Africa

Most recently, I traveled to Ghana over the holidays with friends and family. I tried many foods like fufu, bofrot, and my personal favorite, Jollof! I sat in the notorious Accra traffic for too many hours to count, and I spent Christmas on the beach. But the most important thing I did was visit two slave castles: Cape Coast and Elmina. 

Kenya is a no-nonsense nation when it comes to conservation in recent times and in particular, with elephant conservation. Impressively, this concentrated effort has been consistent since the late 1980’s when the President at that time, Daniel Arap Moi, proceeded to burn more than twelve tons of ivory to show that Kenya was fully committed to bringing an end to the elephant poaching epidemic.

Anyone who plans a trip to the beautiful African island of Mauritius will most likely come across at least one activity that is connected to the Black River National Park--the largest protected forest area on the island. This landscape is a real treat for nature lovers. The park provides about 17,000 acres of rolling hills, impressive valleys and countless waterfalls dropping down into a deep green tropical jungle. Alongside many hiking options, there is one specific hike that people are extremely interested in: The Black River Peak Hiking Trail.  

One way to be connected to nature is to learn about the history of the Earth. In the chain Red Sea Mountains in the Eastern Desert in Egypt, there are red granite rocks that are among the oldest on the planet, dating back to 600 million years ago.

Let’s be honest, most people head for the same places when they visit Africa for the first time like the Masai Mara, Kruger, and Serengeti National Parks. However, some of the most fascinating experiences on the continent are far off the beaten track and this is certainly true of Namibia in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ask any average Westerner, and they likely won’t be able to point out Burundi on the map. Although this tiny country is virtually ignored when it comes to East African tourism, that’s no reason why it shouldn’t be on your travel bucket list.

Standing at 4167 metres, Mount Toubkal is the tallest peak in Northern Africa. As prominent as it is (the highest mountain for over 2000 kilometres), Toubkal is a popular, relatively safe and non-technical destination for hikers. In fact, Toubkal National Park attracts roughly 40 000 tourists per year!

Irene patiently showed me her technique for rolling clay into beads using a tiny mold. While I needed more practice, the women at Kazuri worked diligently to produce ceramic jewelry. Kazuri, located in Nairobi, employs single mothers. This small business provides a daily income and healthcare in a country where women are often marginalized.

On this day in 1994, South Africa officially ended apartheid and elected Nelson Mandela in the country's first multiracial election.

    It’s evening in the small African nation of Burundi, and the waning sun throws shadows over the city of Bujumbura. In the old Land Rover, we bump and jostle our way through the crowded dirt roads of the capital. Before we left the mission station where my husband’s family lives, we picked up a few Burundian friends who were going the same direction. I struggle to make casual conversation in Swahili, the unfamiliar syllables falling heavily from my tongue. The boy next to me is patient, and he smiles broadly at each clumsy attempt to communicate. Something I have learned during my short time in Burundi is that the people are rarely judgmental. They appreciate your interest in their culture, although they don’t mind laughing good-naturedly at your fumbles. Children of Burundi We pull up to our destination: a modest two-room home built of mudbricks. Small children stare [...]

Remember when the world was forced to take a pause a few year back? During that time (and beyond) left most people responsibly stuck at home, abiding by travel restrictions and doing their part not to spread the virus. That brought many challenges in the mental health realm that prompted us to realize just how important travel is for our well-being. It all came with a fair share of benefits, teaching us to become a little more comfortable with our me-time, find creative ways to stay busy, or have to dig deeper to stay positive.  I have to confess, I was one of the irresponsible ones. I left my home in Canada to live in Cape Town for six months. 

Like most people who have touched down on the continent, Africa has captured my soul in a way that you just can’t understand until you’ve been.