Edition 55 (Summer 2011)

As we rumbled onto the bridge at the edge of Mocuba we were met by a swell of people. The roadway was packed and the truck had to slow to a crawl to navigate its way through.

Edition 50 (Spring 2010)

Travel Africa was not conceived in one life-changing conversation or dramatic awakening, but rather it emerged slowly, taking shape from a seed born of and fed by frustration.

Edition 49: Winter 2009/10

Horns, headlights and a slice of panic cut through the dusty air of the Cairo night. I had just managed to extricate myself from an airport taxi whose driver seemed all too much in a hurry. While I didn’t have to shouldter-roll out of the moving vehicle, the whole experience felt a little too close for comfort, and I was rattled. As his dented chariot danced off through traffic, disappearing into a swirling sea of brakelights at Midan Orabi, I felt a slight sense of accomplishment... and then it hit me – I’m in Africa, and my backpack is still in that car.

Edition 48: Autumn 2009

Wildebeest have been circling the East African plains for over a million years, and during the 20th century their annual migration became one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions – little wonder, considering the sheer scale and drama of the natural spectacle. Today, with two million or so animals taking part, it continues to enthral those who visit each year.

Edition 47: Summer 2009

Having personally felt the strains on my body and mind each time I have climbed above 4000m in altitude, and having witnessed others, many of whom were in great shape, give up on their lofty goals and turn back due to increasing symptoms of acute mountain sickness, I was incredibly impressed with the success of the recent Comic Relief climb of Kilimanjaro. Not only did all nine of the celebrity climbers make it to the 5892m summit, but so did all 25 of the support staff and media.

Edition 46: Spring 2009

People attending the grandiose show can’t believe their luck. Considering the discounted price of their tickets, they’d been expecting seats in the upper reaches, as well as a few annoying punters rustling with candy wrappers, but now they are firmly planted in the front row, experiencing an intimate performance seemingly put on for them alone. 

Edition 45: Winter 2008/9

My first taste of West Africa was actually of its far east, and it wasn’t too pleasant. Although very exhilarating – we’d just rounded the northern side of Lake Chad and crossed into Niger at the most remote and desolate frontier I had ever encountered – the process of repeatedly digging out ‘Mr Harry’ (a friend’s 1982 Land Rover) had led to me ingest rather a lot of the desert itself. Suffice it to say, it was not the most appetising of meals, especially as it was more like silky powder than sand.
 

Edition 44: Autumn 2008

I have been lured to Africa on many occasions, but African music has never been the driving force – it has always been the wildlife, the landscapes, the history, the local culture (music aside), the physical activities, or simply the thought of a great journey. 

Edition 43: Summer 2008

Although I’ve been lucky enough to travel extensively across Africa during the last decade, setting foot in over two dozen of its nations, I have not had many chances to retrace my steps and gauge the extent of change.

Edition 42: Spring 2008

Looking back to my first safari in Kenya 15 years ago, I can still feel the exhilaration of closely following a rhino on foot in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and the excited anticipation upon arriving at the Masai Mara and gazing across the wildlife-teeming savannah for the first time.

Edition 40: Autumn 2007

As William Gray illustrates from page 90, there’s no shortage of child-friendly activities across Africa. So I’m always amazed – and saddened – when I meet parents who are reluctant to go on safari with their children, afraid that it will be unsafe or too complicated.

Edition 39: Summer 2007

Zimbabwe is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, with abundant natural attractions and a welcoming population. A decade ago it was the fourth most-visited country on the continent. Today it receives only a trickle of travellers, due to mainstream tourists and tour operators avoiding it as a response to its political instability or out of fear for their safety.

Edition 38: Spring 2007

How many of us would visit West Africa without having an itinerary finalised in advance? Would you take a self-drive trip into northern Kenya, or use public transport to explore Mozambique? Conversely, would you join an organised tour to the Congo or Angola?

Edition 37: Winter 2006/7 

When we first visited the Masai Mara in 1994, my wife and I were treated to a fascinating talk on Maasai culture by our moran tracker. At the end of the evening he asked if we could help him go to America. His predecessor had been taken there by an impressed tourist who wanted him to conduct a lecture tour.