Africa Travel Blog

Blog

  • Best Day Trips from Dar es Salaam

    The best day trips from Dar es Salaam are worth taking the time to do if you have a few days in the city before or after going on safari or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

    One of the best day trips is a visit to Mafia Island. Reachable by small plane, the island is a beautiful place to get away from the urban bustle and relax on the beach.

    Another great day trip from Dar es Salaam is Bagamoyo. Just an hour north of the capital, the city is well known for its beaches and its rich history.

    If you are truly after beautiful beaches in Tanzania, Zanzibar makes for one of the top day trips from Dar es Salaam. In just a short flight or a two-hour ferry ride, you can find yourself in an island paradise that attracts visitors from around the world.

  • Trains from Tunis to Sidi Bou Said

    Sidi Bou Said

    Trains from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis are a great way to get from the iconic white and blue city on the sea to the capital of Tunisia.

    Trains on this route are called TGM trains. They run from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis without requiring any changes.

    Trains from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis leave from the Sidi Bou Said TGM train station at the base of the hill town. They arrive at Tunis Marine TGM station, which is located in the Ville Nouvelle at the east end of Avenue Habib Bourguiba.

    Trains depart Sidi Bou Said for Tunis Marine TGM station every 15 minutes. The travel time is around 40 minutes.

    Trains from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis are basic and old, but they are a great way to experience the local culture and transport. They also offer great views of Carthage and the sea en route.

    Train tickets from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis cost around 2 dinars.

    There are first and second class carriages on trains from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis, but there is not a lot of difference between them, and virtually no enforcement of where anyone sits.

  • Top 10 Things to Do in Tunis

    Often overlooked by visitors on their way to Tunisia’s other top places to visit, Tunis is worth a few days to explore.

    Here is a list of the top 10 things to do in Tunis:

    10. Admire the monumental Bab el Bahr, or Porte de France, the arch that separates French Tunis from the medina

    8. Go to the beaches north of Tunis for a day in the sun

    7. Peek inside the stunning Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul and visit the Zitouna Mosque, the largest mosque in Tunisia

    6. Visit the beautifully renovated National Theater in Tunis

    9. Wander through the streets of the old French city and then visit the winding heart of the medina to see the contrast in styles

    5. Have tea at one of the many cafes that line Avenue Habib Bourguiba

    4. Take a day trip to Sidi Bou Said, a beautiful blue and white coastal tow

    3. Meander through the souks in the heart of Tunis to pick up some souvenirs

    2. Take the TGM train to Carthage and spend a day visiting the ruins of the once-great city

    1. Visit the excellent Bardo Museum to see some of the most well preserved Roman mosaics in the world

  • Map of Carthage in Tunisia

    map-of-Carthsge-in-tunisia
    Carthage Museum Map

    Below is a map of Carthage in Tunisia. The map is of the archaeological ruins in Carthage, and pinpoints various sightseeing highlights and important places to visit.

    The map of Carthage shows the museum, which is on a hill and has great views of the sea in addition to its abundance of historical treasures. It also shows various locations around the area, including the aqueducts, baths, an amphitheater, and houses.

    When in Carthage, keep in mind that distances are far. It is possible to walk between some destinations, but others require you to take the train or a taxi between them. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to see all that the map of Carthage has to offer when you are visiting Tunisia.

  • Flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar

    Flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar are a great way to get from Kenya’s capital to Tanzania’s most famous islands.

    All flights that travel on this route depart from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and arrive at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), which is also called Kisauni Airport. The airport is located on Unguja Island several miles south of Stone Town.

    Flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar are operated by a number of different airlines. These include both large international airlines and smaller regional ones, including Air Uganda, Fly540, Kenya Airways, and Precision Air.

    Some airlines that offer flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar are more reliable than others. Fly540 is generally one of the better airlines and offers good prices compared to the others. Precision Air is one of the worst. It is notorious for overbooking flights and bumping passengers to later flights without notifying them. Avoid it if you can.

  • 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 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.

  • Visiting Tunisia Star Wars Filming Locations in Tunisia

    Carthage Museum Baths

    Avid Star Wars fans know that there are many Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia. Many of the scenes from the six films were shot in the desert regions in the country. When you are visiting Tunisia, you can go to a lot of the places where the movies were filmed and see things like the Dune Sea first-hand.

    Most of the Star Wars filming sites are concentrated around Tozeur in the western part of the country. There is an airport there, so it is easy to get to Tunis. It is a good place to base yourself on your Star Wars tour of Tunisia.

    Tozeur is famous for sites including Lars’ Homestead in Chott El-Jerid, and La Grande Dune, which is where the Dune Sea has filmed in Star Wars Episode IV.

    To the north of Tozeur you can see Star Wars filming locations like Chott el Gharsa. There you can find places like Camel Head Rock, which overlooks the area where the pod race scenes were filmed in Episode I.

    Also in the area are the Yardangs, sandstone rocks that jut out of the water. This site was used as the location for the filming of the light saber battle between between Darth Maul and Qui-Gonn in Episode I.

    Not far from there is the Mos Espa set, where things like Anakin’s Slave house, the pod racing track, and Jira’s Nook were filmed.

    Other Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia include various spots on the island of Djerba in the Gulf of Gabes. This location also has an airport, so it is easy to get to when you are visiting Tunisia. Sites on Djerba include Obi-Wan Kenobi’s hut near Ajim and the location where Obi-Wan and Luke Skywalker enter Mos Eisley in Sidi Jemour.

  • Le Meridien Hotel in Dakar

    Le Meridien President
    Address: Pointe des Almadies, BP 8181, Dakar, Senegal
    Phone: (221) (33) 8696969

    Le Meridien hotel in Dakar is one of the best luxury hotels in Senegal.

    Located on the beautiful Pointe des Almadies, the western most point in Africa, Le Meridien hotel is a tranquil waterfront resort.

    Le Meridien hotel features well appointed guest rooms with spacious interiors and luxury amenities as well as several large pools, a beauty center, shops, restaurants, and bars.

    There is a small beach right in front of Le Meridien in Dakar, as well as a jetty where you can walk out to watch the waves breaking against the shore.

    Room rates at Le Meridien hotel in Dakar start at 104 EUR / night, and regular promotions and hotel room discounts are available throughout the year.

  • Best Day Trips from Tunis

    Sidi Bou Said Hotel

    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.