Category:

Africa-Eco-Travel

MOROCCO’S BLUE CITY

The one place I wanted to go to more than anywhere else in Morocco was Chefchaouen, or “The Blue Pearl.” After not being able to purchase a bus ticket online, I almost missed out on going here by the time I was able to buy it in person (two seats were left!).

Chefchaouen isn’t a place that you should have an itinerary for. You need to spend several days and just wander around. While the Medina can be confusing at first, it’s quite small compared to places like Marrakech. I also found that more people were willing to point you the correct way if you did get lost (although not everyone would do it for free).

To read more of this excellent article, please click here: https://postcardstoseattle.com/visit-chefchaouen/

Across the equator in Kenya

As the equator passes through Kenya, you have the chance to visit both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere on the same safari and even on the same day. Kenya is among only 13 countries in the world that the equator passes through and with some of the most impressive landscapes and wildlife on earth, Kenya promises travellers an all-encompassing trip.

From the 13 countries that the equator passes through, Kenya is among seven that are next to a major body of water. Of these seven countries, Kenya has some of the highest mountains and ranges, as well as the best beaches. Here are some of the unforgettable stops to make when travelling through Kenya.

Nairobi

Travelling south to north in Kenya is a popular path for tourists, starting in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. Nairobi offers visitors a world at their feet, from a bustling cityscape to major tourist attractions such as the Nairobi National Trust, the Giraffe Centre, and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The city’s cultural attractions are also a huge draw for travellers, including the popular Maasai market.

Mount Kenya

After experiencing city life, you can head north to a beautiful green town called Nyeri at the slopes of the Kenyan highland. In the west is the highest mountain in Kenya and second highest in Africa, Mount Kenya, as well as the impressive wide stretches of the Aberdare mountain ranges.

Reaching the equator

The equator runs across Kenya almost in the middle, passing 6km north of central Kisumu. Here you are able to stand with one foot in the Southern Hemisphere and one foot in the Northern Hemisphere as you face the mystery of the line that separates them.

To read the rest of this great article, please follow this link: https://africageographic.com/blog/across-the-equator-in-kenya/

Safari Ants of Mpanga Forest, A Uganda Travel Experience

Uganda was not just a travel destination for us, and that is a blurt out. We lived in Uganda as expatiates for almost 3 years, but our passion for travel inspired us to explore the country extensively. Most weekends were eventful while our weekdays we spend for planning the next trip. On one afternoon, while I was busy completing my official report for the month, a friend walked in and suggested a destination which was just over 40 kilometres from Kampala – Mpanga Forest. Forests and wildlife always thrilled me, especially after exploring Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda. When surfed on the Internet, we could find Mpanga, a reserved forest in Uganda, special for red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. We did not think twice but decided to hit the road.

Otherwise cramped roads of Kampala were calm and cool on the Sunday morning with a few pedestrians on their way to church. We drove towards west and picked the Northern Bypass to head further south-west. As we entered Masaka road from the Northern Bypass, the landscape flourished with natural vegetation and green farmlands. Weather was mild and the sun was pretty shy behind the clouds. Slopes and levels, bends and straights, the road took us through the eastern edge of Uganda, so close to the renowned Lake Victoria.

To read this and other great posts by : Siddharth and Shruti, please click here.

ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN

Romance can be found on every continent and in every city. But some destinations are especially romantic. Cape Town fits this description. Ever dreamed of having the PERFECT time of your life with the person you love? Here are 19 ways to celebrate romantic moments with your partner in an amazing part of South Africa. These romantic things to do in Cape Town will make your holiday utterly blissful.

Sunset Boat Cruise

Start off your romantic getaway in Cape Town with a serene sunset boat cruise. You’ll have a unique and breathtaking romantic experience with an ocean breeze and magnificent sunset as your backdrop. Sink into your partners arms while drifting through the ocean watching the sunset. No matter where you go to, you are guaranteed an unforgettable time.

The Rock Restaurant – Zanzibar

Okay so its not really in a backpacker budget price range, but this amazing little restaurant is worth splashing abit of extra cash for. Parking in a small island village you step out onto the white beach and are faced with this..

An island off an island, the restaurant looks tiny from the front but when you get out to it you walk through into a deck that stretches way out the back. An amazing place to have some pre dinner drinks, and sitting in the sun, watching the tide come in around is definitely one of those feel good moments. The food served is all fresher than fresh seafood, with starts around £6 ($10) and mains around £15-20 ($25-32) but the servings are big and the food is excellent.

To read the rest of this article by: Laura the Explorer, please click here

Meet the Lemurs in Madagascar

The fourth largest island of the world Madagascar lies off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean. The island, which once was a part of the African landmass, has been isolated for about 165 million years. The isolation has been godsend for one of the oldest primates and also one of the most endangered species in the world, the Lemur.

A visit to Madagascar could see you coming face to face with about 60 taxas (species, sub-species) of lemurs. The diversity of the lemurs is incredible, ranging from the tiny Pygmy Lemur, weighing just twenty-five grams, to the huge Indri that are about 400 times heavier at approximately ten kilograms.

To continue reading this and other great articles by: Si Salter, please click here

HIKING IN MAURITIUS: FIVE TRAILS WITH STUNNING VIEWPOINTS

Hiking in Mauritius is hot, sticky and exhausting, but with some of the finest viewpoints in the world, thoroughly worthwhile too.

Hiking in Mauritius is like exploring Jurassic World, albeit without Chris Pratt and a ferocious dinosaur in tow. The scenery boasts sapphire-blue waters and powder-white beaches encircling jagged jungle-clad peaks that surge from sugar cane fields below. It is the spectacular crests with unimpeded viewpoints of the island in all its glory that provide the finest hiking in Mauritius. We take a look at five of the best trails.

To view the rest of this article by : Atlas and Boots , please click here

Five things to know before you go to Cape Town

Known as South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, Cape Town sits nestled at the foot of Table Mountain. If you’re visiting for the first time, here’s five important tips to know before you go….

1. Download and register with Uber

Uber is king in Cape Town, as a lone female, I felt perfectly safe jumping into an Uber, the minimum fare is a tiny 20 rand (£1.25!! ).Grab an Uber from the airport into the center of Cape Town for around 200 rand (£12 ). There’s a designated Uber pick up spot in the airport, just ask at the information desk and they’ll point you in the right direction.

To read the rest of this list by : Eat Sleep Shoot Travel, please follow this link: https://eatsleepshoottravelblog.com/2017/04/06/five-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-cape-town/

Djibouti

Djibouti shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to both the west and south and Somalia to the southeast. It is also washed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in the east. This country is in the Horn of Africa. The capital city is Djibouti City.

Djibouti is a multilingual country. The majority of the population speaks Somali and Afar. However, two official languages are Arabic and French. The predominant religion is Islam, as more than 90% of the population follow it.

The official currency is Djibouti Franc. The approximate exchange rate is Djf178.8 for US$1. The currency exchange is available at major banks, hotels, and bureaus de change in the capital city. Only airlines and large hotels accept credit cards.

Taxis are available in Djibouti City, Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Dorale and Arta. Fares are reasonable, although they increase by 50% after dark. If you want to hire a car, you can do it in the capital city and at the airport. Cars drive on the right side of the road here. However, road conditions are poor, except for a highway from Djibouti to Tadjoura. Also, you should bring a water and petrol supply, if you plan to go off the main road.

In Djibouti, they use electric sockets and plugs of types C and F, as in Europe. The standard voltage is 220V.

Though small in size, this country has more than enough to offer. Djibouti is a place of odd landscapes such as limestone chimneys that puff steam, sunken plains, basaltic plateaus, and thick salt lakes. If you love outdoor adventure, then this country is the perfect destination. You’ll enjoy hiking, diving, and kite surfing at its many tourist hubs. Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel alongside whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura. It is one of the largest homes of the whale shark.

One of the major tourist attractions is Goubbet al Kharab, where the cliff, which was turned dark green by black lava, is situated. There are also numerous other active volcanoes nearby. Another popular tourist spot is the Day Forest National Park. Near Ali Sabieh town, you will find famous red mountains and a national park, where numerous gazelles live.

Other tourist attractions also include Maskali Islands, Moucha Island, Lakes Abbe and Assal, the Presidential Palace and the Central Market.

However, tourism is only a growing sector of the economy of Djibouti so far. Less than 100 thousand travelers visit the country within a year. The majority of tourists come from Europe. But there are also visitors from Asia and North America.

However, you won’t find large-scale development here. Djibouti is ecotravel at its purest. In the hinterlands, you can find modest accommodations and the chance to interact closely with the tribes.

To read more articles by this author, please click here.