Africa Travel Blog

Category: Destinations

  • Best Day Trips from Tunis

    There are some great day trips from Tunis if you have time to explore the surrounding area while visiting Tunisia.

    One of the best day trips is to visit the ancient ruins of Carthage. Located just a short train or taxi ride away from the Tunis city center, Carthage is full of great archaeological sites and historical treasures. The ruins are spread over a vast area, and deserve a full day to be explored.

    To get around to the various sites in Carthage, you can take the train or a taxi. If you are in the area at lunchtime, don’t miss the chance to try the excellent cuisine on the balcony of the Philipe Strack Villa Didon, which has great views over the sea below.

    Another great day trip from Tunis is Sidi Bou Said. The town is picture pretty with its iconic blue and white buildings. You can get there by train or taxi from Tunis, and climb the hill up to the town. From there you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

    While visiting Sidi Bou Said, make sure to visit the shops to look at the handicrafts and pick up souvenirs for family and friends back home. There are also great cafes and restaurants in Sidi Bou Said where you can enjoy a lunch or coffee break while on your day trip from Tunis.

  • Top Places to Visit in Madagascar

    The Madagascar currency is called the Malagasy ariary. The country’s currency used to be the Malagasy franc, but it was officially replaced by the ariary in 2005. Madagascar is the only country that uses the ariary for its currency.

    The Malagasy ariary’s ISO code is MGA. Its abbreviation is Ar.

    Each airary consists of five iraimbilanja, which are the equivalent of cents in many western currencies.

    There are a number of airary notes and coins in circulation. Notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 iraimbilanja, and 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 50 ariary.

    When you are visiting Madagascar, you can get currency at ATMs or foreign exchange desks in the Antananarivo airport and other places in the country. Make sure to have cash on you at all times, as many places in Madagascar do not accept credit cards. Small change is good to carry, as often people will not have change for large bills.

  • Top 5 Things to Do in Dakar

    There is no shortage of things to keep people busy in Dakar when they are visiting Senegal. Here are is my list of the top 5 things to do in Dakar:

    1. Take a ferry to the Ile de Goree. The beautiful architecture and rich history of the island make it one of the top places to visit when you are in Dakar. The ferry ride is another highlight, as it offers passengers great views of both the city and the Ile de Goree.

    2. Go to the westernmost point in Africa. La Pointe des Almadies is as far west as you can get on the continent. There is a great beach there from which you can watch the sunset, and the sand is lined with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Going to the Pointe des Almadies is not only one of the top 5 things to do in Dakar, but one of the top things to do in all of Africa.

    3. Take a day trip to Lac Rose. Not far from Dakar is the famous pink lake, which is so named because in a certain light the water looks rose colored. Visitors can go there for lunch, participate in adventure sports, or go shopping at the craft stalls by the water’s edge.

    4. Experience the nightlife in Dakar. The city has some of the best nightlife in West Africa, and no trip is complete without a visit to a bar or club. Dakar also has a vibrant music scene, and going to a live show is a great way to experience the Senegalese culture.

     

    5. Take a day trip to the Village des Tortues. The turtle conservation center is a great place to see large and small turtles alike. It is located near Lac Rose, and can easily be combined with the lake on a day trip. Visiting the two destinations is definitely one of the top 5 things to do in Dakar.

  • Best Places to Visit in Senegal

    The best places to visit in Senegal are dotted throughout the country. Some are cities, others villages, islands, or nature reserves.

    A great place to start your travels in Senegal is Dakar. The capital of Senegal deserves a visit and is a good way to get a feel for Senegalese culture while you are in the country.

    Dakar offers a wide variety of things to see and do, including great restaurants and nightlife, a beach on the westernmost point in Africa, and the famous Ile de Goree. The last of these is not only one of the best places to visit in Senegal, but one of the best places to visit in all of West Africa.

    Near Dakar, visitors shouldn’t miss a chance to visit Lac Rose and Le Village des Tortues. The former is a lake that turns pink in a certain light and is surrounded by small shops, resorts, and restaurants. The latter is a turtle sanctuary where turtles from all over West Africa can be seen. Le Village des Tortues’ conservation and repopulation efforts are evident throughout the grounds.

    Another great place to go in Senegal is Saint Louis. This city in the north of Senegal was made famous by early postal routes that flew from Europe to South America via Africa. Now the city is home to beautiful colonial architecture, long sandy beaches, a huge fish market, and several museums.

    Near Saint Louis is the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary. Visitors can go on a day trip from Saint Louis and take a boat safari to see thousands of pelicans and other migratory birds. There are also warthogs and other animals on the land there.

    South of Dakar, the Petite Cote is famous for its beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Small shops, restaurants, and accommodations line the coast, and the area is very popular with visitors from Europe.

    Another one of the best places to visit in Senegal’s southern region is the Palmarin Nature Reserve. Palmarin is located at the southern tip of the Petie Cote above the Sine-Saloum Delta. It is close to the border with The Gambia. Visitors to Palmarin can enjoy the area’s beaches, go on river cruises through the delta, and stay in a treehouse at Les Collines de Niassam lodge.

  • Top 10 Things to Do on the Ile de Goree

    The Ile de Goree is one of the best places to visit in Senegal, and is certainly the highlight of a trip to Dakar.

    Below is a list of the top 10 things to do on the Ile de Goree:

    10. Get lost in the small, narrow streets of the Ile de Goree

    9. Go shopping for local art and souvenirs in the markets

    8. Visit the Church of Saint Charles and the mosque on the island

    7. Hike up to the castle for great views of Dakar

    6. Visit the fort museum on the top of the island

    5. Go to the Museum of the Sea

    4. Visit the History Museum to learn about the Ile de Goree’s role in Senegalese history

    3. Have coffee or dinner at one of the sea front cafes by the ferry port

    2. Photograph the brightly colored buildings and flowers near the fort

    1. Visit the powerful Slave Museum on the Ile de Goree to learn about Senegal’s role in the historic slave trade

  • Visiting Jordan Movenpick Resort and Dead Sea Spa

    Movenpick Resort and Dead Sea Spa
    Address: Sweimeh, Dead Sea Road, P.O. Box 815538, Amman 11180, Jordan
    Phone: +962 5 356 11 11

    The Movenpick Resort hotel in Jordan is located right on the shores of the Dead Sea.

    The large resort is spread out over a significant amount of land. Interspersed among the beautifully manicured gardens are detached two-storey buildings that house the hotel’s guest rooms and suites.

    The main hotel building at the Movenpick Resort and Dead Sea Spa is also home to guest rooms. Additionally, it features several restaurants, bars, a spacious lobby lounge, and meeting and event facilities.

    One of the highlights of the resort is its abundance of swimming pools, outdoor snack bars and cafes, and its spa. From the main hotel building right down to the sea, the grounds are teeming with places to relax and take a dip or have a refreshing drink.

    The Dead Sea Spa itself is peaceful and relaxing and features a full menu of spa treatments. It also has several pools, some with water from the sea itself. The locker rooms are spacious and offer luxury amenities, and there is an overall feeling of tranquility there.

    The outdoor pools at the Movenpick Resort and Dead Sea Spa overlook the hotel’s private beach. The stretch of sand is lined with straw umbrellas and lounge chairs for guests to use when they’re not floating in the sea.

  • Lamu Airport

    Lamu Airport is a small airstrip that serves flights to Lamu from Nairobi, Malindi, and Mombasa.

    Lamu airport is located on Manda island just across the channel from Lamu Town. Facilities are very basic and include bathrooms and a small duty-free shop.

    When your flight to Lamu arrives at Lamu airport, your hotel can arrange a boat or you can get a private boat transfer to Lamu island.

    Even if you don’t book ahead, there are plenty of willing boat operators at the airport when every flight lands, so don’t worry about not finding transportation to Lamu.

    Lamu airport is in the process of being modernized, and there is currently a building project underway to construct a more permanent structure.

  • Fishing in Lamu

    lamu fishingFishing is a popular activity to do in Lamu, and many visitors return to the island year after year to take advantage of the great fishing off the coast of Lamu.

    There are plenty of guides and fishing tour companies in Lamu that can take you out for a day of fishing, or just for a few hours.

    Lamu Town’s port and Shela’s beach are good places to find willing skippers and boat operators, and most Lamu hotels can give you information about fishing in Lamu.

    Commonly caught fish in Lamu include yellowfin, sailfish, and red snapper.

  • Best Hotels in Lamu

    With tourism as the major industry in Lamu, there is no shortage of hotels and guest houses on the island.

    Here is a list of what I consider to be the best hotels in Lamu:

    Baitil Aman Guest House in Lamu

    Baitil Aman Guest House
    Address: Shela, Lamu, Kenya
    Phone: +254 (0)733 37 53 80

    The Baitil Aman Guest House in Lamu, Kenya is located in the idyllic town of Shela. Away from the bustle of Lamu Town, the guest house is located a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It is also just down the street from the Peponi, the hotel that is famous for being the happy hour spot of choice for visitors to Shela.

    The Baitil Aman Guest House is situated in a 200 year old traditional house on a quiet street in Shela. The guest house is full of great antiques and picturesque doors, and is a photographer’s dream come true.

    Rooms at the Baitil Aman are huge and offer great views of Lamu. Some rooms come with extra beds. Each room at the Baitil Aman Guest House has an ensuite bathroom (bring your own toiletries), mosquito nets, a desk, and wireless Internet access (one of the few places in Lamu to have it).

    There is plenty of hot water for showers at the guest house, although water pressure can sometimes be low. Power outages in Shela are frequent during the day and in the middle of the night, but are rare in the mornings and evenings. Bring a flash light just in case, but don’t be too worried about needing it at the guest house.

    The roof terrace at the Baitil Aman Guest House is the perfect place to enjoy dinner under the stars. The restaurant serves up amazingly good food, including Hot and Spicy Crab (1200 KES), and a delicious whole lobster (2000 KES). Other good menu items include the jumbo prawns (1500 KES) and vegetarian curry (600 KES).

    In the mornings and afternoons you can relax in the beautiful garden or the pillow-filled lounge area. Breakfast is included in the room rate and there is a great breakfast menu of omelettes, pancakes, Swahili tea, fresh tropical fruit, and more.

    The staff at the Baitil Aman are friendly and helpful, and are willing to go the extra mile to do things like laundry or fulfil other one-off requests.

    Rack rates for rooms at the Baitil Aman Guest House are 180 USD per night in the high season for a double room (120 in mid season and 100 in low season), but you can negotiate at 15% discount when booking. Laundry is free.

    Kijani House Hotel in Lamu

    Kijani House Hotel
    Address: P.O.Box 266, Lamu, Kenya
    Phone: +254-42-4633235

    Kijani House Hotel in Shela is one of the best hotels in Lamu.

    The Kijani House Hotel is nestled among 3,000 square metres of lush gardens and features two swimming pools and a path to the sea.

    Owner Pierre Oberson created the Kijani House Hotel to resemble a traditional Swahili stone house. As such, all 10 rooms at the hotel feature private balconies, beautiful dark wood furniture, and local and international antiques.

    Food at the Kijani House Hotel is cooked fresh daily with local fish and fruits and vegetables from Kijani’s own farm in the centre of Lamu. Most meals at the hotel feature seafood, Swahili dishes or Italian cuisine.

    Room rates at the Kijani House Hotel in Lamu range from 125 to 290 euros per night, depending on the type of room you select and whether you choose a meal plan or not. Airport boat transfers are included in all room rates.

    Peponi Hotel in Lamu

    Peponi Hotel
    Address: P.O. Box 24 80500 Lamu Kenya
    Phone: +254 (0)42 4633421/2/3

    The Peponi Hotel is one of the best hotels in Lamu, Kenya.

    The Peponi Hotel is located in Shela, a beach town just a few kilometers from Lamu Town, the island’s main port. The hotel is run by the Korschen family, who opened the hotel in the 1960’s.

    The 24 rooms at the Peponi Hotel all feature ocean views, mosquito nets, ensuite bathrooms, and ceiling fans. Superior rooms at the Peponi Hotel have private balconies.

    The Peponi Hotel has a restaurant that has been written up in the New York Times for its outstanding cuisine. It also features the most popular beach front bar in Lamu, which serves alcholic beverages (a rarity in Lamu).  The bar is a great place to have a sunset cocktail on the beach, but make sure to stay on the non-guest side of the bar if you’re not staying at the hotel.  Staff at the Peponi can be quite hostile to visitors that stray into the guest-only area.

    An ocean front pool and lush gardens round out the Peponi Hotel’s offerings, and make it one of the best hotels in Lamu.

    Rooms at the Peponi Hotel start at 200 euros per night for a standard room (breakfast included). The hotel is closed in May and June, which is the low season in Lamu.

    Msafini Hotel in Lamu

    Msafini Hotel
    Address: P.O BOX 226 Shella, Lamu, KENYA
    Phone: +254 720223043

    The recently opened Msafini Hotel in Shella on Lamu island, Kenya is one of the best mid range hotels in Lamu.

    Msafini Hotel features large, spacious guest rooms, a beautiful pool, a balcony on every room, sea views, a relaxing rooftop lounge, and great food.

    Msafini Hotel has great staff that are friendly and helpful. Rama and Faraj are particularly commendable for their great service and welcoming attitudes.

    Room rates at Msafini Hotel in Lamu are flexible, so negotiate if you are going to stay more than one night. Breakfast is included in the room rate.

     

     

  • Emerson & Green Hotel Zanzibar

    Emerson & Green Hotel, Zanzibar
    Address: 236 Hurumzi Street, Zanzibar Tanzania
    Phone: 255-(0)77-7423266

    Situated in the heart of Stone Town, the Emerson & Green Hotel in Zanzibar is one of the best hotels in Tanzania. Located in the second tallest building in the city in what was formerly the residence of the wealthiest family in the Swahili Empire, the Emerson & Green Hotel still retains its luxurious feel.

    Each of the 10 guest rooms in the Emerson & Green Hotel in Zanzibar is uniquely fitted with original Zanzibar antiques, and the hotel has an authentically Zanzibari feel. The new “Peace of Love” wing boasts gorgeous new rooms, most of which have balconies with beautiful sea views.

    Emerson & Green is also home to the famous Tower Top Restaurant, one of Zanzibar’s best restaurants. With ocean views to match the food, Tower Top Restaurant is well worth a visit, even if you’re not staying at Emerson & Green hotel in Zanzibar.