing, online. In 2021, we expect contactless check-in and the use of smartphones throughout the travel experience to become the norm, with new and faster integrations making everything more seamless.

In a similar vein, while artificial intelligence

F

acing one of the most challenging waves of disruption since the tragic events of 9/11, travel companies have had to adapt themselves to survive. Now a full year since the pandemic began, the question isn’t will travel come back, but what will recovery look like?

The following five trends, underpinned by emerging technologies, are poised to redefine the travel industry in the coming year: Trend 1: A new wave of innovation will hit the mainstream.

While 2020 will be known for significant disruptions to travel, one positive outcome of the crisis was how it motivated organizations to accelerate technology development,

particularly the digitization and automation of travel.

In the accommodation and air travel sectors, the need for social distancing has helped speed up administration tasks such as check-in, food

(AI) has existed for decades, COVID-19 has amplified the need for quicker response times and increased personalization, thus accelerating the use of AI in travel. AI-powered virtual assistants are streamlining the booking process and freeing up time for human connections between providers, agents and travelers.

Overall, it will be the adoption of innovation that will really define the coming months. Travel companies that act quickly to embrace new digital services will reap the rewards; those that don’t will soon be left behind.

Trend 2: Trusted advice will be a major competitive differentiator.

In the travel industry, trust has become more

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critical than ever before. The climate of uncertainty created by COVID-19 has meant that travelers are increasingly seeking out trusted brands to help them navigate the complexities of new travel regulations.

A December 2020 research study revealed a 25% increase in travelers using online travel agencies and a 20% rise in using destination websites for information about their trip when compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. The same research found that travelers were also looking to return to what they consider ‘trusted accommodation’, showing the importance of trust as travel recovers.

Throughout 2021, we expect advice from trusted providers will be a major competitive advantage, with travelers rewarding those that equip them with on-demand access to reliable information on health and security measures, especially through digital channels.

Trend 3: The barrier will break on loyalty programs.

Airlines and hotel groups have used their loyalty programs to generate demand in response to challenging economic headwinds. As a result, expect a significant surge in travelers booking with the air miles and points they have been unable to use during the pandemic. With extended loyalty programs and innovative new offers, there will be intense competition this year, and the value of air miles and loyalty points will fluctuate.

Travelers will look to leverage the expertise of travel partners to navigate this.

Trend 4: Travelers will demand a new era of flexibility.

Building flexibility into future bookings is crucial

for travel providers in their efforts to build trust, and early evidence suggests that the industry is listening. For example, in September, American Airlines, Delta and United took the major step of permanently eliminating change fees.

Recent research supports this with seven in 10 travelers stating they will look for flexibility in the next 12 months in the form of travel insurance and trip protection, full cancellations and refunds on transportation and accommodations.

Several online travel agencies (OTAs) and search engines now offer the option to filter properties according to whether free cancellation is offered, with details on trip protection, and postponement policies becoming a critical part of travel in the COVID era. This shift in traveler expectations will prompt other providers to follow suit, ensuring flexible bookings are part of their service, whilst technology will continue to play its role throughout, with travelers reassured by the ability to easily manage their plans online themselves.

Trend 5: Extended stays will explode in popularity.

After a year of stay-at-home orders and border restrictions, many of us are experiencing a pentup desire to travel. As COVID-19 vaccination programs roll out worldwide, consumer confidence will grow.

We expect a large proportion of people will forego holidays in the first half of the year and save their allocation for longer, far-flung trips over the summer months. After being denied travel for so long, people are hoping to make the most of their first trip. Travelers may be willing to spend more, travel to new locations or stay somewhere out of the ordinary.

Similarly, after 12 months of working flexibly from home, others will opt to take an extended stay – or ‘workcation’ – in another part of the world. Either way, travel companies that specialize in or can flex their products and services to longer-term trips will be wellpositioned. www.travelpulse.com/news/features/trends-setto-redefine-the-travel-industry.html Image credit: oneikathetraveller.com, Atlanta Blackstar, businesseventsafrica.com

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Industry News

A Racist Incident Led this Black Man to Launch Noirbnb

by Parker Diakite

B

lack travelers could probably tell you about that time when.

That time when you were mistaken as a celebrity. Or that time when people rushed to take a picture like you’re a prop, touch your skin and hair without your permission because they’ve never seen a person of color.

There are times when people nearly fall over with their blatant stares. Or that time when you were delayed or even refused service in a country because of the color of your skin.

For Stefan Grant, he would tell you about the time when neighbors of an Airbnb he was renting in Atlanta called the police on him and his housemates.

“One of the homies came and woke me up, and I’m thinking he wants to ask me about breakfast or something, but he tells me, ‘the cops are here,’” said Grant to Stefan Grant, Founder, Noirbnb Travel Noire. “I go outside and see these two police officers with their guns drawn, and they’re aiming them at us.

They were trying to figure out what we’re doing there.”

This happened in 2015 – one year after police officers killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Grant says he was struggling with that, but his whole mindset was deescalating the

situation. He and his housemates had to prove to the cops they were occupying the house legally.

Grant posted the situation on his social media with the caption: “Yo! The Airbnb we’re staying at is so nice, the neighbors thought we were robbing the place & called the cops!”

His next post on Twitter was from an audacious neighbor.

“After that happened, one of the neighbors knocked on the door asking what we were doing there, and he tries to walk in the house,” Grant added.

Torrence Reed | Chief Technology Officer, Noirbnb

The posts went viral, and soon after, Grant started getting messages from people around the world sharing their similar experiences of discrimination while using Airbnb or other platforms.

“People were saying how they would try to rent a spot but get denied so, would have to change their profile photo to a white person to get approved.

I heard stories about how people would book a

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Industry News place, show up, and when the host saw they were Black, would close the door on guests,” he stated.

These stories made him realize there was a problem needing solving.

Launching Noirbnb Following the incident in Atlanta, Grant said he first pitched his idea of Noirbnb (https://noirbnb.com) to Airbnb.

“I remember telling the people at Airbnb that there is clearly a racism issue and at the same time there’s a booming Black travel movement, so let’s do something about it.”

Airbnb flew him to San Francisco, where he met with the team to talk about his concept of building the Black travel community through renting and experiences.

Grant said nothing took off after the discussion with Airbnb, so he decided to do it himself after a Harvard study was released explaining how Black hosts also have challenges with using Airbnb – not just guests. The study explained that Black hosts made 12 to 15% less than White hosts.

“Noirbnb is two-faceted. The first side of it is home-sharing for someone who wants to become a host, and then there are the guests. Guests can go on the site, type how many they are staying with, and our platform will return the results from our database,” said Torrence Reed, the Chief Technology Officer.

Reed added the newest feature on the homesharing platform is Noirbnb Concierge (https:// noirbnb.com/concierge), providing guests with a “personal assistant experience” where the platform serves as your travel agent and city guide to help find the perfect place to stay, the coolest things to see, as well we curating an overall dope travel experience.

The platform has more than 1,000 hosts and are currently looking for more.

As for what’s next for the Noirbnb team, they are looking into venture capital opportunities to expand their services.. https://travelnoire.com/racist-incident-led-black-manto-launch-noirbnb Image credit: pdffiller.com

IATA says Covid-19 Travel Pass App to Launch on Apple Mid-April

By Lisa Barrington; Editing by Kim Coghill

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lobal airline industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on recently a digital travel pass for COVID-19 test results and vaccine certificates would be launched on the Apple platform in mid-April.

The digital travel pass, currently in the testing phase, had been planned to be launched by the end of March.

IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi said it was expected to launch on the Apple platform around April 15, and later for the Android platform.

“But the application will only achieve its success once airlines, different countries, airports adopt it,” Alawadhi said.

UK-based carrier Virgin Atlantic said on Friday it would trial the IATA app on its London to Barbados route from April 16. Barbados has said it will accept the pass at its border, one of the first countries to accept a digital pass instead of paper documentation.

IATA has said its travel pass will help speed up check-ins.

“A huge amount of airlines have requested to be on board,” Alawadhi said. www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirusaviation-iata-idUSKBN2BN19Z Image credit: Leeham News and Comment

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Industry News

World’s Biggest Elephant Herd Opened for Hunters to Kill 287

by Bloomberg News

B

otswana is offering rights to shoot 287 elephants as the southern African country, which has the world’s biggest population of the animals, tries to breathe life into a hunting industry stalled by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The hunting season will begin April 6, with licenses to kill leopards, zebras and buffaloes also on sale, according to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The restart of hunting in Botswana last year, after a ban imposed by former President Ian Khama in 2014 was lifted, was largely thwarted by restrictions associated with the coronavirus.

With the disease still raging across large parts of the world, including southern Africa, hunting operators will face an uphill battle to maximize earnings. Most hunters who visit the region traditionally come from the U.S., while a smaller number come from Spain, Eastern Europe and Russia.

“International clients such as those from the U.S. can come in under difficult conditions, but several

European Union countries have lockdowns in place preventing travel to Botswana,” Debbie Peake, a spokeswoman for the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, which includes hunt operators among its members, said by phone. “The industry has put in place the strictest protocols in camps and among staff to protect clients.”

Khama’s successor, Mokgweetsi Masisi, lifted the suspension, enraging conservationists who said the move would harm the $2 billion per annum photo safari industry. The government argued that the country’s 130,000 elephants were destroying crops and occassionaly trampling villagers and their numbers needed to be kep’t in check.

Botswana’s neighbors including South Africa and Zimbabwe allow elephant hunting. www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-23/onoffer-287-elephants-as-botswana-tries-to-kickstarthunting Image credit: Mongabay

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Industry News

Vaccination Top Criteria for Traveler Confidence in U.S.

By Mitra Sorrells

T

wo-thirds of travelers in the United States say receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will make them feel safe enough to travel again.

Vaccination came in as the top choice (67%), followed closely by required wearing of masks on planes and in airports (66%), according to a survey from Allianz Partners of 3,500 of its travel insurance customers in the U.S. Those surveyed could choose all answers that apply.

The majority of respondents over the age of 65 (78%) picked vaccination as the top choice, compared to 59% of those ages 45 to 64 and 47% of those under 45 years old.

After vaccination and masks, respondents named blocked seats and limited capacity on planes and trains (59%) and advanced sanitizing efforts at airports and hotels (58%) as steps that will make them feel safe enough to travel.

Respondents gave less importance to the crew and other travelers being vaccinated (47%), declining COVID-19 cases at the destination (44%) and a required negative COVID-19 test prior to traveling (41%).

When asked when they plan to travel next, 19% selected “within one to three months,” 18% selected “within four to six months” and 15% selected within seven to 12 months.

Thirteen percent of respondents say they are already traveling and 21% say they are not sure when they will travel again.

Most respondents (70%) plan to fly to their next destination, compared to 20% that intend to drive.

The most popular destinations for next trips are the continental U.S. (56%), Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii (21%) and Europe (15%).

“It is a huge accomplishment to have three highly effective COVID-19 vaccines in distribution throughout the U.S.,” says Daniel Durazo, director of marketing and communications at Allianz Partners USA. “Our survey finds that increased traveler confidence is a direct result of improved vaccine availability, and we are pleased to see how vaccines will impact the recovery of the travel industry and travelers’ vacation plans in 2021 and beyond.”

Allianz Partners conducted the survey from February 10 through March 1. It defined travel as a trip to a destination that is more than 100 miles from your home and lasts for at least two nights. www.phocuswire.com/vaccination-top-criteria-fortraveler-confidence-in-us Image credit: Mongabay

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Industry News

Egypt Aiming for US$7B Tourism Revenues in 2021

by Staff Further Africa

E

gypt is aiming for tourism revenues of US$6 to US$7B in 2021, the deputy tourism minister told Reuters.

Tourism revenue, a key source of foreign currency for Egypt, plunged by 70% in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tourism usually accounts for up to 15% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The number of tourists visiting Egypt sank to 3.5 million last year from 13.1 million in 2019.

Egypt expects to see around 60% of the number of visitors it had in 2019 this year, Ghada Shalaby said.

The country expects to attract more than 1 million Russian tourists during the rest of 2021 as direct flights between the two countries are set to resume, she added.

Russian agency Interfax reported on Tuesday that an announcement on the resumption of charter flights to Egypt was expected “soon”.

Direct flights to popular Egyptian resorts were suspended after a Russian passenger plane crashed in Sinai in October 2015, killing 224 people. https://furtherafrica.com/2021/04/25/egypt-aiming-forus7b-tourism-revenues-in-2021-deputy-minister Image credit: Photo by Nadine Doerlé , Egypt Independent

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Opening in 2021`

The World’s Best Hotel Openings in 2021: So M

By Team Fathom

Xigera Safari Lodge

Kisawa Sanctuary

Xigera Safari Lodge Where: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana When: January Why We’re Excited: A dozen responsibly designed suites overlooking the floodplains of the Okavango Delta extend over two islands and showcase the best of African craftsmanship — from the building architecture (inspired by the wingspan of the Perl’s Fishing Owl) to commissioned artwork, ceramics, and decor pieces from 80 artists across the continent. Guests create individualized programs based on their interests, schedules, and who they’re traveling with (kids over 12 are welcome).

Feel-Good Factor: The lodge has a number of state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind sustainable infrastructure measures. The lodge is powered by the sun, free of single-use plastics, and temperature-stabilized with tinted glass. There are sophisticated systems for managing water (thermodynamic geysers) and waste (Earth Cycle composter; gray water irrigation), responsible building practices, and partnerships with the local

community.

Kisawa Sanctuary Where: Benguerra Island, Mozambique When: April Why We’re Excited: Guests who stay in one of the serenely designed thatched-roof bungalows in this subtropical marine park have their own private pools and private beaches on the Indian Ocean. Besides full board and spa treatments, there’s tons of personal space and lots of familyfriendly programming.

Feel-Good Factor: Kisawa is guided by its local ecosystem, built with a light footprint by skilled artisans from the area. Non-profit sister organization Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies is the first ocean observatory dedicated to multi-ecosystem research in Africa and welcomes scientists and volunteers.

Sextantio “Huts Project” Where: Nkombo Island, Rwanda When: By the end of the year Why We’re Excited: Sextantio made its name by reviving near-abandoned living structures in forgotten villages in Italy and turning them into the

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Much to Look Forward to! - Africa

Sextantio “Huts Project”

best possible example of preservation for modern living. Using historical sources from the local ethnographic museum, they will recreate structures to reorient travel to a forgotten island.

Feel-Good Factor: The goal, though challenging, is to reduce Duma Tau & Little Duma Tau the cultural impact that African resorts have on local places and pioneer Wilderness Safaris is opening two new people. The entire project “will not have any profit wellness-centric lodges on the Osprey Lagoon, purpose” and will fund Sextantio Onlus, a non- which is famous for its healthy population of profit organization for social utility that helps the roaming elephants. The twin-tented camps will most deprived people seek affordable healthcare accommodate groups of four and seven, each with and effective treatments for treatable diseases in a private plunge pool, indoor/outdoor showers, Rwanda. and shared access to the wellness center and spa. Sleep-outs under the stars can be arranged Duma Tau & Little Duma Tau Where: Linyanti Concession, Botswana by both lodges following an after-dark safari at the nearby Zibadianja Lagoon..

When: Spring Why

We’re

Excited:

Africa’s

eco-lodge

https://fathomaway.com/best-new-hotels-2021

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Meet The People

Here are the Most Popular Tribes in Africa

By Parker Diakite

T

he continent of Africa is comprised of 54 countries, more than 1.3 billion people, and more than 3,000 tribes.

One thing you will discover during your visit is that tribal influences are a dominant force in some regions across the continent.

With that in mind, here are some of the most famous tribes in Africa:

Zulu, South Africa Zulu is one of the most popular tribes in Africa.

One reason why the tribe is so widely known is because of Shakaland, which is acknowledged worldwide as the birthplace of the legendary chief Shaka Zulu.

With an estimated population of 11 million people, Zulu is known to be the largest ethnic group in South Africa.

The Karo, Ethiopia Located in Southern Ethiopia, the Karo or Kara ethnic group reside along the east banks of the Omo River.

The estimated population is about 2,000 people and what you will find is they are a fascinating culture famous for their body painting.

Tribe members are known to paint their bodies with a combination of white chalk, yellow, mineral rock, iron ore, and charcoal. In addition, they often practice ritual scarification, choosing scars as an easy way to identify themselves.

The scarification of the man’s chest indicates that he has killed enemies from other tribes, and he is highly respected within his community, according to Atlas of Humanity.

The Karo women are considered particularly sensual and attractive if cuts are made deep into their chests and torsos and ash is rubbed in, creating a raised effect over time and thereby enhancing sexual beauty.

Yoruba, Nigeria

With an estimated 35 million people in total, Yoruba is undeniably the largest ethnic group in Africa.

Members occupy the South Western sides of Nigeria, as well as The Southern Benin, but Himba the majority comes from Nigeria.

They have a rich history and cultural heritage tracing back to the old Oyo Empire.

The Himba, Namibia

The most identifiable feature of the Himba tribe is the bright red coloring of their skin. Their skin The PSa is rubbed with red ochre to achieve this look.

They are a semi-nomadic and pastoral tribe known to breed cattle and goats.

Their population is estimated between 20,000 to 50,000 people.

Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village, building homes and milking cows. Men handle political tasks and legal trials, according to Namibia Tourism.

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an

The Maasai

The Zulu

The Yoruba

The Karo PSan People Members of this tribe are comprised of various Khoesān-speaking indigenous hunter-gatherer groups that are the first nations of Southern Africa.

Their territories span Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa.

The San are the oldest inhabitants of Southern Africa, where they have lived in for at least 20,000 years.

The Maasai, Kenya, and Tanzania The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.

It is estimated that 1 million Maasai people live in Kenya and Tanzania but most Maasai doubt these numbers because they see the national census as government meddling and often miscount

their numbers to census takers, according to the Maasai Association.

The Maasai tribe are a tribe of warriors who trace their origins from migration from Sudan to Kenya and Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley.

The tribe is nomadic in nature, choosing to stay in smaller homesteads. They build their way of life around their cattle which they insist are a gift from their god Ngai. They use the cattle primarily as a measurement of wealth as well as a source of food, even going as far as drinking the blood of the cattle for sustenance. https://travelnoire.com/here-are-the-mostpopular-tribes-in-africa Image credit: Getty Images, Namibia Tourism, Mikael Castro, CEOWORLD magazine, The Maasai Association Kenya, Quora, Pinterest

19 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Citizenship Opportunities

Ghana‛s Citizenship Invitation Extends “Beyond the Return”

By Ashlea Halpern

W

hen Ghana declared 2019 the Year of Return, one of the major goals of the program was to inspire members of the African diaspora—specifically Black Americans descended from victims of the transatlantic slave trade—to embark on a birthright journey to their ancestral homeland. The country granted citizenship to more than 100 interested African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans as part of the initiative.

Now Ghana is following up its successful Year of Return with a decade-long project called Beyond the Return, aimed at promoting tourism, bettering economic relations between countries, and carving out a clear pathway to citizenship for people of African descent whose parents or grandparents are

not Ghanaian. This expands upon the country’s pre-existing Right of Abode law passed in 2000, which allows a person of African descent to apply for the right to stay in Ghana indefinitely.

Those with a Ghanaian parent can currently apply for dual citizenship by providing proof of the parent’s nationality through a birth certificate or passport, as well as the names and addresses of two relatives residing in Ghana.

Review the Dual Citizenship Application a t : w w w. g h a n a c o n s u l a t e n e w y o r k . o r g / dualcitizenship.aspx. www.cntraveler.com/story/countries-where-youcan-get-a-passport-through-ancestry#intcid=_ bert-mab-experiment-control-without-bert_ e19d8392-bf4d-4e22-809f-0b074eadef7a_ popular4-1

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The Travel Clan Aims to Show Black Travelers the Real Africa, on a Budget

By Parker Diakite

T

he Travel Clan is a travel group dedicated to showing the gems of Africa on a budget.

It was started by Caleb Mensa Bonsu and Kevin Ojo after they realized travel companies were neglecting African countries.

“We decided to go on vacation a couple of years ago, and we realized that all the vacation packages were in North America, Europe, or Asia,” said Bonsu. “We started wondering, ‘where are the African countries?’’

So, instead of booking a vacation for a destination they weren’t interested in at the time, the two friends who grew up in Ghana decided to take a flight to São Tomé.

“We didn’t have the intention to start a community, initially,” said Ojo. “But we realized the amount of interest we received on our trip that people hadn’t seen Africa in that light. A lot of people thought our pictures were taken in The Bahamas or somewhere in the Caribbean, but our flight to São Tomé was literally just an hour away from Ghana.”

Both Bonsu and Ojo realized there was a huge gap in the market and they began to help people who reached out to them for advice on the countries to visit in Africa. The interest began to grow organically so the two friends launched The Travel Clan in 2018.

“Clans are indigenous to Africa, so we decided to use a name that denotes that it’s African-centric,’ said Mensa. “The Travel Clan is like a tribal group

of people who are enthused about Africa.”

With their travel group, the men work hard to provide authentic experiences that give their clients a day in the life of locals. You can expect to fully immerse yourself in the local culture through interactive activities and excursions.

“Our goal is to portray the real Africa,” said Bonsu. “Due to the media coverage, people have this perception of Africa, but we want to show the world what it’s really like. We hang out and go to malls, for example, like any other country. We realized it’s up to us to tell our stories.’

“It’s up to us to change our narrative,” Ojo added. “What we’re doing is making sure it’s not just pictures of extreme poverty. There is that, but there is so much more beauty. Africa is not monolithic. There are so many cultures and experiences between the different countries […]

People deserve to see the real Africa.”

The ongoing health crisis put a damper on their plans for 2020, but they’re picking back up.

Bonsu and Ojo are planning trips to Tanzania, São Tomé, and Ghana in 2021.

Stay up-to-date with their latest by following them on Instagram. https://travelnoire.com/travel-clan-show-realafrica-on-a-budget

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Image credit: The Travel Clan

Flying High

Meet The World’s First Black Female Balloon Pilot, Captain Joyce Beckwith

By Ayah A.

K

enya’s 33-year-old Captain Joyce Beckwith is affectionately known as Captain Smiles, and it’s easy to see why.

She beams as she navigates the vast blue skies over the world-famous Masaai Mara National Reserve, her infectious smile spreading to her passengers and those afforded the opportunity to see her in action.

Watching her work, it is obvious that she takes great pleasure in what she does. Born and raised in Kenya to a family in the transport business, she is the first licensed Black female balloon pilot, and her passion for sharing the gift of flight shines through.

Captain Smiles earned her license in 2018 at the acclaimed Airborne Heat Balloon Flying School in New Mexico. She began commercial flying in 2019. She first flew in a hot air balloon as a passenger in 2008 and fell in love with flying.

“As I took hundreds of flights over Maasai Mara, I was always inspired by the art of flying balloons, the approach and respect for nature, and the engineering of the aircraft itself,” she told Travel Noire. “There was just something about the smiles and excitement of the passengers during a balloon safari.”

“I was also inspired by The Beckwiths. My husband and his family are balloonists and they opened the door for me into a world of hot air balloons.”

“Elly Kirkman, was another inspiration of mine.

She’s an Australian balloon pilot who slapped my behind every year encouraging me that I should get my balloon license. Today, we laugh about it because in response, I finally slapped her with my license at hand.”

In addition to flying hot air balloons, Captain Smiles is an experienced safari and travel consultant. When she is not flying, she dabbles in organizing bespoke safari experiences for solo, family, and group travelers around the world.

Although she works at a popular tourist destination and assists others with their travel experiences, Captain Smiles sometimes enjoys being a tourist and traveling, as well.

“My family is scattered throughout the world.

We are everywhere, so sometimes my travel is planned based upon which family member I am visiting.”

All of her favorite destinations, however, are on the African content.

“I would pick traveling within Kenya first, then Namibia. While on long holidays (a six-week break from flying) we take a few weeks to travel by road. It’s so much nicer because we are basically locked in the bush most of the time anyway.”

“The pandemic grounded my travel to New Zealand last year, but I got to enjoy more of my own country. I recently drove from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park to spend Christmas there, and during the drive I took my time to stop and see beautiful sights and explore a bit.

I also took my first balloon safari out of Maasai

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Mara on Christmas day. It was rewarding to see that part of Kenya and there was an absolutely breathtaking view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.”

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, I had a trip down in Sossusvlei, where my husband was flying over the dunes of Namib Desert. It was a truly incredible experience. Now Namib Desert is on my bucket list of places I wish to work as a balloon pilot. I want to see more of Africa; the rest of the world can wait until I tick off all the African countries.”

Captain Smiles says flying makes her feel confident, and proud to be where she is.

“Being able to combine warm Kenyan hospitality and flying safaris over the Mara gives me a good perspective of life.”

She also says it is quite humbling to be receiving recognition as the only Black woman in her field.

“It feels great to be part of an amazing group of women who encouraged and paved the way for me to get here. It’s fulfilling to have passengers with happy smiles and gratitude after a flight. I am just an example of what others can achieve.

Maybe the African skies will be filled with hot air balloons one day, flown by women and men who

dared to be different.”

Captain Smiles says she has been met with nothing but kindness from others in the field.

“I am lucky to work in an environment where people come for holiday. Kenya has an inherent warmth that is welcoming to everyone and gives comfort and a sense of being home away from home. Everyone, from my colleagues to my passengers, have embraced me with love, support, and encouragement from day one.”

What’s next for Captain Smiles? She has several projects in the works.

“I am currently building a Virtual Tourist Information Hub for Maasai Mara—a platform that will have information about the Mara, its environs, and places to stay. This will be for all people who would like to visit Maasai Mara and keep in touch with the wild.”

“I am also collaborating with a clothing company and another Kenyan designer to create affordable, cool safari outfits inspired by my safari lifestyle. It’s completely made in Kenya and currently in production. We hope to launch in June, just in time for the Great Migration. People will be able to slay on safari!”

“I have an initiative I started on my 27th birthday.

Instead of a birthday party, the funds go towards supplying sanitary pads to school girls and purchasing panties for women inmates in prisons.”

Captain Smiles invites everyone to come visit her in Maasai Mara and share the beautiful Kenyan skies with her.

“When is Travel Noire coming to fly with me?

To anyone reading this, come fly with me! It is so much more magical here. When you come, if you see a hot air balloon in the sky, follow it. The balloon community is very welcoming. Before you know it, you will be feeling the freedom of flying high in the sky above.”

To learn more about Captain Smiles, you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. https://travelnoire.com/worlds-first-black-femaleballoon-pilot-captain Image credit: Captain Joyce Beckwith

23 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Morocco Retreat

Inside Morocco’s Only Black-Owned Hotel, Jnane Tamsna

By Parker Diakite

Mery

Meryanne’s Garden at Jnane Tamsna Boutique Hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco

S

ituated on nine acres of land in Marrakesh is one of the most stunning boutique hotels that captures the essence of the city’s beauty.

Founded in 2001 by Meryanne Loum-Martin and Dr. Gary Martin, Jnane Tamsna is the only Black-owned and woman-owned hotel in Morocco.

Loum-Martin was born in Cote’ D’Ivoire, but spent her childhood in Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, London, and Moscow because her father was a Senegalese diplomat.

Once settled in Paris, she followed her West Indian mother’s footsteps by studying law. And while she always loved studying law, her true

passion was interior design, art, and architecture.

The Parisian lawyer turned hotelier wanted to marry her unique experiences and rich African identity in a way that guests could experience the rich culture of Morocco. Inside, you will find Western modernity meets Moroccan tradition in the 24-bedrooms spread over five houses, five pools, and a tennis court.

In an interview with Travel Noire, Loum-Martin discussed more about how her hotel has managed to stay afloat during the pandemic:.

Travel Noire: It’s been more than 20 years since you and your husband purchased the land to build Jnane Tamsna. I know this pandemic is unlike anything we’ve seen before. How are you

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Beige Jnane House | Jnane Tamsna Boutique Hotel

yanne Loum-Martin Courtesy of Jnane Tamsna

all doing?

Loum-Martin: Indeed with large overheads and the total absence of guests, it has been challenging. Fortunately, the government has helped pay the salaries of the hospitality workforce. We have focused on future bookings, weddings, special interest groups, and Jnane Tamsna Boutique Hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco individuals.

We have developed new activities as a way to entrepreneur.

Travel Noire: What changes, if any, have you enrich the stays of our guests including dance, pottery and baking classes— on top of our had to make during this time to survive?

Loum-Martin: We started selling organic popular activities like yoga, and cultural produce that we grow on our farm and twice a discoveries.

Along with the release of my book Inside week, we either deliver or host our own vegetable Marrakesh, I have created 3 specially-designed market on the grounds of the hotel.

I have also started selling home accessories, tours that I personally lead, in exchange for a donation to our partner charity, the Global china and textiles to a handful of loyal clients.

To learn more about this amazing property, visit Diversity Foundation.

I am also working on a cultural clip concept, the website. “ Marrakech Impulse,” which would further https://travelnoire.com/moroccos-black-owned-hotelcontribute to my role as a local cultural jnane-tamsna-staying-afloat 25 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

This Is My Africa

Inside Naomi Campbell’s Stunning Kenya Ocea

By Parker Diakite

K

enya’s Ministry of Tourism recently named British supermodel Naomi Campbell the country’s tourism ambassador to promote Kenya as “an ideal tourism destination.” But after her latest video showing off her home, she might be promoted to ‘why you should relocate to Kenya’ ambassador.

Like many other countries, the East African nation’s tourism sector has struggled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Visitor numbers plummeted 72% between January and October last year. The selection of the high-profile Campbell is an attempt to give the industry a much-needed boost.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala defended the decision, tweeting, “Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it. #MagicalKenya.”

In a recent interview with Architectural Digest, Campbell revealed that when she needs to unplug from the world, she heads to her luxurious villa in Malindi, located on the Indian Ocean coast, which she has owned for more than 20 years The villa features an airy, open-ended design and at the top is a Makuti roof – a thatching technique made from the sun-dried leaves of the coconut palm. It is widely used across East Africa and can withstand sun, rain, wind, and other harsh environments.

She has a total of four swimming pools, including a saltwater pool that extends outdoors from the center of the living room.

“It’s a very calming place,” she told Architectural Digest. “You don’t really want to be on the phone.

You’re not trying to find a television. You just want to read and be with yourself. It’s nice to just have the silence and the crickets.”

▲Naomi Campbell, wearing a Jacquemus top and skirt and Cult Gaia sandals, at her Kenyan getaway.Khadija Farah

►A voile-draped tent often hosts family-style dinners.

Table made by a local carpenter. Khadija Farah

Everywhere in the home is stunning. She says that most of the furniture in the home is workmanship done right in Kenya. Other decorative pieces have come from her travels throughout Africa.

Upstairs in the villa is a chill space and gaming area that she says can fit a lot of people and great for hosting people. She adds that there’s a space for everyone upstairs to do their own thing if they

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anside Home

A pair of doors carved by Armando Tanzini open onto a welcoming terrace. Khadija Farah

choose.

One of the most fascinating components of her home is that no matter where you are, it’s open and decorated by the natural light with beautiful coconut palms surrounding it.

“Kenya is just a natural gem. It has the safari, the bush, the coast, the dunes, it has all the elements and people don’t realize that,” said Campbell.

Don’t take our word for how beautiful the space is. Take a look for yourself. https://travelnoire.com/naomi-campbellsstunning-kenya-oceanside-home https://travelnoire.com/naomi-campbellappointed-kenya-tourism-ambassador

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Image credit: amuneal.com

Culinary Tourism

The Best Restaurants in Zanzibar, Tanzania

By Ayah A.r

T

he Spice Island, Zanzibar, is known for its flavorful dishes and vibrant, colorful decor— both of which reflect a blend of Swahili, Indian and Arab-style influence.

The East African island offers delicious food at affordable prices, with most menus including seafood, vegan, and halal options. Here are some of the best restaurants Zanzibar has to offer.

Stone Town restaurant Lukmaan, received awards for the Best Local Dining Experience at both the 2018 and 2019 Zanzibar Tourism Awards. The restaurant serves Swahili-style cuisine in an open-air dining room. Try the octopus curry and calamari.

Ma Shaa Allah Cafe

Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant

Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant is located on the rooftop of the second-tallest building in Stone Town, the Emerson Hotel, which was formerly the palace of a nineteenth-century Swahili sultan. Diners can enjoy rich, bright decor and stunning views of the city as they feast upon authentic Zanzibari cuisine.Try the coconut chili king fish baked in banana leaves.

Lukmaan Swahili Cuisine

Located in Stone Town, Ma Shaa Allah Café offers African and Indian cuisine via a buffet or regular menu option. Their menu also includes an array of fresh fruit smoothies, milkshakes, and lassis. Try the barbecue lamb or the murg tika masala.

Fadhil Restaurant Fadhil is a small hidden gem located in Zanzibar’s Jambiani area.

Locals and tourists alike visit the restaurant for its amazing quick bites and modest prices. Try the peanut crusted fish.

Stone Town Cafe Stone Town Café is a local family-owned 28 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

simply “local food,” a fish and banana dish.

and operated café and bed and breakfast. It’s 111-years-old and still owned by the same Swahili family who built it. Try the chicken or beef mishkaki, a popular East African kebab.

Bin Jabir Restaurant Bin Jabir offers African cuisine at its Matemwe Beach location. There are many fresh seafood options, including a daily catch of the day. Be sure to bring your appetite as the restaurant offers very large portions. Try the meal the restaurant’s menu describes as

The Rock Restaurant As one of Zanzibar’s most popular and scenic restaurants, this list would be incomplete without The Rock. The restaurant sits atop a large rock in the Indian Ocean, close to the Zanzibar coastline in Pingwe. Patrons can walk to the restaurant from the shore when the tide is low. Otherwise, the restaurant has its own boat to bring diners over. A reservation is required to dine. Try the shareable Rock Special- lobster, cigal, king prawns, octopus, and calamari. https://travelnoire.com/best-restaurants-inzanzibar-tanzania Image credit: i-escape.com, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisr. fr, HolidayCheck, tripadvisor.co.uk, Ayah A, Getty Images

29 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Lesser Known Parks

2 Incredible National Parks in Africa (From the article: 10 Incredible National Parks Around the World)

By Kyana Moghadam

Y

ellowstone National Park was a pioneer of its time. The park’s scenic geysers, forests, and mountain peaks inspired its visitors to advocate for the conservation of the area’s natural landscape. In 1872, Congress named Yellowstone the first national park and established some of the procedures that would become the foundation for the preservation and care of over 400 public parks nationwide.

What began as a relatively small movement in the wilds of Yellowstone spread across the nation and throughout the world—today there are more than 1,200 national parks in over 100 countries.

To help you explore the great outdoors beyond U.S. borders, we— along with our friends at luxury travel advisor company, Audley Travel (www.

Hell’s Gate National Park audleytravel.com)—have

put together a list of 10 memorable international national parks to visit.

Africa Travel editors highlight the two national parks of Africa that are featured in the article.

4. Hell’s Gate National Park - Kenya In East Africa, going on safari generally means climbing into a jeep and driving around in search of animals with an experienced guide. But at

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Mount Toubkal National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park, two to three hours west of Nairobi, visitors can set out in search of zebras, giraffes, and gazelle on a self-guided hike or bike ride and even rock climb within the park. If those sweeping cliffs and volcanoes look familiar to you, you’re not alone: Disney animators visited the park to get inspiration for The Lion King .

Best yet, the iconic flamingo-filled Lake Naivasha National Park is right next to Hell’s Gate, with many of the area’s hotels and campsites built on Lake Naivasha’s shores.

6. Mount Toubkal National Park Morocco Whether the word “park” triggers images of a relaxing afternoon or a vigorous hike up a mountainside, Mount Toubkal National Park has got you covered. Residents and tourists alike

make the journey to view the Atlas Mountains or to hike along the highest peaks of North Africa, often stopping for a visit at one of the local Berber villages along the way. www.afar.com/magazine/10-incredible-national-parksaround-the-world Image credits: placepass.com, africasafari.co.uk, Ivoha / Shutterstock, Culture Trip

31 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Destination Evolution

Sun City, South Africa’s Golden City: Sun City or Sin City?

H

ome to four luxurious hotels, two Gary Player-designed golf courses and an artificial surfing beach, Sun City is South Africa’s (wilder) answer to Disney World. But those faux gold finishes are built on a crooked foundation. In the late 1970s, hotelier Sol Kerzner took advantage of apartheid-era rules to establish casinos in several supposedly independent Black homelands such as Bophuthatswana (gambling was outlawed in white South Africa at the time).

Once built, Kerzner paid eye-watering sums to international musicians (Frank Sinatra, Queen, The Beach Boys) to bust the international sanctions imposed on apartheid South Africa and visit Sun City. Gary Player, meanwhile, attracted a stellar field to what was then the world’s richest golf tournament.

When apartheid ended, Kerzner used “a working relationship” with Nelson Mandela to ensure the sun never set on Sun City (Gambling in the Bophuthatswana Sun: Sun City and the political economy of a Bantustan casino:1965-1994 Van der Merwe, Nicola Sarah.

Image credits: bushbaby.travel, southafrica.to, sudafricasafaris. com, jets.com 32 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

from a Shady Past to a Shiny Present

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Remote Work Opportunity

Cape Town and Western Cape Launch Cam Remote Workers With Airb

By Kelsey Marie

W

estern Cape Government and Wesgro, in partnership with Airbnb, launched www.airbnb.co.za/d/westerncape to promote remote working domestically, as South African’s take advantage of the flexibility that working from anywhere brings.

The region has long been a favourite with local holidaymakers, and now the abundance of remote working options further enhances this offer by drawing those who want longer stays in an inspiring province. With family-friendly options in the city as well as a world of activities to explore in the greater Western Cape, the destination is perfect for those who want more out their day – a meeting on the mountain, a dip in the ocean during screen breaks or the joy of working from the many breath-taking wine farms and quaint towns.

The region has everything a remote worker needs for one day, three months, or even longer… and promises experiences that are wallet-friendly and world-class.

Welcoming the campaign, Premier Alan Winde commented: “Supporting a recovery and protecting jobs in the tourism industry requires us to think innovatively and embrace emerging trends in travel. Digital nomads have the flexibility to stay longer, because they can work from anywhere. The Western Cape is ready to welcome these visitors and provide them with a place to explore while they work. We strongly support this initiative.”

The value of the digital nomad has also been recognised by the City of Cape Town, and according to Airbnb data, with domestic searches for longer term stays increasing by almost 50% year-on-year from 1 January – 25 February 2021 compared to the same time period last year*.

More South Africans are also looking to travel

domestically, helping to drive economic and tourism recovery across the country, and this is flowing through to local Hosts. Since the start of the pandemic, new Hosts in South Africa with only one listing have already collectively earned more than US$3 million (almost R50 million).

On Airbnb, Hosts are able to offer monthly discounts for reservations of 28 days or longer, and the platform has filters to help guests to find domestic stays easily, whether they want to work in the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route, the Klein Karoo or beyond. Hosts and guests on Airbnb collectively contributed R8,9 billion to the local economy in 2018, supporting the equivalent of 22,000 jobs. The majority of hosts are women.

Velma Corcoran, Regional Lead for Middle East Africa at Airbnb, says: “Remote working vacations are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa, so we are thrilled to partner with Wesgro to promote domestic tourism through longer term stays, while supporting e c o n o m i c recovery in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

Corcoran added, “As people’s travel habits change, local Hosts on Airbnb are leading the way, enabling South Africans to book local, affordable longer-

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mpaign to Attract bnb term stays in places such as the Western Cape. Guests can live like a local and work remotely from some of South Africa’s most beautiful locations, while this new type of travel is also benefiting the local communities and businesses through increased spending. Hosts also keep up to 97% of their earnings.”

Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, welcomed the launch of the campaign saying, “This campaign couldn’t have come at a better time as more people work from home and as increased digitisation gives flexibility to working locations. The Western Cape is a great place to live, work and play, and our partnership with Airbnb will ensure that those looking for remote working locations will consider Cape Town and the Western Cape. Our tourism and hospitality sectors have been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and this initiative is one of the

many ways that we are working hard to support the sector and rebuild our economy in the Western Cape.”

“Cape Town and the Western Cape is the ultimate destination for those who want more out of their working environment. There are over 30 coworking spaces and 715 free WiFi spots in the city of Cape Town alone – with many options in the greater Western Cape province. Moreover, we are the most energy secure province in the country, with a well-developed community of local and international entrepreneurs.

We are excited about this joint effort to attract domestic audiences to our wellequipped destination,” concluded Tim Harris, Wesgro CEO. The campaign encourages safe, responsible travel and will work to ensure guests get the experience they’ve waited so long to enjoy.

Visit this site for more information on long term, remote working stays. *Airbnb internal data on number of searches made on the platform for stays of 28 nights or more, January 2021 compared to January 2020. https://travelnoire.com/south-africa-perfect-postcorona-escape Image credit: www.airbnb.co.za/d/westerncape

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Everything You Need to Know About All-Inclusive Resorts

By Lara Grant

A

ll-inclusive resorts have just as many super fans as major haters.

While we’ve had some disappointing experiences at huge megaresorts with mediocre food and watered-down drinks, we’ve also stayed in luxurious properties with phenomenal food, topshelf alcohol, and even spa treatments included in the rate.

So if you’re wondering whether an all-inclusive hotel should be in your future, you’ve come to the right place. We asked all-inclusive and travel experts the what, when, where, and whys of allinclusives so you can learn everything you need to know about all-inclusive resorts before booking your next getaway.

What’s Included at an All-Inclusive Resort?

Though it varies from hotel to hotel, typically rates at all-inclusive resorts include the room, all meals and snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits, coffee, juice, soda, and water), and non-motorized water sports if it’s along the beach. Access to resort features such as the gym, pool, and sports facilities is also typically free, except when there are premiumlevel upgrades that often have their own pool, lounge, and section of the beach. Former Editorin-Chief of FamilyVacationCritic.com, Lissa Poirot warns, “Although the term is ‘all-inclusive,’ not everything is included — such as golf and the spa — which can sometimes catch guests off-guard.”

Certainly the most surprising is when hotels don’t include premium liquor, Wi-Fi, or a la carte restaurants in the rates. For instance, though we love the all-inclusive Villa Buena Onda in Costa Rica, you’ll be forking over your credit card if you want to have a beer or glass of wine at dinner (unless you specifically book the all-inclusive package with alcohol included. So basically, do your homework beforehand and study the list of

rate inclusions. If it’s unclear, reach out the hotel to confirm if there are any extra charges for specific restaurants, beverages, and activities. Though be aware that rounds of golf and spa treatments are almost always additional fees.

Should You Tip at All-Inclusive Resorts?

Tipping at all-inclusive resorts is generally expected, unless staying at one of the properties that expressly prohibits tips. Expect to tip between $1-10 to bartenders, waiters, room attendants, etc. While it’s not always expected, most past guests of all-inclusive resorts have found the staff very much appreciate the gesture and they’re often rewarded with extra attention.

If you’re wondering how much and how often to tip hotel staff, check out our guidelines for tipping like a pro.

When Does It Makes Sense to Go the All-Inclusive Route?

So when are all-inclusives worth it?

If planning which restaurants to go to or how much money to budget for food and drinks is causing stress, you may want to go with an allinclusive package. Families budgeting for more than two people may particularly enjoy the ease of all-inclusive resorts. “It makes it easy to stay on a budget — especially when traveling with kids because so much is included, you don’t have to worry about saying ‘no’ to their requests,” said Poirot. And since a kids’ club, non-motorized water sports, and poolside activities are typically included, the kids will be plenty occupied.

If you’re looking to simply relax at a resort and aren’t looking to do much in terms of exploring or dining outside of the hotel, booking an all-inclusive getaway will almost undoubtedly save you some money and cut significantly down on research and organizing time.

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A Few of Africa’s 95+ All-Inclusive Resorts

By Travel Africa Editors

W

To get a feel for the numbers, read our breakdown of What a Week-Long All-Inclusive Vacation Costs in Top Destinations

ith a little of the research suggested in the companion article you can answer the question that comes to mind. Are there any All-Inclusive resorts in Africa? The answer is Yes. They can be found all across the continent - both simple and ultra plush. Africa Travel is using a listing of resorts compiled by TripAdvisor ( ).

When you conduct your planning research you will find guides from all of the major travel service companies. Use your preference as a starting place and/or work with your travel consultant to make the best choice for your circumstance.

The Takeaway:

The Residence Zanzibar

The Residence Zanzibar

Obvious downsides of booking an all-inclusive hotel are that there may be hidden fees and an impersonal atmosphere at the resort (a pro for some), and you might miss out on sampling the local cuisine if you’re stuck eating every meal onsite. Additionally, all-inclusive resorts typically only provide a small look into the local culture, though some have tours and experiences available to explore the destination.

Particularly for vacationing families, the stress of planning and budgeting virtually disappears with a resort that includes everything from the meals to daytime activities. As Leora Halpern Lanz, a full-time lecturer at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, said, “Not having to take out your wallet is such a relief; you won’t have to worry every single time you eat a meal, which adds up.” For her, the added sense of comfort that she’s already paid for her trip is well worth any possible drawbacks.

The takeaway? Do your research beforehand to check out the atmosphere (party-centric, familyfriendly, or relaxed luxury) and features/amenities included in the rates in order find the best hotel for your style.

Read the full article at: www.oyster.com/articles/ everything-you-need-to-know-about-all-inclusiveresorts

The Residence Zanzibar is located on its own strip of white sand beach, a 55-minute drive from the city of Zanzibar. It offers a garden and free WiFi, as well as a bar, the Jetty Lounge Bar. All villas have views of the gardens and pool, while some offer views of the ocean. The Zanzibar Residence units also feature air conditioning, their own private pool, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar and a coffee machine, and a private bathroom with free toiletries.

In the morning, a n American breakfast is served at the p r o p e r t y.

There are also 2 restaurants and a butler service upon request.

The accommodation also has a glass-walled pool, a spa, a wellness center and a fitness center.

In the surroundings you can go snorkelling, go on a dolphin safari or visit the Jozani forest reserve.

The town of Kizimkazi is just 20 minutes away by car.

Image credit: rescuediva.com

to page 38

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All-Inclusive - from page 37 The Residence Zanzibar is 57 km from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, which provides a shuttle service upon request. https://theresidence.tz-zanzibar.com

Sunrise Montemare Resort - Grand Select Offering 4 outdoor pools, a private beach and a restaurant, SUNRISE Montemare Resort -Grand Select- is located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Free WiFi access is available in all areas. Naama Bay is 6.2 mi away.

All rooms come with a balcony or a terrace overlooking the Garden or the Sea. Each has flat-screen TV and air conditioning. There is also

an electric kettle. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes.

At SUNRISE Montemare Resort -Grand Selectyou will find an international buffet restaurant and 4 a la carte restaurants. Manzoku offers tastes from

Asia including sushi bar, Teppanyaki and woks.

Seafood can be enjoyed at Felucca Restaurant and Italian food can be savored at Basilico Italian Restaurant. At the Gamila Restaurant you can enjoy oriental food.

The Spa center includes sauna, steam room and turkish bath. Massages and body treatments can be arranged, as well as personalized wellness programs. Hair and beauty center is also featured.

Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport is 14 mi away. An airport shuttle is available upon request. https://sunrisemontemare.comsharmelsheikh.com/

Steigenberger Alcazar Steigenberger Alcazar is Steigenberger’s latest venue in Nabq Bay, Egypt less than ten-minutes away from the Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport with an excellent location. This impressive

five-star resort enjoys 35,000 sqm of its own

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private beach with stunning underwater scenery at your fingertips. Nabq is an area of fascinating, almost stark beauty with contrasts between high mountains, deep valleys and the soft, velvet-like sands fringing the warm and wonderful Red Sea. Our hotel in Sharm el Sheikh offers comfortable hotel rooms and suites that were designed to create a sescond of none holiday experience.

Superior Rooms and Deluxe Family Rooms stand just off the beach while Villas and Junior Suites, accommodating larger groups, are looking over the pool area.

Steigenberger Alcazar brings unprecedented luxury and hospitality offering guests a distinctive stay right on the magnificent shores of the Red Sea. The opulent accommodation is complemented with premium amenities that are essential to both business and leisure travelers all the same.

In addition to an array of eclectic dining options for complete indulgence. Let us spoil you with culinaric delights in our restaurants & bars.

Are you looking for a conference room in Sharm El Seikh? With our sustainable conference concept, we offer you the ideal setting for your event. We will be happy to On the beach, luxuriate in the soft sands and crystal waters, bronze your skin by one of the pools or experience traditional Egyptian dancing, folklore, music and evening entertainment in “Teatro” amphitheatre.

For children, the animation team guarantees endless fun and activities from the moment they arrive either in their private pools or at the fully supervised kids club. Our hotel in Sharm El Sheikh will deliver an Egypt holiday experience where you can luxuriate and indulge yourself in style, overlooking a safe, secluded and stunning bay www.steigenberger.com/en/hotels/all-hotels/ egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/steigenberger-alcazar

LUX* Le Morne A mindful tropical resort on the wild west coast of Mauritius. Blessed with the best sunset of the island, life’s a beach at LUX* Le Morne. The chic and serene boutique resort at the foot of Le Morne mountain calls all lovers of barefoot luxury and mindful travel. The postcard beach barely needs an introduction. As for the hotel, it’s a gem that

truly embodies the spirit of island living.

Sure, the sunset on this side of the island is unmissable. But so is Jean-Marc Tang’s eye for design. It’s as though every inch of LUX* Le Morne was made to be photographed. Set right

on the sand of Le Morne beach, this hotel makes you feel like you’re staying in your own beach bungalow. Neutral palettes, organic textures, the occasional pop of colour, light-filled spaces and spaces overgrown with tropical foliage. A paradise for design-lovers that brings nothing but happiness.

We love our planet dearly. We realize she’s in serious need of some TLC–tender, loving care.

So we’ve thought of ways we can do good. We’re quite well known on the island for our Zero Food Waste initiative. We also invite you to leave any

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to page 40

All-Inclusive - from page 39 unwanted clothes and we’ll make sure they get a new life (plus it leaves room in your suitcase for more souvenirs). The garnish in your cocktail likely comes from our Herb Garden. Walk through it to discover all sorts of local herbs and fruits that you’ll likely stumble upon in our Keen on Green menus or in that cocktail you’re sipping.

Look up and you’ll spot our lovely wooden treehouse, perched in the Indian Almond tree by the seashore. Don’t even bother looking for the ladder–you won’t find one! We’ve devised a pulley system so that once you’re up there, you can’t be pestered. In the mood for a spritz?

Ring us and we’ll deliver the goods in a basket.

Our treehouse even has a terrace overlooking the beach. It’s the dreamiest spot at sunset. And if you get up there early enough, you may even spot dolphins. Either way, it will take you back to your childhood and the carefree days of summer. www.luxresorts.com/en/mauritius/hotel/ luxlemorne

Nambiti Plains Lodge Nambiti Plains Lodge is located in the 26 000acre Nambiti Big 5 Private Game Reserve: • Malaria-free area • Boasts Africa’s beautiful Big 5 animals • 40 + mammal species and a plethora of

birdlife Incredible biodiversity – including grasslands, thornveld and savannah • Conveniently located between Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa As a family-owned lodge, it is the conservation of our natural heritage that inspires us to give every guest the safari of a lifetime. From the very beginning, our focus at Nambiti Plains has been to provide an authentic experience of the African bush.

This is why we offer two daily game drives to all our guests – one in the early morning, another in the late afternoon.

Along with the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), Nambiti is home to over 40 other mammal species of all shapes and sizes.

If you’re a keen birder, read more about how we go out of our way to maximse your sightings.

The bush is unpredictable by nature – that’s what makes it so unique and exciting.

At Nambiti Plains, we believe in ‘slow-lane’ safaris, where we appreciate all of nature’s wonders.

We can’t wait to share the sights, smells and sounds of Africa with you. https://nambitiplains. com/african-safari/ •

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Ghana to Open its First Skate Park in Accra this Summer

By Parker Diakite

G

hana will finally get the skate park it deserves. Freedom Skate Park, set to open in Accra in July 2021, will be a state-of-the-art skate park that comes with Wi-Fi.

“With this initiative we hope to evolve the skate culture in Ghana to the next level and give locals a platform to grow their talents within a space that will hopefully become their biggest training ground

American-Ghanaian designer Virgil Abloh, who also serves as Louis Vuitton’s menswear artistic director, is part of the international project, as reported by Vogue.

Over the last decade, skateboarding in Ghana has attracted international attention thanks to the Skate Nation crew, Surf Ghana, an NGO that supports outdoor sports in the West African country, and the pan-African fashion label, Daily Paper Clothing.

There are an estimated 4,000 full-on skate parks around the world but only 10 in Africa.

to date,” Jefferson Osei, co-founder of the Daily Paper Clothing released in a statement. “More than board sports, the park will be a creative hub for young Ghanaians to come together, exchange ideas, inspire each other and build their futures through recreational activities.” https://travelnoire.com/ghana-first-skate-park-inaccra-this-summer Image credit: Getty Images

41 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Support Black-Owned

Black-Owned Hotels Throughout the World (Africa)

By Shauna Beni

P

lanning a trip can be fun or stressful, depending on who you ask. For many Black travelers, unconscious bias, racism, and a systemic history of oppression within the travel industry can often make for the latter.

In choosing accommodations, for example, it seems reasonable to expect a few things, like a sense of safety, respect, and options that work with in your budget. But dating as far back as the early 1900s, when Black Americans were denied access to public accommodations because of the color of their skin (leading to the rise of the Green Book as a much-needed resource), Black travelers have often been forced to settle for less.

In 2021, there is still a lot of work to be done in the hospitality industry, but with an increasing number of Black-owned accommodations throughout the world, it’s easier to know where you’ll feel welcome. As Danielle Mitchell, founder of the community Black Girls Travel Too, says of her stays at Black-owned properties, “You don’t have to stay in a five-star hotel to be treated like a five-star guest.”

Plus, as we strive for a more inclusive travel industry, it’s important for all travelers to be mindful of where they spend their money—and putting dollars into Black-owned hotels, which are too far and few between, is a small way we can all help change that from the ground up.

From luxe safari camps to mountain-town hideaways stateside, read on for our ever-growing list of Black-owned stays throughout the world.

For additional resources, check out the Blackout Coalition’s interactive map of Black-owned hotels or The Collective’s ever-growing resources of Black-owned travel businesses.

The entire story and listing are available at the link at the end of this article. Check out the other resources using the links shown above.

Travel Africa is publishing the Africa portion of the listing here. We have also featured some of the hotels and lodges listed in other issues and on

page 24, www.africabusinessassociation. www.cntraveler.com/story/black-owned-hotels

African Bush Camps Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia Founded by Beks Ndlovu, a professional safari guide, these luxe tented camp and lodges offer wildlife and safari experiences in some of Africa’s untouched areas. https://africanbushcamps.com/

Olma Colonial Suites Accra, Ghana This intimate hotel features an outdoor pool, a

RLJ Kendeja Resort

garden to unwind in, and is located in Accra’s city center, a short distance from the beach. https://olma-colonial-suits-gh.book.direct/en-gb

Zaina Lodge Mole National Park, Ghana

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Thorn Tree River Lodge, Zambia African Bush Camps

West Africa’s first luxury safari lodge in Mole National Park, Zaina has tented chalets complete with private balconies, and a cool infinity pool to refresh in. http://zainalodge-ghana.com/

RLJ Kendeja Resort Near Monrovia, Liberia

The first hotel of its kind in Liberia, this four-star resort is known for stunning views overlooking the Atlantic ocean. www.kendejaresort.com.lr

Jnane Tamsna Marrakech, Morocco On a lush, nine-acre plot of land outside of Marrakech, this quiet boutique features five houses and pools, each uniquely designed. www.jnanetamsna.com/

Seku Bi Dakar, Senegal This intimate boutique features French colonial villas, contemporary African art, and a quiet location in the arrondissement of Dakar-Plateau. http://sekubi.com/

Curiocity Durban, Seku Bi 43 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Johannesburg, to page 44

Black-owned - from page 43

Cape Town; South Africa A network of three hostels throughout South Africa, Curiocity outposts are designed with local style and plenty of soul. https://curiocity.africa/

One of the most popular hotel and conference centers in Johannesburg, this hotel has 46 rooms and a traditional buffet that serves South African staples like morogo and roasted butternut. http://sowetohotel.co.za/

Primate Lodge Kibali Kibale National Park, Uganda Right in the heart of Kibale Rainforest National Park, this eco-lodge is a great jumping off point for travelers wanting to track chimpanzees (or the 12 other primates that call this rainforest home). https:// ugandalodges. com/primate/thelodge/

iKhaya Lodge

Primate Lodge Kibali

iKhaya Lodge Cape Town A safari-style boutique in the center of Cape Town, iKhaya features traditional African decor and furniture. https://ikhayalodge.co.za/

Kruger Shalati Skukuza, South Africa One of 2020’s most innovative openings, the Kruger Shalati in Kruger National Park has transformed a historic train sitting on the Selati Bridge into a modern hotel. https://www.krugershalati.com/

Soweto Hotel Soweto, South Africa 44 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Uganda Lodges

Uganda Lodges Locations throughout Uganda A collection of luxe African-style safari lodging, Uganda Lodges has a wide variety of rooms

Uganda Lodges

including cottages, eco-friendly villas, and a treehouse.

Mbano Manor Hotel Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Just two miles from Victoria Falls, this allsuite boutique hotel has just 18 rooms designed to offer the comfort and privacy you’ll want after a long day at the waterfall. www.mbanomanorhotel.com 45 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Safe Travels

Can I Travel Once I’m Vaccinated?

By Michelle Baran

I

t’s been just over two months since the U.S. began distributing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for COVID-19, and since that time more than 64 million doses have been administered, according to the CDC’s vaccination tracker.

At the current rate of about 840,00 doses being administered each day on average, 75% of the U.S. population should receive their first vaccine dose by October 2021, according to an interactive Reuters COVID-19 vaccine tracking tool. Right now, more than 13% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose. Estimates on when we might reach herd immunity, when enough people are immune to the virus so that it can’t spread, vary between as early as this spring and as late as this fall.

In the meantime, many healthcare and frontline workers, as well as citizens age 65 and older have begun receiving their first and second doses. And they, like many of the rest of us eagerly awaiting our turn in line, are likely asking themselves: Now what? What can I do? Can I travel? What safety precautions will I still need to take? Where can I go? Who can I see?

Earlier this month, we asked our readers for the questions they have about the future of travel at this critical juncture in the pandemic—where we’re still very much in the thick of the health crisis but have begun to get a glimpse of what a way out may look and feel like, thanks to the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. We reached out to infectious disease experts to help us answer them.

They report that the vaccines are indeed a cause for optimism, including for travel and travelers.

“I’m so hopeful about this year in terms of travel and being able to get back to doing, [perhaps] slightly differently, a lot of the things we’re used to doing. And that’s of course due to the vaccines,” says Kristin Bratton Nelson, assistant professor of epidemiology at Emory University in Atlanta.

Dr. Manisha Juthani, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at the Yale School of Medicine, and an infectious diseases specialist at Yale Medicine, is also encouraged about how this year will unfold.

When asked what advice she would offer travelers regarding how they should view the coming weeks and months to avoid having too many hopes dashed (we already went down that road in 2020, remember?), she says, “Once vaccinated and if the rates of infection are low around you and in the place that you are going to, I would definitely plan to travel.

“I miss traveling myself and hope to take a trip on a plane in 2021. It will require continued vigilance, public/private partnerships, and a commitment from everyone in the world to get this virus to recede, but I remain hopeful that we can do this in 2021.”

The bottom line, says Dr. Juthani, “Sign up for a vaccine as soon as your chance comes to get it.”

Is it safe to travel once you’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19?

Infectious disease experts agree that being vaccinated gives travelers a very important and effective added layer of protection. But that even with that added layer of protection, travelers should take precautions—and baby steps.

For starters, you shouldn’t head out the door immediately after your second dose.

“Remember that vaccines don’t work immediately. You need to give your body about two weeks after each dose for a strong enough immune response to occur. . . . We expect that about two weeks after your second dose you may have very high protection.”

Roess notes that because we are still seeing a lot of community transmission of COVID-19, and because there are new variants circulating that we are still learning more about, those who are vaccinated should remain vigilant by continuing to wear masks and practicing social distancing.

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aren’t vaccinated?

As those who are older and at higher risk from COVID-19 get vaccinated, the risk dynamic for gatherings will start to change. Over the past year, we’ve all become accustomed to not just protecting each other but protecting older or more vulnerable friends and family with even greater care because they are at higher risk. Once they are vaccinated, who will be protecting whom—and how?

“Masking and distancing at gatherings are still the best way to protect those that are not vaccinated or older adults at this time. Given that gatherings have been limited, starting to allow for some gatherings but still having public health measures in place is a good transition as we start to emerge from this pandemic,” says Dr. Juthani.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa Barron’s

“This is especially critical during this time when most people are still not yet vaccinated. At some point, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we hope that a large enough proportion of our population will be vaccinated and then we’ll be able to start to return to life as it was prepandemic,” says Roess.

Nelson says she sees travel unfolding in a couple different phases as the vaccine rollout continues. During phase one, as a percentage of the population start to get vaccinated, people may choose to take trips that are critically important to them, travel they feel they really need to do, whether it’s to see family, or for another pressing personal or professional reason.

Ideally, she said she would like to see a larger percentage of the population inoculated before we start venturing out on non-necessary vacation getaways. She suggests waiting another three to six months before heading out for nonessential trips.

But, she adds, “Plan that trip. Plan it for late summer, plan it for fall, so you have something to look forward to. I think there’s a very reasonable expectation that a large segment of the population is going to be vaccinated [by then].”

If I travel to see family, what precautions should we all take if some

Will proof of a vaccination be a requirement to travel?

Beyond the public health advice, there’s also the issue of logistics. Whether or not you are vaccinated, you can, of course, currently travel.

You can drive or fly to countless destinations throughout the U.S. and you can even venture further afield, to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and to countries where Americans are allowed entry, typically when armed with negative COVID test results.

But there are many places in the world that have been and remain off limits to numerous travelers due to the pandemic, including much of Europe and Asia. Many borders have been closed entirely. Thus, the question is how and whether being vaccinated will impact where we can go in the world and under what conditions.

All indications are that proof of a COVID-19 vaccination could eventually open some doors for travelers. But it won’t necessarily open them all and it won’t necessarily be the only way to unlock those doors. In many cases, the doors could remain shut for some time as governments continue to monitor global vaccine rollouts and new coronavirus variants that emerge.

Thus far, only a handful of governments have indicated that they will ease entry restrictions for vaccinated travelers. And even among those destinations, there are often still loopholes for

47 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

see page 48

Vaccination

from page 47

travelers. For instance, European countries

such as Poland, Iceland, and Cyprus that have unveiled plans to relax restrictions for vaccinated travelers have reported that it will still only be for those who were already allowed to enter (with restrictions), such as travelers from the European Union. Vaccinated travelers would simply be allowed to bypass quarantines and possibly testing measures.

Seychelles, which has also reported it will allow vaccinated travelers to enter without having to quarantine, said those with COVID-19 vaccine certificates will still need to present a negative COVID-19 test result as well.

Will we need a vaccine passport to travel internationally?

In a January 21 Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel, President Joe Biden directed government agencies to assess the feasibility of developing an international digital vaccine certificate to which COVID-19 vaccination status could be linked.

Numerous companies have already begun developing and executing the technology for such a digital COVID passport—they include the CommonPass, the IBM Digital Health Pass, and the International Air Transport Association’s IATA Travel Pass. But what is less clear is how and whether governments will use digital vaccine passports, seeing as they haven’t even established clear policies on entry requirements for vaccinated travelers.

In January, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos

Mitsotakis proposed a European COVID-19 vaccination certificate that would allow those who are vaccinated to travel freely in Europe. (The proposal did not address those coming in from outside of Europe.)

European Union leaders met on January 21 to discuss the possibility of having a common vaccine certificate, after which European Council president Charles Michel said that EU leaders “should be able to agree on common elements to include in a certificate for medical purposes,” according to a Reuters report.

Potentially using the certificate for travel purposes was deemed to require further talks, Reuters reported.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) recently warned, however, that relying on the vaccinations as a passport to entry for travel simply excludes too many travelers. The organization is instead pushing for more and better testing protocols.

“The common sense approach is to allow the free movement of people who can prove a negative [COVID-19] test result, rather than reserve traveling for a small minority who have been vaccinated,” Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the WTTC, said in a statement.

Guevara’s concern is that if countries or travel companies require vaccinations from travelers, those further down the list, such as younger travelers or those in countries where the vaccines aren’t being made available as quickly, will be at a disadvantage.

“We should not discriminate against those who wish to travel but have not been vaccinated,” Guevara added.

Whether it’s discriminatory or not, some cruise lines have already decided to make vaccination a requirement for passengers to board, including luxury line Crystal Cruises, U.S. riverboat operator American Queen Steamboat Company, and its sister line Victory Cruise Lines, which sails the Great Lakes and in Alaska and Mexico. Cruising has been largely on hold since last March when several major coronavirus outbreaks on cruise ships defined the dramatic beginnings of this global pandemic. Given the challenges cruise lines have faced, perhaps it’s no surprise that some are playing it extremely cautiously, requiring vaccinations from guests and crew.

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What the coming weeks and months will reveal is how many additional travel companies and governments will begin developing vaccine policies for travelers and what those policies will look like.

If I’m vaccinated will I still need to get tested for COVID when I travel?

For the time being, the vast majority of destinations that have COVID-19 testing requirements in place for travelers have not yet developed bypass options for vaccinated travelers. Any vaccinated travelers who travel in the near future should expect to have to follow the same rules as unvaccinated travelers regarding COVID-19 testing requirements.

This could of course change if and when governments begin to adjust entry requirements for vaccinated travelers. But as mentioned above, with the exception of a handful of countries, such as Iceland, we have yet to see these kinds of adjustments made on any larger scale yet.

Will vaccinated travelers need to quarantine after traveling?

Similar to the above, we have yet to see quarantine requirements be adjusted by more than a few countries for vaccinated travelers.

For now, vaccinated travelers should expect that they will be required to adhere to the quarantine requirements set forth by the destinations they are traveling to.

That being said, among the requirements being waived for vaccinated travelers by the few countries, such as Poland and Seychelles, that have already laid out their rules for vaccinated travelers is the need to quarantine. So, it’s certainly a possibility in the future. We’re just not there yet.

How could international travel with kids work?

Because we have yet to see large-scale policy adjustments for vaccinated travelers of any kind, it is far too soon to know what kinds of exceptions, if any, will be made for children. If COVID testing requirements are any indication, many destinations typically do have an exception for kids—but the age limits on these exceptions vary widely. The U.S. requires negative COVID tests from kids entering the United States who are age two and older and Canada requires it for kids age

five and older, as two examples.

How might the newer coronavirus variants impact travel?

With regards to the newer variants of coronavirus that have emerged more recently, including those that have been identified in the United Kingdom, S o u t h Africa, and Brazil, the concern there is that some have been found to be more transmissible, explains Emory University’s Nelson. They are “more likely to spread than some of the strains that we’ve been dealing with for the past year,” she says.

As governments keep a watchful eye and attempt to keep particularly concerning variants at bay, they could impact how and when governments relax travel restrictions—we’ve already seen some restrictions tighten in direct response to the variants, such as the United States expanding its COVID-19 travel ban to include travel from South Africa, due to the variant circulating there.

New variants mean that travelers should also be more vigilant.

“If I were to travel on an airplane right now, I would be more comfortable with a KN95 mask because we don’t know as much about how easy [these new variants] spread. What we do know is that they’re a little bit more dangerous,” says Nelson.

Nelson notes that while the current vaccines were tested against the variants that were circulating last year and might be a little less effective against newer variants, “The vaccines are extraordinarily effective against the variants that we saw circulating last year. So, if they are a little less effective against the variants, yes, that is concerning but you are still more protected than you would be if you were not vaccinated.” www.afar.com/magazine/can-i-travel-aftergetting-the-covid-19-vaccine Image credits: University of Cincinnati, iStock

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Rare Photos Highlight Some of Africa’s Wonders

Incredible Photos Capture Rare Sight of Elusive Black Panther Under the Stars

B

ritish photographer Will Burrard-Lucas specializes in snapping gorgeous pictures of wildlife at night. The conditions in which to do this, however, make photographing a challenge, and it inspired him to create innovations in camera traps.

Thanks to his ingenuity, he now captures these creatures in ways we rarely see. One of his most exciting pictures came in 2019 when he confirmed the existence of the elusive African black panther in Kenya.

It took a staggering six

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Story by: Sara Barnes

Rare Polka-Dotted Baby Zebra Spotted in Kenya

A

months to finally get the shot that Burrard-Lucas had been hoping for. “I returned to a cluster of three cameras I had set up on a promising rock.

One of the cameras was an infrared DSLR which I had just set up to capture a behind-the-scenes picture,” he recalls. When he checked the other nearby cameras, there were images of the black leopard walking on the rocky terrain with glittering stars in the background. The results are striking and well worth the wait; the cat is almost hidden in the composition with blue tones illuminating its sleek coat.

Burrard-Lucas has included these images in his new book titled The Black Leopard. It’s now available for purchase via Bookshop.org. https://mymodernmet.com/will-burrard-lucasblack-leopard-under-stars/

wildlife photographer was shooting in Kenya when he captured photos of a rare zebra foal that had white spots on a dark coat rather than the ttypical black stripes on a white coat.

Hong Kong-based wildlife photographer Frank Liu was visiting the E East Af African i nation in September 2019 when the strange-looking baby was discovered. A Massai guide and photographer named Antony Tira had noticed it the previous day in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and Liu had a chance to be one of the first to see and photograph the foal the following morning.

The guide named the foal Tira, after his surname.

Tira is believed to be the first polka-dotted zebra ever discovered in Maasai Mara.

According to National Geographic, Tira has a rare genetic mutation called pseudomelanism that causes an abnormality in its stripe pattern. https://petapixel.com/2021/03/09/photos-of-arare-polka-dotted-baby-zebra-spotted-in-kenya/ Story by: Michael Zhang

51 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Surfers Unite

How Black Sand Surf Collective is Bringing Racial Equity to the Oceanfront

By Malik Peay

S

urfer Brick tells Travel Noire “Surfing is a healing experience for me above all else and I want to represent the underrepresented groups in the water,”.

The Los Angeles native is the founder of the surf & arts collective, Black Sand. The mission behind the group’s early morning surf sessions in Southern California relates to the organization’s overall intentions to spread more awareness for Black surfers who take up space in a predominantly white industry.

“Black Sand was founded to show people how to embrace the journey of learning how to surf.”

Although the Black Sand surf collective was created during the pandemic— August 2020 to be exact— the group has gained a wider audience following a racist incident that occurred at Manhattan Beach on Feb. 15.

However, the incident resulted in a beautiful outcome— hundreds of Black surfers arriving at the beach to show their allyship and support for the collective’s Black Sand Peace Paddle painted by Alain Boris.

The initiative was conducted to reset the tone for surfers to acknowledge the social responsibility they have to not condone discriminatory behavior in the open waters.

“I feel a sense of impact because I want to be able to inspire the next person to not be intimidated by surfing because many BIPOC may feel intimidated by the ocean or the people in it,” states Brick. “My parents didn’t grow up next to

the beach. I didn’t get the luxury of having this my whole life. I know I deserve to be at the beach just as much as anyone else.”

The series of events that occurred last month has motivated Brick and his Black Sand surf collective to instill more programming and events based around inclusivity in the water.

“In this space, in particular, marginalized groups need to come together, so there are no more margins,” asserts Brick.

Other POC surf organizations — Textured Waves, Color the Water, and Surfrider LA were vocal supporters in the Black Sand’s Peace Paddle protection of basic human rights in American spaces and industries Black Sand Limbe, Cam that were seemingly not built for them “The Peace Paddle is a tradition I want to continue to build through the brand’s products and message.”

Brick plans on donating proceeds to foundations that will help get wetsuits for inner-city kids in Los Angeles, who want to try surfing but may not have

52 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

d Beach meroon

th access to the t do d so.

“There are kids who live eight miles from the beach and have never seen the beach in their ten years of life, not knowing it can be such a healing space,” he adds.

The growing surfing community needs to make atonement for the lack of diversity that has prevented tthe niche watersport industry ffrom allowing minorities to feel comfortable in this space. Black Sand is shifting the conversation around what it looks like to be a surfer and most importantly, what it takes to be one.

“We’ve got to change this whole system. We have to change the culture.”

Black sand beaches are mustsee destinations that derive from tthe granulated rocky byproduct of volcanic activity. Within the rare 17 Black sand beaches around the globe, the beauty lies w within the result of these natural landmarks being produced from tthe explosive lava materials tthat release from the crater of a vvolcano. Similar to the anomaly of tthese exotic beaches, the Black Sand surf collective is pushing for representation on all fronts and is starting with a demographic that isn’t often spotlighted in the world of surfing – the Black surfer.

To learn more about the collective, check out the Instagram page: @blacksand.surf. https://travelnoire.com/blacksand-surf-collective-bringingequity-to-oceanfront Image credit: Anthony Tran, blogspot.com

53 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

What to Know About Sunscreen Bans

By Katherine Gallagher

B

y now, you’ve likely heard about the sunscreen bans sweeping popular travel destinations around the world. Studies from as early as 2015 found harsh chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate to harm coral reefs and other types of sea life. Now, some communities that rely on ocean-based tourism are fighting back.

When it comes to sun protection, consumers generally have their go-to brands—whether they’re responsible for protecting their families or just themselves. These trusted sources have stood the test of time on numerous vacations, beach days, and summer barbecues by the pool.

Since most travelers have yet to ditch these damaging sunscreens and make the switch to more natural alternatives, destinations where the importance of healthy oceans is paramount have responded by enacting bans on sunscreens containing toxic ingredients.

In some scientific communities, the need for these bans remains up for debate. Some scientists have made it clear that since most coral bleaching is caused by climate change, changing sunscreen laws won’t be enough to counter the damage.

Others worry that limiting sunscreen availability will cause more people to forgo it altogether, leading to a rise in skin cancer. The FDA announced a sunscreen safety proposal in Feb. 2019 concluding only two ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) to be considered safe and effective out of the 16 currently marketed in over-the-counter sunscreens. According to the FDA, 12 ingredients (including oxybenzone and octinoxate) do not have enough data to support a safety rating.

It’s not just the reefs that are suffering, either.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) advises that harmful

chemicals found in sunscreen can impair algae, cause defects in young mollusk species, damage sea urchins, decrease fertility in fish, and accumulate in the tissues of dolphins. The research team led by NOAA found oxybenzone to be highly toxic to young coral and other types of ocean life in a 2016 study. According to the study, the chemical can induce coral bleaching, deform, or kill young coral and even damage coral DNA. Vibrant coral reefs are a tourism highlight for many popular destinations, and the attraction of a healthy reef employs local communities and economic value—with total estimates ranging from $100,000 to $600,000 per square kilometer per year. Though coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean, they support one-quarter of all marine life, including 4,000 different species of fish, as habitat and feeding areas. When coral reefs can perform their jobs as natural breakwaters, they minimize large wave impacts and provide added protection for coastal areas from natural storms.

So, you’re traveling to a place with a sunscreen ban and wondering what your options are. Luckily, there are plenty. Trending sunscreen bans have brought natural sunscreen brands into the

54 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Seychelles Coral Reef. Constance Hotels and Resorts

spotlight, and there are more showing up every year. According to a majority of the research, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide win for the best sun-blocking ingredients that don’t harm ocean life. Buyers should look for sunscreen free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are currently included in more than 3,500 products.

Most importantly, explore options to supplement sun protection. Throw on a rash guard before snorkeling or surfing, and pack sunglasses, hats, sun shirts, and umbrellas before heading to the beach. Avoid aerosol sunscreens, which often end up spraying more microscopic chemical ingredients into the surrounding environment than onto skin. Also, remember that turning up in a sunscreen ban destination with your own sunscreen may add unexpected costs if local stores have hiked up prices.

Regardless of ongoing discussions debating the safety of sunscreen ingredients, travelers still need to be aware of destinations that have already passed sunscreen bans. www.tripsavvy.com/sunscreen-bans-what-youneed-to-know-4692629

A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide by Diallo Sumbry - Ghana’s first African American Tourism Ambassador - is an honest blend of personal experiences, lessons, and practical tips that provide a timely contribution to the “Back to Africa” renaissance sparked by Ghana’s 2019 Year of Return.

A Smart Ghana Repatriation Guide offers the reader an accompanying virtual experience with each chapter through the use of scannable QR codes imbedded in the text.

The book features contributions from several guest authors, whose unique perspectives lend color and credibility to this most useful resource.

Get yours at www.birthrightjourney.com/ asmartghanarepatriationguide.

55 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

These Apps Will Make Booking and Planning a Vacation Easy

By Kelsey Marie

B

ooking a vacation can be stressful. As we celebrate National Plan A Vacation Day (January 26, 2021), we wanted to make things simple.

This national holiday is celebrated to encourage Americans to plan their time off. With 2020 putting a pause of most plans, people are looking ahead to what the future of travel may hold.

Are you planning a trip for a group, and no one is on the same page? Do you have vacation time but don’t know exactly where you want to go?

Have you decided last minute that you want to get away, but you’re on a budget?

There’s an app for all of that. Booking a vacation just got a little easier with these mobile apps.

1. Travel Noire Did you know that we have an app? Through deals, travel stories and community input, we help travelers discover new destinations through the lens of others like them.

When you join the TN app you’ll have access to conversations from other millennials of color about different travel destinations, customized city guides and masterclasses based around travel. https://travelnoire.com 2. Hotel Tonight Hotel Tonight is a must-have app for last minute staycation or vacation plans. How does it work?

As you get closer to the date of your staycation, hotels take inventory of their empty rooms and place them on the app at a discounted rate. It’s a way to guarantee the rooms get booked. www.hoteltonight.com 3. Airbnb Do you have the Airbnb app downloaded on your phone yet? If not, what are you waiting for?!

This app gives you the ability to explore the world, extend your stay and feel like a local.

From a treehouse in Atlanta to a houseboat in Amsterdam- Airbnb gives you the chance to

vacation while feeling like you are a local. www.airbnb.com 4. Roadtrippers Do you remember when we had to print out directions? Now we have apps like Roadtrippers.

Plan your road trip, or access pre-made guides of past roadtrippers for inspiration. The app also has a collaboration feature for your friends and family to add in their suggestions as well. https://roadtrippers.com 5. TripIt Are you the planner in your group? TripIt: The Trip Planner takes away the stress and creates a master itinerary for your trip. Sync your flight, hotel, car and any other reservations into the app, and it will store and organize every detail for your trip. www.tripit.com 6. Mobile Passport This is the holy grail for U.S. or Canadian travelers. The last thing you want after a long vacation and landing back in your home airport, is to wait in long customs lines. Mobile passport helps expedite the process.

Once you land, complete the brief questionnaire, take a picture of your passport and a current picture of yourself. You can then bypass the regular lines for the mobile passport lane, where a CBP officer will scan your app, so you can be on your way. www.mobilepassport.us https://travelnoire.com/apps-make-bookingplanning-a-vacation-easy

56 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

An African All-Inclusive Resort for Honeymoon Consideration

By Alisha Prakash

T

here’s no denying that the best part after saying your “I dos” is the honeymoon -well, that and spending the rest of your life together. Even better is having everything taken care of while on your post-nuptial vacation. No matter the destination, an all-inclusive resort takes the worries out of travel -- that is, if you pick a top-notch property that won’t let you down. To help, I present a romantic, honeymoon-worthy allinclusive resort in Botswana. Read about more all-inclusive sites on page 36.

andBeyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana

arriving at the property is an adventure, as it requires taking a small plane, safari vehicle, and a boat. The nine safari “tents” are fully screened in and thoroughly high-end, with huge soaking tubs, four-poster beds, lots of wood, and private pools. The decor blends rustic charm with bright, contemporary style -- not an obvious combination, but it mostly works.

Everything, including the food and guided excursions, is included in the price — making for a hassle-free honeymoon. Guests can witness exotic wildlife, like lions and hippos, and relax in luxurious tents that feature private plunge pools.

Situated on an island in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, this ultra-remote, high-end safari lodge provides an unforgettable experience. Even

www.oyster.com/articles/top-all-inclusivehoneymoon-resorts

57 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Travel - Be Safe

TSA: What to Know Befo Face Coverings and Social Distancing

TSA officers ar required to we surgical masks and gloves.

Practice social distancing.

6 feet

TSA

Phased installa of plastic shiel at points of int between passe and TSA office (e.g., checkpoin checked bagga drop-off, etc.)

Checkpoint floors have visual reminders of appropriate spacing.

Travelers should wear face coverings.

Travelers who require an accommodation due to a disability or medical condition should alert the TSA officer.

Travelers may have to adjust their face coverings for IDverification or remove for secondary screening.

Cleaning and Disinfecting 12 oz.

TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags.

TSA officers will change their gloves with each pat-down and upon passenger request.

New Explosives Trace Detection swab used for each person.

58 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Increased cleaning an disinfecting of frequen touched surfaces and screening equipment, including bins.

ore You Go

re ear

ation ding teraction engers ers. nt, age

Reduced Physical Contact

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Travelers keep possession of their IDs and boarding passes, place on the reader, and hold up for visual inspection.

TSA Website: www.tsa.gov/coronavirus

Remove belts and all items from pockets and put them in carry-ons instead of bins.*

TSA Safety Video: www.tsa.gov/videos/stayhealthy-stay-secure

Remove food items from carry-on bags and place in bin for screening.*

Travelers may be directed outside of the checkpoint to remove or repack items (e.g., laptops, liquids, gels, aerosols and large electronics).

d ntly security * Does not apply to TSA PreCheck™ members.

CDC Dashboard: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ whats-new-all.html COVID-19 Testing: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ symptoms-testing/ testing.html COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ travelers/map-and-travelnotices.html

Stay Healthy. Stay Secure. tsa.gov/coronavirus 59 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

First Person Africa

I

heard the chimps before I saw them—one lone call followed by a riotous chorus of pants, hoots, howls, and screams, until the entire forest reverberated with a primal din.

“They are disciplining someone,” explained Ruth Imalingat, the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger leading my tracking excursion. “I suspect Mweya is giving a beating.” As the cacophony rose again, Imalingat turned toward the sound.

“They are moving,” she said, looking back at me. Chimpanzees travel on foot when searching for food, but spend most of their time far above ground in the thick vegetation of the rain forest’s canopy, where they’re more difficult to observe. I fell into step as she trampled through the dense brush, rifle slung over her shoulder. The gun was a precaution. If we were to meet an elephant on its way to the river, she’d fire a shot into the air to scare it away.

My heart pounded as another round of hoots pierced the air. I searched the treetops for the howling primates, trying not to trip as we bushwhacked through the tangle of shrubs and saplings that sprung from the forest floor. I could just make out the camouflage print of Imalingat’s uniform through a ropy curtain of Saba florida vines and scrambled to catch up, wiry branches snapping against my face. Just then, the caterwauling reached a third crescendo. This wasn’t a PBS documentary—we were in the midst of a bona fide chimpanzee fracas.

I was deep in Kyambura Gorge, a sunken rain forest carved into the vast savanna of southwestern Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. Home to an isolated family of 29 chimpanzees, the gorge sits within the Albertine Rift, one of the poorest, most densely populated rural areas on the African continent. The people living near Kyambura Gorge use firewood to fuel their stoves. They rely on subsistence agriculture and need fertile land to grow their crops. And they harvest trees from the gorge for the small boost the sale of timber gives their household income, which hovers around $160 per year.

Unfortunately, these actions come at a cost to the environment. Over the past two decades, deforestation and community encroachment have trapped Kyambura’s endangered apes in their jungle habitat. Females have been unable to visit neighboring chimp communities to mate,

and human-chimpanzee skirmishes have increased.

But in 2019, East Africa outfitter Volcanoes Safaris secured a two-mile-long swath of land to create a buffer zone between the gorge and the adjacent villages. The buffer is just one part of the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project, which aims to protect the chimpanzees and their fragile ecosystem by developing alternatives to the locals’ reliance on the gorge’s natural resources.

I went to Uganda to learn about the project and see its various initiatives in action. I also went to see the chimps. And though I’d heard that they often remain elusive, the hullabaloo echoing throughout the jungle suggested that luck was on my side.

The vocalizations intensified as we entered a clearing. High overhead, the canopy shook as the apes swung from tree to tree, their shapes silhouetted against the sky. “Do you see the alpha climbing?” Imalingat asked, pointing as one of the chimps clambered hand-over-hand up a tall ironwood tree and disappeared into its fronds.

Mweya, she’d explained earlier, was attempting to usurp authority from Kihango, the family’s alpha male. Young males like Mweya often work to dominate other young males, as well as females, in their attempts to climb the ranks. The shrieks of the offender, likely a female, grew louder and more desperate as the scolding continued.

The noise was heartbreaking, yet Imalingat assured me that these displays often sound much worse than they actually are. Soon, the cries of Mweya’s victim waned and Imalingat interpreted their meaning. “’Sorry,’” she translated. “She’s saying, ‘I’m sorry.’”

Contrary to the almost meditative experience of observing mountain gorillas, one of Uganda’s primary tourist draws, a chimpanzee encounter feels like watching a bunch of sugar-jacked fiveyear-olds in a trampoline park. My rendezvous with the motley simian crew was the last thrilling act of a 10-day journey through East Africa with Volcanoes Safaris.

Founded in 1997, the company pioneered greatape tourism in the region and now operates four luxurious eco-lodges, three in Uganda and one in

60 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Deep in U Group of C

Uganda’s Kyambura Gorge, an Endangered Chimpanzees Has Survived Against All Odds

By Gina DeCaprio Vercesi

Rwanda. Uganda-born owner Praveen Moman is committed to reducing human-wildlife conflict in the area, and finding solutions to those conflicts has been central to his vision from the outset.

“The local communities have no intrinsic interest in the wildlife,” Moman had told me over lunch in New York City a few months before my trip. “They need the land for cultivation. They need to feed their kids. We’ve been looking at all the issues around humans and wildlife living together and trying to create a win-win situation. Wilderness

has to produce an economic return.”

As part of that mission, in 2009 Moman created the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), a nonprofit designed to enrich the livelihoods of people living near the lodges and encourage them to feel more invested in conservation tourism. He is not alone in his efforts. The creation of a strong, wildlife-focused economy as a way to protect vulnerable habitats is a strategy that has worked well in many places where humans and animals

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Chimpanzee Safari - from page 61

Safaris guide Francis Kiwanuka identified spiralcohabit—and it’s one that has slowly gained horned Ugandan kob, mud-caked Cape buffalo, traction in the villages surrounding Kyambura and baby baboons with pink faces and pointy ears that reminded me of those plastic trolls from the Gorge.

1960s. I arrived at Kyambura Gorge Lodge hot, dusty, and full of wonder.

The property sits within a vastly different ecosystem to that of its counterparts in the south. There, the jungles of the Virunga massif—a stunning volcanic range that sprawls across the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—create a dramatic backdrop. But in this spot, 15 miles from the equator, golden savanna stretches in every direction, punctuated only by lacy acacia trees and the occasional Kyambura Gorge Lodge’s four new thatched-roof bandas solitary elephant. To the north, the overlook the eponymous canyon; one of the lodge’s handsomely jagged pinnacles of the Rwenzori appointed bandas. range, known as the Mountains of the Moon, etch the horizon.

Built in 2011, Kyambura Gorge Lodge is the newest of Volcanoes Safaris’ properties.

A 2019 renovation introduced four deluxe bandas overlooking the gorge.

After my butler, Beatrice Nasingura, had shown me around mine and relieved me of my dirty boots, I drenched myself in the outdoor shower. Sundowners on the terrace, a dinner of spicy watermelon soup and vegetable samosas followed by coconut ice cream, and a mosquitonetted bed warmed by a hot-water bottle meant sleep came easily.

Chimpanzees travel on foot when I spent the days leading up to Kyambura at the searching for food, but spend most of their time other three Volcanoes lodges—Virunga, Mount far above ground in the thick vegetation of the Gahinga, and Bwindi—each of which has its rain forest’s canopy, where they’re more difficult own unique cultural and outdoor adventures. to observe.

I didn’t stir until Nasingura returned just before I hiked to see a frisky troop of golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and had an sunrise with a pot of hot coffee brewed with beans epic encounter with gorillas in the misty jungles of from the nearby Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative (https://volcanoessafaris.com/allBwindi Impenetrable Forest.

On the drive to Kyambura Gorge through Queen activities/womens-omwani-coffee-co-operative).

Elizabeth National Park, longtime Volcanoes Another venture within the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project, the co-op employs women from 62 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

the local village, several of whom are widowed, HIV-positive, or both. The women pick, sort, wash, dry, roast, and hand-grind coffee grown on 100 acres of VSPT land. They also run the onsite Kyambura Community Café, which serves fresh coffee and wood-fired pizzas while training disadvantaged youth from neighboring villages in hospitality. Nasingura told me that she started out as a café trainee. Now she’s one of the lodge’s best-loved butlers.

The early wake-up gave me just enough time for breakfast before setting out with Kiwanuka for the short ride to Fig Tree Camp, the gathering point for chimp tracking, where Imalingat was waiting.

I signed the guest log and climbed the stairs to a wooden observation deck. Beneath me lay the wide savanna, cleft by the lush Kyambura Gorge.

Unlike my treks in the Virungas to see golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, which involved trackers going ahead of the group and signaling back to guides once the primates were located, finding these chimpanzees required a bit more effort.

“Today we shall go as the trackers,” Imalingat said, leading me down a steep trail accompanied by the thunderous snorting of hippos. “We shall have to listen for the calls, check out the trees where they are eating.” As we wound our way along the Kyambura River, a resonant thumping echoed through the forest—our first clue to the chimps’ location.

“They are hitting the trees,” Imalingat explained, pointing to a huge Pterygota with winged buttress roots that came up to my neck. “That means they’re traveling. The drumming is a communication system for chimpanzees.”

Chimp droppings and a few isolated cries led us to the other side of the river, where we found the chimps having breakfast. Tucked among leafy limbs heavy with figs, the apes were serene. They ate and dozed, mated and groomed while the babies swung from branch to branch in a perfect facsimile of kids playing on monkey bars.

“Let us take our time,” Imalingat suggested.

“They are busy eating. We shall wait and see what happens.”

I craned my neck and fixed my camera lens on a chimp gazing skyward while reclining on a branch.

Birdsong filled the forest, interrupted periodically by hoots from the trees and the hippos’ trumpet-

like exhalations. Figs hit the ground around my feet, dislodged by the chimps’ movements. “These guys will not stick long here,” Imalingat observed.

“They look to be satisfied already.”

As if on cue, a large chimpanzee climbed down from the canopy and settled into the crook of a low-hanging branch across from where we stood.

Although the chimp regarded us with an attitude that bordered on blasé, I found that I was holding my breath.

“He’s quite a friendly boy,” Imalingat told me.

“His name is Mweya.” It was Mweya who would stir the chimps into their wild rumpus during our second visit to the gorge later that afternoon. But now the young male, wearing a remarkably human expression, seemed almost contemplative.

Back at the lodge I met Dr. Peter Apell, the field programs manager for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in Uganda. Apell had last visited Kyambura a decade earlier; he returned to see the evolution and impact of the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project firsthand. Over lunch he explained some of the ways his organization could support Volcanoes’ efforts to safeguard the gorge and the chimps—especially since those efforts so closely parallel the JGI’s commitment to nurturing a peaceful coexistence between humans and chimpanzees.

Honey production is one of those alternatives, and Kyambura Lodge has worked with Kampalabased Malaika Honey to train local farmers in commercial beekeeping since 2012. The hives create a kind of fence that protects farmers’ land from crop-raiding elephants, while honey sales put money into their pockets. The initiative is an illustration of the type of win-win scenario Moman hopes will shift the region’s paradigm in a more sustainable direction, especially since mining the forest for timber and farmland further diminishes the chimps’ habitat. It also makes it virtually impossible for females to leave the gorge to find genetically diverse mates—which is crucial to the Kyambura chimps’ survival.

On our game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park the previous day, Kiwanuka had described some of the dangers the savanna harbors for female chimpanzees attempting to travel between forest fragments in search of other chimp communities. The park’s tree-climbing lions

63 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

to page 64

Chimpanzee Safari - from page 63

Each morning Kakuru would report to work early often lie in wait on the branches of sycamores, so that he could spend time learning about the while leopards skulk in the tall grasses. Still, birds that inhabit the Kyambura Wetland, a former the instinct to procreate is a powerful motivator, illegal brickworks that has been restored to its sometimes prompting breeding females to leave natural state. In 2018 he became an official guide at the lodge, leading guests on short treks in the the forest’s shelter despite the risks.

One of the chimps’ best hopes for survival is buffer and the wetlands.

Toward the end of our walk, we were given the creation of a protected corridor between Kyambura Gorge and the nearby Maramagambo seedlings to plant as part of a reforestation project in the buffer zone. I watched as Apell dropped a Forest. tiny pigeonwood plant into a hole and tamped soil around its roots.

“The task ahead is very, very tough,” he said, brushing the dirt from his hands and gazing at the surrounding landscape. “But as Dr. Goodall says, ‘If we understand, then we will care, and if we care, then we will make a difference.’”

I thought back to the chimpanzees’ ruckus the previous day—anger fading into apology and then cooperation again. Though their future was fragile, I felt certain that the chimps, and their supporters, would find a way forward.

Chimpanzee’s in Kyambura Gorge. gorillasafariscompany.com

Plan a Chimp Safari in

In the spring of 2019, an immigrant female appeared among the Kyambura chimps, the first visitor in many years. Imalingat and her colleagues don’t know where she came from, but they speculate that the community’s robust selection of virile young males makes the gorge an attractive mating ground. Her arrival supports some researchers’ theory that, in addition to the buffer zone, one of the chimps’ best hopes for survival is the creation of a protected corridor between Kyambura Gorge and the nearby Maramagambo Forest. The idea is ambitious—it could take 30 years to secure safe passage—but Volcanoes Safaris, in partnership with the JGI, remains open to pursuing it.

The next morning, my last in Uganda, I rose early to hike through the new buffer zone with Apell and a young naturalist named Saidi Kakuru.

An accomplished student before he was forced to drop out of school when he lost both parents to AIDS, Kakuru got his start with Volcanoes Safaris at the Kyambura Community Café, like Nasingura.

Uganda Getting There Kenya Airways flies four times a week from New York’s JFK to Uganda’s Entebee International Airport. From Entebee, it’s a short flight via Aerolink Uganda to Mweya Airport, where a guide will meet you and drive you to Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

The Experience Volcanoes Safaris (from $3,299 per person, all inclusive) can arrange a four-day itinerary at Kyambura Gorge Lodge that includes an expedition to track chimpanzees, game drives to see tree-climbing lions, and visits to local community projects.

The safari can be combined with stays at other lodges in the Volcanoes Safaris family: Mount Gahinga Lodge and Bwindi Lodge, also in Uganda, and Rwanda’s Virunga Lodge, all of which offer mountain-gorilla trekking. www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/safaris/ uganda-chimpanzees-kyambura-gorge

64 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Traveller’s Benefit

First Black-Owned Luxury Travel and Airport Lounge Pass Set to Launch in May

By Nasha Smith

A

new app is making layovers a lot more luxurious.

On May 4th, 2021, FLY LYFE (https://myflylyfe.com) will launch the world’s first Black-owned Social Travel Network and Lounge Pass. The new mobile app will provide access to over 400 lounges globally.

FLY LYFE originally started out as a private jet charter broker company “FLY OMY JET” in 2016, primarily handling celebrity flights. But the company’s CEO and founder, Allen Forrest, saw an opportunity for expansion.

“My vision was always to have a major platform not just for private aviation bookings, but also to be able to get into the commercial space and to try to approach it in a different type of way,” Forrest told Travel Noire.

“We realized that there are a lot of people out there that want the private experience, but a lot of them can’t afford the private experience price tag. So when we started, we were servicing celebrities, businessmen, athletes, etc. But we saw a market that we could approach.”

Forrest also noticed that there were no dedicated spaces for his clientele to interact with each other outside the private flights or a platform to provide curated information on luxury travel.

He wants to also make these resources accessible to the Black travel community.

“I’ve seen an uptick in a lot of Black travel over the last year and especially during the pandemic.

There has been an exceptional amount of Black travel that we would like to tap into and let them know that as they’re traveling there are some luxurious lounges they may not know about, even if they don’t have an American Express Platinum Card or a priority pass to get into them.

That’s where we want to step in and fill that void.”

Membership is tiered and ranges from $19.95 to $149.95 per month with initiation fees.

Members are eligible for the best deals on shared private jets, events, villas, hotels, and other amenities. The plan is also to provide access to an extensive database of social networking contacts and hotspots.

“We have curated cities from all around the world. I’ve been building this catalog for the last five years,” explained Forrest. “So any city that you go to, as soon as you hit the FLY LYFE network, it’s going to tell you all the hottest locations that you need to be at but not like Yelp that just gives you reviews. This is going to be the actual place where Leonardo DiCaprio is hanging out or Jay-Z is frequently here. It makes it just a little easier when you’re traveling. You don’t have to spend four or five hours a day trying to figure out ‘what should I do tonight? Or where should I go?’ It just automatically does it for you.”

For more information, visit FLY LYFE ((https:// myflylyfe.com). www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/ articles/african-islands-never-heard-of/

65 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

New 5-Star Site

IHG MiraMar Luanda Open for Business

O

n the day marking the 45th anniversary of National Independence, Angola now has a hotel of the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) chain, inaugurated by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.

In a statement, InterContinental says the inauguration of Luanda Miramar, is “the first luxury hotel of an international brand” in the city.

Inspired by the graceful contours of the diamond in its design, InterContinental® Luanda Miramar makes its debut in Angola as the first Internationally branded 5-star hotel, blending the highest luxury standards and the local essence of Angola’s capital into an unforgettable experience. The 24-story building includes 377-rooms, a casino, an outdoor pool, 4 restaurants and xxxx.

Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to Responsible Business is being activated around the world. Using our Green Engage tools, we have helped our hotels and resorts reduce energy consumption by up to 25%.

Through IHG’s Shelter in a Storm programme, our hotels receive guidance on when and how best to respond when disasters occur. When a disaster occurs, funds from the IHG Shelter Fund can be allocated to enable our hotels to respond quickly and effectively to support our guests, employees and the local community with financial support, vital supplies and accommodation.

The IHG Academy is a collaboration between individuals, IHG hotels, corporate offices, local education providers and/or community organisations. The IHG Academy provides local people with opportunities to develop skills and improve their employment prospects in one of the world’s largest hotel companies. Within a consistent framework, each IHG Academy is tailored to meet the needs of local communities

President João Lourenço performs ceremonial ribbon cu oprimeiro.net

as well as hotels around the world. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ destinations/africa/articles/ african-islands-never-heard-of Image credit: https://hotelsrates.com/Angola, IHG, frontierafricareports.com

66 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

utting.

President’s delegation visits hotel pool. governo.gov.ao

Bringing History to Life

In South Africa, Scientists are Piecing Together Dinosaur Fossils from a ‘Triassic Park’

By Heather Djunga

P

utting together a giant jigsaw puzzle can be a lot of fun! Especially when the pieces are millions of years old. Jonah Choinière of the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and his team of paleontologists put together the pieces of two giant dinosaur skeletons during the recent lockdown period in South Africa.

These skeletons were among many fossil remains of prehistoric creatures shepherd Dumangwe Thyobeka found in 2018 in Qhemegha, a village in Eastern Cape Province. Thyobeka had seen what appeared to be dinosaur bones — he reasoned that they were much too big to be cattle bones. He knew to notify the authorities, and Choinière said he could still remember how excited he was when he and his team arrived at the site.

“There were dinosaur bones and fossils sticking out everywhere, although to the untrained eye, these fossils wouldn’t be immediately obvious,” he said. “There might have been a water hole there millions of years ago, because of the richness of the find.”

Choinière said they had unearthed a lost world, which some have nicknamed “Jurassic Park.” But it’s more of a “Triassic Park,” as most of the finds date to the Triassic Period (252 million to 201 million years ago). Some of the finds are as old as 220 million years old.

The site has had a lot of international media coverage over the past two years because of its rich heritage and significance to the field of paleontology. Choinière explained the excavation team had uncovered an ecosystem hidden from view for more than 200 million years. An ecosystem is made of a whole lot of animals, plants and other creatures that rely on one another to survive.

“In addition to the dinosaurs we have found on

the site, we have hundreds of bones of other animals, including early mammal relatives, early crocs and some things we cannot yet identify,” he said. “That means there were a lot of different types of animals alive on the same spot at the same time — and that it wasn’t just dinosaurs! If you went on a safari then you’d see way more than just dinosaurs.”

Work on the site began in 2018 and continued until just before the 2020 lockdown.

Choinière said they had just uncovered A digger flips a quarry with five new species in it when the country was locked down because of Cape Province the coronavirus.

Fortunately for the team, they had already lifted significant (and big) fossil material from the site — using forklifts, gantry cranes and flatbed trucks — and transported it to their lab at the University of the Witwatersrand.

“The first fossil we prepared was a total surprise,” he said. “We thought it was a jumble of many different animals, but it turned out to be this huge sauropodomorph, with all the bones just mixed up!”

A sauropodomorph is a huge plant-eating dinosaur with a long neck and tiny head. It evolved to become the largest land animals of all time.

“I’ve never dealt with anything this size before,” Choinière said of the fossil. “Even the plaster jackets, used for making impressions of the fossils, were so big we had to use special equipment to open them.”

As of now, the new species of dinosaurs remains unnamed.

“There are many ways to name a dinosaur.

You just need to make sure that the name has more than one letter and you can’t name it after

68 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

s over a plaster jacket containing the bones of a giant sauropodomorph dinosaur near Qhemegha, a village in Eastern e, South Africa. A shepherd found the site that is filled with dinosaurs and other animals from the Triassic Period, which was about 252 million to 201 million years ago. (Jonah Choinière)

yourself,” he said. “Generally, scientists name the animals after local phenomena, or a local [god] or legend.”

He said the site forms part of a dinosaur-rich area of the Free State and Eastern Cape, which he hopes will one day become a famous “Dinosaur Route” for paleontologists and tourists. The local authorities are in the process of registering the area as a national heritage site.

Choinière grew up in Massachusetts, but said he decided to move to South Africa because of its rich fossil heritage, with finds ranging from the dawn of time to the beginnings of mankind.

“Before this find, we knew very little about the Triassic Period in South Africa. Most of the fossils from that time period were very scrappy and hard to identify,” he said. “We can now confidently state that by the time we describe all of the new species from Qhemegha, we’ll have doubled the number of species previously known from the South African Triassic.”

Dinosaur attractions South Africa has many exciting tourist sites for children who love dinosaurs: » The Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town has what Jonah Choinière calls “the best dinosaur display in the country.” » The Albany Museum in Makhanda also has an excellent display and is a bit closer to Qhemegha. » There is a dinosaur display and soon to be a dinosaur interpretive center (the Kgodomodomo Dinosaur Center) at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State Province. www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/ in-south-africa-scientists-are-piecing-togetherdinosaur-fossils-from-a-triassic-park/2021/04/05/ ad08ec26-8e34-11eb-a6bd-0eb91c03305a_ story.html?outputType=amp#aoh=1617796973 8457&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww. google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

69 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

City of Amenhotep III Found

Famed Egyptian Archaeologist Reveals Details of 3,000-year-old Lost City

By The Associated Press

Z

ahi Hawass says recently unearthed ancient city is the most important discovery for Egyptologists since the tomb of Tutankhamun was found in 1922 Egypt’s best-known archaeologist revealed on Saturday further details on a Pharaonic city recently found in the southern province of Luxor.

Zahi Hawass said that archaeologists found brick houses, artifacts, and tools from pharaonic times at the site of the 3,000-year-old lost city.

It dates back to Amenhotep III of the 18th dynasty, whose reign is considered a golden era for ancient Egypt.

“This is really a large city that was lost... The inscription that found inside here says that this city was called: ‘The dazzling Aten’,” Hawass told reporters at the site.

Archeologists started excavating in the area last year, searching for the mortuary temple of boy King Tutankhamun. However, within weeks they found mud brick formations that eventually turned out to be a well-preserved large city.

City walls and even rooms filled with ovens, storage pottery, and utensils used in daily life are said to be present. Archeologists also found human remains that were visible to reporters and visitors on Saturday.

“We found three major districts, one for administration, one for the workmen to sleep, one for the industry and (an) area for dried meat,” said Hawass, who spoke to reporters at the site while wearing his iconic Indiana Jones hat.

He said he believes that the city was “the most important discovery” since the tomb of Tutankhamun was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor nearly fully intact in 1922.

Hawass also rejected the notion that the city’s remains had already been discovered previously, as has been suggested in posts circulating on social media.

“It’s impossible... that I discover something that was previously discovered,” he said.

Paola Cartagena, a graduate student of Egyptology at the University of Manchester, said the discovery was of “great importance.”

“Settlement archaeology is extremely valuable for learning true historical facts and broaden our understanding of how the ancient Egyptians lived,” she wrote on Twitter.

The newly unearthed city is located between the temple of King Rameses III and the colossi of Amenhotep III on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor. The city continued to be used by Amenhotep III’s grandson Tutankhamun, and then his successor King Ay. Some mud bricks bear the seal of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, or name insignia.

Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1391 B.C. and 1353 B.C., built the main portions of the Luxor and Karnak temples in the ancient town of Thebes.

Egypt has sought publicity for its archaeological discoveries in the hopes of reviving its tourism sector, which was badly hit by the turmoil following the 2011 uprising, and now the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement came a few days after Egypt moved 22 of its prized royal mummies in a gala parade to their new resting place — the newly opened National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. www-haaretz-com.cdn.ampproject. org/v/s/www.haaretz.com/amp/ archaeology/famed-egyptianarchaeologist-reveals-details-of-3-000year-old-lost-city-1.9699731

70 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

A man hold unearthed po of recently di lost city in Lu today. REUTE Abdallah Dals

A view of the 3,000-year-old city, today.

Khaled DESOUKI / AFP

A man holds an unearthed pot at the site of recently discovered lost city in Luxor, Egypt, today. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

s an ot at the site iscovered uxor, Egypt, ERS/Amr sh 71 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

We All Have a Role to Play

Suspected Poacher Killed by Elephants at South African National Park

By Julia Jacobo with ABC News’ Liezl Thom

A

suspected poacher was killed by a herd of breeding elephants that he encountered while fleeing from park rangers, according to South African officials.

Three people attempted to run away after they were spotted by rangers at the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, on Saturday, South African National Parks officials said.

After one of the suspects was captured, he told park rangers the group had run into a herd of elephants, adding that he was not sure if his alleged accomplice had managed to escape, officials said.

Rangers later discovered the man “badly trampled” and dead from his injuries.

Investigators say they are still searching for the third suspect, who continued to flee after he suffered an injury to the eye.

The men are suspected of attempting to poach rhinos, according to officials. A rifle and axe were recovered amid the investigation, officials said.

“The campaign against poaching is the responsibility of all us; it threatens many livelihoods, destroys families and takes muchneeded resources to fight crime, which could be used for creating jobs and development,” Gareth Coleman, managing executive of Kruger National Park, said in a statement. www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/africa/suspectedpoacher-trampled-south-africa-intl/index.html Suspected poacher killed by elephants at South African national park originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 72 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Three elephants walk on a

a dirt road in Kruger National Park, South Africa independent.co.uk (Getty Images) 73 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Mount Richar

M

Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve ount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in both Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, extending over a total of area of 17,540 hectares, with 12,540 hectares in Guinea, and 5,000 hectares in Côte d’Ivoire. The reserve covers significant portions of the Nimba Range, a geographically unique area with unusually rich flora and fauna, including exceptional numbers of single-site endemic species, such as viviparous toads, and horseshoe bats. Its highest peak is Mount Richard-Molard at 1,752 m (5,750 ft), which is the highest peak of both countries.

The strict nature reserve was established in 1943 by Order No. 4190 SE/F in Côte d’Ivoire and in 1944 by decree in Guinea. The Guinean part was accepted as a biosphere reserve in 1980. Both reserves were combined to form one World Heritage Site in 1981 (Guinea) and 1982 (Côte d’Ivoire).

For the sake of an improved protection, a conservation management centre 74 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

West African Lion

rd-Molard

Oil Palm plantation within a protected forest (Maritime Guinea)

is being built by Guinean Parks Foundation (www.facebook.com/guineanparks). The project was approved by the Guinean Government and CEGENS in 2016.

Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve lies within Guinean Forests of West Africa Biodiversity Hotspot. It harbours an especially rich flora and fauna, and it is the home of more than 2,000 vascular plant species, 317 vertebrate species, 107 of which are mammals, and to more than 2,500 invertebrate species. The reserve is a subject of biological surveys, because there are still large numbers of unknown species.

Notably endemic vertebrates are Nimba

Pygmy Hippopotamus

Zebra Duiker viviparous toad (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis), Lamotte’s roundleaf bat (Hipposideros lamottei), and Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei). Other rare and endangered animals are West African lion (Panthera leo senegalensis), pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), zebra duiker (Cephalophus zebra), and western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) that uses stones as tools. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nimba_ Strict_Nature_Reserve Image credit: blogspot.com, www.ebay.com

75 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Travel Africa Where To Go, What To Do Algeria

Tamanrasset Camel Trekking Sahara Dune Skiing The Turquoise Coast CAPITAL: Algiers www.algerie-tourisme.dz

Angola

Fort Sao Miguel Slave Depot Calandula Waterfalls Palmeirinhas Beach CAPITAL: Luanda www.angola.org

Festival National des Arts et de la Culture (FENAC) in December CAPITAL: Yaoundé www.cameroun-infotourisme.com

Cape Verde

Baia das Gatas Festival Scuba Diving and Snorkelling at Boa Vista UNESCO world heritage old fort site at Cidade Velha CAPITAL: Praia Ministry of Tourism, Praia, Santiago: +238 615 697

Central African Republic Boali Waterfalls

Benin

Lake Village of Ganvie Nakoue Lagoon Pendjari National Park CAPITAL: Porto-Novo www.benintourisme.com

Botswana

Okavango Delta Central Kalahari Game Reserve Transfrontier Park (Kgalafadi National Park) CAPITAL: Gaborone www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Cala & Kw

Burkina Faso

International Arts and Crafts Fair, Oct-Nov Ranch de Nazinga game reserve Mare aux Hippopotames CAPITAL: Ouagadougou www.ontb.bf

Burundi

Chutes de la Kagera Waterfall Lake Tanganyika Craftwares Village at Giheta CAPITAL: Bujumbura www.burunditourisme.com

Cameroon

Mandera Mountains (hiking, climbing) Bouba Ndjidah National Park

Calvin

Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park Lobaye Region CAPITAL: Bangui ministere_tourisme@yahoo.fr

Chad

Camel racing in the Tibesti Mountains Galawa Beach on Grande Comore Lake Chad CAPITAL: N’Djamena Office du Tourisme, Tel: 01 45 53 36 75

The Comoros

Climb Mount Karthala (active volcano)

76 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Nzwani Island Hot Sulphur Springs at Lac Salé CAPITAL: Moroni Comoros National Tourist Board Office, Tel: 269 73 3044

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Frère Gillet Botanic Gardens world-famous rare orchids Ruwenzori Range Virunga National Park CAPITAL: Kinshasa Ministère des Affaires Foncières, Environment et Tourisme, Tel: (+243) 8802093.

Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro Mount Tonkoui (mountain climb) Comoë National Park CAPITAL: Yamoussoukro www.tourisme.gouv.ci

Djibouti

ndula/Kalandula Falls wanza Rapids Sun monsoondiaries.com

Gulf of Tadjoura (snorkling/ diving) Lake Abbé Lake Assal (windsurf on wheels) CAPITAL: Djibouti www.office-tourisme.dj

Egypt (Kemet)

Nile River Cruise, Aswan Temple of Ranses II, Abu Simbel Alexandria CAPITAL: Cairo www.tourism.misrnet.gov.eg

Equatorial Guinea

Arena Blanca Pico Malabo Volcano (mountain climbing) Cascades of Moca CAPITAL: Malabo www.embarege-londres.org

Eritrea

Tour of Eritrea (bicycle race) Akordat CAPITAL: Asmara eritreantourism@tse.com.er

Ethiopia

Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela (New Jerusalem) Home of the Queen of Sheba, Axum African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa TOTAL Great Ethiopian Race CAPITAL: Addis Ababa www.tourismethiopia.org

Gabon

Cathedral of St Michael in Libreville Lopé-Okanda Reserve National Park (gorilla) M’Bigou (gold mines/crafts) CAPITAL: Libreville www.legabon.org

The Gambia

Deep Sea Fishing, Atlantic Ocean Exhibition of the slave trade at Albreda and Jufureh Makasutu Culture Forest CAPITAL: Banjul www.visitthegambia.gm

Ghana

Cape Coast Castle Slave Fortress Mount Afadjato and Togbo Falls (Volta Region) Kakum Nature Reserve (tree-top walkway and stay in a tree house) CAPITAL: Accra www.touringghana.com

Guinea

Kindia (cloth market) Kinkon Falls Îles de Los CAPITAL: Conakry www.ontguinee.com

Guinea-Bissau

Bijagos Archipelago Cantanhez Natural Park Museum of African Artefacts CAPITAL: Bissau

Dahlak Archipelago

to page 78

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Travel Africa - from page 77

www.le-mali.com/omatho/index.htm

Mauritania

www.guineabissautourism.com

Kenya

Mount Kenya National Park Tsavo West National Park Watamu-Malindi Marine Park CAPITAL: Nairobi www.magicalkenya.com

Lesotho

Bushmen Rock Paintings Ski Lesotho Highlands (www.afriski.co.za) Sehlabathebe National Park CAPITAL: Maseru www.ltdc.org.ls

Liberia

Sapo National Park Kendeja National Cultural Center Firestone Rubber Plantation CAPITAL: Monrovia www.micat.gov.lr

Libya

Akakus Mountains (prehistoric rock art) Ubari Lakes (dune surfing) Leptis Magna (tribute to African Roman Emperor Septimus Severus) CAPITAL: Tripoli www.libyan-tourism.org

Madagascar

Fianarantsoa (Capital of Wine) Montagne d’Arbre National Park Queen’s Palace CAPITAL: Antananarivo www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Malawi

Lake Malawi Marine Park Nyika National Park Liwonde National Park CAPITAL: Lilongwe www.malawitourism.com

Mali

Parc National du Banc d’Arguin Chinguetti, a holy city of Islam Oualata CAPITAL: Nouakchott www.tourisme.mr

Mauritius

Black River Gorges National Park Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve Rodrigues Island CAPITAL: Port Louis www.mauritius.net

Morocco

Todra and Dades Gorges Talassemtane National Park Essaouira CAPITAL: Rabat www.visitmorocco.com

Mozambique

Maputo Elephant Park Gorongosa National Park Bazaruto Archipelago CAPITAL: Maputo www.futur.org.mz/index-en.html

Namibia

Mahongo Game Reserve Etosha National Park Skeleton Coast CAPITAL: Windhoek www.namibiatourism.com.na

Niger

Agadez ‘W’ National Park Igouloulef CAPITAL: Algiers www.niger-tourisme.com

Nigeria

Festival in the Desert Timbuctou La Boucle de Baoule National Park CAPITAL: Bamako

Cross River National Park Emir’s Palace, Kano Benin City CAPITAL: Lagos www.tourism.gov.ng

Republic of the Congo

78 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Loufoulakari Falls Loango (main embarkation port for slaves) Congo Rapids CAPITAL: Brazzaville Direction Generale du Tourisme et des Loisirs, Tel: 830 953

Reunion

Piton des Neiges Plaine d’Affouches Le Voile de la Mariée (The Bride’s Veil) CAPITAL: Saint-Denis ot.saint-pierre@wanadoo.fr

Rwanda

Cards From Africa, Kigali Parc National des Volcans Gorilla Trek Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk CAPITAL: Kigali www.rwandatourism.com/

São Tomé & Principe

Humpback Whale Watching Agua Izé Plantation CAPITAL: São Tomé www.saotome.st

Senegal

African Renaissance Monument Retba (Pink) Lake Maison des Enclaves (House of Slaves), Goree Island CAPITAL: Dakar sentouroffice@aol.com

Seychelles

Marlin Fishing in Denis St Anne Marine National Park Aldabra CAPITAL: Victoria www.seychelles.travel

Sierra Leone

Outamba-Kilimi National Park

Bom Bom Island Deep Sea Fishing

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, C te d’Ivoire blogspot.com 79 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

to page 80

Travel Africa - from page 79 Freetown Peninsula Bunce Island, Slave Trading Station CAPITAL: Freetown www.welcometosierraleone.org

Somalia

Hargeisa National Park Neolithic Paintings Las Geel Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches CAPITAL: Mogadishu www.somali-gov.info/Tourism/index.html

Somaliland

Hargeisa National Park Neolithic Paintings Las Geel Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches CAPITAL: Hargiesa www.somalilandgov.com (Ministry of Tourism & Culture 252-225-7917)

South Africa

Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory & Dialogue, Johannesburg Great White Shark Festival, Cape Town/ Gansbaai The Elephant Coast, Zulu Kingdom CAPITAL: Johannesburg www.whitesharkfestival.org www.nelsonmandela.org www.zulu.org.za www.southafrica.net

South Sudan

CAPITAL: Mbabane www.welcometoswaziland.com

Tanzania

Boma National Park Nimule National Park Nile River CAPITAL: Juba www.goss.org

Sudan

Port Sudan, The Red Sea Gemmeiza Tourist Village Pyramids of Meroe CAPITAL: Khartoum www.sudan-tourism.gov.sd/english/index.php

Swaziland

Le Piton des Neiges (Snow Volcano) Reunion Cl

Mkhaya Game Reserve Phophomyane Nature Reserve Usutu River (white-water rafting)

Bagamoyo Slave Trail Katavi Plains National Park Ngorongoro Crater Stone Town, Zanzibar CAPITAL: Dodoma http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/

Togo

Koutammakou (World Heritage Site) Whale Watching, Gulf of Benin Fosse aux Lions (Lions’ Den) National Park CAPITAL: Lomé www.togo-tourisme.com

Tunisia

Desert Trekking from Douz

80 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

licanoo Matmata (Star Wars film site) Sidi Bou Saïd CAPITAL: Tunis www.tourismtunisia.com

Uganda

Mountains of the Moon (Mount Rwenzori National Park) Bwindi National Park (view gorilla) Source of the Nile,Owen Falls Dam, Jinja CAPITAL: Kampala http://visituganda.com/index.php

Western Sahara City of El-Aaiún Dakhla (surfing) CAPITAL: El-Aaiún dajla47@hotmail.com

Zambia

Walking Safari, South Luangwa National Park Musi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls), Livingstone Zambezi White Water Rafting CAPITAL: Lusaka www.zambiatourism.com

Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe Lake Kariba Chizarira National Park CAPITAL: Harare www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Sources:

www.worldtravelguide.net/africa www.internationaltouristboards.com www.worldtourismdirectory.com/directory/africa/ index.html 81 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Ski Africa Overview: Skiing in Africa

T

here are currently 10 indoor and outdoor ski resorts set in the nations of Kingdom of Morocco, Republic of Egypt, Republic of Algeria, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Namibia, and the Republic of South Africa.

There are 4 unconfirmed ski resorts. The following facts provide an overview of the ski regions of Africa: Elevation of the Ski Resorts 70 m - 3268 m Elevation Difference max. 658 m in one ski resort Slopes 21 km (max. 10 km in one ski resort) Ski Lifts 23 (max. 7 in one ski resort) Ski Passes € 14.40 to € 30.74

Oukaimeden

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ oukaimeden The ski resort Oukaïmeden is located in the Marrakesh-TensiftEl Haouz Region (Morocco). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 10 km of slopes available. 7 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,610 and 3,268 m.

Chréa

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ chrea/ The ski resort Chréa is located in the Province of Blida (Algeria).

For skiing and snowboarding, there are 0.5 km of slopes available. 3

The South African

Tiffindell

lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,460 and 1,550 m.

Afriski Mountain Resort

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ afriski-mountain-resort The ski resort Afriski Mountain Resort is located in the ButhaButhe District (Lesotho). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 1.8 km of slopes available. 2 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 3,030 and 3,222 m.

AfriSki, the only skiing resort in the Kingdom of Lesotho, is located 3222 m above sea-level in the Maluti Mountains. It offers a main Ski slope, a beginners slope and operates during the winter months.

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ tiffindell The ski resort Tiffindell is located in the Province of Eastern Cape (South Africa). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 2.4 km of slopes available. 5 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,700 and 2,930 m.

Tiffindell is the highest resort in South Africa. It is nestling snugly on the slope of Ben McDhui (3001m), the highest pass in South Africa and the highest peak in the Cape. Within 15 acres of terrain, there are pistes suitable for all abilities. In an average season, Tiffindell is open for skiing and snowboarding in June, July and August. It has slope-side

82 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Michlifen

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ michlifen The ski resort Michlifen is located in the Meknès-Tafilalet Region (Morocco). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 1 km of slopes available. 1 lift transports the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,880 and 2,060 m.

Ski Egypt

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ ski-egypt/

accommodation available for 150 guests and many more day visitors in the surrounding valleys. There is a restaurant, coffee lounge, 2 bars, ski clothing shop and ski school.

Non aspiring skiers join in to enjoy a unique experience, making snowmen, throwing snow balls or tobogganing, making it the perfect family holiday for young and old.

Matroosberg

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ matroosberg/ The ski resort Matroosberg is located in the Province of Western Cape (South Africa). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 2 km of slopes available. 2 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,794 and 2,132 m.

The indoor ski resort Ski Egypt is located in the Mall of Egypt, 6th October City, Cairo (Egypt). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 0.6 km of slopes available. 1 lift transports the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 150 and 180 m.

With over 7,000 tons of snow, Ski Egypt is launching the first ski resort in Africa with the world’s largest indoor snow park, offering everything from skiing, slope snowboarding, sledging and a Polar Express Train to a jolly kids area and a professional Ski School, all in a one stop, breathtaking experience for family and friends.

the Ifrane Province of the FèsMeknès region (Morocco). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 1 km of slopes available. 1 lift transports the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,800 and 2,000 m.

Ski Namibia

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ ski-namibia Options for Dune Skiing in the Namib Desert, Namibia (high dunes, breathtaking landscapes, long dune belt) are manifold.

Not only the fast ski runs on the dunes bring the kick, but also the landscape and nature aspect are simply one-of-a-kind amidst the world’s oldest desert. For information and arrangements: www.ski-namibia.com, henrik@ ski-namibia.com, P.O. Box 8140, Swakopmund, Namibia.

Jbel Hebri

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ jbel-hebri The ski resort Jbel Hebri is located in the Meknès-Tafilalet Region (Morocco). For skiing and snowboarding, there are 1 km of slopes available. 1 lift transports the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,950 and 2,090 m.

Azrou

www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ azrou The ski resort Azrou is located in

83 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Unconfirmed Ski Resorts

Cape Town, South Africa (In development, possibly) www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ snowfun-cape-town-planned Kingdom of Morocco (mountain climbing resorts that may include skiing opportunities) www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ djebel-bou-iblane www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ hoher-atlas www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/ rif-gebirge www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/ africa

Golf Africa

www.golfworldmap.com/africa/#9.622414142924805,17.05078125,3 live4golf.com.au

Botswana

Gaborone Golf Club at the Gaborone Sun Hotel Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort www.phakalane.com

www.golf.jwmarriottcairo.com/golf Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel, Hurghada www.steigenbergeraldaubeach.com

Alexandria Sporting Club, Alexandria Cascades at Soma Bay Golf and Country Club www.residencedescascades.com Dreamland Golf & Tennis Resort, Cairo www.dreamlandgolf.com Golf City, Cairo Katemeya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort, Cairo www.katameyaheights.com Madinat Makadi Golf Course, Madinat Makadi www.madinatmakadigolf.com Mena House Oberoi Golf Course, Cairo www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_menahouse/index. asp Mirage City Golf Club, Cairo

Karen Country Club, Nairobi Kiambu Golf Club, Kiambu Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort, Mombasa Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi Nyali Golf & Country Club, Mombasa www.nyaligolf.co.ke Railway Golf Club, Nairobi Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Nairobi The Golf Park at the Jockey Club of Kenya, Nairobi Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi www.windsorgolfresort.com

Egypt

Kenya

84 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Mauritius

Ile aux Cherfs, Trou d’Eau Douce Le Paradis Hotel & Golf Club, Le Morne Peninsula www.paradis-hotel.com Legend Golf Course, Poste de Flacq www.bellemareplagehotel.com Links Golf Course, Poste de Flacq www.princemaurice.com One&Only Le Saint Géran Golf Course, Poste de Flacq http://lesaintgeran.oneandonlyresorts.com Shandrani Golf Club, Blue Bay www.shandrani-hotel.com Troux aux Biches Golf Club, Troux aux Biches www.trouauxbiches-hotel.com

Morocco

Anfa Royal Golf Club, Casablanca Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club, Tetouan Royal Golf of Dar es Salam, Rabat www.royalgolfdaressalam.com/english/index.cfm Club Med les Dunes, Agadir El Jadida Royal Golf Club, El Jadida Fes Royal Golf Club, Fes Marrakech Royal Golf Club, Marrakech Meknes Royal Golf Club, Meknes Mohammedia Royal Golf Club, Mohammedia Settat University Royal Golf Club, Settat Tangier Royal Golf Club, Tangier

Nambia

Keetmanshoop Golf Course, Keetmanshoop Okahandja Golf Club, Okahandja www.okahandja.net/sport/default.html Orandjemund Golf Club, Oranjemund Rossmund Golf Course, Swakopmund Tsumeb Golf Club, Tsumeb Walvis Bay Golf Course, Walvis Bay Windhoek Country Club Resort, Windhoek www.windhoek.co.za

Nigeria

IBB Golf Course, Abuja IITA Golf Club, Ibadan Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos www.ikejagolfclub.org

Reunion

Golf du Bassin Blue, St Gilles les Hauts Golf Club de Bourbon, Etang Sale les Bains www.golf-bourbon.com/spip/spip.php?lang=en Club du Colorado, La Montagne

Senegal

Golf de Saly, Mbour www.golfsaly.com/intro/presentation_fr.htm Golf International du Technopôle, Dakar Le Méridien President Resort & Golf Club, Dakar www.starwoodhotels.com/ lemeridien/property/overview/index. html?propertyID=1821&EM=VTY_MD_1821_ DAKAR_OVERVIEW

Sierra Leone

Freetown Golf Club, Freetown

South Africa

Akasia Golf Clue, Pretoria www.akasiacountryclub.co.za Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Cape Town www.atlanticbeachgolfclub.co.za/capetown/ index.asp Bellville Golf Club, Cape Town www.bellvillegolf.co.za Benoni Country Club, Johannesburg www.benonicountryclub.co.za/pro/Default.aspx Blair Atholl, Fourways www.blairatholl.co.za Blue Valley Golf & Country Estate, Olifantsfontein Georgia Oboh, Nigerian golfer Konbini 85 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

see Golf Africa on page 86

Tiger Woods

from Golf

Africa page 85

www.bluevalley.co.za Bryanston Country Club, Bryanston www.bryanstoncc.co.za Centurion Country Club, Centurion www.centurioncountryclub.co.za Champagne Sports Resort, Winterton www.champagnesportsresort.com Clovelly Country Club, Cape Town www.clovelly.za.net Crown Mines Golf Club, Johannesburg www.g-i.co.za/clubs/?c=274 Darling Golf Club, Darling www.darlingtourism.co.za/sportdetail. htm#golfclub De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, Stellenbosch www.golfdezalze.com Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Stellenbosch www.devonvale.co.za Durban Country Club, Durban www.dcclub.co.za Durbanville Golf Club, Durbanville www.durbanvillegolfclub.co.za East London Golf Course, East London www.elgc.co.za Emfuleni Golf Estate, Vanderbijlpark www.emfulenigolfestate.com

Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate, George www.fancourt.co.za Gary Player Country Club Golf Course, Sun City www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/ Golf/Pages/Golf.aspx George Golf Club, George www.georgegolfclub.co.za Germiston Golf Club, Germiston www.germistongolf.com Glendower Golf Course, Johannesburg www.glendower.co.za Hermanus Golf Club, Hermanus www.hgc.co.za Houghton Golf Club, Houghton www.houghton.co.za Humewood Golf Club, Port Elizabeth www.humewoodgolf.co.za The Country Club Johannesburg, Rivonia www.ccj.co.za Killarney Country Club, Johannesburg www.killarneycountryclub.co.za Kingswood Golf Estate, George www.kingswood.co.za Kleinmond Golf Club, Kleinmond www.kleinmondgolfclub.co.za Kloof Country Club, Kloof www.kloofcountryclub.co.za Knysna Golf Club, Knysna

86 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

www.knysnagolfclub.com Koro Creek Bushveld Golf Estate, Nylstroom www.korocreek.com Langebaan County Estate Golf & Leisure, Langebaan www.langebaanestate.co.za Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane www.leopardcreek.co.za Lost City, Sun City www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/ Golf/Pages/Golf.aspx Malmesbury Golf Club, Malmesbury www.malmesburygolfclub.co.za Metropolitan Golf Course, Cape Town www.metropolitangolfclub.co.za Milnerton Golf Club, Cape Town www.milnertongolfclub.co.za Modderfontein Golf Club, Modderfontein www.mgclub.co.za Monks Cowl Coutry Club & Lodge, Winterton www.monkscowl.co.za

Mossel Bay Golf Club, Mossel Bay www.mosselbaygolfclub.co.za Mowbray Golf Club, Cape Town www.mowbraygolfclub.co.za Paarl Golf Course, Paarl www.paarlgolfclub.co.za Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate and Spa, Cape Winelands www.pearlvalley.co.za Pecanwood Golf & Country Club, Hartbeesportt www.pecanwoodgolf.co.za Plettenberg Bay Country Club, Plettenberg Bay www.plettgolf.co.za Pretoria Country Club, Pretoria www.ptacc.co.za Randpark Golf Club, Randburg www.randpark.co.za Reading Country Club, Alberton www.readingcc.co.za

Le Touessrok, Ile Aux Cerfs, Mauritius pemburytours.com 87 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

see Golf Africa on page 88

from Golf

Tunisia

Africa page 87

River Club Golf & Conference Center, Cape Town http://riverclub.co.za Riviera on Vaal Country Club, Vereenigning www.rovcountryclub.co.za Royal Cape Golf Club, Cape Town www.royalcapegolf.co.za Royal Durban Golf Club, Durban www.royaldurban.co.za San Lameer Country Club, Margate www.sanlameer.co.za Scottburgh Golf Club, Scottburgh www.scottburghgolf.co.za Selbourne Golf Estate, Pennington www.selborne.com Silver Lakes Golf & Country Club, Pretoria www.silverlakes.co.za Somerset West Golf Club, Somerset West www.somersetwestgolfclub.co.za St Francis Bay Golf Club, St Francis Bay www.stfrancisgolf.co.za St Francis Links, St Francis Bay www.stfrancislinks.com Steenberg Golf Club, Cape Town www.steenberggolfclub.co.za/ Framework/index.asp Stellenbosch Golf Club, Stellenbosch www.steenberggolfclub.co.za/ Framework/index.asp Umdoni Golf Course, Pennington www.umdonipark.com Umhlali Country Club, Umhlali www.umhlalicountryclub.co.za Westlake Golf Club, Cape Town www.westlakegolfclub.co.za Wingate Park Country Club, Pretoria www.wingateparkcountryclub.co.za Swaziland Royal Swazi Spa Country Club www.suninternational. com/Destinations/Resorts/ RoyalSwaziSpaValley/ FacilitiesActivities/Pages/Golf.aspx

Djerba Golf Club, Midoun www.djerbagolf.com El Kantaoui Golf Course, Port El Kantaoui www.portelkantaoui.com.tn/golf Flamingo Golf Course, Monastir www.golfflamingo.com/english/flamingo.htm Golf Citrus, Hammamet www.golfcitrus.com Palm Links Golf Course, Monastir www.golf-palmlinks.com/english/presentation. htm Tabarka Golf Course, Tabarka www.tabarkagolf.com/en/index.htm Yasmine Golf Course, Mannamet www.golfyasmine.com/en/index.php

The Gambia

Fajara Club, Fajara www.smiles.gm/fajara.htm 88 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

African Cuisine!

Republic of Eswatini

T

he eSwa ni diet is based on nhlavu (grains) and bhidvo (vegetables). Inyama (meat) dishes are reserved for special occasions when dishes such as goat stew, roast leg of goat, and stuffed or roast free-range chicken are served. “Mealies,” a porridge made of maize or sorghum, is the staple. The porridge is served along with spiced stews made with vegetables and leafy greens. Pumpkin, green beans, corn, spinach, beets, rice, and sweet potatoes are frequently used ingredients. Fruits that are readily available are mango, guava, paw-paw, banana, pineapple, sugar cane, and avocado.

Some of the popular dishes are emasi (sour milk) a fermented milk delicacy where raw milk from cows is fermented and strained, corn on the cob (roasted or boiled), Umncweba and umkhunsu (dried spiced meat, akin to jerky) and tjwala, served withtradi onal beer.

Avocado Toast The beginning of a beautiful breakfast. Your favorite bread, toasted, place slices of a ripe Avocao in a spiral pattern on each slice of toasted bread. Salt and pepper the avocado slices to personal taste. Place another

fruit of your choice in the center of the pattern. The example features a strawberry. Have a beautiful day.

Ostrich (Inshi) in Cream Sauce

Ostrich cooks up in a jiffy, and you really don’t want to overcook it because it is so lean (www. americanostrichfarms.com).

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Refrigerate/marinating time: 12 hours Total Time: 12 hours 35 minute Serves 4 Ingredients: • 2 lbs. Ostrich Steaks cut into slices about 1/2” each see page 90

89 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

Eswatini Cuisine page 89 • 3/4 cup red wine • 5 Juniper berries lightly crushed • salt to taste • pepper to taste • 2 Tbsp butter divided for frying onions and ostrich • 1 medium onion peeled and sliced thinly • 6 green peppercorns lightly crushed • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1 cup white wine Directions: • In a bowl, combine the red wine, juniper berries, salt and pepper.

• Add the sliced ostrich meat to the marinade and mix well.

• Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight (12 hours) • When you are near ready to eat, and your pumpkin pap is near ready, melt some butter in a skillet and saute the onions until brown.

• Add in the peppercorns • Stir in the white wine and heavy cream bring to a gentle simmer.

• Season the cream with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

• Discard the marinade from the bowl with the ostrich meat.

• Heat butter in a frying pan and flash fry the marinated ostrich slices. This cooks quickly just a minute or two a side.

• Serve the ostrich steaks on a platter and drizzle the cream sauce over the top. Serve it with pumpkin pap for wonderful Eswatini meal.

PUMPKIN PAP (SIDVUDVU)

(www.internationalcuisine.com/pumpkin-pap) A super easy side dish to serve alongside stews or the amazing ostrich in cream sauce from eSwatini.

Prep Tim: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: • 1 small Pumpkin Peeled and cubed (sweet potato can be used as a substitute) • 1/2 cup ground maize (corn meal) • 2 +/- cups wate Directions: • In a large pot combine the pumpkin and ground maize.

Add in enough water to cover the pumpkin. Bring to a boil • Boil for about 30 minutes add more water if necessary.

Cook until the pumpkin is tender.

• Drain off any access liquid.

• Mash the cooked pumpkin and ground maize together, serve warm.

MEALIE BREAD (CORN BREAD) Enjoy this comforting bread drizzled with honey as a dessert.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed • 2 large eggs • 2 Tbsp butter melted • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 2 Tbsp sugar • 1/2 tsp salt • honey to drizzl Directions: • Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a small loaf pan.

• Blend 1 cup of corn, the eggs, and melted butter together until a coarse mixture forms.

• Add the remaining 1/2 cup of corn and pulse the mixture one or two more times. Leave many kernels whole.

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Using a large spoon, combine the dry ingredients with corn mixture until a thick mixture forms.

• Pour the mixture into the greased loaf pan and bake 30-35 minutes • Let cool for about 15 minutes and then slice and serve with honey..

SLAAI (ESWATINI SALAD)

A simple first

90 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

course salad with a light and refreshing dressing.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: • 1 head romaine lettuce chopped into bite size pieces • 2 medium roasted beets sliced • 2 carrots grated • 1/2 inch ginger freshly grated • 1 lemon, juice of • salt and pepper to taste

Directions: • In a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice and grated ginger, add salt and pepper to taste.

• In a salad bowl, add in the all the remaining ingredients.

• Pour over the dressing, toss gently and serve. www.internationalcuisine.com/category/eswatiniswaziland Flag: motosha.com

Airlink

FreshPlaza

thekingdomofeswatini.com 91 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2021

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