S.E.E Africa Magazine: Uganda Edition by Afro Tourism

SEARCH EXPLORE ENGAGE ISSUE 02 JUNE 2017

a publication of afro tourism

TRAV TREN EL DS: Chec ko

ut book s, m the lates makin ovies, & g t on adge g wa the c ves aroun ts on n d ent.

HOTELS THE RISE OF THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS

5 reasons to holiday in West Africa

TANZANIA ODYSSEY:

A FAMILY’S JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF THEIR ROOTS

BEST WAYs TO BEAT BELLY FAT

UNTAPPED AFRICA:

A Glimpse into Africa’s Unexplored Gem

Explore the Pearl of Africa:

UGANDA

WELCOME NOTE

OUR AFRICA

iriam Chiazor Chief Operating OďŹ&#x192;cer

@paparaZZiMimi

Miriam Chiazor

paparazzimimi

2017//

COVER STORY

Contents Mafia Island

102

UNTAPPED AFRICA

54 So MUCH in Murchison Falls National Park

ETHIOPIA FUNFARE IN

38 04

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Historical and Spiritual Tradition for the Soul

UGANDA

EXPLORE THE PEARL OF AFRICA UGANDA! Explore the Pearl of Africa! What impressed a young Winston Churchill that he called this East African country “the Pearl of Africa?” Come on and explore with us and you may just discover the jewel that captivated with her beauty, the heart of the man who later became the British Prime Minister.

Features 24 50 74 92 94 98

Best ways to beat belly fat 5 reasons to holiday in West Africa

Chicken Director General

FREETOWN Zip Lining Tanzania Odyssey

UNTAPPED AFRICA

Meandering through Africa’s amazing landscape are countless sights that leave mouths agape. Interestingly, many people do not even know they exist. Find out some of these amazing places as we glimpse into Africa’s unexplored gem.

Search Explore Engage

c PUBLISHER Afro Tourism

CREATIVE AND EDITORIAL TEAM Ag. COO/ Content Editor Subeditor Creative Writers Creative Designer

AFRICA

Miriam Chiazor Chinenye Egwuonwu Omoniyi David Michael Usifo Michael Akintola

BUSINESS TEAM Lead Marketing Representative Sales Representative Sales Representative Digital Marketing Government liaison oﬃcer

Nkiru Osuji Banke Otubanjo Adaze Ehibor Seun Adeola Sam Adeleke

DIRECTORS Chairman Vice Chairman Member Member

www. afrotourism .com

Chief Olufemi Adeniyi - Williams Olaleye Adebiyi Omowande Adeniyi- Williams Maxwell Ukpebor

S.E.E. Africa magazine is published by Afro Tourism West Africa Limited. Head Oﬃce: 16 Wema Terrace, Udi Street, Osborne Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. Tel: +234(0)700 TOURISM

Oﬃce: 5108 Bellemeade Lane, Alexandria, VA 22311, U.S.A Tel: +1 (228) 596-7004

www.afrotourism.com E- info@afrotourism.com twitter: @frotourism Instagram: @afrotourism

Afro Tourism is an Africa-based full-service tourism management company that specializes in providing dynamic travel and industry resources for Africa and its surrounding islands. Afro Tourism aims to unveil the untapped potential of the world’s most culturally rich and diverse continent as a destination of choice for travel and tourism. Afro Tourism is equipped to work with governments, destinations and the private sector to improve and enhance any tourism destination.

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers www.magprint.co.uk

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners, Afro Tourism. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, and publisher cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise from incorrect information.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

CONTENTS

86 114

FATHER OF TOURISM

Why is he referred to as the Father of Tourism in Nigeria? Afro Tourism spoke with Chief Amachree at the ﬁrst Port Harcourt BANTABA back in March 2017.

TRAVEL TRENDS

AT NIGHT

Our feature movie for this edition is Kalushi - a story that captured the hearts of South Africa. On our bookshelf review, we feature Homegoing - a fantastic tale of two sisters and their involvement in the Cape Coast of Ghana’s slave trade history. Gadgets and tech will arm you with the latest and most practical travel gadgets and accessories that will make your travel hassle free. And for our African Music Icon in this edition, we bring you the enchanting Angelique Kidjo.

What’s a visit to a place without getting caught up with the fun and excitement of the city at night? Find out the happening places for the best nightlife experience in Zambia’s Copperbelt city of Kitwe!

112

100

26 BUSINESS 74

88 Versatile Street

FASHION

116

Hotel development in Africa keeps growing despite challenges. Lets ﬁnd out why?

HEROES OF AFRICA

5 REASONS TO HOLIDAY IN WEST AFRICA Yes, it may not rank high in comparison to other regions on the continent in terms of a well-structured tourism industry, but West Africa still commands a lot of traﬃc. From the slave routes to the Atlantic coast, you'll ﬁnd reasons to holiday here.

115 2017//

@Chini6

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE

STAYING TRUE TO OUR ROOTS

Chinenye Emezie-Egwuonwu Sub Editor

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Chinenye Emezie

chinenyeemeziewriter

WRITERS

NIYI DAVID

MICHEAL USIFO-ALVIN

Niyi David explores the beautiful and enthralling continent of Africa with Afro Tourism® capturing colourful memories of places, cultures and events in words and images.

CONTRIBUTORS

behance.net/radiantart

L A Y O U T, DESIGN & FX

@radiantkingsart

@radiantfact

Michael Usifo-Alvin, an imaginative get-it-done wordsmith, blends uncanny taste for facts gleaned from his training in law, and journalism by UNESCO, in his travels and reports about Africa for Afro Tourism.

AKINTOLA MICHAEL Akintola Michael is not just a professional but also a high-end CGVFX artist with over 6 years experience from diﬀerent industries. An eccentric by nature such that even his siblings call him weirdo, Michael has mastered the art of ‘unlearning to re-learn.’

PG 112

PG 74

PG 34

MOJEREOLA MUSTAPHA

AFROLEMS

DEJI AJOMALE-MCWORD

MJ as fondly called is a management expert in the field of aviation. Having started her career in the industry as a cabin crew, she seeks to share funny yet inspirational stories with her audience in the hope that they can become more comfortable with crossing continents and people.

Afrolems is an African food blog with a specialization in Nigerian Food. Our main focus is to stylize African food so it can be internationalized. We aim to educate our followers with kitchen tips, Cooking Know-hows and interesting recipes from all over Africa and just modifications of recipes from other cultures. We also like to play with foreign recipes as well.

Deji Ajomale-McWord is an elite sports contents curator and the foremost author of books of golf in Nigeria. He is equally the only black man resident in Africa, with the highest number of books on golf. He is the curator of The Atlas of Nigerian Golf Courses a coffee table book, compilation of golf courses across Nigeria, which was sponsored by the telecoms giant MTN Nigeria.

2017//

CONTRIBUTORS JOHANNA READ

EFETOBO AWHANA

MONICA D. BROWN PG 98

PG 102

Johanna Read is a Canadian freelance writer and photographer specializing in travel, food, and responsible tourism. Writing for a variety of Canadian and international publications, she likes to encourage travel that is culturally, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Links to all her travel stories are at www.TravelEater.net.

Efetobo Awhana is the founder of Naijaholidays.com and CEO of Avantgarde Tours. He loves photography and learning about people and nature one place at a time. He is passionate about travel to and within Africa and began writing to share his passion for the beautiful continent. When he is not travelling or designing memorable itineraries for clients he loves to spend time with his wife and two kids.

Monica D. Brown is a Communications and Media Specialist, English language tutor and writer based in the UK. She is passionate about exploring identity and history. Her first trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2009 inspired the title of her first anthology, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Journey back to Zanzibarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. She is very keen to visit Senegal, Ghana and Rwanda in the near future. www.monicabrowntraining.com Twitter : MonicaDBrown1

Sara Genene is an Ethiopian travel blogger/writer who is a firm believer that beauty lies within mundane details and is an enthusiast in unveiling the eloquent sides of Ethiopia and the exotic beauty of Africa to the world via her blog www.ethiopianwanderlust.com

PG 38

PG 50

JERRY UWAIFO

LYANDE KAIKAI

OGBEMUDIA ISIBOR

SARA GENENE

SANDRA IDOSSOU

PG 24

PG 92

PG 32

PG 76

Jerry Uwaifo is a fitness and wellness expert and the CEO of Body Laboratory LLC. His qualifications include a BSc in Microbiology and a Masters degree in Geology and Environmental Contamination . His journey into the fitness industry which has spanned over a decade was born out of his passion for it.

Lyande Kaikai is a Sierra Leonean born entrepreneur and Founder of travel company; My African Passport. Lyande is passionate about Africa, Travel and Tourism. Twitter @myafricanpass Instagram @myafricanpassport Facebook @myafricanpassport

With over 15 years experience in men's fashion and style, Ogbemudia Isibor is the creative director of Bosi&Charles, a menswear Brand based in London, England and Lagos, Nigeria. He studied fashion in West London College, London and has worked as a Style editor with Hello! Nigeria and Complete Fashion Magazine.

Sandra IDOSSOU is an Afropolitan hotelier, trainer, mystery shopper, consultant, writer, author, traveler, publisher who has been expatriate in 8 African countries since 2000.She is very passionate about everything African, Quality of Service, Tourism & Hospitality, Branding, Sales & Marketing, Communication, Consumers rights, Capacity Building especially among youth and entrepreneurs.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Afro Tourism providing all kinds of information on the Continent since 2013

DEAR AFRO TOURISM

TROPIC GREEN

I would LOVE TO JOIN YOUR TEAM

15 Day East African Discovery

Dear Sir/ Madam

Good day!

Hello,

I am from Singapore. I have my own

Good day, trust you are doing well

I am very interested in this trip for

8 piece jazz band called TROPIC

and this message meets you well.

July, Please give me breakdown of

GREEN. We play only my original

This is my formal request to be

total cost in dollars and how many

tunes. We would love to play at the

considered for an employment in

countries the cost would cover and

Gaborone International Jazz Festival

your organization as the

also does the $460 cover service

2018.

opportunity presents itself

fee and tickets to and fro. So I know

Please let me know who I can write to in order to apply.

WWW.AF WWW.AFROTOUR ROTOU

what I'm budgeting for and do you Kindly ﬁnd attached a copy of my

guys have discount for a certain

resume as I look forward to hearing

amount of people coming. Regards

Thank you.

from you soonest.

I attach some information for you.

Kind regards

much appreciated

I look forward to hearing from you.

Elizabeth Ekim

Ihuoma George

P.S. Reply at a glacial pace would be

Kind regards

Hello Ihuoma

Thanks for Afro Tourism says

Hi Susan, Concerning your Afro Tourism says

enquiry about the Gaborone International Jazz

contacting us.

Thank you for your Afro Tourism says

We will forward to HR for consideration.

email. We will response

with details shortly.

Do have a nice weekend.

Get ready to discover Africa!

Festival, unfortunately their website is not active. However, they have a Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/pg/gabo roneinternationaljazzfestival/about/

Any date for Maralal Camel Derby?

?ref=page_internal You can call this number to speak to one of the organisers of the event +267 71 320 920 I'm reaching out to some of our contacts in Botswana and if further leads come up, I'll let you know. Warm regards.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Hello Afro Tourism, Can you please conﬁrm that this year's Maralal Camel Derby is taking place on August 26-28, 2017? Thanks,

Schuyler

Hello Schuyler,

informed should the date changes.

Afro Tourism says

You can also visit our website for more information

Thank you for your

about the event via

email.

the link below;

The scheduled date

http://afrotourism.c

for the Maralal

om/event/internati

Camel Derby is 1st

onal-camel-derby-a

August 2017 and it

nd-festival/

ends 31st August 2017.

Have a wonderful

We will keep you

experience!

... ... aa traveler’s traveler’s guide guid

R IS M.COM

e to Africa

The Postcard Collector

A Writing Partnership with The Africa Report magazine

Dear Manager, Karibu

trips, and much more.

Zanzibar-Welcome

Please visit our website

Zanzibar!

to get a better

My name is Fatma

impression:

Idrissa, the Reservation

www.zamatours.net

Oﬃcer of Zanzibar

It is our utmost priority

Marine tour &

to give the best possible

Safaris-Zanzibar, after

service to our guests, so

visiting your beautiful

they will always be

website I would like to

happy to remember us

introduce our company

and recommend our

to you in order to be

company to their friends

your ground handler for

and families. And this,

your guest who will be

even experts agree, is

visiting Zanzibar.

still the best

For the past eight years,

advertisement possible

Zanzibar Marine tour &

above all others!

Safaris(ZAMA TOURS) has been providing

In this sense, we would

excellent service in

like to oﬀer you our

diﬀerent languages to

cooperation as your

clients from all over the

ground handler here in

world, who visit

Zanzibar. We believe

Zanzibar. We oﬀers

that in this way, both

variety of services

our companies can

including cultural

embark on a journey

experiences, beach

that may last for many

holidays including tours

years and be beneﬁcial

and excursions, water

to both.

sports and adventures.

We hope to hear from

But our programs also

you soon.

include conference arrangements, wedding

Warmly regards,

arrangements, honeymoon packages, tailor-made individual

Dear Michael-Alvin,

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I'm a journalist with The Africa

I write to ask you the

Report, a monthly pan-African magazine and online news provider covering political, economic and cultural developments. The magazine is published by Groupe Jeune

when I want to ﬁnd out much details about some tourist attraction ie Wli waterfalls. And we will also like to visit the Afadja mountain

I was hoping you'd be interested

or email I can reach

in writing a short response letter to an article published in our magazine on Sao Tome and Principe's tourism industry (please see copy of the article attached). I read a December 2016 article on

but there is no contact them on... So please if you can help us out with valuable information. Thank you in anticipation

afrotourism.com in which you explain how little is known of the island nation and it's many attractions, and I believe your

Hello Jeﬀrey,

comments on the article will be of much interest to our readers. Your response will be published

Thank Afro Tourism says

on the letters page in our next

you for reaching out to us

issue (see example attached).

at Afro Tourism....a

Kindly let me know if we can

traveler's guide to

expect a 150-word comment by

untapped Africa.

next Tuesday 11th April 2017.

For more information on Wli Waterfall, you

I look forward to hearing from

can contact

you.

Jemima Hope, Landtours Ghana

Kind regards,

Limited

Ama

Please mention Afro

Please see link of business

Hope my

stories, business listing of

listing on our website here .

email meets

restaurants, shopping malls,

you well.

clubs and bars, tour

We will be happy to keep

packages, booking engines

promoting you for the period

for ﬂights and hotels.

of 1 year and this will cost $300 only.

Nkiruka, Marketing

Tourism in your conversation with them

contains trip ideas, travel

My name is

contact we can reach

Afrique in Paris.

www.afrotourism.com

Dear Fatma,

Afro Tourism says

Fatma Idrissa

Representative for Afro

We also provide in-depth

Tourism.

information / overview on

Let us know if you would like

each city, how to get there

us to keep your business

Afro Tourism is a travel

and what to do.

promoted on our website

information hub for Africa

It would be a great

and also see information

and its surrounding islands.

opportunity to list and

provided of your business for

Our goal is to promote the

promote your business on

corrections where needed.

whole of Africa as an

our website for your target

untapped destination for

market to be able to ﬁnd and

We look forward to a

travel and tourism.

reach you while in your

mutually rewarding business

Our website

destination.

relationship.

as your information provider. Click here for more information on other activities, what to pack, and for any general information on Ghana. Thank you and enjoy your trip to Ghana!

Looking forward to your response soon. Kind regards,

2017//

TRADE NEWS ORGA N SAT I O N

UNWTO Commission analyzes the potential of Chinese Tourism in Africa DE STI N AT I ON

Rwanda rising as a hotspot destination for African safaris Rwanda has been recognized as a striding and fast-growing tourist destination in East Africa, attracting high-class holidaymakers from China, Europe, and the United States.

The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, has recently hosted the 59th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa. Held between 18-21 April, the Commission included a High-level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism to Africa, where regional representatives debated the potential that the sector brings to the continent. Attended by 21 tourism Ministers from the African continent, the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa has become the best platform to discuss tourism trends in the continent and the potential that Chinese tourism can induce at regional level.

Known as the “land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda is standing as a leading and attractive tourist destination, competing with Kenya, which is the tourist powerpoint in East Africa. Gorilla trekking safaris, rich cultures of the Rwandese people, scenery, and a friendly tourist investment environment available in Rwanda have all made this African nation one of the best and most attractive destinations for global

A I R L I N E S

holidaymakers.

O RGAN SATI O N

Seychellois gets high-level post at RETOSA Kenneth Racombo has been appointed as head of resource mobilization and development at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA).

S.E.E AFRIC A

www.afrotourism.com

EgyptAir and Etihad codeshare Etihad Airways and EgyptAir introduced the ﬁrst phase of a new codeshare agreement on 1 March. Under the initial phase of the agreement, the airlines are placing their codes on each other’s ﬂights between Abu Dhabi and Cairo. During the second phase, Etihad will gain access to major cities across

Mr. Racombo who is

at the Ministry of Foreign

Africa on ﬂights operated by EgyptAir via its Cairo

currently the director

Aﬀairs, started his career

hub. In turn, EgyptAir will be able to access key

general for development

as an economist working

routes to Australia and the Far East served by Etihad

and regional integration

for the same ministry.

from its Abu Dhabi operational hub.

EVEN T

41st Annual World Tourism Conference 28-31 August, 2017 During the international year of tourism, The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and Africa Travel Association (ATA) are proud to present the 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. In collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board, CCA and ATA designed this conference to set the tone for how tourism can be utilized as an engine for economic growth and job creation through innovative business models, new technologies and strategic partnerships. The conference will also provide a platform to network and explore new tourism markets and products including the promotion and preservation of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and wildlife.

http : //m p exa . com /event/ata-4 1 st-annual-world-tou rism-confe re nce -i n-k i g a li -r wa nd a /

D E ST I N AT I ON

South Africa gets new Minister of Tourism The new South African Minister of Tourism is Hon. Tokozile Xasa. Moving against South Africa’s President Zuma by imposing a series of votes of “no confidence” against his boss did not pay off for Derek Hanekom who was just fired tonight from his post as the Minister of Tourism for the Republic of South Africa. Replacing him is the

new Hon. Minster of Tourism, Mrs. Tokozile Xasa. She is originally a teacher and taught at several high schools for 9 years before becoming the ﬁrst female mayor of a district municipality in the transitional period of local government in the Eastern Cape.

http : //u nw towi re. com/changing-sympathi es-in-af ri ca-for-the- u nw to -s e c reta r y -ge n e ral-e lec tion-1 0 8 7 /

DREAM

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

AI RL I N ES

KLM and Air Mauritius launch joint flights KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will introduce a direct flight from Amsterdam to Mauritius in co-operation with Air Mauritius, as from 30 October. The flights to Mauritius will be operated in KLM’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9, which carries 30 World business class seats, 45 economy comfort seats, and 219 economy class seats. As from 30 October, flight

KL501 will depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Amsterdam at 17h20 and arrive in Mauritius at 07h35. The ﬂight will leave Mauritius at 09h45 to arrive back at Schiphol airport at 18h35. All times are local.

AIR L IN E S

TAP links Lisbon and Abidjan TAP Portugal will fly via its hub in Lisbon to Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) from 17 July, increasing the airline’s network to a total of 10 African countries. There will be five weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The direct connections between Lisbon and Abidjan will

operate using an Airbus A320, with capacity for 165 passengers. Flights will depart Lisbon at 17h25 and return from Abidjan at 23h00.

AI RL I N ES

RwandAir adds new destinations RwandAir has added two more routes to its network, with both services getting underway in April. The

Rwandan national carrier will commence ﬂights between Kigali and Harare (Zimbabwe) on 1 April, and between Kigali and Mumbai (India) two days later.

T R AV E L T I P S

Approximate travel time from Nairobi to Pretoria, is 3 hrs, 40 mins

1815.58

NAIROBI, KE

2921.81

JOHANNESBURG, SF

BEARING

NAIROBI, KE

S.E.E AFRICA

C O O R D I N AT E S + T O TA L D I S TA N C E

MILES

The flights to Harare will be tagged to the existing Lusaka (Zambia) route and be operated daily. The non-stop flight to Mumbai will operate four times per week by the airline’s fleet of Bombardier and Boeing Next Gen aircraft, configured with a dual class cabin.

www.afrotourism.com

28.0833

-26.2000 -1.2833

www.afrotourism.com

18-23 & 30-33 com piled by:

C HINENYE E ME ZIE -EGWUONWU

ot often do you get to read a book that puts into perspective something you’ve only been told but never really had the opportunity to understand in details. Homegoing did just that for me. The story is set in Ghana in the slave trade era and tells the story of the slave trade as never been relayed before. Gyasi not only shed light on the atrocities of the slave masters which is no longer news to the world but she also elaborates the part that chiefs, traditional rulers and even kingsmen of various tribes played in selling their own people. With a genealogy map at the opening pages of the book which helps the reader to navigate through the characters and their relationship, Homegoing is masterfully written to draw you into the lives of the characters as you begin to live through their experiences as though you were there during the time they lived. Homegoing chronicles the lives of two half-sisters who never meet and are unaware of the others existence, although they were living in the same place at some point. One was abducted and sent to the dungeons of the Cape castle in the gold coast

in preparation to be sold to the Americas as a slave while the other lived just above the same castle as a wife to one of the slave masters without an idea of what is happening beneath her. Homegoing chronicles Effia’s (one of the two sisters) descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations fight with the slave trade and British colonization. And the other part of the story follows the second sister Esi and her children into slavery in America, documenting their lives from the plantations of the South of America to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, even to the jazz night clubs and drug abodes. Telling a story that traces the roots of an American family back to their ancestral home in a fictitious manner like Gyasi did is nothing short of revolutionary. Within recent years, the quest by many African Americans among them notable celebrities to trace their roots back to specific countries in Africa has been an eye opening experience albeit an emotional one - this search identifies their ancestral roots and at the same time

Telling a story that traces the roots of an American family back to their ancestral home in a ﬁctitious manner like Gyasi did is nothing short of revolutionary.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

MOVIES // BOOK S // S HOPPING // MUS IC // T EC H N OLOGY

HOMEGOING Review by CHINENYE EMEZIE-EGWUONWU

takes them back to try to understand what their ancestors lived through as slaves. Homegoing is a story that successfully highlightes with detailed heart-wrenching experiences what may have occurred during those days of slavery. Although the story is fictitious but what is clear is the amount of research Gyasi put into the writing that makes it read like another historical factual record of the slave trade.

The story goes back and forth between different characters as their stories and the parts it contributed to the slave trade history are explored. Nothing is left out of the Cape Coast slave trade history that should be included in this very important book. The hook in Homegoing is that it not only make history visceral but it in the same vein succeeds in capturing different memories of captivity and its effects on the descendants of slavery even till this day.

Grab this book, ﬁnd a cool spot and devour it! Its a must read.

STAY WITH ME

AYOBAMI ADEBAYO

DANCING THE DEATH DRILL by

‘T

here are things even love can't do... If the burden is too much and stays too long, even love bends, cracks, comes close to breaking and sometimes does break. But even when it's in a thousand pieces around your feet, that doesn't mean it's no longer love...' Yejide is hoping for a miracle, for a child. It is all her husband wants, all her mother-in-law wants, and she has tried everything - arduous pilgrimages, medical consultations, dances with prophets, appeals to God. But when her in-laws insist upon a new wife, it is too much for Yejide to bear. It will lead to jealousy, betrayal and despair.

FRED KHUMALO

CONFESSION OF THE LIONESS by

aris, 1958. A skirmish in a world-famous restaurant leaves two men dead and the restaurant staff baffled. Why did the head waiter, a man who’s been living in France for many years, lunge at his patrons with a knife? As the man awaits trial, a journalist hounds his long-time friend, hoping to expose the true story behind this unprecedented act of violence.

MIA CUOTO

SAFIA ELHILLO, KWAME DAWES

dark, poetic mystery about the women of the remote village of Kulumani and the lionesses that hunt them.

n her dedication Safia Elhillo writes, “The January Children are the generation born in Sudan under British occupation, where children were assigned birth years by height, all given the birth date January 1.” What follows is a deeply personal collection of poems that describe the experience of navigating the postcolonial world as a stranger in one’s own land.

Told through two haunting, interwoven diaries, Mia Couto’s Confession of the Lioness reveals the mysterious world of Kulumani, an isolated village in Mozambique whose traditions and beliefs are threatened when ghostlike lionesses begin hunting the women who live there.

KIDS COR ER N

YEWANDE OMOTOSO

ortensia James and Marion Agostino are neighbours. One is black, one white. Both are successful women with impressive careers. Both have recently been widowed. And both are sworn enemies, sharing hedge and hostility which they prune with a zeal that belies the fact that they are both over eighty.

THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR by

THE JANUARY CHILDREN

But one day an unforeseen event forces the women together. And gradually the bickering and sniping softens into lively debate, and from there into memories shared. But could these sparks of connection ever transform into friendship? Or is it too late to expect these two to change?

NOMTHI ODUKOYA

No! Don’t touch me there is a book that addresses early education, and enlightenment for children on parts of their bodies and how to protect themselves from sexual predators.

2017//

A M A N D L A K AY ISE WALT E R DU BE FILM

R E VOLUT I ON IS AN ACT O F L OV E!

GENRE Drama ﬁlm/ Thriller DIRECTOR Mandla Dube STARRING Thabo Rametsi Thabo Malema Welile Nzuza PRODUCERS Mandla Dube Walter Ayres

96%

BRICS FILM FESTIVAL 2016

WINNER BEST ACTOR

WINNER BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA RapidLion 2016

BRICS

WINNER MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) RapidLion 2016

THABO RAMETSI

SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS

Stevel Marc, Chris Attoh, Emmanuel Castis

Andrea Riseborough, Garion Dowds, Steve Coogan.

DIRECTOR

WRITERS

Perfectionist Nandi seems to have the New South African Dream life within her grasp, black female partner in a major firm, marriage, the perfect house - but it all goes up in flames a few months before the wedding. With her friends Zaza and Princess, Nandi will have to find out what truly makes her happy and then fight to get it.

SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS follows a jaded lawyer, John Weber (Steve Coogan), who takes on a seemingly hopeless multiple murder case and uncovers scandalous shortcomings in South Africa's capital punishment system as he mounts a defense for a prison guard traumatized by the executions he took part in.

Busisiwe Ntintili

www.afrotourism.com

G HD

Kalushi is brutally beaten by the police. He goes into exile following the 1976 Soweto uprisings to join the liberation movement. He returns from military training in Angola, en route to their mission, his friend and comrade, Mondy, loses control and shoots two innocent people on Goch Street in Johannesburg. Mondy is severely beaten and tortured; Kalushi is forced to stand trial under the common purpose doctrine. The state seeks the highest punishment from the court, death by hanging. Kalushi has his back against the wall and uses the courtroom as a final battlefield. His sacrifice immortalizes him into a hero of the struggle and a national icon of the youth joining Umkhonto we Sizwe.

Thabang Moleya

S.E.E AFRIC A

2016

Solomon Mahlangu is a Mamelodi township schoolboy-hawker who, after the events of June 16th joins the military wing of the ANC to ﬁght against the brutal oppression of the Apartheid regime and ends up becoming an icon of South Africa's liberation.

HAPPINESS IS A FOUR LETTER WORD

1 hr 33 min

Oliver Schmitz

Chris Marnewick (novel), Brian Cox (adaptation)

COURTESY:

THE WEDDING PARTY

76 Adesuwa Etomi, Banky Wellington, Sola Sobowale, Richard Mofe-Damijo

DIRECTOR

Kemi Adetiba

WRITERS

Kemi Adetiba, Tosin Otudeko

Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Chidi Mokeme

DIRECTOR Izu Ojukwu

WRITERS What happens when you throw in an insecure virgin bride, a reformed playboy groom, two over bearing mothers who can't stand each other, one philandering husband, a high strung wedding planner, the invasion of unruly village gate-rashers, a thief on the loose, a best man with a ďŹ&#x201A;ash-drive full of secrets, a sexy EX with vengeance on her mind, two loyal bridesmaids ready to go to war, and a brother seeking his father's approval? It is a HILARIOUS melting pot of potential disaster.

Chris Marnewick (novel), Brian Cox (adaptation)

The story is told from two points of view: that of a young pregnant woman, and that of her husband, a soldier accused of being involved in the 1976 military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, the Head-of-State of Nigeria.

2017//

AFR I CAN

M US I C

Afro Tourism and See Africa celebrate and salute this African daughter and music icon.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

KIDJ O I CON

http://massmoca.org/12645-2/

ANGE L I QU E

AWA R D S H I S T O RY

GRAMMY

Career Wins

Career Nominations

2017//

FITNESS GET MORE FIBER

All the fast food, fried food and sugar won’t get you anywhere. Leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, and beans are all good for keeping away the fat that stays deep in your belly. That’s called visceral fat, and it’s the most dangerous kind because it can wrap around major organs, including your liver, pancreas, and kidneys

By Jerry Uwaifo

FORGET THESE TWO THINGS

There are no “super foods” that burn oﬀ visceral fat. And you can’t tone it away with speciﬁc moves like crunches. Instead, look for ways to upgrade your eating habits and add activity every day. Think about your average week. Where might you be able to make some changes? A typical example is walking to a nearby place instead of driving or better still, using the stairs instead of the elevator.

BE CHOOSY ABOUT FAT

You can still have some! But limit the “saturated” kind that’s in animal foods, coconut and palm oils and full-fat dairy. Keep the portions of those foods smaller than you might normally do, for instance and check nutrition labels to see how many calories and how much fat is in a serving. Look for fats that are better for you too, like those from plant foods or ﬁsh such as salmon, tuna and mackerel that are rich in omega-3s. A very good example of healthy fats are avocado.

FORGET A ‘QUICK FIX’

Sorry but cosmetic surgery isn’t the solution here. Liposuction doesn’t reach inside the abdominal wall, so it can’t get rid of visceral belly fat. Likewise, crash diets aren’t the solution either. You’re too likely to go oﬀ them. The slower, steadier option such as lifestyle changes that you can commit to for a long time really is the best bet.

THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO

While anyone can have too much visceral fat, it’s more likely if you’ve got a lot of weight to lose. As you start to take those pounds off, it will help your whole body, including belly fat that’s hidden out of your sight. Most people tend to always want to “lose weight” in specific areas of the body. The crazy thing is as you drop in weight, it goes off all over your body (funny but true).

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

SLEEP

When it comes to weight gain, shut-eye is a bit like porridge: Too little -- less than 5 hours -may mean more belly fat. But too much -more than 8 hours -- can do that too. “Just right” seems to be around 6-8 hours. If you don’t sleep that much now, or if you tend to toss and turn, try to go to bed a little earlier, relax before bedtime, keep your bedroom cool and try not to text and email right before you turn in.

KEEP CALM

Are you stressed out? That can make you eat more fat and sugar and unleash the “stress hormone” cortisol, which can boost belly fat. Stress also can make you sleep less, exercise less and drink more alcohol -- which can add belly fat, too. It’s a great reason to take up meditation, work out, listen to music you love, or ﬁnd other healthy ways to unwind and relax.

BEST WAYs TO BEAT BELLY FAT

Think about hitting the gym instead of the trail. In one study, healthy middle-aged men who did 20 minutes of daily weight training gained less abdominal fat than men who spent the same time doing aerobic exercises, such as biking. Strength training is also good for women and it won’t make you bulky. You still need to do some cardio but make sure strength training is in the mix.

LIFT WEIGHTS

STOP TRYING TO OUTRUN IT

Still trying to “burn off” that belly fat by pounding the treadmill for hour upon hour? Research shows that a few quick bursts of high-intensity exercise -- such as a 30-second sprint or intense pullup set -may be more effective and easier to fit into your schedule. You can add bursts of higher intensity to any workout. Just speed up or work harder for a brief time, then drop back to a more mellow pace and repeat.

DON’T RELY ON CLOTHING SIZES

One company’s size 14 could be another’s size 12. A better method is to measure your waist. If you’re a woman, you want that number to be 35 inches or less. Men get up to 40 inches. The reason? You may lower your chance of having a heart attack, a stroke, or possibly certain types of cancer. A tape measure can’t check on visceral fat, but along with the scale, it can help you track your weight loss.

RETHINK YOUR DRINK

Whether it’s a latte, a regular soda, a mug of beer, or a glass of wine, it’s got calories. And when you’re trying to unwind the numbers on the scale, water (or a smaller glass of your favorite beverage) might be a better choice. If you drink alcohol, remember that it just might make you throw your willpower out the window when you order your meal too.

DON’T SMOKE

As if you need another reason to quit. Smoking makes you more likely to store fat in your belly, rather than your hips and thighs. And that’s bad. Oh, and it’s also a cause of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, lung disease and…… you get the idea. If you’ve tried before, try again. Tell your doctor, so you can get pointers on what might help you quit for good.

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR NEXT DESTINATION? WWW.AFROTOURISM.COM

2017//

BUSINESS 26 - 27 By : Mo j ereo l a Mustap ha

INSIDE TOURISM BUSINESS

S.E.E AFRICA

THE RISE OF THE NIGERIAN

HOTEL-HOSPITALITY

BUSI ESS www.afrotourism.com

Africa is expected to increase by more than a double; growing from 50 million to 134 million

2017//

Magazine Today!

SEE Africa Magazine – a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting the trade of travel and tourism in Africa. The magazine aims to become the number one voice of authority in the African travel and tourism industry and a trusted source for the latest travel news in the industry.

Print versions also available at a special bulk rate with free delivery.

c Get your FREE ACCESS to the digital version of our magazine on your tablet or mobile device! AVA IL A B L E ON : w ww.afrotouris m .com ϱ͗ϯϭWD ϱ͗ϯϭWD ϱ͗ϯϭWD

ϮϮй

8VHUQDPH

( PDLO DGGUHVV

3DVVZRUG

( PDLO DGGUHVV

/RJLQ WR P\ DFFRXQW

Subscribe /RJLQ

)RUJRW SDVVZRUG"

6LJQ LQ ZLWK IDFHERRN

/RJLQ %CPPQV CEEGUU [QWT CEEQWPV!

)RUJRW SDVVZRUG"

6LJQ LQ ZLWK IDFHERRN 0GY JGTG! %TGCVG CP CEEQWPV

1HZ KHUH" &UHDWH DQ DFFRXQW 1HZ KHUH" &UHDWH DQ DFFRXQW

Subscribe for your FREE digital copy Fully interactive on iPad & iPhone 28

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

T h e M agazi n e i s av ai l ab le in Pr int an d D i g i t a l .

Capture life as it happens. The 12mp rear camera and 8mp front camera are so accurate and fast that you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a moment, day or night.

BEST GADGETS FOR THE ROAD By Niyi David

GALAXY S8 S8+

Cameras, power banks, smart phones and smart watches. 30

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

WATCH

There are apps that will allow you to unlock your hotel room with a simple swipe of your watch, apps that will ping you when there's a ﬂight delay or gate change,

These days it’s hard to imagine life without gadgets. It’s not as if gadgets are new developments, but these days they’ve become shall we say – smarter. Yeah that seems more like the right word. Smart phones, watches, etc. Technology has certainly changed the face of our world drastically in the past couple of years. Well, thankfully, so for technological advancement which I dare say has made travel more fun and exciting. It’s improbable to think one will travel these days without a smartphone. That’s like the No. 1 gadget on any traveler’s list. I mean, who needs a

camera when you’ve got a good mobile phone like the new Samsung Galaxy S8, or the slightly bigger S8+. Being new, they may be a little pricey but seriously will you travel without a good smartphone in this age of social media? How will your

homies know you went on a safari without that selfie on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Speaking of selfies, you’re going to need a selfie stick for the best selfie experience – another gadget not to leave home without on a travel. Power banks are becoming absolute necessities, especially if you’re going to be on the road or away from electricity for some time. Imagine going on a hike, gorilla tracking, or some long activity that takes you out of the hotel for some hours and your phone dies on you! There’s no way that you should let that happen. Social media and all these apps drain battery faster than a basket leaks water, and if you’re a gamer like myself, a fully-charged power bank becomes key to an interesting travel adventure for sure. For those interested in photography, a mid-entry level DSLR is definitely a good gadget to pack for travel. They certainly give you more than phones can, especially when you have good telephoto lenses to capture distant images. Throw good earphones in the mix and you’re good to go, and if you’re really a tech junkie, a smartwatch will be right up your alley. You bet!

A 10000mAh power bank with two USB ports and an LCD display that shows how much battery juice is remaining.

Power Bank

2017//

#Style Man

Model: Ogbemudia Isibor Designer: Bosi&Charles Photography: Deji Olatunji

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Versatile Street

...speaks to diďŹ&#x20AC;erent ways to make a dress suit seem like you have a whole wardrobe.

2017//

SPORTS 34 - 37 By De j i Aj omal e- McWord

Fairways OPENING THE

OF AFRICA TO THE WORLD

S Western 34

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

The polo ﬁelds at Val De Vie Polo Village in Western Cape, South Africa has turfs, same measurement and would, therefore oﬀer same experience with that of Nigeria’s Mecca of Polo – Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in Kaduna

2017//

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

... a travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to Africa

WWW. AFROTOURISM .COM

2017//

UGA 38

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

ANDA

EXPLORE THE PEARL OF AFRICA

2017//

THE PEARL OF THE PEARL OF AFRICA:

UGANDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

The pearl of the Pearl of Africa:

O 40

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

COVER STORY

By Johanna Read

Of the Pearl of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many treasures, the most magnificent and unique are its mountain gorillas. 2017//

THE PEARL OF THE PEARL OF AFRICA:

UGANDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

3 5 ( 0 , ( 5 + 2 / , ' $ < 5 ( 6 2 5 7

)25 /8;85< $1' &20)257

SUHPLHUKROLUHVRUWV#\DKRR FRP 0ROHWH ,JEDUD 2NH 3 2 %2; ,JEDUD 2NH 2QGR 6WDWH 1LJHULD

3UHPLHU +ROLGD\ 5HVRUWV DV WKH QDPH LQGLFDWH LV D SUHPLXP UHVRUWV VLWXDWHG LQ ,JEDUD 2NH 2QGR VWDWH 1LJHULD 7KH IRXU VWDU KRVSLWDOLW\ IDFLOLW\ LV ORFDWHG ZLWKLQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW RI ,IHGRUH /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 2QGR VWDWH ZKLFK LV D VWUDWHJLF ORFDWLRQ WR DGMRLQLQJ VWDWH ZLWKLQ WKH VRXWK ZHVW RI 1LJHULD 7KH UHVRUWV WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW RI LWV NLQG ZLWKLQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW DQG ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW ZDV VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;FDOO\ ORFDWHG LQ ,JEDUD RNH GXH WR WKH VHUHQH TXLHW VSDUVHO\ SRSXODWHG DQG LGHDO ODQGVFDSLQJ LW LV HQGRZHG ZLWKÂ· &RPH DORQH RU EULQJ \RXU IDPLO\ ZLWK \RX VWD\ KHUH IRU D QLJKW RU IRU ZHHNV VWD\ KHUH ZKLOH RQ EXVLQHVV WULS RU DW VRPH NLQG RI FRQIHUHQFH HLWKHU ZD\ RXU KRWHO LV WKH EHVW SRVVLEOH YDULDQW

THE PEARL OF THE PEARL OF AFRICA:

UGANDA’S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Uganda’s Gorillas provide EMPLOYMENT in a region where there are few other jobs. Bwindi National Park employs over 300 people directly. The 50 staff at remote Ruhija station where I trekked include park rangers, trackers, and police officers. Tourists can also hire porters to carry their bags, and even to help push and pull them through Bwindi’s rough terrain. Hotels provide local jobs and artisans create products for tourists to buy.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

COVER STORY

2017//

Echoes of POATE 2017

Afro Tourism® was there, and the duo of Nkiru Osuji and ‘Niyi David brought back fond memories and interesting images from their Ugandan adventure… Enjoy!

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

ack in February 2017, Uganda hosted the third edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo POATE in Kampala, its capital city. The Expo which had the theme “Tourism Is Everybody’s Business” was held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel and a lot of top tourism personalities from East Africa, Africa and other parts of the world were in attendance. Among several things that took place during the event was the launch of the East Africa Tourism Platform EATP. However, before the event proper which took place from the 17th to 19th, the Uganda Tourism Board UTB organized a familiarization tour for participants who were all hosted from the 6th of February. Afro Tourism® was among and the duo of Nkiru Osuji and ‘Niyi David brought back fond memories and interesting images from their Ugandan adventure… Enjoy!

COVER STORY

TRAVEL TIPS

keep these at heart while visiting the pearl of Africa

Kampala

Presidential Republic

Ugandan Shillings UGX

197,100km²

241,038km²

38,319,241

+256

UTC +2

Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival

Required at the port of entry for some nationals. Check to see the status of your country. Visa on arrival is available and e-visa can be purchased online at https://visas.immigratio n.go.ug/

QUICK FACTS

Keep up to date with standard routine vaccinations.

Although Kampala is the capital, however Entebbe hosts the country’s only international airport.

43,938km²

English. Luganda is commonly spoken as well as Swahili, Arabic and other Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan languages

Tropical and generally rainy with two dry seasons from December to February, and June to August.

54% of the world’s mountain gorilla population can be found in Uganda close to her border with Rwanda and Congo DR.

Jinja is also the Adventure Capital of East Africa oﬀering several adrenalin-pumping activities such as quad-biking, bungee jumps and white-water rafting.

Light clothing.

3 5

The longest river in the world, the Nile has it source in Jinja, Uganda, ﬂowing through several countries before reaching the Mediterranean. Uganda is an important birding destination hosting 11% of the world’s bird species.

2017//

"My horn is NOT medicine"

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

... a travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to Africa

LET'S DO AWAY WITH THE SUPERSTITIONS BEHIND THE THRIVING ILLEGAL MARKET OF RHINO HORN. 2017//

By Efetobo Awhana

5 Reasons to Holiday in West Africa

hen I saw the signage with an African proverb, “For Tomorrow Belongs To The People Who Prepare For It Today”, I couldn’t agree more. My trip was indeed about preparing for tomorrow. As usual, before we launch the new product, I had to experience the attractions and inspect the possible hotels. This trip was to validate our strategy to focus more on inbound products to Nigeria and West Africa, and boy, was I surprised! Positively so. West Africa would usually not come into contention for tourists visiting or travelling around Africa. In fact, 2011 ﬁgures from Africa Statistical Year Book shows that West Africa received just a tiny 1.7% of tourist arrivals into Africa. These ﬁgures must change and change they will, if you pack your bags and head for West Africa this summer. What Memories are likely to remain with you forever? Why should you give a West African Tour Operator like me your hard-earned Dollar? (Or pounds or euro or yen etc.) Let’s look at 5 reasons to holiday in West Africa this summer.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Trace West African Slave History Lovers of heritage tourism will ﬁnd West Africa very Interesting. The region is made up of key trading posts roughly divided into four coasts: Pepper Coast – the area around modern Liberia; The Gold Coast – Ghana; Ivory Coast – Cote D’Ivoire for the trade in Ivory; and the Slave Coast covering Nigeria, Benin, Togo. One of the major reasons for my trip was to follow the slave trail for our West Africa Slave Coast Tour covering the 4 countries. The Slave Coast was a major source of African Slaves for British, French, Portuguese and Spanish slave traders from 16th – 19th century. Visit the Point of No Return in Badagry and feel some of the real slave shackles and instruments used, including the slave cells at The Seriki Abass Slave Baracoons. Continue to the Door of No Return in Ouidah, Benin Republic where slaves from the region were packed onto ships to unknown destinations. A few hours away another Door of No Return is open to tourists at the slave castles in Elmina, Ghana.

See Four Countries In A Day!

Country hopping is a hot trend in the tourism industry. The West Africa coast is a perfect candidate for that multi-country trip you have been dreaming of. You could literally visit four countries in a day! Not that I would advise you to do so anyway, as there’s lots to do and enjoy in every one of these countries. There’s something satisfying about sampling the hospitality and culture of people especially given that the West African coast is bilingual. This country speaks English, the next French. You could try the informal survey I started on my trip – Which of the Anglophone Francophone countries are more hospitable?

2017//

Laze on the Beach Why do humans love the beach so much? Is it because we were made from sand? And water is a major constituent of our bodies? Perhaps so. The mere mention of a holiday conveys time to raise your feet up and sometimes “bury your head in the sand”. Between the four countries, you have 1569 km of coastline. In my opinion, Togo which is the smallest with 56kms has made the most of her coast line with lots of hotels. If I were to judge the beaches however, the beach in Ouidah will be my best West African beach. It reminds so much of my honeymoon in Mauritius. Think turquoise water and clear blue skies.

Cool Lodgings When you hop this coastline, you will leave with the memories of really cool lodgings. From the over thirty-year-old Whispering Palms Resort in Badagry, with the allure of hanging out by the lagoon at night and a number of games available for guests. At the popular Casa Del Papa Beach Resort and Spa you can choose whether you want a seaside room or lagoon side. In Lome my favourite hotel because of the location on the beach and homely feel – the Residence Hotel Madiba, is named after the iconic Nelson Mandela. Less than two hours away from Accra you ﬁnd a number of lovely hotels straddling the Volta River. I have always loved the Royal Senchi but just discovered the Aqua Safari Resort, which in my book is probably West Africa’s best planned themed resort, located in the sleepy Ada Village in the Eastern Region.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Esie story The Esie museum houses the largest collection of soapstones in sub-saharan Africa. Another place where you can ﬁnd carvers working with soapstone is amongst the Kisii people of the Tabaka Hills in western Kenya. Some of the images were excavated by the archeologist not far away from the site of the discovery and other materials such as charcoal that was discovered with the images are dated back to 1100 years.

Pump Your Adrenaline Holidays are often times memorable by virtue of the kind of activities you engage in. For many, the more extreme the adventure, the better. Like the flyboarding activity in Lome which I was so keen to try. Imagine flying out of the ocean powered by a jet pack attached to your legs, iron man style. For those who cannot swim but want to enjoy something close to this they can try the buoy, a floater pulled by a fast moving Jet Ski. Other usual suspects for soft adventure in the region are kayaking, quad-biking, jet skiing, scuba diving and surfing.

Go on, pack your bags, West Africa is calling… 2017//

So MUCH in

Murchison

Falls

National Park

By Niyi David

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

FUNFARE IN

Murchison Falls NP is a massive 3,840km² expanse bisected by the Victoria Nile which squeezes through an 8-metre gorge cascading 45 meters over the rift valley wall to create the centerpiece of the park after which it is named.

ituated in the northern part of the Albertine Rift Valley where the massive Bunyoro escarpment merges into the expansive palm-dotted savannah of Acholi land, Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest and largest conservation area in Uganda. First gazette in 1926 as a game reserve, Murchison Falls NP is a massive 3,840km² expanse bisected by the Victoria Nile which squeezes through an 8-metre gorge cascading 45 meters over the rift valley wall to create the centerpiece of the park after which it is named. The park is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, the largest protected area in Uganda, along with the adjacent Bugungu Wildlife Refuge and Karuma Wildlife Refuge which serves as buﬀer zones for the park. Also included is the Budongo Forest Reserve which overlaps both Bugungu and Karuma.

2017//

So MUCH in

Murchison

Falls National Park

Flying in two days ahead of schedule from Kidepo Valley National Park, taking in the view before are touched down at Pakaba airstrip just after 18:00hrs

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

FUNFARE IN

Arrival Ahead of Schedule

hen Uganda set out to host the third edition of it’s Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo POATE in February 2017, Murchison Falls NP was selected as one of the places where the foreign participants at the expo would visit on the familiarisation trip organised by the Uganda Tourism Board UTB. We arrived Murchison Falls NP ahead of schedule – two days ahead. We were supposed to spend those two days at the Kidepo Valley National Park, another of Uganda’s wonderful safari destinations, but due to the unpreparedness of the facility we were scheduled to stay in, we had to leave a few hours after we arrived – sadly. After touching down at Pakuba airstrip, we hurriedly piled into a waiting safari Jeep and raced to catch the 18:00 ferry on the northern bank of the Nile at Paraa Crossing. Our new accommodation, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge was on the southern bank of the world’s longest river and we were not in the mood to wait the 30-minute interval idling on the banks for the ferry after such a long day. Thankfully, we made it to Paraa with about ten minutes to spare. Kabalega Wilderness Lodge took us in eagerly and after a refreshing dinner we retired to our rooms for a well-deserved sleep. It was the kind of sleep you don’t want to get up from – and it’s not even because of being in a sweet dream. Well the sleep had to be disrupted because of an early morning game drive. We had to head out early with our breakfast packed to catch the ﬁrst ferry at 07:00.

2017//

So MUCH in

Murchison

Falls National Park

Early Morning Game Drive:

ame drives take place only on the northern side of the park, a savannah with Borassus aethiopum (African fan palm), acacia trees and riverine woodland, while the south is dominated by woodland and dense forest patches. As the ferry took us across the world’s longest river to the northern bank, the sun rose to greet us and wish us well on our game-spotting expedition, presenting us a

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

picturesque perspective of a stunning sunrise on the Nile. It was a rewarding game viewing experience that lasted well past 11:00 as we drove through. We spotted a sleeping lion a safe distance, as well as elephants, buﬀaloes, impalas, giraﬀes, colobus monkeys, warthogs, birds of various species and hippos. The pick of the day was when we drove past the ruins of the old Pakuba Safari Lodge and spotted a hyena trapped between two porcupines.

Pakuba Safari Lodge used to be the choice spot and a favorite of the late Ugandan despot, Idi Amin. After he was ousted, the lodge was looted and destroyed and all that remains is a dilapidated structure that has become a haven for wild animals, since eﬀorts to rebuild it has not materialized. Unfortunately, we failed to get a good shot of the hyena and porcupines.

FUNFARE IN

As the ferry took us across the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest river to the northern bank, the sun rose to greet us and wish us well on our game-spotting expedition, presenting us a picturesque perspective of a stunning sunrise on the Nile.

2017//

the pick of the day was when we drove past the ruins of the old Pakuba Safari Lodge and spotted a hyena trapped between two porcupines. 60

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

It was a rewarding game viewing experience that lasted well past 11:00 as we drove through.

2017//

Chimp Tracking, the Waterfall A Cruise on the Nile:

n another early morning drive after moving in to Paraa Safari Lodge on the northern side, we spotted a pride of lions feasting on a fresh kill. We did cross the Nile again to the south banks and drove down to Budongo Forest Reserve to track for chimpanzees, while another crossing to the south banks was to get to the top of the water falls. We did enjoy an afternoon river cruise to the falls and spotted a host of animals such as hippopotami, waterbucks, elephants, water buďŹ&#x20AC;aloes, crocodiles and several bird species. Murchison Falls NP certainly teems with game and some animals like elephants and warthogs even roam close to the lodges.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

FUNFARE IN

Off to track chimp. We crossed the Nile once again, before a long drive to Budongo Forest to start the adventure.

2017//

The park rewards tourists with a delightful game viewing experience from its rich fauna.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

we spotted a pride of lions feasting on a fresh kill. 2017//

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

HIP! HIP!! HIP!!! HIPPO!

Among the many inhabitants of Murchison Falls NP, hippopotami can be spotted swimming in the River Nile or grazing along its banks. However, this polished dude can be seen maintaining its pose at Murchison River Lodge, one of the nice places to stay in the area.

So MUCH in

Murchison

Falls National Park

Impressive Accommodation Facilities:

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

FUNFARE IN

As you embark on this trip, you will notice different rock formations, especially the rocks settings that portray the image of different creatures

2017//

TASTE OF AFRICA 72 - 75 By Hazel Matebwe

Culinary health tourism and its role in sustaining the African culture

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

A Vegetables Herbs Spices. Organic vegetables

2017//

POULET DG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHICKEN DIRECTOR GENERAL By A frolems

his Cameroonian dish Poulet DG reminds me a lot of Dodo Gizzard except gizzard is used in the latter. The methods are similar but Poulet DG somehow just feels healthier. It may seem that way because of all the vegetables you can incorporate into the dish. I mean you can still do same with dodo gizzard, but, oh well... This dish is really easy to make and you can go crazy with the types of vegetables you choose to use. I just used what I had at home. Carrots and green beans are also nice to incorporate into this dish as they add a certain level of crunchiness to it. I did not have them and was too lazy to go out to get some. Hope you enjoy this dish.

1/2 teaspoon chopped ginger

1 pound of chicken breast

1/2 red, green, yellow bell peppers 1/2 bulb of onion

1/4 teaspoon of Chilli powder

Recipe for Poulet DG 1 74

SEASON THE CHICKEN WITH SALT, PEPPER AND SEASONING CUBES AND MARINATE FOR 1 HOUR OR TWO.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

CHOP YOUR VEGETABLES AND SET ASIDE.

CHOP YOUR PLANTAIN TO ANY DESIRED SHAPE, FRY AND SET ASIDE.

HEAT UP THE COOKING SPOON OF OIL AND FRY THE CHICKEN TILL ITS BROWN ON BOTH SIDES.

2 cloves of garlic

INGREDIENTS

POUR IN THE CHOPPED TOMATOES AND ONIONS AND FRY FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES ON MEDIUM HEAT.

Chicken director general cameroon food

1 finger of plantain

A handful chopped spring onions

(whole ripe plantain)

chopped vegetables

Seasoning

1 cooking spoon of Vegetable oil

Poulet director general Poulet DG

Salt to taste

Seasoned chicken

1 chopped tomato

Method 6

ADD THE REST OF THE CHOPPED VEGETABLES AND FRY WITH THE CHICKEN. THE VEGETABLES WILL PRODUCE SOME LIQUID ENOUGH TO PROPERLY COOK THE CHICKEN.

ADD YOUR SEASONING AND ALLOW TO COOK FOR 10 MINUTES ON LOW-MEDIUM HEAT

FINALLY ADD YOUR PLANTAIN AND STIR INTO THE SAUCE.

SERVE HOT.

Stir fried chicken and vegetables

2017//

By Sandra IDOSSOU

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know there was such an unbelievable coloured, enchanted realm of living coral garden life underneath the water until I visited Kisite.

A 76

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Discovering Kisite THE SECOND LARGEST MARINE PARK IN THE WORLD

A Glimpse into Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unexplored Gem We travel for experience, fun, and to know the secrets that the world holds in distance places. A greater pleasure is gained when the experience is turned into a story that everyone longs to read, and best when it is as unique as a visit to places oďŹ&#x20AC;-the-beaten-track! In this piece, Michael-Alvin Usifo takes us to some secret Africa jewels, what we call the UNTAPPED Africa.

S.E.E AFRIC A

www.afrotourism.com

UNTAPPED AFRICA

et’s start with a caveat; this piece is not for everyone! If seeing the world is not on your bucket list, you might do well to flip to the next page. But wait a minute; if you have fantasized about seeing the world, admired the interesting tales of well-travelled friends, or longed to be in a place only a few persons have been, then this is for you. I love to travel and I bet you do too; but I don’t go the usual one-way traffic; I go to places where I’ll have the bragging rights of being among the few lucky visitors. Here is the secret; there are many of such destinations in Africa

Two decades ago, nobody wanted to visit Africa. Fast forward to two decades from then and you’ll see how the tide has turned in the continent’s favour. Such is the good fortune that anyone who hasn’t been here has a huge gap in their travel experience. Prince Williams’ honeymoon in Mauritius formally unveiled Africa as the 21st century secrets haven of experienced travellers. If glorious golden beaches, streets free from tourists and crystal-clear waters among others are what you crave when planning a dream holiday, you can’t have it better anywhere else. However, beyond a blanket invitation, let me introduce you to some of the secret but beautiful places on the continent that even Africans don’t know lie in their world.

2017//

Mafia Island is like a rose flower, gently appealing but no doubt enchanting. It’s an off-the-beaten-track but no less a romantic and adventure destination in Tanzania predictably overshadowed by Zanzibar. Situated just a 30 minutes flight from Zanzibar off Tanzania’s coast, the Island completely overwhelms visitors with its own uniqueness, which is best defined as unspoiled. Mafia is to diving, what Zanzibar is to beaches. As an ocean glory with a Marine Park protecting its reefs, this Island seemingly has no equal in terms of diving and snorkelling. It offers plenty in terms of challenge and reward to advanced divers, and numerous sheltered bays and coves for novices and intermediate divers. It is also a peaceful beach and ocean wonderland, spiced up with historic and cultural attractions. In Mafia Island, visitors can take boat excursions to anywhere or find nice spots on the beaches or islets to sunbathe and picnic without fear of being hassled by hordes of hawkers and hustlers. There is also an air of adventure all over the Island as you can spend days fishing or exploring exposed sand bars and untouched reefs. The experience is fantastic, with great views of African bush and coastline. And there is plenty of opportunity to complement the experience with road safaris to surrounding villages for an appreciation of traditional life. At Chole and Jibondo for instance, visitors can watch local craftsmen make boats that are used throughout East Africa; Kirongwe village is famous for its clay pots, Jimbo for its ukili mats, among others. Plus, Mafia introduces an interesting dimension to Tanzania wildlife safari especially for twitchers as many species of shorebird can be found there. Check out the Nature Trail at Kinasi for different species of birds; you’ll find the black or white Dimorphic Heron at roosts in Chole Bay, different species of sunbird, migrants such as the Crab Plover, and other species found in coastal thickets and mangroves can also be seen on the Island.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Diver feeding group of ямБsh.

UNTAPPED AFRICA

MAFIA ISLAND, TANZANIA 2017//

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

UNTAPPED AFRICA

North Africa, precisely Morocco in this case, is renowned for great deserts, ancient architectural grandeur and thriving culture. Fes and Marrakesh are popular destinations among travellers to the Maghreb nation, but seemingly lost to many is an ancient imperial capital city called Meknes which in fact is a UNESCO world heritage site. Sultan Moulay IsmaĂŻl (1672â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty, was responsible for turning the then small provincial town into an imperial impressive and monumental city in Spanish-Moorish style. He built massive walls extending over 45 kilometes around the city, he also constructed nearly 50 palaces that were divided by way of gardens, barracks and stables, and erected great doors, among others. Today, Meknesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Medina is an important site for travellers interested in history and monument in the Maghreb. The Medina is a World Heritage Site with both medieval and modern architecture. It houses the Ville Imperiales, the ruins of the palace complex, residential and commercial districts. There is also the former Jews Ancient district and the Nouveau Mellah that is now known as Riad. The Madrasa Bou-Inania is about the most important building in the Medina. Its courtyard contains a shell-shaped well, used for ritual bathing. The ground marble and alabaster stuccowork is decorated with objects made with fine spatulas. Good news, these harmonious architectural blending built in 17th century are still well tucked behind the high defensive walls of the city and literally always leave new visitors agape on first sight. From the nine monumental gates, twenty-five mosques, ten hammams, palaces, vast granaries, vestiges of fondouks (inns for merchants), mausoleum, old royal garden that is now a golf course and private houses, one gets good testimonies of the greatness of the Almoravid, Merinid and Alaouite Periods. 2017//

MALEALEA, LESOTHO

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

UNTAPPED AFRICA Lesotho is a land of mountains. Its lowest point is 1000m above sea level which means the whole country is higher than most places on earth. Any wonder why the country is called the Kingdom in the sky. Most of Lesotho is quite difficult to reach, that’s why the country is a gem off the beaten track in Africa. Hiking, mountain biking and skiing, rock painting and footprints of dinosaurs are some of what attracts people to Lesotho. Basically, everything seems to revolve around the mountain, but Lesotho is a special place not simply because of the mountain but because of the people. The Basotho people are nice, friendly, and hospitable, and their culture is of global appeal. In addition to its mountain, the small country—surrounded by South Africa, offers tourists its unique history, vibrant culture, breathtaking beauty and a climate free from malaria and Bilharzias. Lesotho’s Mountains provide the litmus test for high altitude mountain climbing, 4x4 off road racing, biking, pony trekking and horse riding. One can also try out skydiving and parachuting. Because of its mountains, the country boasts of impressive waterfalls, whose feet are nice sites for picnics, canoeing, water sports, fly fishing, swimming and bird-watching. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, and affordable best define Lesotho as a destination in Africa. A visit to this mountain kingdom will unarguably leave you with a fresh perspective on Southern Africa.

2017//

TIAWI ISLAND, SIERRA LEONE

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

UNTAPPED AFRICA

Civil war and Ebola outbreak might have robbed Sierra Leone of its place on tourists’ radar for many years, these have however not taken away the country’s status as one of West Africa’s best kept secrets when you think of beach destinations and safaris. Now that the country has put its challenges behind; there is no better time to visit than now. Some of the amazing things to do in Sierra Leone include playing by the exotic beaches, swimming, snorkeling and other water sports. You can as well hop around the different Islands in the country and experience the uniqueness of each of them. No doubt the rejuvenation, Sierra Leone is a place to go; grace the sweet sands that rise from the soft waters of the Atlantic and explore the rainforest greens for wildlife and fun. Tiawi Island is one of the secret places to be in the country for a glimpse of what the country has to offer. It occupies a small but highly diverse area believed to have been glacial refugium, meaning that it was protected from the effects of glaciations during ice age. This has been used to explain Tiawi’s richness in high degree of species endemism. Today, the island remains one of last ancient rainforests in West Africa. The Moa River on which it is set add needed life to the 12-sq-km area it covers, ensuring that the area retains a bulk of its lush rainforest, unique and rich biodiversity, and a high concentration of endemic

species. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to one of the highest concentration of different species of primate and home to one of the most endangered animals in Africa, the pygmy hippos. Unfortunately, these animals paid dearly for the civil war that broke out in the country in 1991 because the area fell into rebels’ control, and the rebels found its over 135 species of birds, 11 species of primates, large population of pygmy hippos as good meat for food. Luckily, there has been a turn with the Island now made a conservation research project – known as the Tiawi Island Wildlife Sanctuary with effort to reclaim as much of what it lost to the civil war, and attract tourists and researchers to it. The efforts had yielded significant result, producing a landscape similar to those of Jurassic Park; portraying exotic palms, 200-foot kapok trees and giant bamboo plants. In addition, Tiawi share’s borders with Gola Forest Reserve and guests can extend a visit there, or simply go to the stunning River Number Two Beach for a good time—quite a distance apart though. Truth is, you never know how much the world around you is changing until you sail into it. Sierra Leone is thriving, it’s only a matter of time before visitors start lining up for entry permits.

2017//

AT NIGHT 88 - 90

By Niyi David

Kitwe blends you quickly into its day to day ﬂow of life, as if you have always been a part of its existence. It’s that kind of place that treats you with a familiarity that disarms you, giving you the liberty to search, explore and engage to the max.

KITWE Night Surﬁng in the Heart of the Copperbelt…

S.E.E AFRIC A

www.afrotourism.com

2017//

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

CROSSWORD 1

ACROSS

2. 4. 7. 9. 10. 14. 15. 16. 19. 20. 22. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

6 7

13 14

16 17

18 20

22 24

23 25

26 27

My goodness (7) Churchill (7) Largest of the Ssese islands (6) Second largest freshwater lake in the world (8) National bird in uganda (5) Area where Ndere Centre is (6) Seventh largest lake in Africa (6) City where the Nile originates from (5) Forest home of chimps (7) Longest river in the world (4) Popular Ugandan comedienne (8) Capital of Uganda (7) Pigmy people in Bwindi (5) Cultural troupe in Kampala (5) Nile ferry crossing at Murchison Falls NP (5) National park in northern Uganda ___Valley (6)

DOWN 1. Rhino Sanctuary (4) 3. Longhorn cattle (6) 5. First European to reach Lake Victoria (5) 6. "Place of many little birds" (8) 8. Language which give the country its name (7) 11. Founder of Ndere Troupe (9) 12. Popular banana/plantain meal (7) 13. Speaks Karamajong (8) 17. Archipelago of 48 islands in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria (5) 18. Raid on ________ (7) 21. On the northern shores of Lake Victoria (8) 22. Popular hill area in Kampala (6) 23. GriďŹ&#x192;n Falls forest, home of zip lining (6) 24. Impenetrable forest (6)

EclipseCrossword.com

1/1 28/07/2016

BRAIN TEASER

2017//

FREET by day

amously known as the city where some 1000 African American slaves were freed, Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone, located in the western area of the country. Partly bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the city is home to one of the world’s largest natural harbours and some of the most stunning beaches in West Africa. Although relatively unknown, Freetown is the perfect destination for tourists as it’s always lively throughout the day and night. The best time of year to visit is during the dry season (November to April) when you can really see

the beauty of the city, its beaches and green rainforests. Getting to Freetown is fairly easy from Europe as direct flights are 6 hours and only 2 hours from nearby African countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. When you arrive at Lungi International Airport, Freetown is just a 17km boat ride away. The atmosphere in Freetown is electric. The streets are busy with okadas zinging in and out of traffic, the markets are buzzing with hustlers and bustlers and the beaches are lined with fishermen baiting fish for the day. When the sun sets and the markets close, the streets are still alive with night stalls, bars and restaurants.

You can start oﬀ your morning at Crown Bakery on Wilkinson Road for breakfast where they sell the freshest, tastiest bread in town. Not too far along the same road, you’ll ﬁnd Tee’s Shopping Centre, which has the latest designer wear and electrical gear from abroad. For something more local there are dozens of markets like Big Market, Waterloo and Lumley markets. Big Market is

S.E.E AFRICA

based in central Freetown and is ideal for tourists who want to buy souvenirs and handmade furnishings. If you don’t like shopping you can visit the Western Area National Park and take a tour of Tacugama Chimpanzee Zoo and feed the chimps. In the centre of the city, there are a number of historical landmarks such as the Cotton Tree, where the city was

www.afrotourism.com

christened and the King’s Gate where the freed slaves passed through. As you go around the city you will notice the American inﬂuenced architecture; houses referred to as ‘old bode ose’. A couple of iconic buildings to look out for are Connaught Hospital, the ﬁrst West African

hospital to use western medical practices, and the Sam Bangura building, which is the highest building in the country. A trip to Freetown isn’t complete without a visit to the beach. The white sands and crystal clear waters at River No 2 and Tokeh beaches are

absolutely breath-taking. Lumley and Lakkah beaches have golden sands and are more popular as they are not as far out from the city centre. The beaches are the best places to relax under the sun, go on boat rides to the neighbouring islands or even surf the wild waves.

http://www.duﬀ.tv/blog/2015/10/20/freetown-by-night

DAY

TOWNby and night NIGHT Lumley Beach Road is still the main strip for a range of bars, clubs and more recently luxury hotels and casinos making the nightlife even more exciting in the city. Ok, Freetown is not quite like Las Vegas (yet) but the city is moving up in the world of night entertainment. Begin the night at a chilled out bar on Battas Street or Tee’s on Wilkinson Road where current and aspiring politicians meet and mingle. Tee’s is above its shopping centre so it’s the perfect place to wind down after shopping. Most of the hotels also have events on during the evenings like The Country Lodge where they usually host beauty pageants, launch events and jazz nights. The Hub Hotel and Radisson Blu have really cool bars and outdoor pools where you can chill out. Both venues are mainly visited by local and international professionals who ﬂock there for after work drinks. It can get very busy and

noisy at both venues especially when there’s a live football match on. If you like to party, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are some great nightclubs, with DJs playing the latest in Afrobeats, Hip Hop, R n B, House, Reggae and Pop until the early hours of the morning. O Bar, O’Casey’s and Vibe are established clubs highly attended by locals. The Warehouse, which is the newest club in town has already topped the list for best club as it hosts VIP parties for artists and celebrities from across Africa. Go further up towards Aberdeen and you’ll come across Lagoonda, which is one of 4 casinos on Lumley Beach Road. It is a luxury restaurant and gaming spot oﬀering a ﬁrst class dining experience serving a mix of European and Lebanese dishes. You can play on the gaming machines upstairs or sip cocktails and smoke shisha on the terrace.

2017//

LEISURE IN AFRICA 94 - 96 By Mil l icent Kai meny i

ZIP Lining

It takes about 45 seconds on the line, but it is the most adrenalin ﬁlled and fulﬁlling 45 seconds of your life.

S.E.E AFRIC A

www.afrotourism.com

Kereita Forest, which lies about 60KM from Nairobi, Kenya's capital city.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

2017//

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

KILIMANJARO TOURISM & INDUSTRY FAIR 2017 t-Africa Tourism ! as E to ay w te ga r u Yo

300+ exhibitors from Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda & Zimbabwe

17,000 m2 Fair & Entertainment Area 3 days Networking & Workshops for the Tourism Industry Online B2B Appointment Platform VIP Packages & Fam trips for international Agents / Buyers

2017

JUNE 2 -4 nd

African Fashion, Art & Crafts decor shops Acrobats, Artists & Culture on stage

Friday Saturday Sunday

2nd 3rd 4th

10 am - 6 pm 10 am - 6 pm 10 am - 5 pm

USHIRIKA SPORTS STADIUM MOSHI | KILIMANJARO | TANZANIA - EAST AFRICA

www.kilifair.com Organized by: KILIFAIR Promotion Company Ltd . P.O. Box 8545 Moshi . Tanzania . Contact: 0754 200580 . info@kilifair.com . www.kilifair.com

Go Places

“Familiar; this was our ﬁrst thought as we looked at the pink oleanders and smelt the damp earth after the rain. Our Jamaican experience was our baseline and from that, Tanzania looked and felt like home...” read on for Monica Brown’s fascinating story on her family’s trip in search of their roots

What happens when seven family members from Jamaica and the UK, from ages 23-84, decide to search for their African roots? The answer: a journey back to Tanzania and Zanzibar.

S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

2017//

Hindi Zahra at the Gnaoua Festival

ESSENTIAL ESSAOUIRA

WWW.AFROTOURISM.COM

Johann, Zanzibar's National museum

100 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

... a travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to Africa

Supreme spiritual delight is a guarantee for all travelers around the world while visiting the cradle of humanity – Ethiopia. The sacredness of visiting Ethiopia lies on coming back Home – visiting the grandmother of all humanity – and being able to reconnect with the source in the holiest place of Africa.

102 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Timket festival provides soul nourishing throwback experience of sacred music tradition – Ethiopia’s very own centuries old creative gift from the unsung music master.

Ethiopia HISTORICAL AND SPIRITUAL TRADITION FOR THE SOUL

2017//

103

Ethiopia

G ,

Ethiopian Orthodox followers celebrate Timket, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany

104 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Gondar is a city and separate woreda in Ethiopia. Located in the Semien Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region

FASILIDES CASTLE

ETHIOPIA

Young girls dressed in colorful traditional clothing sing and chant while accompanyin g the Tabot, a model of the ark of covenant, during a Timket procession as part of celebrations of Epiphany

2017//

105

Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany, Timket Festival.

Holy water is sprayed onto the crowd attending Timket celebrations of Epiphany, commemora ting the baptism of Jesus

THE SACRED MUSIC TRADITION

106 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany, Timket Festival.

Clergy playing the Begena, a traditional string based instrument, while accompanyin g the Tabot, a model of the ark of covenant, during a colorful procession which is part of Timket celebrations of Epiphany

2017//

107

108 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CELEBRATION OF EPIPHANY A large crowd of people sing and chant while accompanyin g the Tabot, a model of the ark of covenant, during a colorful procession which is part of Timket celebrations of Epiphany

2017//

109

THE SACRED JOURNEY

THE SACRED NIGHT

Escorting Tabots from the church to an open field around waterbodies is always embellished with so many soul enticing colorful details. Chanting hymns, drum beats, women’s happy ululation, cheers of Youth, and multitude applaus. According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the parade symbolizes the journey of Jesus from Galilee to the River Jordan. The dedication of the devotees tirelessly walking for two to three hours under the scorching sun of Africa is not only mesmerizing but inspiring! The dazzling white-river-like-pilgrims flowing in joyous tide through the historical city of Gondar enlightens the soul with Ethiopia’s very own white traditional clothing.

When the daylight give away to darkness, an enthralling scene arise to turn it into a sacred night. Devotees are lined up with their candles against the 17th century stone walled of Fasiledes’s Bath reflecting on their God - this is a mystical moment powerful enough to take anyone to Gondar’s glories days. People converge in a mass camp out, holding a candlelight vigil until dawn, reciting chants, listening to sermons in relation to the baptismal of Jesus, and praying. At the same time, they are excitingly waiting for another magical moment of Timket – to receive a blessing early in the morning via holy water.

110 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

THE SACRED MORNING Timket is a Ge’ez word meaning “immersion in water”. Timket is also a day to reenact the holy baptism for Ethiopian Orthodox Religion devotees. Early in the morning on Timket day and after the archbishop dips a cross to bless the water, that is when the soul moving moment arises as faithful and deeply religious Ethiopians passionately immerse themselves in the historical Fasiledes’s Bath which for a sacred morning serves as river Jordan in Gondar.

A journey to a sacred destination to quench a thirsty soul with a spirit which can be derived from ancient, colorful and deeply religious traditions still exists in the chosen land of God – Ethiopia.

2017//

111

Diary DIARY OF A HOT AIR CREW

THE WORLD FROM ANOTHER LENS:

LASGIDI TO LAS VEGAS! By Mojereola Mustapha

1. T R PA

T ***

112 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Travelling is a fool’s paradise. Our ﬁrst journeys discover to us the indiﬀerence of places”

“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character”- RWE. 2017//

113

hief Mike S. Amachree has put in ﬁve decades of active service in the tourism industry and is possibly the oldest tourism practitioner in the country. On March 16, 2017 at the Port Harcourt BANTABA organized by ATQNews.com the septuagenarian was honored as Father of Tourism in Nigeria. He spoke with Afro Tourism’s Niyi David.

HEROES OF AFRICA 112 - 113 By Niy i Davi d

ACHIEVEMENTS: CHIEF MIKE S. AMACHREE

FATHER OF TOURISM IN NIGERIA INTRO DUCTION

My name is Chief Mike Sunday Amachree. I’m a tourism practitioner by profession. I hail from Buguma in Rivers State. I’ve been in tourism business for over fifty years. I have a group of hotels called Brooklyn Hotels both in Lagos, in Port Harcourt, in Abuja and in my hometown Buguma. They’ve named me the Father of Tourism in Nigeria. Both the tourism association people and the press have named me the Father of Nigerian Tourism. As at now, I’m the oldest person in the tourism industry. I’m up to 75. So if out of seventy-five, I’ve used fifty-something years which means I started this business from the age of 21.

S.E.E. AFRICA MAGAZINE

PORT HARCOURT BANTABA

This is the third time I’ve attended their occasion, but luckily this one is in my home state, Port Harcourt. So I appreciate it so much that what we have been having in Lagos and Abuja has now come down to Port Harcourt. That’s why I appreciate Ikechi Uko for all that he has been doing. When Ikechi Uko started tourism business, he was just my small boy and I brought him through. I saw what is in him that he’s somebody who cannot just go back when he’s doing something. Whatever he has planned to do, he would do it to success before he moves back. So he has been successful. He has been doing this even in some African countries. Any time I’m doing an occasion, he makes sure that he comes to support me, and that is why I love him, and whatever he’s doing I also give him support.

It’s a very good magazine the way I look at it. You can put Rivers State, and even ask us to come and subscribe, and we’ll be pleased to do it. I recommend it to tourism practitioners, whenever they have tourism information, they can meet you to put their information in this your magazine. That’s the way I look at it. It’s good.

114 S.E.E AFRIC A

www.afrotourism.com

2017//

115

Bakare Mubarak Model Bio

Bakare Olalekan Mubarak is an award winning model and actor.

The seeds for my desire to explore African destinations were planted long ago. Fortunately, this dream came to pass when Afro Tourism invited me to come aboard the trip to Ghana. I looked forward to meeting and experiencing new people, culture, dance, art and so on. The 5-day road trip was tagged "CHRISTMAS IN GHANA". This backpacker trip took us to 3 cities in Ghana. We took off at around 8:02am. After saying our prayers we were served breakfast which was a perfect start for the long trip ahead. It was amazing crossing the various borders Seme border at Badagry Lagos; Benin Republic border; Togo border; and Ghana border at Aflao. It was fun changing my Naira to Cedis & Pesewas. We finally got to Accra at around 2am where we all boarded taxis and drove to our guest inn called the “Pink Hostel”, located at Asylum down, a suburb of Accra. Later in the day, we visited the Accra city mall. On our way to the mall, we learnt some interesting Ghanaian

116 S.E.E AFRICA

songs along the way, and became more excited passing by the “Flag Staff” house – which is the official residence of the Ghanaian president. At the mall, we checked out the ongoing Christmas fair, mingled with the locals, bought some souvenirs and headed back to the dormitory hotel later in the night. The next day was a bright Friday morning and we headed to the Kakum National Park at Cape-Coast. After a sumptuous breakfast, we kicked off our 4-hour journey to Cape-Coast. The experience at the park was simply wonderful. That was where I tasted the cocoa fruit for the very first time. We also walked on the majestic canopy walkway and took amazing photographs at the site. The next day was Christmas eve and we all looked forward to visiting the great Elmina Castle – our scheduled destination

www.afrotourism.com

for the day. We got there around mid-day. The sight could be simply described as awesome. Our tour guide explained that the legendary castle was built around 543 years ago. It was built by the Portuguese in 1482 & known as "Mina" of "Feitorai". Its strategic location by the sea made it a major channel for slave trade back then when Ghana was still referred to as Gold Coast. We took lots of amazing pictures and also did some shopping at the local cafeterias around the castle. The journey back was good. Looking back, the entire trip was a memorable experience; and I can't wait to have my way back to Ghana. Big thanks to the management of Afro Tourism for this opportunity to travel with such an amazing team.

MY GHANA ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE

Bio Babajide Awobona Action/Film maker, A creative entrepreneur.

GHANAâ&#x20AC;Ś YOU GAVE ME A NEW FAMILY

I am Babajide Saheed Awobona, a Nigerian actor and model. I never knew something else could take me out of my bed for days aside being on a movie set. I love my country, my home and my bed, but when I have to be out to run my 'Race of Passion' I painstakingly close my eyes and say good bye. The trip to Ghana came, I was scared , I was confused, I wasn't sure I could survive being away from the confines of my comfort zone, knowing fully well I wasn't going on a movie set! Fortunately, it turned out to be one of the best things that happened to me in 2016, I was glad to be in Ghana. The best adventure trip is the one you embark on with great people, intellectual minds, and smart fellows with beautiful hearts. We had the best of the mentioned on this trip, Sam, Nonso, Michael, Winqy, Yinka,Blacksatino,Uthman 47,

Deola, Ebun,princess,Paul, Gbenga,Eni,Mofeyintoluwa, Renn etc. They were all fantastic in their different ways,they turned out to be my new family, with them, I forgot my home in Nigeria, I forgot my bed , and I found a new home. Every moment with them was super awesome, we felt like we were all from the same womb and couldn't stand the sight of one another being sad, hurt or unhappy in anyway. Thank you Afro Tourism for giving me a new family.

WWW.AFROTOURISM.COM

2017//

117

Reflections: The power of Myths

Myths are essential parts of African moral codes. Much as they help pull societies together, they could play some dangerous roles in its development.

In this piece, Usifo Michael-Alvin explores some African myths and links them to Africa’s challenges towards development.

rowing up in Africa is an opportunity to mix freely with hundreds of peoples and play around many languages. It was equally a chance to be groomed amidst many fables that enjoy elevated garb of fact. I recall growing up believing the taboo that anyone who kills a wall gecko will end up so poor, he won’t be able to build a house. You don’t also harm the praying mantis because some unpleasant things might happen to you. More intriguing was the power of witches and the myths around them. From what I can recall, witches were powerful and they possess immense capacity for the unthinkable. They defy borders and technology, and can fly many distances, criss-crossing various national borders without passports nor aircraft. Besides, their presence is felt everywhere; from household to the corporate world, even in football matches. As a child, I learnt that Fifa banned the India football team because they used witchcraft to turn the football into all sorts of

118 S.E.E AFRICA

www.afrotourism.com

It’s easier to blame a jealous wife for the death of a man who had smoked all his life and died of tuberculosis than explain it as a fallout of the illness, while a drunk who drives off a cliff is easily pronounced murdered by a rivalrous brother.

sTORY BY: Michael-Alvin Usifo creatures during a match in order to scare away their opponent. I heard the story of a Nigerian footballer whose powerful shot tore a goalkeeper’s stomach because he had a diabolical mark on his left foot that helped him do impossible things. An uncle once told me the case of the wife of a famous drunken musician whose fortune nose-dived. He said she confessed that she was responsible for the musician’s misfortune. According to her,

she kept his voice behind a water pot and ants ate it up. Part of growing up for me was knowing that nothing happens ordinarily—especially death, a witch or something diabolical must be involved. In my community, every death was a murder—even the ones that can easily be traced to particular sicknesses and diseases. Of course, no one bothered to investigate the murder since a witch can easily be blamed.

This lame blame approach has in fact been elevated to modern realities. I asked a friend why there were economic challenges in some Southern Africa countries and he blamed it on apartheid, while my Western African friends usually blame theirs on colonialists— who had left about 50 years ago. The only harm in this is stultification of development. Africans have to step out and take responsibilities for themselves rather than blame others. We have to ask questions, confront the myths, shatter them with quality reasoning and deepen our debate in our search for home-grown approaches to development and policies. We have done enough of blaming; it’s time to face our realities—no one is responsible for our woes but ourselves.

Cerf Island Resort

…… a little hideaway in the heart of the Indian Ocean

info@cerf-resort.com Tel: +248 4294500 www.cerf-resort.com P.O.Box 1071, Victoria. Mahe. Seychelles