Wings issue 28 - September 2016 by Wings

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

ISSUE 28 SEPTEMBER–NOVEMBER 2016

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE OF ARIK AIR

GREAT EXPLORATIONS As part of Arik Air’s 10th Anniversary, Wings parties, relaxes, shops, eats and explores every country on the route map

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

Message from the Arik Air Family

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

This year marks a milestone in Arik Air’s history, as October will see our 10th Anniversary. ArikAAir huge congratulations to all of our hard-working employees, and a Anniversary Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel big thanks to our customers who have continued to fly with us. We would love you all to raise a toast to help us celebrate! Arik Air We look forward to lots of celebrations for the 10th Anniversary Anniversary across the entire Arik Air network over the comingTenmonths. years of Safe and Secure Travel Once again, we are delighted to announce the renewal of Arik’s partnership with Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary of Germany’s Lufthansa Airline. The company will continue Arik Air providing technical maintenance support to our fleet as it has done since our inception 10 years ago. Mr Jürgen Hupe, a Director at Lufthansa Anniversary Technik, noted that it was the company’s wish to continue handling the Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel maintenance work of Arik Air for many years to come. I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate our employees for their contribution towards the success that we achieved in the recent IATA Operational Safety Audit conducted by Wake QA (Ltd) on behalf the ArikofAir International Air Transport Association. This is a clear sign of Arik continuing to offer the highest safety standards to all our customers. Anniversary years of Safe and Secure Travel Over the last few months, a great amount of work has beenTenput into the planning and preparation for the opening of the Lagos Business Class Kitchen. I am delighted to announce that the new catering unit is now operational and that passengers now flying on our Business Class service to London, New York or Johannesburg can enjoy a new continental menu prepared locally and made specifically for Nigerians by Nigerians. In this edition, Wings celebrates Arik’s 10th Anniversary with a special feature shining a light on all of Arik’s destinations – we explore the fantastic events, people and places at each in turn, to help you make the most of your trip. Elsewhere, we look at food in the Bronx and London; a boxing club in Johannesburg; luxury boutiques; African fashion on social media; motivational techniques to enhance your productivity and the work of inspiring entrepreneurs. We hope that you will enjoy the 28th edition of Wings Magazine. Thank you for travelling with us today. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. Fly Safe, Fly Well, Fly Arik Air.

10th

EDITOR IN CHIEF Emma Woodhouse EDITED BY Owen Bailey DESIGNED BY Phil Millard

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PUBLISHER Inflight Publications Wings is published by Inflight Publications on behalf of Arik Air. Address editorial enquiries to editor@arikwings.com ADVERTISING SALES Nsikan Udo-Osoh ads@arikwings.com Call/Text +234 806 888 8686 Printed at Rotocayfo Impresia Ibérica, Barcelona All material is copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder. While every effort is made to ensure all prices and data are correct at the time of publication Arik Air is not responsible for editorial errors. Opinions expressed in Wings are not necessarily those of Arik Air and Arik Air does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any images or transparencies supplied are at the owner’s risk.

EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER

Wings is the inflight magazine of Arik Air and is published on a quarterly basis for Arik Air through Better Media B.V and its Nigerian subsidiary, Inflight Publications Ltd. The magazine is free to passengers on Arik Air flights worldwide. Please note that unsolicited manuscripts for publication in the magazine are not accepted. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Editorial materials and opinions expressed in Wings do not necessarily reflect the views of Arik Air or the Publisher. Arik Air does not accept responsibility for the advertising content and products and services mentioned within Wings are subject to change without prior notice.

10th

Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide Group CEO, Arik Air 3

ISSUE 28 SEPTEMBER 2016–NOVEMBER 2016

CONTENTS 22

36 SEAT 1A

FEATURES

10 LIFESTYLE

36 COVER STORY: GREAT EXPLORATIONS

The forefront of travel news and trends

14 GALLIVANTER What’s on and when at Arik destinations

16 REVIEWS Books, blogs, films, art and music

22 FOOD & DRINK

Wigns celebrates Arik Air’s 10th Anniversary with a guide to every destination on the route map

32 80

72 HOSTS WITH THE MOST In the age of e-commerce, a new retail trend is emerging: social shopping spaces.

Restaurants, food trends and epicurean adventures

80 HILLBROW BOXING CLUB

28 HEALTH & BEAUTY Wellbeing, trends and more

Meet George Khosi, founder of the boxing gym in Johannesburg’s most notorious inner-city area

93 ARIK ZONE

32 FASHION

86 HIVE MINDS

News, onboard information and useful contacts

A pick of the best online fashion blogs

Discover She Leads Africa, a female-focused entrepreneurial movement with progressive ideas

103 WINGTIPS Embark on the trip of a lifetime with Wings’ destination guides

CONTENTS

Contributors

Meet some of the talented people behind this issue…

Emma E Forrest

Rocky Casale

Emma has been writing about travel and lifestyle for more than 15 years. The former Global Travel Editor for London’s Metro International newspaper group, she has launched publications including Red Bulletin, F1’s only daily magazine and the only London free business daily, City A.M. Her experiences include writing at James Bond author Ian Fleming’s desk while staying at his former villa in Jamaica, interviewing Karl Lagerfeld, and being blessed by Mother Teresa on a flight. This issue, Emma takes on every destination, visiting and interviewing to find gems across the route network, for Arik’s 10th anniversary (page 36).

New York-based world traveller, Rocky writes about art, travel, food and design for publications including Monocle, The New York Times, The Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Whether he’s cycling on Easter Island or cruising the Amalfi coast, Rocky always returns to New York’s cosmopolitan charms. Rocky heads to the Bronx, to eat and drink his way through the city’s northernmost neighbourhood (page 22).

Timothy Anscombe-Bell Tim is the former managing editor of Monocle magazine, and writes for GQ and Esquire, among others. He lives in London’s Holland Park with his girlfriend, and a rather poorly behaved dachshund called Bogart. “I’m lucky enough to get to travel a fair amount. Having the time to explore new places is one of the most precious things we have,” says Tim. An avid adventurer, he recently ran a small apparel business out of Lagos, Nigeria. With a keen eye for all things fashion, design and shopping, Tim interviews retail entrepreneur Alex Eagle and explores a new shopping phenomenon (page 72).

Nana Ocran Nana Ocran is a London-based writer and editor who specialises in contemporary African lifestyles. She was Editor-in-Chief for the Time Out Group’s guides to Lagos and Abuja and is a pan-African trends watcher for the Paris-based think-tank, The Breakthrough Innovation Group. She loves spotting cultural happenings and trends on the continent. “I’m constantly learning, learning and learning some more about people and places across Africa,” she says. In this issue, she discovers Africa’s creative impact on the world, with exciting cross-cultural events and productions (page 16).

SEAT 1A | Lifestyle

Lifestyle | SEAT 1A

Located in South Kensington, London’s most elegant cultural heartland, The Exhibitionist Hotel is 32 rooms, 5 suites and 8 gallery spaces contained within a pair of beautifully restored 18th-century townhouses. It is a monochrome canvas for cool artists and trendy designers to splash with extraordinary works. Then every season, the hotel blinks, and remakes itself anew with another breathtakingly original collection.

The Exhibitionist Hotel is a boutique revolution, where you’ll discover that luxury isn’t luxury unless it’s curated

THEEXHIBITIONISTHOTEL.COM 6

8-10 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, London SW7 2EA | Tel: +44 (0)207 915 0000 | info@theexhibitionisthotel.com

Your passport to the latest travel, lifestyle & entertainment news 08

LIFESTYLE

GALLIVANTER

CULTURE LIST

FOOD & DRINK

HEALTH & BEAUTY

INFLIGHT RESPITE

FASHION

A closer look at the lastest technology and gadgets for the high-tech traveller

Your guide to the festivals, cultural highlights, parties and general fun and frolics at Arik destinations

Must-see events and entertainment from September to November and beyond

Wings takes a tasty trip around NYC's new foodie frontier: The Bronx

How to reach personal and career goals, with motivation expert Jackson Ogunyemi

Weird and wonderful words from across the route network

Social media feeds and style events for African fashion enthusiasts

GALLIVANTER

The finest contemporary African art on display at the Joburg Art Fair

SEAT 1A

LIFESTYLE The forefront of travel news & trends 1

High-tech, High-spec Wings takes a look at some incredible gizmos, travelling tools and (over the) top gear for the high-tech, high-spec traveller who likes to be prepared… WORDS OWEN BAILEY

1Walkie Talkie

GOTENNA, $199 PER PAIR No phone reception is, for some, just behind ‘no oxygen’ on the emergency scale. However, there are still some remote corners of our connected globe where mobile-phones won’t extend, and that’s where goTenna comes in. The weatherproof device turns your Android or iOS phone into an ‘off-grid communications

tool’, and enables groups of goTenna-equipped adventurers to stay in touch via text and share GPS locations on detailed offline maps. YOU NEED IT IF… You’re going off-grid and off-road

www.gotenna.com

2Sleepy Head

OSTRICH PILLOW, £65 Studio Banana Things has seen great success with its off-key

Ostrich Pillow – a comfy travel pillow which is designed to eliminate sights and sounds so you can nap with ease. It’s the perfect companion-piece for an economy-class flight or a bumpy overnight bus ride, and the company now has a mini version on the way, too, for an even more compact opportunity to take a nap and relax on your travels. YOU NEED IT IF… Sometimes, you 8

just need your own space www.ostrichpillow.com

3Macho Pictures

NIKON 1 AW1, £749 A new genre of camera – rugged, waterproof, shockproof and still versatile – has arisen over the past few years to meet the increasingly extreme expectations of today’s more adventurous travellers. The

Lifestyle | SEAT 1A

6 5

Nikon 1 AW1 is exemplary of the ‘tough camera’ breed, but differs in that it isn’t merely a point-andshoot fixed-lens model, and has two interchangeable lenses. It also shoots video, has decent enough autofocus and shutter speeds to keep up with rapid bursts of action, and can handle pretty much anything you can think of to throw at it including depths of nearly 15 metres and

drops from two metres. YOU NEED IT IF… You want to shoot anytime, anywhere

years of use.

europe-nikon.com

heat.thermacell.com

4Toasty Toes

5Cloud Sounds

THERMACELL FOOT WARMERS, FROM $134 The ingenious ThermaCELL range of products are lioghtweight, lithium-batterypowered insoles for your feet which, via a remote controller or app, heat your feet up to a preset temperature, then turn off to conserve energy. A thermostat for your feet, then, but although it sounds like a luxury item, if you’re trekking or adventuring in colder climes, investing in ThermaCELL could be the difference between a radiant and a frosty experience. ThermaCELL’s SmartCharge Technology also promises 2,500 hours of full charge, for

You’re getting cold feet about your next trip YOU NEED IT IF…

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOPLAY H8 WIRELESS HEADPHONES, £399 There’s certainly no shortage of headphones to lend your ears to these days, and the advent of Bluetooth wireless means no more annoying leads – in fact, Bragi has just released The Dash, the world’s first wireless smart earbud-style headphones, so there’ll soon be a new category to choose from. If you have the cash, however, and you want an immersive and stylish soundtrack to your travels, then Bang & Olufsen’s on-ear H8 ’phones have active noisecancelling, usable touch controls, 14 hours of a battery

life and, most importantly, superb sound quality. YOU NEED IT IF… You want music without interruptions and entanglements www.beoplay.com

Missing 6The Link

LEATHERMAN TREAD, FROM $165 Ably fulfilling the twin roles of being a chunk of manly-looking jewellery and a genuinely useful, travel-friendly wearable multi-tool, the Leatherman Tread bracelet is in fact 29 tools in one. An ingenious piece of design, each link of the stainless-steel bracelet (which is also available in black) houses one or more easily accessible potentially problem solving tools – these range from screwdrivers and wrenches to a bottle opener and a glass breaker, and the Tread 9

SEAT 1A | Lifestyle

Charity Case If there’s an incentive for reducing your outfit choices, it’s helping others. Make some room in your luggage for supplies and medication needed by community projects in over 15 African countries. packforapurpose.org

Everyday People Sometimes a website blows you away. NOWNESS is a movement for creative excellence in storytelling, celebrating the extraordinary of daily life. Vague description, but trust us. Check it out! Nowness.com

Laptop Living Digital nomads can pitch up in places like Bali, Miami or London, to a shared living and working space complete with everything you need: strong wi-fi, a chef’s kitchen, and maybe even the co-founder of your dreams. Roam.com Trends taking off Fads ready for landing

Not on my Watch …By that we mean roman numerals. Instead, check out this new Android watch face that tells the time in the Yoruba language. Moyinoluwa Adeyemi, a computer science graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, and co-organizer at Google Developers, created the fab new timepiece.

Food Fads Some nutritionists are raving about Huel, a powdered food that contains all the proteins, carbs, fats, and vitamins that we need. Starting with a pack of 28 ‘meals,’ you can ditch food altogether. Enjoy your dinner, I won’t be joining you. Huel.com

Terrible Toupee We’re supposed to avoid politics, so we’ll be cryptic: This November we wish for the demise of the evil overlord whose name rhymes with Ronald Frump.

will pass airport security with flying colours, too. A great gift for the mechanically-minded traveller who wants to feel ready for anything. YOU NEED IT IF… You’re travelling light with a lot of moving parts www.leatherman.com

7Swinging in the Rain

LAWSON BLUE RIDGE CAMPING HAMMOCK, $169.99 Hammocks – maybe they conjure up images of gently swaying to and fro in a breeze on the beach, dozing off with a caipirinha in hand… But for the jungle or wilderness explorer, a good one can be a lifesaver. And they don’t come any better than the multiple award-winning Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock, which is tough, lightweight and specifically designed for backpacking in harsh terrain, with a canopy and tarp to keep you dry and flying-insect free. YOU NEED IT IF… You’re off on an all-terrain kayaking, fishing or camping expedition www.lawsonhammock.com

8Backpack to the Future

PACK GEAR BACKPACK ORGANISER, FROM $40 Not all modern innovations have to be high-tech, as the PACK backpack organiser ably demonstrates. Consisting of an attachable pack with separate zippable compartments for your travelling items and clothes, it can attach to your backpack with special straps, fold into your suitcase, or – thanks to its clip-on handlestraps – it can double as a lightweight and portable wardrobe/deluxe washbag and laundry organiser when you're on the move and

audio engines upscale even compressed formats, and the promise of a truly highresolution soundtrack to your holiday may be enough to convince many travellers to take the plunge and upgrade their iPhones. YOU NEED IT IF… Music is your number-one travel priority www.sony.co.uk

10Video on the Fly staying in a variety of different locations. You see what you have at a glance and can get to it in a hurry – a great gift for the traveller who has everything, but can’t always lay their hands on it. YOU NEED IT IF… You spend more time on holiday rummaging than relaxing www.thepackgear.com

9Walk This Way

SONY NW-ZX2 HIGHRESOLUTION WALKMAN, £950 The Sony Walkman – the world’s first portable music system – has come a long, long way from the halcyon days of the early 1980s, when, despite its clunky simplicity, it sold around 200 million units. The present-day Walkman is a true audiophile affair, marketed as a top-grade listening experience with huge capacity (much more than one C90 cassette’s worth) and over 33 hours’ playback. Its smart

LILY CAMERA, £TBC The idea of high-tech drone cams that follow, film and capture your every move – be that snowboarding, surfing or even just sightseeing – from the air, is one all gadget aficionados are impatiently waiting for. Some are already available, but the soon-to-be-released Lily Camera promises to go one step further than the competition by being the world’s first autonomously flying, throw-andgo camera. Lily will either hover in place or fly at speeds of up to 25mph, automatically following its owner and taking a mix of close-up and wide, cinematic high-def shots, video and audio. It’s waterproof, too, and its optimal flying height is between 10 and 30 feet. Currently on pre-order; see the site below for more info. YOU NEED IT IF… You’re a globetrotting early adopter of new tech www.lily.camera

CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANKING

Ecobank’s Network Advantage oils the wheels of African industry Translate | Transact | Transform

Translating our local knowledge into business opportunities. Transacting swiftly and securely across 36 countries. Transforming Africa’s economies with landmark deals. That’s what we call The Network Advantage. For a corporate and investment bank that gives you the network advantage, talk to Ecobank. For more information call 0800 364 2227 or email Alleng-CCS@ecobank.com

ecobank.com

SEAT 1A | Lifestyle

Write To Happiness Wings picks a selection of smart productivity journals designed to enrich your daily life, improve your productivity and build a happier future

he days of the bulging Filofax and the irritating Blackberry are over – we’re in a whole new world of personal organising. But we're not just talking business appointments and planning your time here, because the new thinking in the field is to take control of your everyday habits, thought processes and everyday fulfilment by keeping a journal to help you achieve your goals. The mental health and emotional benefits of keeping a daily record of your thoughts are thoroughly proven, so maybe it’s time to start a journal yourself and see if it works for you? Here’s Wings’ pick of the best new ones to help you train your brain and find your happy…

Take Your Happiness Seriously?

THE DAILY GREATNESS JOURNAL, $44.95 A mix of a self-help programme, an interactive diary and a straightforward life-planning journal, The Daily Greatness Journal requires commitment. But if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing thoroughly, right? Hang on, I'll just write that down. The Daily Greatness Journal is packed with tips to help you ‘create your vision, master your mindset and follow your inspiration’, and provides an in-depth treatise on your ‘8 Daily Steps’ to happiness while helping you complete a ‘Greatness Blue Print’. There are also themed

versions, focusing on Yoga, Training and Business. dailygreatness.co

Want A Personal Happiness Trainer?

THE HAPPINESS PLANNER FROM £22 This journal keeps the focus firmly trained on happiness, positivity and gratitude, and takes a pen-in-hand, goal-orientated approach to improving these aspects of your wellbeing. The approach is much less on productivity than with some of the other journals here) and more inclined towards personal development, mindfulness, being aware of positive events and hopes for the future. Evaluation and reflection sections help keep you on course, over either 100-day or year-long versions of the journal. thehappinessplanner.com

Ready To Take Action?

BESTSELFCO SELF JOURNAL FROM £25 The Self Journal eschews the

yearly planning cycle idea of self improvement which some feel is quite an intimidating prospect,and instead, takes a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timebased) approach over a 13-week period. This means setting your own goals and targets, defining how you’'ll achieve them and then keeping track of your weekly Milestones as you do so, with time set aside every morning and evening to reflect. The Self Journal is the most business-focused of the journals here, but also aims to integrate your daily productivity with your long-term life goals. bestself.co

Does Your Heart Rule Your Head?

PASSIONPLANNER FROM $24.99 No sniggering at the back, there, please – this isn’t a Little Black Book. Well actually, it //is// a little black book (it’s also available in StayClassyBurgundy for //Anchorman// fans), but with a wholesome goal oft helping you to follow your passions. You’ll complete Passion Roadmaps, Wishlists and Gamechanger Mindmaps, before creating weekly and monthly priorities. At the end of each month, a Monthly Reflection section will help you keep your goals on track and prepare you for the next step of the journal journey. www.passionplanner.com

SEAT 1A

GALLIVANTER What‘s on & when at Arik Air destinations

Hi-Impact Planet When September onwards Where Lagos Keep your kids quiet in mind-numbing Lagos traffic with the promise of a ride on the Dream Machine flying carousel. The ride is one of over 40 games, rides and African-themed side attractions to keep kids of all ages entertained, everyday of the week from 12 noon to 5pm. There’s a 40-metre-high ferris wheel, bouncy castle, ice rink, Watermania, and simulation rides; and for the weary parent who needs an unbiased opinion, a talking tree. You don’t have to subject your happy brood to slotting back into the traffic, either. In addition to a food court, clinic, a Maxi Cinema,

go-kart arena, mini bowl and an executive lounge, luxury apartments are available for overnight and extended stays. Tickets are free for under-twos and start at N10,000 for everyone else. hi-impactplanet.com

Black Star When 17 October to 31 December Where London

Star Gazing The BFI in London will host Black Star, a season celebrating black actors and filmmakers.

Despite it being 2016, there is still a dearth of black faces and black voices on screen; Black Star is a welcome panacea to this, bringing an entire season of film and television featuring black directors and actors to BBC channels and cinemas across the UK. There are several themes being celebrated, from leading men of classic Hollywood like Sidney Poitier and British homegrown talent like Idris Elba and Sophie Okonedo, to big screen icons like Dorothy Dandridge and emerging talents such as Gugu Mbatha-Raw and John Boyega. As well as television, the Black Star season at the BFI includes screenings of classic game-changers like In The Heat Of The Night and Boyz N The Hood, as well as a professional development programme for black British writers and directors; plus over 250 screenings and events throughout the UK. From Friday 18 November to Monday 21 November, join Nollywood star Nse Ikpe-Etim and others in Beyond Nollywood, curated by Nigerian film expert, Nadia Denton. The three-day programme showcases filmmakers who are revolutionising the industry. The programme takes inspiration from Nadia Denton’s book The Nigerian Filmmaker’s Guide To Success: Beyond Nollywood. Films include 419 – How Nigeria Was Scammed Out Of Its Rightful Identity, and No Good Turn, in which a doctor and police officer come to terms with the repercussions of a Boko Haram attack. bfi.org.uk/blackstar nadiadenton.com

Gallivanter | SEAT 1A

Lagos Photo Festival When 22 to 23 November Where Lagos

The Johannesburg Art Fair has grown year on year, with the first international art fair in Africa seeing dozens of galleries exhibit at the Sandton Convention Center. Since its inception, it has provided a focal point for artists, collectors, galleries, and art lovers of all stripes. Works by Wangechi Mutu and designs by Kossi Aguessy are featured this year, and overall, 90 exhibitions will display work from 12 countries across Africa, the US, and Europe. A major highlight of the Art Fair this year sees thought-provoking presentations at the first-ever TEDxJohannesburg Talks series, looking at the contemporary visual arts of Africa.

The Lagos Photo Festival is a stunning snapshot of Nigeria’s wealth of photography talent, with a reputation for thoughtprovoking exhibitions and themes that skewer outsider’s expectations and broad notions of Africa. This year’s theme is ‘Rituals And Performance; Inherent Risk’, which explores the repetitive acts that shape social constructs, identity, and power in society. The theme invites documentary and conceptual photography alike. This year, dozens of galleries will exhibit works as different as Namsa Leuba’s statuesque technoflecked portraits of African female archetypes; Hassan Hajjaj’s playful and provocative exploration of Moroccan street markets, and This Is What Hatred Did, a ghostly study of the Makoko slum.

fnbjoburgartfair.co.za

lagosphotofestival.com

Johannesburg Art Fair When 9 to 11 September Where Johannesburg

Thanksgiving Day Parade When 24 November Where New York City

The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a behemoth on the New York calendar, with a warm place in the hearts of New Yorkers everywhere. Popularly called the Macy’s Day Parade for the department store that has sponsored it since 1924, it’s perhaps best remembered for the enormous character balloons that bop between the skyscrapers — everyone from

Superman to Mickey Mouse can be seen floating in the crisp November air. Far below is the parade itself, which sees thousands of marching bands, floats, dancers, cheerleaders, and clowns entertain the many crowds that line the streets. It attracts about 50 million television viewers each year, but there are so many places to watch it from that it’s much better to watch it in person. The best place vantage point is from Central Park West – get there before 7am for a front-row spot.

social.macys.com/parade

Africa International Film Festival When 1 to 20 November Where Calabar Most film festivals are starstudded affairs that don’t spare the glamour, and the Africa International Film Festival is no exception. The annual festival has been dubbed ‘Nollywood meets Hollywood’, with the whole gamut of local and international stars alike rubbing shoulders with the 10,000 attendees present. In the six short years the festival has been on, it’s earned a reputation for showing powerful films spanning features, documentaries, animations, and shorts. There are also stellar supporting events, from workshops to training events, cultural excursions, Q&A sessions – and, of course, the fabulous parties that are the highlight of film festivals the world over. afriff.com

GidiJand When 20 and 24 September Where London British Nigerians will recognise the slang term that has given this musical project its name: ‘Gidi’ and ‘Jand’ for Lagos and London, twin cities for a project that started out as a mobile studio with ambitions to turn the streets of Lagos into a recording studio. Housed in a city transporter bus known locally as molue, the organisers – Afropop Live and SoundThread in partnership with the British Council and Goethe Institut – began gathering musicians, DJs, spoken-word artists, rappers, and instrumentalists, setting up in key locations around Lagos, and letting the city itself dictate the creative direction. GidiJand is now starting up in the UK, bringing some of that Naija magic to London, with music workshops, collaborations, and new music by Temi DollFace, Wuru Samba and others. Two shows take place in East London, at the Rich Mix on 20 September and Hoxton Hall on 24 September. gidijand.com

SEAT 1A

CULTURE LIST Books, blogs, film, art & music

Africa International From cross-cultural photography in London, to Africa-influenced publishing in Berlin and area-themed postcards in Harlem, it seems the world is the continent’s creative oyster WORDS

NANA OCRAN

Photography ITALY VS GHANA A first-time creative partnership for Ghanaian street and studio photographer James Barnor and Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni has manifested in a special, one-off exhibition at London’s October Gallery. By documenting street-smart and playful images of stylish African men and women, both photographers expose their cultural and generational takes on their African subjects. Barnor – a sprightly 87 year old – showcases black-and-white as well as colour images of sharp-looking Ghanaians in 1960s Swinging London, while Tamagni – the award-winning photographer of the 2007 Congolese dandies Sapeurs Of Brazzaville project – highlights the compelling fashion subcultures that exist throughout contemporary Africa. The exhibition follows the launch of the publications Ever Young, by 16

James Barnor and Fashion Tribes, by Daniele Tamagni. The Daniele Tamagni and James Barnor exhibition shows at the October Gallery, London until 30 September.

Book A WORLD OF AFRICAN ART AND DESIGN For the best part of a decade, ‘Africa rising’ has been a global mantra that’s been talked up, celebrated and analysed through conferences, magazine covers and countless news stories. Even the combination of negative ‘slowdowns’ or pinpointed crises dotted around the continent hasn’t stopped the ‘rising’ narrative from growing into a social (and an economic) movement from African town to city and beyond. However, it’s within the realms of creativity that the accelerated rhythm of the continent has long created a swirl of international interest,

Focus On Style Daniele Tamagni’s images are exhibited together with James Barnor’s at London’s October Gallery.

Culture List | SEAT 1A

Eight seconds In the digital age of emojis and Likes, our attention span has shortened to one second less than that of aâ&#x20AC;Ś

Have we kept your attention for eight seconds? Now turn off your Facebook Notifications and turn to page 35

SEAT 1A | Culture List

This page: Africa Rising A selection of images from the new 336-page creative showcase, Africa Rising.

Aesthetically eye-catching, Africa Rising highlights an eclectic range of creatives both well-known and underground

and a new Africa Rising publication is continuing this focus. Bold and undeniably good-looking, this book devotes 336 pages to the fresh, new and not so new, as well as firmly established design, designers, artists, musicians and photographers who represent the continent through their work and culture. The publication is the result of a savvy, editorial partnership based on an in-house idea by Gestalten Books (Berlin), the publishing house made famous 18

for its well-conceived books on contemporary creative culture, and its collaboration with Design Indaba (Cape Town), famed for its annual festival, events and online publications. Aesthetically eye-catching, Africa Rising highlights an eclectic range of creatives both well known and underground, with dynamic names including Ivory Coast fashion designer Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud; master indigo dyer Aboubakar Fofana; the playfully afro-futuristic designs of Sereina Rothenberger and David Schatz, South African designer Rich Mnisi, and Burkinabe artist and designer Hamed Ouattara, among so many others. The publication also exposes the worlds of Cape Dutch architecture and artisanal

GLOBAL AFRICAN AUDIO

A playlist of essential Africa-themed podcasts featuring a range of global voices and ideas

AFROPOP.ORG A series of podcasts exploring the influences of African music around the world, including 1990s UK dance music, Afro-Brazilian pop and the sounds of Nashville in Nigeria.

SOUNDAFRICA.ORG From flights of scientific fancy to continental cult crimes, this is an audio space for creative non-fiction from the African continent by African and non-African storytellers.

THE CHICKEN & JOLLOF RICE SHOW Africans, African-Americans and AfroCaribbeans can all tune in to this firstgenerational podcast from four hosts who talk news, politics, activism, culture and everything in between. cnjrshow.com

Culture List | SEAT 1A

must-have, artistically designed, highly visual book is a welcome addition to the wonderfully evolving Afro-cultural story. shop.gestalten.com/africarising.html

Exhibitions

Card Lines A Cage In Harlem by John Jennings (above) and Streetspeak by Miatta Kawinzi.

farming, sustainable architecture, the various methods and means of African craftsmanship, sculpture and street photography as well as new African travel experiences. Complete with a series of chapter essays by international writers including Design Indaba editor Katie de Klee, fashion journalist Malibongwe Tyilo, arts writer Anny Shaw, arts practitioner Layla Leiman and travel writer Jeff Trollip, this

NEW YORK STORIES Picture postcards with a neighbourhood theme are behind this ongoing project at the Studio Museum Harlem. Until the end of October, limitededition prints titled and designed by four artists – Alannis Alba, John Jennings, Miatta Kawinzi and Nontsikelelo Mutiti – will be available for free to visitors. The images represent this northern section of Manhattan as a site of ‘cultural activity, political vitality and cultural stimuli’, so be ready to pick up A Cage In Harlem by co-founder of the Afrocentric Comic Book Convention, Jennings; Perspective by Alba; Streetspeak by Kawinzi and Mutiti’s Masimba Avanhu?

SEAT 1A | Culture List

(Power To The People?), featuring Afro pick combs with Black Power fist-salute handles. studiomuseum.org

BROOKLYN’S FINEST Among the Brooklyn Museum’s programme, a big draw is the

Double Take 20th-century Kuosi Society Elephant Mask on display in the Brooklyn Museum

Double Take: African Innovations exhibition. An experimental focus on traditional art and artistic expression from the continent, the exhibition is split between two specific areas whereby 40 objects in the main first floor East Gallery – all

carefully organised into small groups – are based on themes of power, satire, the body and virtue, among others. In an adjacent storage annexe, around 150 other pieces of African art are held for public view. Here, visitors can respond to the works

in ways that provide an opportunity for the venue’s curators to explore themes. Double Take: African Innovations is an ongoing exhibition held at the Brooklyn Museum. brooklynmuseum.org

A weekend celebrating the new generation of Nigerian filmmakers revolutionising the industry including Nse Ikpe-Etim in Conversation and a gala screening of Green White Green: And All the Beautiful Colours in My Mosaic of Madness

18 – 20 November 2016 BFI SOUTHBANK

Image: Osborne Macharia ‘MADIGAGA’ from The Story Within by Andy Mundy-Castle

BEYOND NOLLYWOOD

SEAT 1A

FOOD & DRINK Restaurants, recipes & epicurean adventures.

A Bronx Tail Ride the 6 train up to the Bronx, New York City’s northernmost borough, to discover some of the city’s greatest old and new restaurants, bars and pastry shops WORDS ROCKY CASALE

or food lovers, much of what makes the Bronx, and New York City in general, such a fascinating travel destination is its abundant supply of tasty ethnic cuisine. In the Bronx, much of that cuisine is Italian or Hispanic, reflecting the early populations who settled here and opened restaurants, bakeries and takeaway shops. Today, this multicultural NYC borough is an incubator for all-star chefs, such as the Bronx-born pastry chef, Malcolm Livingston II. It’s also the latest hive for young restaurateurs and mixologists.

City Island Lobster House

Half the delight of eating here is travelling to City Island and noshing on the waterfront. This famed lobster house is an institution for its catch-of-theday seafood and laid-back, beachy environment. They also cater for private parties of 20 to 100 guests. Buttery lobster tails, lobster rolls, Maryland crab 22

cakes, king-crab legs, shrimps, clams and all the usual suspects are featured on the restaurant’s lengthy menu. They also cater to non-seafood lovers, with dishes like baby back pork ribs and have a children’s menu with burgers, fries and chicken tenders. cilobsterhouse.com; 691 Bridge Street City Island, NY; 10464

Pine Bar & Grill

The mostly Italian menu at this new bar and grill is as extensive as it is straightforward: fancy sandwiches or ahi tuna tartare, for instance. It refers to itself as an ‘American grill with Italian flair and Manhattan ambience’: this essentially means that, when compared to most of the old-school Bronx restaurants, the decor is modern and the rooms are spacious. It also means that food is served attractively. The bar serves tasty cocktails, too, like the Bazz-Berri Thyme Smash made with Hendrick’s Gin, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, muddled

raspberries and a thyme sprig.

charliesbarkitchen.com; 112 Lincoln Ave, Bronx, NY; 10454

pinebargrill.com; 1634 Eastchester Rd, Bronx, NY; 10461

De Lillo Pastry Shop

Charlies Bar & Kitchen

The Mott Haven neighbourhood in the Bronx is what Charlies Bar & Kitchen cites as the inspiration behind its food and drinks. The restaurant’s low-lit bar and high tables and stools are typically occupied by local artists, students and gangs of young professionals, who swing by to listen to a Latin band, hear a DJ set or attend one of their themed brunches, like the ‘Totally 80s Brunch’. Brunch here is wildly popular, where the menu is packed with heavy, yet flavoursome items – like pulled-pork Eggs Benedict or shrimp and grits with summer ale sauce, cheddar cheese and a poached egg.

Since 1925, this historic Italian pastry shop in the Bronx has been, and still remains, a big draw for residents from all over the city. It is famed for its freshly baked confections of everything, including traditional Italian desserts like cannoli, homemade gelato and tiramisu. Chefs also prepare sheet cakes by request, and offer some delicacies that are difficult to track down elsewhere in the city, such as Neapolitan cream-filled babas and cream sfogliatelle. This isn’t just a takeaway pastry shop, either; De Lillo’s provides an outdoor seating area where you can sit down with a coffee and enjoy your sweets. delillopastryshop.com; +1 718 637 8198; 610 E 187th St, Bronx, NY; 10458

Food & Drink | SEAT 1A

BLOG PARTY Make the most of your stay with these culinary stes, blogs, tours and services BRONX FOOD BLOG This local blog is a handy reference for finding food events, tours, farmer’s markets and so on that are specifically happening in the Bronx. You can locate Bronx breweries and find out where to eat the best pizza, tacos or beans and rice. The blog also shares links from other publications about all things food in the Bronx. bronxfoodblog.com

Must-see Food City Island Lobster House offers New Yorkers an enticing catch of the day. (Below) Ethical Espresso Birch Coffee sources fresh Fairtrade beans from Cota Rico and Tanzania.

Birch Coffee

This coffee chain can be found throughout the city and recently opened its newest venue in the Bronx. The move here signalled a bit of fear among locals that gentrification was coming to take over the borough. Soon, this general feeling faded once locals started turning up to try the shop’s long list of speciality coffees. The farm-to-grinder ethos sees Birch sourcing freshly dried beans from Costa Rica and Tanzania, which roast in nearby Long Island City. Birch also serves freshly baked pastries like scones and danishes. Another side to its coffee ethos centres around sustainable farming, community outreach and Fairtrade rights for farmers, so you can feel good about where your coffee is coming from. birchcoffee.com; 866 Hunts Point Ave, Bronx, NY; 10474

NOSH WALKS For over a decade, this food tourism company has been tramping through the Bronx with tourists. During each tour there are tastings, and guides explain along the way about the diverse cultures represented in the borough that make it one of New York City’s most exciting places to eat. noshwalks.com/toursfood-bronx.htm GRUB HUB If you’re pressed for time and unable to make it to the Bronx, but want to try a few of the local restaurants’ dishes, Grub Hub will deliver to you. You can browse menus from local Bronx menus – even those that don’t deliver – and Grub Hub will collect your order and bring it direct to your door. grubhub.com/delivery/ ny-bronx SERIOUSEATS.COM This well-known national food-news website does a good job of reporting on where and why to eat in cities and neighbourhoods all over the US. This Bronx guide is a good start for anyone wanting to spend a day trying out some of the local flavours. newyork.seriouseats.com/ the-bronx

SEAT 1A | Food & Drink

Six Of The Best Wings picks six of London’s finest food-and-drink festivals to titillate the tastebuds this Autumn

London Oktoberfest Between 29 September and 9 October Millwall Park, Canary Wharf Munich’s annual Oktoberfest is Europe’s biggest party, with over six million visitors consuming 6,500,000 litres of beer over 16 days… The largest-capacity tent fits in nearly 10,000 people. If you can’t make it there, though, you can still pull on your dirndl and lederhosen and enjoy a smaller scale, but just as enjoyable version, at London’s Canary Wharf – complete with authentic Bavarian beer and schnitzel, oompah music and searing hangover. london-oktoberfest.co.uk

African Food And Drink Takeover

2 to 4 September Southbank Centre The Southbank Centre’s Africa

Flavour Saver (top right) London Restaurant Festival offers an inexpensive ticket to top-class cuisine.

For The Grillseekers Music meets… well, meat, at London’s Meatopia Festival.

Utopia festival of arts, ideas, music, dance and more ends in September with an African Food And Drink Takeover, featuring a range of spicy street food, courtesy of Pop Up Africa. 35 vendors represent the food of the continent, and the three-day outdoor event also has a series of live cooking demonstrations, so you can learn to cook your own delicacies.

Life Is Sweet Choclate fashion shows and more are on the menu at The Chocolate Show.

Taste Of London

southbankcentre.co.uk

Meatopia

2 to 4 September Tobacco Dock This carnivorous carnival began in the US and the UK version is now in full swing, bringing a dizzying portfolio of ethically sourced meat vendors and the world’s finest chefs to Tobacco Dock to show their wares and demonstrate their culinary skills. There’s also a full three-day

festival of DJs and eclectic live music, from the misplaced DJ Tofu to Norman Jay MBE, to keep the crowds entertained and helping you eat meat to the beat. meatopia.co.uk

17 to 20 November Tobacco Dock A star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs, live cooking, craft-beer tastings and hands-on cooking classes is on offer at Taste Of London, together with small-plate signature dishes from London’s finest restaurants. There are also markets selling artisan and boutique foodstuffs. Each festival day is divided into afternoon and evening sessions, and no need to book a table anywhere before or after, because you won’t be going away hungry. london.tastefestivals.com

The Chocolate Show

14 to 16 October Olympia National Hall Beat the Winter blues while you’re in London, by indulging your sweet tooth at the capital’s biggest celebration of chocolate. As well as every chocolate confection imaginable, there are chocolate-making workshops, cookery masterclasses, a children’s area and even a Chocolate Fashion Show, which takes place every day, and showcases “a stunning collection of couture chocolate dresses designed by top fashion designers and chocolatiers” on the catwalk. thechocolateshow.co.uk

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Food & Drink | SEAT 1A

STUDY IN OXFORD

KITCHEN CRAFT Three out-of-the-ordinary new cookbooks to broaden your foodie horizons

iGCSE / A Levels / University Pathway

THE HEALTHY LIFE Jessica Sepel, £25.75 A new phenomenon of celebrity food-and-fitness gurus is upon us, exemplified by the likes of Joe Wicks with his immensely popular Lean In 15 books and dietary plans. Australian author, nutritionist and health blogger Jessica Sepel is another, and her book, The Healthy Life, represents a complete health plan for glowing skin, healthy digestion, weight loss, less stress and more sleep – all for less than the cost of a month’s gym membership or a set menu for two at your local Indian restaurant. jessicasepel.com

FLAVORWALLA Floyd Cardoz, £20 Floyd Cardoz owns several successful restaurants, including New York’s Tabla, and in this book he aims to show how he uses spices to ‘amplify the flavours’ in over 100 recipes. Dividing the recipes into categories such as Dinner For Two, Weekday Meals and so on, Cardoz even includes a recipe for the family

London Restaurant Festival

1 to 31 October 350 venues The London Restaurant Festival has two main components – Restaurant Experiences and Festival Menus. The former features a series of chef-hosted events, tasting events and

dog, and his ingenuity with spice and flavour shines through, while he keeps the recipes accessible and not too intimidating for beginners. floydcardoz.com

LUCKY RICE Danielle Chang, £19.99 Subtitled ‘stories and recipes from night markets, feasts and family tables’, Danielle Chang – the founder of longestablished US pan-Asian food festival, Luckyrice – weaves together contemporary Asian recipes with the stories, traditions and techniques behind them. The food cultures of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and more are explored here, and Chang provides festive menus as well as chapters on cocktails and desserts. luckyrice.com

restaurant-hopping tours; while the latter is a London-wide promotion showcasing menus from £10 to £60 in over 200 family friendly London venues, offering the opportunity to visit Michelin-starred restaurants for less and leaving you no excuse but to eat out somewhere new. londonrestaurantfestival.com

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11:51

SEAT 1A

HEALTH & BEAUTY Well-being, inside and out

Motivated Mindset Take control of your thought processes and you can reach your career, fitness and relationship goals. Motivational coach Jackson Ogunyemi tells us more… WORDS

EMMA E FORREST

chieving your life goals is easier than you imagine,” explains motivational coach ‘Action Jackson’ Ogunyemi, reassuringly. “If you can think, you can change your life.” The author of no-nonsense self-help tome Shut Up & Take Action says that the only thing that is holding many people back

in their career, fitness or relationship is their inability to manage their thought processes. Ogunyemi, who was raised in both Lagos and London, grew up in the church, which he says meant his mind was predisposed to positivity. Inspired by meeting American motivational speaker Les Brown, he started giving his own talks while he was still at university. He now works with young people, empowering them to find confidence and success and take charge of their lives, through talks, group workshops and one-to-one mentoring – an experience he describes as a bit like working as a personal trainer on fitness goals. “Most people know what they don’t want out of life,” he says, “and usually, that’s an indication of what they do want. Then we can begin to craft the script of the life they want to lead. I put them in the position of being the director of a

Action Scriptwriter Jackson Ogunyemi helps people identify what they want from life.

new movie. You get to write the script and act it out. “Negative thoughts release negative chemicals,” he adds. “So you need to flood your mind with positive thoughts that your

brain can build around. Your thoughts affect your emotions, which affect your actions, which affect your results,” he explains. “Change your thoughts and you can change your success.”

Health & Beauty | SEAT 1A

Life Stories Reading biographies can help you grow.

3 Write, Now A Gratitude Journal will help you put your thoughts into perspective over time.

Action Jackson’s 10 Practical Tips

Create A Gratitude Journal

Every night before you go to bed, write down two things you are grateful for. Read the two previous entries each day, read the full week’s entries at the end of the week, and the whole month’s worth of entries each month. You’ll flood yourself with positive emotions and feel hope.

Tune In To Happiness Create a feel-good playlist of your favourite happy tunes.

Form A Positive Peer Group

Your environment affects your performance. So by surrounding yourself with people you want to be like, you can change the way you see life. Find an ‘accountability partner’, who you can share your goals with and who will hold you to it if you’re slacking off.

Make A FeelGood Playlist

Put together a compilation of music that makes you feel good, and play it every day. If you’re in a funk, play it to raise your spirits. Don’t let the circumstances dictate the music – let the music dictate the circumstances.

Read A Biography

Read about inspirational people who have done great things with their lives and it will put you in a good space and will change the way you see things. If there’s someone you admire, find out if there’s a book about their life. I recommend reading

SEAT 1A | Health & Beauty

GRATITUDE JOURNAL Count your daily blessings by smartphone… This simple yet ingeniously thought-out app encourages you to spend five minutes a day writing down five things to be grateful for by helping you form a habit of focusing on the positive things in your life. By helping you practise positive thinking, the app helps you fight the unhelpful inclination to think negatively. happytapper.com/ gratitude-journal

SELF-HELP CHARGE-UP Brendon Burchard’s inspirational The Charged Life podcasts Leading high-performance coach Brendon Burchard offers his expertise on motivation, improving performance and achieving your goals in 100 free podcasts on iTunes. Topics range from setting goals to dealing with anger, with titles such as How To Make Change Stick, How To Have Difficult Conversations, What Makes Us Great and many more to get you motivated and inspired. iTunes: Brendon Burchard: The Charged Life

FREE COACH APP An app to track new life-enhancing habits

Choose your goals and coach.me tracks your progress as you check-in every time you perform a task that takes you closer to achieving your goal. You can get advice, motivation or have others in the coach. me community encourage you with likes for your check-ins. coach.me

Natural High Dance – though maybe not right now on the plane – and you’ll release positive chemicals.

about athletes, presidents and leaders such as Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, as well as the Bible. If you don’t like reading, listen to audiobooks instead.

Go Dancing

Dancing is a great way to flush out negative emotions and flood yourself with positive chemicals. You don’t have to be a great dancer to go to a dance class, but its effect can be very powerful. Go to a high-energy class like Zumba or

Afrobeat every week or two, take a friend and have fun.

Attend Motivational Seminars

Try out free talks or pay-for workshops. If you attend a motivational session every month, you’ll have enough to recharge you for the rest of the month.

Learn A New Skill

Learn something new every quarter: be it pottery,

Chinese or Quantum Physics. When you learn something new, it creates new hope; your body feels great, your neurological pathways shift and you’ll find it easier to create solutions.

Find Someone Else To Help

Help someone who is less well-off than you and not only will you empower them, but you’ll empower yourself, because you’ll realise your life is not so bad after all. By empowering them, it puts you in

Wings Feb 2016 (HPV)V1.pdf

Health & Beauty | SEAT 1A

19/01/2016

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Get Divine Inspiration

Sometimes, I’ve sought divine inspiration to fix an issue. Prayer is a form of communication, and can take many forms – when your heart has a desire, that’s a prayer. If you don’t have a formal religion, you can go out and connect with nature or write a letter or a request, a bit like a letter to

Santa. You’ll be amazed how the universe can bring things to you.

Clean Out Your Home

Get rid of your clutter – your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. If you hoard stuff in your home, you hoard a lot of stuff inside your head. Give it away, it will put you in a good space. Find out more at: @actionjackson shutupandtakeaction.com

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SEAT 1A

INFLIGHT RESPITE Wandering & pondering

Inflight Respite | SEAT 1A

SEAT 1A

INFLIGHT RESPITE Wandering & pondering

Route Word Hundreds of dialects and local languages are spoken at Arik Air destinations. Ring in the airline’s tenth anniversary with obscure new words, for your travels. WORDS

Ghana

ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD

chichiri-wiirik (Buli) a man who can call on fairies to reveal things to him; a type of diviner nubie yam (Waali) a farmer who points to his farm but does little

more (literally, ‘ nger farm’) saratata (Buli) the sound and behaviour of running animals (leaving a trail of dust in the air) yaalik (Buli) sponging, always expecting help or gifts from

U-Thokozile (f) we are happy to have a child khali khukweni mobile phone (literally, to make a noise in the pocket) tumodisa to shut a person’s Nigeria mouth to prevent them from gbaa ose (Igbo) to rub in pepper speaking by way of punishment or torture makgatlha challengers who dawo (Yoruba) to produce show their wish to fight by money by magic throwing down a handful of reke (Yoruba) to wait in earth expectation of another’s mistake abula the attempt of a baby to tarfa (Hausa) to pour out drop by move lying on its belly drop bitlisisa a sore eye that has teete (Zarma) to teach a toddler been rubbed how to walk zunda (Hausa) to indicate with United Kingdom one’s lips pozzy-wallah (British Tommies’ wasoso (Hausa) to scramble for slang 1914-18) a man inordinately something that has been thrown fond of jam tallabe (Zarma) to carry things on crambazzled (yorkshire dialect, one’s head without holding on to England) prematurely aged them through drink and a dissolute life kanzo (Hausa), burnt food stuck to the bottom of the pot United States smirting (US slang New York South Africa 2003) flirting between people skreeulelik (Afrikaans) who are smoking cigarettes screamingly ugly (ie, so outside a no-smoking office, frightening as to make the viewer pub, etc. scream) mugwump (New York 1884) one winderdgriep (Afrikaans) a who holds more or less aloof hangover (literally, vineyard u) from party politics, professing plofstof (Afrikaans) explosive disinterested and superior views (literally, pu /bang stu ) sasamudilo a drink of beer in the Adam Jacot de Boinod is the morning after a debauch, a author of The Meaning of Tingo pick-me-up and other Extraordinary Words U-Zenzo (m) things happened in from around the World, published the womb by Penguin Books and creator of U-Linda (f) mind the village until the iPhone app Tingo, a quiz the father’s return about unusual words. others without being willing to help others duiri (Buli) to pass one’s hands over skin so that the hairs stand up

SEAT 1A

FASHION

Photography Amandla Baraka / Styling Obi Anazodo

Style news & tips from fashionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new frontier

Clean Green Oxosi connects pieces like this Nigerian-made Green Leaf Top from Bridget Awosika, with US consumers.

Fashion | SEAT 1A

Feed Me Some of the best social feeds to satiate your African fashion desires WORDS HELEN JENNINGS

Photography Rudi Geyser Styling Tammy Tinker

hat African fashion may lack in bricksand-mortar stores around the globe, it more than makes up for in virtual thrills and spills. It’s online that bloggers, e-commerce platforms, social-media channels and digital magazines dedicated to

African-inspired style garner a large and meaningful audience. Of course, there’s nothing surprising about this when you consider that Africa has the fastest growing internet and mobile take-up worldwide, thereby allowing its young creative and entrepreneurial

talents the means to drive the industry forward. Meanwhile, today’s fashion consumers have grown reliant upon the ease of online shopping and have come to expect a never-ending stream of visual stimulation, which lends itself so beautifully to finding inspiration for our next sartorial moment. Here is Wings’ pick of some of the most interesting African fashion feeds to get your teeth into now…

Superbalist

BEST FOR Athleisure addicts South African e-commerce website Superbalist markets global brands alongside a smattering of local counterparts, with the emphasis on urbane

aesthetics. Think Nike trainers and Carhartt denims mixed with Pichulik neckpieces and Simon And Mary millinery. Meanwhile, the blog, The Way Of Us, offers interviews, mixtapes and lessons in style. superbalist.com @superbalist

Unlabelled

BEST FOR Culture vultures Unlabelled is an edgy online magazine established by young creative Phendu Kuta that focuses on authentic African fashion from a resolutely South African perspective. Recent content includes a fashion shoot in hair salons, featuring native brands and a dissection of what it actually means to be

City Style Superbalist is a South African e-commerce site that’s brimming with style, looks, tips… and mixtapes.

SEAT 1A | Fashion

an ‘influencer’. unlabelledmagazine.com @unlabelledmag

Velma Rossa

Cool kids The sister half of the directional Kenyan blog 2ManySiblings has her own Instagram account, which is becoming even more popular than the one she shares with brother Oliver Asike. Follow Velma Rossa’s recent adventures in London and New York as she peeks shyly from behind her cat-eye sunglasses and long, long plaits at objects of desire BEST FOR

GET REAL

Three events where you can experience African fashion in the flesh this autumn AFRICA UTOPIA The Southbank Centre’s annual festival dedicated to arts, culture and ideas from Africa will this time feature a catwalk show, a market and session of fashion ‘bites’, including films and talks. 31 August to 4 September, Southbank Centre, London southbankcentre.co.uk

ranging from a Malick Sidibé photograph to a Céline handbag. @velmarossa

Oxosi

BEST FOR Storytellers New York-based business brains Kolade Adeyemo and Akin Adebowale launched Oxosi late last year. Their “Afromodernist” e-commerce site connects luxury African brands such as Maki Oh, Bridget Awosika and Post-Imperial to their US consumers. For Adeyemo, it’s about supporting these designers in “building a narrative of craftsmanship, dynamism and local enterprise”.

oxosi.com @vivaoxosi

Lulama Wolf BEST FOR

Minimalists

Ivorian Extrovert Louis Phillippe De Gagoue shows off his style on his eponymous blog.

he poses in colourful vintage and designer fashion mixed with all kinds of oddball paraphernalia. “I love creating and playing characters that cross cultures. Fashion is my playground,” he says. The Ivorian’s boundarybreaking, kaleidoscopic styling first turned heads while he was based in Casablanca and he now calls Dubai home, where he contributes to Brown Book, Elle and L’Officiel.

black-base.com/lulamawolf @lulamawolf

louisphilippedegagoue. blogspot.co.uk @louisphilippedegagoue

Louis Philippe de Gagoue

Stuurman Style Diary

BEST FOR Extroverts Louis Philippe de Gagoue’s eponymous blog and Instagram feed will make you smile. His self-styled shoots effuse joy as

Africa has the fastest growing internet and mobile take-up worldwide, thereby allowing its young creative and entrepreneurial talents to drive the industry forward

KAMPALA FASHION WEEK Uganda’s fledging fashion week goes from strength to strength, thanks to the efforts of its founder, designer Gloria Wavamunno. Its mantra ‘motivate, inspire, create artistry’ means this third edition is as much about educational and networking seminars as glitzy fashion shows. 20 to 22 October, Under Ground, Nakumatt Oasis Mall, Kampala kampalafashionweek.com GHANA FASHION & DESIGN WEEK Ghana’s notable fashion week showcases both new, established regional designers on the catwalk and at an exhibition. There will also be an ethical fashion hub and digital creation space for emerging talents. 21 to 23 October, Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra ghanafashiondesignweek.com

Fashion blogger Lulama Mlambo, aka The Documenter, charts her pared-back style alongside her travel and food adventures. Her soft images and fabulous hair have attracted numerous collaborations, including starring in a campaign for Adidas and working with Woolworths and Elle. Her site is part of the Black Base collective of South African style blogs, but her own look really comes alive on her hugely popular Instagram feed.

BEST FOR Dandies Photographer Trevor Stuurman started out capturing street style in Jo’burg and Cape Town and is now as likely to be in front of the

Only birds tweet at this altitude

Fashion | SEAT 1A

stuurmanstylediary.tumblr.com @trevor_stuurman

Style Pantry

BEST FOR Hip mums Beverly Hills-based stylist Folake Kuye Huntoon documents her own flawless outfits on her well-established blog Style Pantry, as well as posting about curated shopping and beauty trends. Head straight to

Instagram, though, to enjoy her consistently colourful triptychs. If you ever wondered how to pair skinny jeans with blazers or pencil skirts with boyish shirts, then Huntoon is your ever-soglamorous go-to girl. stylepantry.com @stylepantry

The Style HQ

Lagosian stylist Bolaji Animashaun moved into editorial with The Style HQ in 2014. “There wasn’t a website in Nigeria where fashion enthusiasts could go and get an insider’s view on fashion,” Animashaun says of the online magazine. Interviews with designers, trend reports, store edits and global style news have equal billing with wellness and culture features.

Remove digital stimuli and our attention span increases to twelve seconds, allowing us to focus our full attention. An Arik Air flight is such an environment.

Photography Deborah Benzaquen

lens as behind hit. Having won the inaugural Elle Style Reporter Award, he went on to style a music video for Spoek Mathambo, make a film about knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo and join the beat at international menswear events in Milan and Florence. “South African street style is fun, free and fearless. I’m personally into an afrocentric preppy look,” he says.

Did we get 12 seconds of your attention? Now turn to page 75

COVER STORY | Great Explorations

GREAT EXPLORATIONS To celebrate Arik Air’s 10th anniversary, Wings shines a light on the most exciting reasons to visit and explore each of its destination countries right now. From places to people, there are gems to be found throughout our route network WORDS EMMA E FORREST

he world has changed enormously in the last decade – and so have the countries Arik Air’s planes touch down in. The African continent, in particular, has embraced the future, making the most of the opportunities created by digital developments (amongst others), to present a new and modern face to the outside world. From fashion to business, from music to tech and tourism, outsiders are looking with excitement to the real Africa. Every day, global perceptions move on from the tired and undeserved clichés that have been traditionally levelled at West and South African countries, to be replaced with the positive stories of imagination, entrepreneurship, creativity and forward-thinking that Wings covers every issue. Arik Air is proud and excited about celebrating its 10th Anniversary connecting together and serving the countries on our route map. In this special 10th Anniversary feature, we pay tribute to the creativity and energy that has grown from a truly Afropolitan decade, sharing our tips for exploring the countries we fly to every day, so you can delve deeper in your destination and enjoy your trip all the more… 36

Great Explorations | COVER STORY

NIGERIA UNITED KINGDOM ANGOLA BENIN CAMEROON

38 42 46 48 50

GABON SENEGAL THE GAMBIA SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA

51 52 54 56 57

SOUTH AFRICA USA IVORY COAST GHANA

58 60 62 64 37

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

NIGERIA A dynamic nation with a diverse culture, and famously enterprising people

It might be the most prosperous country in Africa, with beautiful landscapes, a vibrant contemporary culture and one of the most successful film industries in the world, but tourists have yet to discover Nigeria in great numbers. The old and revered meets the latest and greatest here – explore traditional ways in the countryside and encounter cutting-edge contemporary Africa in its cities.

Fashion One To Watch

Maki Oh

A favourite of Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, Lagos-based Maki Oh uses traditional fabrics and blends Yoruban adire dyeing techniques with modern designs. makioh.com

Naija Kitchen

Available on Google Play

Tour De Force

Wings contributor and CNN African Journalist Of The Year Award in the Travel category, Pelu Awofeso is the author of Route 234, a collection of stories from Nigerian journalists detailing personal experiences while on journeys outside Nigeria. Pelu also runs tailored tours to destinations and events ranging from the Osun Osogbo Festival to Badagry. Buy his books on Amazon and follow him on social media, to keep your finger on the tourism pulse. @TravelNextDoor

Raising The Roof

186km

Is the length of a new rail line between Abuja and the northern city of Kaduna. The trip takes two hours and trains travel at speeds of up to 150km/h.

Slave History

The dark history of Nigeria’s slave trade is traced in the Slave History Museum at the 15th-century slave-trading warehouse in Badagry, with exhibitions that tell the story of the Esuk Mba Slave Market in Akpabuyo, and the way slaves were captured through to the abolition in 1807. mobeeslaverelicsmuseum badagry.net

Broaden your culinary horizons with this Nigerian cooking, Android app. Naija Kitchen gives step-by-step recipes for traditional dishes from every ethnological grouping in Nigeria.

Nobody parties like a Lagosian – if you can’t beat them, join them… Start with sundowners at The View bar at Radisson Blu Hotel, and take in the coastal views. From there, head to Rue 80, at Maison Fahrenheit, a new boutique hotel on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island (fahrenheithospitality.com). Move on to one of several V.I clubs. Caliente Club on Goriola Street is small but perfectly formed, with comparatively well-priced drinks. Don’t be alarmed to find people dancing on the sofas, shaking off a week of hard work. Around the corner, Club Quilox is all about flashing the cash with sleek private booths, live music acts and champagne and Remy aplenty. clubquilox.com

ARIK ADVENTURER

Lagos

Christine Audu Senior Cabin Crew Member

What makes your city so amazing? The cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, its rich culture, heritage and fashion trail blazing, as well as all the talented people living in the city. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? The Jos Plateau and Mambilla Hills in Adamawa State.

Ethical Traveller

Number-one dish? Vegetable soup and oatmeal fufu – it’s very healthy.

How to leave a positive footprint

Increased connectivity in intra-African air travel has wide-reaching positive benefits for local communities. Wings is proud to play a part in promoting travel in West Africa. While the ease and affordability of exploring certain destinations improves over time, challenges remain – much more so for the majority of locals, than for us lucky visitors. Why not give as much to a place as you get back from it, by supporting social initiatives, and using your purchasing power for good? Here are three ways to leave your mark:

Support A Social Project

Keep your eyes peeled for social enterprises, charities and initiatives designed to improve the lives of the poor, at your destination. Publicise their work on social media, or donate funds to projects.

Avoid Animal Exploitation

Steer clear of zoos and animal attractions with low standards, which often exhibit animals that have been drugged, to pose for photos. Also, be sure that you don’t buy products made from endangered animals. Instead, spend some time and money on conservation initiatives such as the excellent Lekki Conservation Centre, near Lagos, Nigeria. ncfnigeria.org/projects/lekki-conservation-centre

Buy Local

By all means, go to the mall and buy the big brands you love, but also spend time and money on locally-made brands, and in markets where most of the produce is locally-sourced. Your wallet makes the biggest impact on improving livelihoods.

Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? To be security-conscious, although Nigerians are generally warm and friendly people. Best way to spend an evening… I love nature. Lekki is one of the places I spend my evenings, at the nature conservation resort or visiting La Campagne Tropicana Beach. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? As cabin crew, I’ve been to most Arik destinations, my favourite one is London – the best place for shopping.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

Pomp & Pageantry Visit these festivals before the rest of the world catches on

Argungu Fishing Festival

If fishing conjures up thoughts of serene afternoons perched on a river bank, behold Argungu, started in 1934 by the Emir of Argungu to welcome the Sultan of Sokoto. Pitch up in February or March – confirmation of the date is often a last-minute affair – and watch a stampede of 20,000 competitors, armed only with calabashes, nets and their bare hands. To the frenetic tune of drummers in canoes, the fishermen dive in to the Matan Fada river to wrestle dugong-sized nile perch. The person who catches the largest fish will walk away with thousands of dollars in cash, prizes and fish dinners aplenty.

Kano Durbar

Soldiers on horseback, acrobats, gun salutes, horns the size of waterpark slides, bejewelled camels, exotic animals, awe-inspiring displays of equestrian might and technicolour dreamcoats to make Joseph jealous? No, this isn’t Game of Thrones. Welcome to the Kano Durbar. ‘Durbars’, or military parades, are a centuriesold tradition celebrating the Muslim Emirs who head the kingdoms across northern Nigeria. The Kano durbar is the grandest of the lot. Celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the most important holiday in the Muslim calendar, the most recent was held on the 6 July 2016, featuring the reigning Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Osun Osogbo

The week-long Osun Festival celebrates an Orisha goddess whose counterpart is found in mythologies around the globe: the goddess of love and fertility. She manifests as the goddess of the River Osun, honoured with a procession to the river, bearing offerings and flowers. The procession also lights 16 lamps that burn through the night. Because it is one of the most important Orisha festivals, the atmosphere is solemn. There’s a joyful mood in the air, though, which reaches its peak at a huge festival on the last day.

Calabar Carnival

The annual Calabar Carnival is billed as ‘Africa’s largest street party,’ with up to 50,000 performers taking part in the dazzling floats and bands. Past governor Donald Duke introduced the concept of the carnival parade in 2000. It has since taken off, hosting musicians and performers including P-Square, Akon and comedian Julius Agwu. Book your tickets and hotel now and roll up around Christmas Day, from 23 to 27 December. carnivalcalabar.com

“Eh Hen!” As expressions go, this is Nigeria’s most prolific. Use it to express shock, wonder, offer help, or simply to break the silence.

Young & Restless Nigeria’s population is overwhelmingly young. Plug into the energy at these famous urban events.

Gidi Culture Festival

Africa’s biggest beach festival with art, sport, music and local and international DJs is set for April 2017 at Eko Altantic.

2 Whet your appetite with a copy of Festivals of Nigeria by Victor Politis, available for purchase at select bookshops or email: victor@vpolitis.com

gidiculturefestival.com

Felabration

A celebration of all things Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with art, music and debate, usually held in October, and focused around the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos. felabration.net

Social Media Week Lagos Africa’s biggest tech, new media and business conference, with debate and workshops on how to connect and grow online. socialmediaweek.org/lagos

Lens On Africa

Home-grown and international photography talent is celebrated at the annual Lagos Photo Festival, a month-long celebration of with events, talks, exhibitions and grand outdoor shows. 22 October to 23 November lagosphotofestival.com

Lagos Fashion Week

When it comes to looking fresh, Nigerians don’t mess around. See what we mean by scoping out the best design talent, and hit some bubbly-fuelled after-parties. lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

UNITED KINGDOM Thrilling cities, rolling countryside… a blend of the modern and historic

It was recently rocked by the narrow vote to leave the European Union, but this historic country remains welcoming, with a rich history and contemporary culture to explore. London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan, in particular, has declared the capital open to visitors – recently giving his tips for a trip to his local neighbourhood – a dip in England’s largest freshwater pool, the Grade II-listed Art Deco Tooting Bec Lido opened in 1906, and dinner at Lahore Karahi, his favourite curry house.

2 42

Skip the city Three top day trips from London

Brighton

Throw pebbles in the sea, play games on the pier, go shopping on its historic Lanes, dine at South Indian street-food restaurant Curry Leaf Cafe (curryleafcafe.com) and book a room with a sea view at the luxurious Grand Hotel (grandbrighton.co.uk). Plus, enjoy some of the most cutting-edge nightlife the UK has to offer.

Bath

Marvel at the grand Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent, the Circus and the Assembly Rooms; soak in the waters at Bath Spa (thermaebathspa.com); admire splendid historic costumes at the Fashion Museum (fashionmuseum.co.uk); and take a Ghost Walking Tour (ghostwalksofbath.co.uk) or Comedy Walk (bizarrebath. co.uk) for an alternative perspective on this beautifully preserved historical city.

Margate

Visit the retro-chic theme park Dreamland (dreamland.co.uk) and seafront Turner Contemporary museum (turnercontemporary.org); eat ice creams on the huge golden beach; explore art galleries and vintage stores in the old town and sleep soundly at The Reading Rooms, a chic boutique B&B, set in an impressively grand, Grade II-listed townhouse.

ARIK ADVENTURER

London

Jorge Paixão Manager GDS Control & Pricing

What makes your city so amazing? London is alive and vibrant in a way that’s second to none. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Cornwall.

Indispensable app or blog: BBC Weather.

Where to go to let your hair down… The barbers. Number-one dish? Fish and chips. Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? Avoid the tube during rush hour and stand on the left at the escalators! Oh, and give £100 to the homeless. Only one day in town? Visit Covent Garden, have a pub lunch and walk everywhere. Best way to spend an evening? Go to the Southbank for a drink or just a stroll. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? Dakar or Monrovia – I hear the surfing is good.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

2016 Is the Year Of The English Garden – and you can find some of the best in London: UNESCO World Heritage Site Kew Botanic Gardens (kew.org); Regents Park (royalparks.org.uk) and Chelsea Physic Gardens, created in 1673 to train apothecaries in the medicinal qualities of plants and home to 5,000 edible, useful, medicinal and historical plants. chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Yes! He Khan! London’s new mayor, Sadiq Khan, was voted in with the largest mandate of any politician in UK history – and is the first Muslim mayor of any major Western capital.

What’s New

Browse Just Opened for the lowdown on the latest, from food festivals and rooftop bars to pop-up boutiques and all kinds of art happenings. justopenedlondon.com

High-tech Hotel

Eccleston Square Hotel near Victoria offers guests use of smart phones during their stay, with unlimited data and free international phone calls to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, USA, UK and Canada. Rooms from £155. ecclestonsquarehotel.com

165 million… …Is the number of cups of tea drunk in the UK every day, and while the old-fashioned cuppa is on the wane, tea’s time is coming again, in the form of herbal and speciality teas. Sip on a brew at one of Yumchaa’s tea houses (yumchaa.com); track down Good & Proper Tea’s mobile tea van (goodandpropertea.com); or order from Lucky Cup, a new company selling imaginatively titled hand-blended teas, including ‘Smoke On The Water’ with pine-smoked lapsang souchong and tropical ‘Into The Mangroove’. luckycuptea.com

78%… …Is the number of London visitors who want to explore beyond its most famous sites, according to research by London’s Tourist Board. To help them work out where to go, they asked local bloggers to give their tips for restaurants, stores and activities in 13 London areas, including Greenwich, Brixton, Crystal Palace, Islington, Stratford and Richmond. visitlondon.com/areas

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

ANGOLA A best-kept tourism secret, with untouched beaches and wild escapes

A country on the up, Angola is recovering from years of civil strife – its infrastructure is being rebuilt, its parks repopulated, its economy fuelled by oil money. Changes are making it an easier place to travel to, though foreign visitors are still relatively rare, making it an undiscovered gem with 1,600km of coastline and glorious beaches, desert wilderness and stunning post-colonial cities to explore, almost all to yourself.

Explore Angola This year’s new expedition through Angola’s realtively untravelled south, organised by adventure travel company Native Eye, has already sold out. So book now for next year. Over 11 days, you’ll meet the locals on travels that take in the capital, Luanda, contemporary and Portuguese colonial architecture in Lubango, prehistoric rock art, the desert oasis of Pediva, abandoned colonial settlements of Foz do Cunene and Angola’s largest National Park, Iona National Park. nativeeyetravel.com

Point Break Surf adventurers can hunt down the ultimate ride in Angola – the left-hand point break at Cabo Ledo is said to be one of the longest in the world, estimated at over 500 metres. The world-class waves are very consistent, but be sure you know what you’re doing – strong currents make this a safe surfer’s wave when the swell is big. Look for the old light house, and bring your own gear.

Whistlestop Angola Short on time? Take a 4x4 tour – Eco Tour will take you on a two-day trip that takes in the capital, breathtaking Kalandula Falls and the two Black Rocks of Pungo Andongo. eco-tur.com

The Iron Palace Reopens

Avant-Afro

Angolan supermodel Maria Borges made fashion and hair history, when she was the first model to wear her hair in an afro during the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Sounds Of Angola

Semba, the country’s traditional soundtrack, combines classic Angolan rhythms played on the guitar with Portuguese folk music-inspired melodies, the tunes sung mainly in Kimbundu and Umbundu, two dominant local languages. Angola’s new energetic sound is Kuduro, a blend of traditional Kilapanga, Semba and Zouk rhythms with techno, samba and house.

Luanda’s Palácio De Ferro – a unique, bright-yellow glass-andiron building on Rua Major Kanyangulo in the downtown area of the capital, has been credited to Gustave Eiffel (or maybe one of his students). Myth has it that the building was built in the last decades of the 19th Century in France as an exhibition space, and was being shipped to Madagascar to be assembled there before the boat carrying it was shipwrecked on Angola’s Skeleton Coast. The Palace has reopened its doors this year, following two years of reconstruction.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

BENIN Colourful celebrations in a dynamic, multi-cultural society

This intensely spiritual country has emerged from a dark history linked to slavery as a bright and colourful nation of 10 million people. Voodoo is a major eligion, which has been practised for 10,000 years and is followed by an estimated 40 per cent of the population, and has cast aside its mysterious and mythical image, with celebrations that involve flamboyant costumes, entrancing drumming and energetic dancing. Travel here to trace the country’s history in the Somba people’s mud turrets or post-colonial architecture, meet its future in the art scene in the port town of Ouidah, and see its natural beauty for yourself with a safari at Pendjari National Park in the north.

Angélique Kidjo The country’s biggest music star is one of Africa’s biggest musical exports overseas. Kidjo’s a three-time Grammy Award-winner, with the latest for Best World Music Album at the 58th Awards in 2016; she currently has an autobiography, Spirit Rising – My Life, My Music, and a live album, Sings With The Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg. Not content with this, however, Angélique is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, visiting countries to help raise awareness of issues affecting women and children. Born in Benin, she says she feels “inseparable from her heritage”, and continues to empower young girls in countries in Africa through her Batonga Foundation for education, ‘transforming Africa one girl at a time’. Find out more at batongafoundation.org. In 2014, she discussed her philanthropic roles and music with Wings. We asked whether she’s ever been afraid or concerned about what effect being so fearless and forthright may have on her career? “To be honest, because I’m travelling so much, and because of my fame, I’m not the one in a dangerous place,” she replied. “There are some amazing people who are living in regions of conflict, war, dictatorship or extreme poverty who are standing up for what they believe, ready to go to jail and die for their beliefs. There are many places in the world where promoting girls’ access to education, vaccination and female empowerment is a death sentence. I admire those people so much. My job, talking on their behalf if they have no voice, is much simpler.” kidjo.com

ARIK ADVENTURER

Cotonou

Nnonyelum Nwaku Ibemere Assistant Sales Manager

What makes your city so amazing? It’s the largest city in Benin and the economic nerve centre of Benin Republic. You will find people from all over the world doing business here. We have four major points of interest which include Stade de l’Amitie, Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque and L’ Ancien Port.

Works Of West Africa

The work of West Africa’s artists is celebrated in its first free contemporary art museum, the Fondation Zinsou, in the port town of Ouidah. The follow-up to the Fondation Zinsou Exhibition Centre in Cotonou, which has welcomed more than four million visitors including school children, the new museum opened in 2013 in the restored 1920s Afro-Brazilian Villa Ajavon as an international platform for the region’s art. Permanent exhibits by artists including Cameroonian self-portraits photographer Samuel Fosso, Benin-born photographer Romuald Hazoumé, Ivorian artist Frédéric Bruly-Bouabré, Senegalese painter and sketcher Soly Cissé and Benin’s sculptor Cyprien Tokoudagba are showcased alongside exhibitions on African culture past and present, paying tribute to everything from vinyl covers to fashion movements. © iStockphoto.com • © Victor Politis

fondationzinsou.org

Voodoo Child

To get an insight into the country’s national religion, visit the annual Voodoo Festival in the former slave port of Ouidah. Participants dance themselves into trance state, animals are sacrificed and devotees cover their bodies with powered and

Ebony Train There may not be a public railway in Benin, but you can travel in style in one of two carefully refurbished 1920s carriages on the Train d’Ebène, or Ebony Train. The journey takes travellers 450km through Benin’s villages and rainforests on a single narrow-gauge track from city of Cotonou in the south to Parakou in the north. From 400 Fcfa. hotels-benin.com

palm oil during this colourful and highly charged week-long celebration from 10 January.

The Hunger Project

Benin is an increasingly stable democracy, but corruption, poverty and low adult literacy are roadblocks to its progress. The Hunger Project has been making inroads to change this situation for the better, through what the organisation calls its ‘Epicenter Strategy’, which unites 5,000 to

15,000 local community members in rural areas into clusters to create an ‘epicenter’. These dynamic centres of community mobilisation and action serve as a focal point where the people’s energies and leadership converge with the resources of local government and NGOs. Over an eight-year period, an epicenter addresses hunger and poverty and moves towards sustainable self-reliance.

Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Azalai Hotel De La Plage, a four-star hotel surrounded by the Cotonou Sea, with beautiful views to behold. Where to go to let your hair down… Obama Beach – great fun for the family. Number-one dish? Chep, with chicken or fish. Best way to spend an evening? Relax by the beach and savour the grandeur of nature. It is so amazing. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? New York to watch the US Open Tennis Tournament, the last Grand Slam for the year.

thp.org

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

ARIK ADVENTURER

Douala

Gladys Nzele-Ngu Station Manager

CAMEROON Opening up to visitors, it's Africa in a nutshell

Cameroon is proud to call itself ‘Africa in miniature’, and you can see why it earned its sobriquet. As well as 250 ethnic groups living side-by-side, it offers a long stretch of beautiful coastline, mountain, rainforest, desert and wildlife, including gorillas and elephants. Still relatively off the beaten track for tourists, visit now before the crowds arrive…

Best Beach

Kribi serves up the coast’s most chilled-out beach vibes, with its golden beaches and crystalline water and fish market – where the catch of the day is pulled from the sea and popped straight on the grill.

Beau – Small Town, Big Tech Dreams

This small city is set to become the country’s new tech hub. With a university that nurtures tech entrepreneurs, and a spirit of innovation, it has become home to more than 50 new digital start-ups in the last five years, including job-search site Njorku, app Feem, ActiveSpaces and Colorfluid.

The Cardiopad

And for an example of the practical use of technology to change and improve lives, look no further than Cameroonian engineer Marc Arthur Zang, inventor of the Cardiopad – a touchscreen medical tablet that enables heart examinations such as ECGs to be carried out in 50

10,299mm This is the average annual rainfall in the village of Debundscha, at the foot of Mount Cameroon – the sixth wettest place on Earth, and the second wettest place on the African continent, behind San Antonio de Ureca in Equatorial Guinea.

remote, rural locations, and sent to experts for interpretation and diagnosis. Zang developed the Cardiopad aged 24, and is now CEO of the Youndé-based company bringing it to market, Himore Medical. He recently won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering. Find out more at himore-medical.com

Who’s Here

There are 250 ethnic groups in Cameroon, including the Baka hunter-gatherer pygmy communities who live in Lobéké National Park, to the Koma people

who live in the Atlantika Mountains, only accessible by foot.

Wild Life

You’ll get your future told by a crab sorcerer and see elephants and lions as part of the 4x4 tour in Waza National Park, a short flight from Douala. camtours.org

Mount Cameroon

Visit the country’s highest mountain – an active volcano which erupted in the last five years. Climb to the top for spectacular views of lava flows, crater lakes, caves and waterfalls. www.mount-cameroon.org

What makes your city so amazing? Its peaceful nature and the very welcoming people. Another spot in your country that's a must-see? Mount Cameroon and Limbe’s accessible beaches and botanical gardens. Where to go to let your hair down? La Cigale, Bonanjo, close to Hotel La Falaise. Number-one dish? Charcoal-grilled fresh fish with fried ripe plantain. Best piece of advise for first-time visitors? Only use cabs and be watchful, as you would in any other city. Only one day in town? Visit King Dika Akwa’s Palace, Statue de la Nouvelle Liberté, RondPoint, Douala and Musée Maritime, Bonanjo, close to Méridien Hotel. Best way to spend an evening? Brasilia Tropical, Banapriso, Le Senat, Akwa. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? Monrovia in Liberia, based on its historic background.

GABON Forests, waves and whales in ‘Africa’s Eden’

This small country is tipped as a future go-to safari destination, or ‘Costa Rica of Africa’, with its enticing range of of rainforests, savannahs, mangroves, lagoons and beaches. Gabon boasts 13 National Parks, and much of the country is covered in some of the most diverse tropical rainforest in the world, home to more than 8,000 plant species, 600 different types of bird and 20 species of primate and the largest population of forest elephants on the continent.

Cycle La Tropicale Gabon’s annual La Tropicale is the continent’s biggest international bike race. Professional and amateur cyclists from across the world ride almost 1,000km on different stages through the countryside.

tropicaleamissabongo.com/en

The Lion Walks Tonight

A Goal For Gabon Gabon will play host to the 2017 Africa World Cup football championships in January and February, and hopes are high for a star turn from one of the hottest properties in European football, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, of Borussia Dortmund. Allez Les Panthères!

West Africa’s lion populations are in decline, but camera footage captured in 2015 at Batéké Plateau National Park in south-eastern Gabon has inspired hope among conservationists that the King Of The Jungle is reestablishing itself in the country, after the last known lion in the region was shot in 1990. Damian Aspinall, chairman of The Aspinall Foundation, told Africa Geographic: “We don’t yet know if the individual observed in Batéké is a remnant of the historical lion population in the area or a transient individual that has crossed the Congo River [and has] travelled a considerable distance through the Congolian savannah. We hope for further sightings.”

Going For Gold

Just as we send this celebratory issue of Wings to press, Anthony Mylann Obame – taekwondo fighter, 2013 World Champion and Gabon’s first ever Olympic medallist at the London 2012

5,000

The number of gorillas and chimpanzees that live in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park. Track them down on a tour. www.responsibletravel.com

Olympics, where he won Silver – is competing to go one better and bring home the Gold for Gabon. He is a proud role model for the country, whose population is a mere 1.7 million, and hopes his victory has helped inspire many young people to succeed in sport. “It is something grand to make history in your country and to be a role model for young people. Today, I can support the young ones with material and can motivate them, make them believe that they can succeed, even if our country is very small,” Obame said.

Changing The Story

“Books For Africa is a simple idea, but its impact is transformative,” says Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary General. “For us, literacy is quite simply the bridge from misery to hope.” Since its founding in 1988, Books For Africa has shipped more than 27 million textbooks and library books to 48 African countries. The group works to deliver reading material to children in Libreville, and will ship to any location in Africa where a sponsor is ready to receive and distribute books. booksforafrica.org

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

SENEGAL Surfing, twitching and heart-opening music…

With golden beaches and bountiful bird life, Senegal is full of natural beauty as well as artistic talent. The country is famous for its musical heritage, with legendary ambassadors like Youssou N’Dour lighting up music venues in Dakar, and bringing the scene onto the international stage. Senegalese rhythms spill into a myriad of new genres from hip-hop to more eclectic electronic sounds. It’s also home to a booming surf scene – the continent’s first surf brand, Bantu Wax, even set up its flagship store on a Dakar beach.

Oh Snap!

Senegal is teeming with creative collaborations. One of these is a series of portraits of Dakrois dancers. Seeking to elevate appreciation for dance, photographer Siaka S. Traoré photographs dancers in their natural environment, with just one directive – you guessed it – “Dance!” theyoungartcollector.com

Fresh Threads An ambitious project designed to nurture creativity in an area around the remote village seven hours’ drive from Dakar, Thread is an artist residency and cultural centre. Integral to Thread’s programming are partnerships and projects with a widening community in Tambacounda, Senegal, and abroad. A huge success was their recent festival, Festival de l’Union, organized by Negga Dou to celebrate the diverse cultural practices in Tamba. It highlighted each of the 10 ethnic groups, in tandem with large concerts for the vibrant hip-hop scene. thread-senegal.org

Dakar Fashion The city’s annual Fashion Week is a showcase for fashion from all over West Africa, with designers from Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Cameroon – you don’t have to have a front-row ticket to take part here, either: anyone can join in the events and street parties throughout the city.

ARIK ADVENTURER

Dakar

Abdou Ciss Passenger Service Agent

www.dakarfashionweek.com

One To Watch

Selly Raby Kane

Music stars including Solange Knowles, The Nubians and the Daara J family are fans of Senegalese fashion designer Selly Raby Kane. Taking inspiration from cartoons, nature, technology and art, she launched her label in 2012 and has a fresh and futuristic take on African fashion, her clothes featuring PVC panels, insects and birds. sellyrabykane.com

Surfing Senegal When Africa’s first surf brand, Bantu Wax, set up its flagship store on the beach in Virage Beach, Dakar, it cemented the country’s reputation as one of the best places to surf in Africa. bantuwax.com

What makes your city so amazing? Visitors can go to HLM market, the most popular market, where you can get everything you need such as clothes, jewellery, toys, and gifts. Sandaga market and marché Kermel are good for handicrafts, masks, gold and silver. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? The Monument de la Renaissance Africaine. Number-one dish? Thiebou Diene, a fish dish. Only one day in town? Go sightseeing, starting from Independence Square, to Soumbedioune, Magicland, cornice and Point des Almadies.

Senegal Music Scene

The musical country that gave us Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal has so much more to offer, with new musical talent constantly emerging from Dakar and further afield. Ones to watch include avant-garde electronic-music producer Stephen Ibaaku Bassene.

Just 4 U

This live music venue in Dakar is a great place to get your first flavour of the city’s music scene.

Best way to spend an evening? The pubs and clubs of the chi chi area of Les Almadies. It’s also the Westernmost point all of Africa. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? South Africa, because it is Mandela country. I want to see many things in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

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THE GAMBIA A tiny country with wonderful waterways and famously welcoming hosts

Small in size but big on hospitality, this strip of land that stretches along the River Gambia has been stable since independence, allowing it to build a name for flop-and-drop holidays on the beach, attracting European tourists with all-inclusive holidays. There’s much to explore – the country is home to 570 bird species, found in national parks including the Abuko Nature Reserve, Tanji Bird Reserve or Marakissa River Camp.

Luxury Lodging There’s plenty of luxury accommodation for travellers to choose from in The Gambia, ranging from Sheraton Gambia to the Coco Ocean Resort And Spa. But for a unique take on luxury, while also having the chance to discover the people and wildlife of the country, you should head to Mandina Lodge, Makasutu. Set against the backdrop of the ‘sacred forest’, you can relax by the pool during the day, go on a guided walk to spot monitor lizards and abundant birdlife, observe the local oyster women on their daily collections and visit Makasutu’s very own Marabou Medicine Man, before settling down to a romantic evening meal by fire light. mandinalodges.com

100

The number of bird species spotted at Footsteps Eco Resort in Gunjur, including storks, birds of prey, terns, cuckoos, nightjars, rollers, bee-eaters and kingfishers. And egrets? They’ve had a few. footstepsinthegambia.com

ARIK ADVENTURER

Banjul

Emmanuel Bass Security / Cargo Supervisor

Ocean Tranquility Seek out a beach bar such as the Leybato Hotel for the ultimate in relaxation.

Five Gambia Getaways Lose yourself at these solitary spots

Sandele Eco Retreat

A pearl on the Atlantic coast, just off the tranquil beach of Kartong, near Kartong village, the Sandele Eco Retreat is a haven of relaxation. Choose from eight lodges, four of which float on the Mandina Batong, a tributary of the Gambia River, and trek, seek out wildlife or just chill to your heart’s content. sandele.com

Gambia Horse And Donkey Trust

This Trust, situated on the south bank of the Gambia River, is doing amazing things to educate the farming community on how to best care for their animals, and also offers mobile veterinary services. If you visit, you can also take a boat trip to Baboon Island, the longest-running rehabilitation project in Africa and founded by the same people who run the Trust. gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk

Leybato Hotel Bar & Restaurant, Leybato

This small, independent bar, restaurant and now hotel has been serving tourists who stumble upon it for around 30 years. Starting out as a small shed serving fish, it’s now an 18-room hotel with great facilities. Good local food, drumming lessons and breathtaking nature a bound in this Gambian getaway.

What makes your city so amazing? It's surrounded by the river, where one can hang out with friends. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Janjanbureh Slave House, Albreda and Juffureh, Kunta Kinteh Island and Bakau Kachikally crocodile pool.

leybatohotel.com

Kunta Kinteh Island

Formerly James Island, and now renamed, this small island 30km from the river mouth near Juffereh housed the historical James Fort, built in 1651, and was once one of the main former slave islands. Juffereh is also where Alex Haley got the inspiration for his book Roots, about the slave, Kunta Kinte. Arrange an independent boat trip over to avoid the crowds: walking around the ruins of the fort with only one or two other people is a powerful experience. accessgambia.com

Island Idyll Take a trip to Kunta Kinteh for a dose of Gambian history.

Best piece of advice for first time-visitors? The best time to visit is from December to April, peak tourist season. Best way to spend an evening? The Senegambia area for an evening stroll. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? New York. I would love to take my family to visit the Big Apple, it's such an iconic city.

Kerr Batch (And Wassu) Stone Circles

If you want an off-the-beaten-track experience in a spiritual hideaway, rent a guide and/or a vehicle to get you to the Kerr Batch Stone Circles. The stones are thought to be built around the burial mound of kings and chiefs, and it’s a moving and magical spot, especially at sunset. ncac.gm/kerr.html

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

SIERRA LEONE A compact melting pot with unspoilt beaches and wildlife

You can holiday in paradise, away from the crowds in Sierra Leone. Dogged by civil war in the 1990s, and the ebola epidemic in the 2000s, the country has yet to build up a mass tourism culture, so you’ll have the luxury of near-exclusivity as you relax with a cool beer on the beach, dine on a supper of freshly grilled lobster or explore the mountains. Visit, and you’ll be one of the first to trek the region’s highest mountain, spot rare and exotic wildlife and go island-hopping.

The number of breathtaking beaches within easy reach of the capital, Freetown, where you’ll be welcomed by white sand and turquoise waters – so perfect, they were the setting for Bounty Bar’s 1980s ‘Taste Of Paradise’ adverts.

Company Of Chimpanzees

Travellers can stay on site at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the Western Area Peninsula National Park, just outside Freetown. Two of the lodges are at canopy level, so you can look out to the rainforest – with its butterflies, birdlife and wild chimpanzees. tacugama.com

visitsierraleone.org

While you’re visiting, make sure

you consult this one-stop online shop for tapping into this country’s huge potential, with practical trips, listings and tours.

Spotlight On Sierra Leone

Get the edited highlights of this intriguing country on a Native Eye trip. Starting in the markets and slave museums of Freetown, the expedition heads to the forests of Tiwai Island and Gola, and nearby primate community. nativeeyetravel.com

ARIK ADVENTURER

Freetown

Esther Yeama Yimbo Supervisor, Ticketing And Reservation

What makes your city so amazing? Beautiful beaches and festivals. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? The No. 2 River Beach – where you can see God’s handiwork, white sand and a beautiful view. Among others, Tokeh Beach with beautiful hotels and sea views; Bureh Beach, Banana Island; Bunce Island, with its big market for all your made-in-Sierra Leone goods. Where to go to let your hair down? Quincy’s Nightclub and The Edge or, for a quiet nightcap, Plan B. The best place for food? Café de la Rose and Crown Bakery And Confectionery.

Say Hi To Hippos © iStockphoto.com

Track down Diana and Colobus monkeys in the rain forest by day and the rare pygmy hippopotamus by night, on a trip to Tiwai Island, the largest of the islands in the Moa River. Tiwai Island National Park is a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. tiwaiisland.org

Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? Don’t try and cover everything in one trip. Find a neighbourhood and gently explore its bookshops and weekend markets. Only one day in town? View the city at the centre with its beauty, surrounded by hills and sea.

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Monrovia Augustine G. George

Passenger Service Agent

LIBERIA White sands, island life and traditional tribes

Africa’s oldest republic also boasts the continent’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 and is credited for bringing peace and stability to a country riven by civil war. Liberia was struck hard by the recent Ebola outbreak, but tourists are slowly returning as the economy recovers, rediscovering its palm-fringed islands, thick jungles and the vibrant capital, Monrovia.

Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Robertsport, where you can enjoy great surfing.

Fashioning A Future For Girls

Underprivileged girls are getting a leg-up at Liberian school, More Than Me Academy, a school in West Point, Liberia. Eric Coly, the CEO of Senegalese ecofriendly fashion label Le Dessein, wants to empower girls through education and commissions students at the school to draw portraits that are being integrated into the clothes designed by the label – with 25 per cent of the company’s profits being invested back into their education. morethanme.org

Historic Harper

Get a glimpse of Liberia’s history in the coastal town of Harper. Founded by freed American slaves, its streets are now lined with crumbling grand mansions.

Capital Cocktails

You’ll find Liberia’s movers and shakers on the terrace at The Capital Room, a glamorous new bar set on the edge of a cliff at

What makes your city so amazing? There are very few tourist traps here, so you can really feel like a local and enjoy our true culture. We have great markets with beautiful textiles and handicrafts.

Where to go to let your hair down… Literally, Brotherhood Barbing Shop located in the Paynesville, Soul Clinic area or if you are in the centre of Monrovia, at Zuus Barber Shop down Mechlin Street.

Liberia Marathon Runners are limbering up for the 2017 Liberia Marathon – 1,500 athletes joined the 2015 edition that was marked as a triumph over the Ebola epidemic. liberiamarathon.com

Mambo Point, with spectacular views over the Atlantic. thecapitalroomafrica.com

Secret Surfing

For a holistic and sustainable surf holiday, head to the Kwepunha Surf Retreat, in

Northern Liberia. You’ll enjoy a warm welcome, stunning silky beaches and world-class waves at Fisherman’s Point – and your visit will also contribute to the local economy. Be sure to buy one of the board bags made by local villagers.

Number-one dish? Rice and vegetable soup and fufu with soup. Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? There are a series of beautiful beaches surrounding Monrovia. Cece Beach is great for a long walk. Best way to spend an evening? Take a stroll along our beaches to experience the cool evening breeze and our amazing weather.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

SOUTH AFRICA Big Five safaris, colourful history, hospitable people

Where to start in South Africa? This African nation has many stories to tell – and plenty to see and do. With a strong infrastructure, it’s an easy place for visitors to navigate, whether tracking the Big Five on a safari, relaxing on a city break, following the wine route by bike or retracing the footsteps of its recent history at Robben Island.

Fashion One To Watch

MaXhosa

South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo’s signature knitwear is inspired by traditional Xhosa beadwork patterns. He first established his upmarket label MaXhosa to create formal wear that amakrwala (Xhosa initiates) can wear in the six months after their manhood initiation – it’s now sold in UK and Japan. maxhosa.co.za

Cape Cuisine Foodies will revel in the choice of different culinary cultures in Cape Town. Must-try dishes include Cape Malay curry, in the Bo-Kaap district, a braai BBQ in the Gugulethu Township and traditional Xhosa specialities, including umpkoqoko or maize porridge. Then take a trip for wine tasting in Franschhoek Valley and Stellenbosch. 58

Travel By Train If you can’t afford to splash out the R10,000-plus for the all-inclusive, wood-panelled railway opulence of the legendary Blue Train (bluetrain.co.za) and Rovos Rail (rovos.com) routes, you can get a more affordable all-inclusive sleeper experience on the Shosholoza Meyl Premier Class Sleeper Train from Joburg to Cape Town, for just R2,840.

ARIK ADVENTURER

Johannesburg Buti Joshua Moagi Customer Service Agent

What makes your city so amazing? Johannesburg is a vibrant and culturally rich city. It is larger, and more fast-paced than other cities in Gauteng province. It is extremely cosmopolitan. Another spot in your country that’s a must see The Nelson Mandela Bridge, Lesedi Cultural Village and the Soccer City Stadium.

Whale Watching

Indispensable app or blog? The Gautrain App and Johannesburg City Explorer.

You don’t have to get on a boat for whale watching on the Western Cape. You can spot them casually breaching from a coastal trek or restaurant terrace! Try Hermanus for the best chances of a spot.

Where to go to let your hair down Visit Chaf Pozi Restaurant in Vilakazi Street.

hermanus.co.za/whale-watching

Overnight At Madiba’s Place

You can experience a piece of South African history at the Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation in the Shambala Private Game Reserve, 160 miles north of Johannesburg. The home built for Mandela after his retirement is now a luxurious retreat that sleeps 12. From 70,000/night. centreforreconciliation.co.za

Africa Design

Keep track of the latest design news and talent across the continent with Design Indaba,

which runs a dynamic website and a series of conferences and festivals. designindaba.com

Relaunch Of An Icon Singita Lebombo Lodge in Kruger, famous for its chic modern design, has had a makeover by designer Boyd Ferguson. The 13 luxurious open-plan suites, suspended above the N’wanetsi River, also uses locally sourced food and staff, and power from its own solar park. From $1,568 per person per night, full board. singita.com

Cultural Ambassador

Johannesburg producer, singer-songwriter and rapper Spoek blends electronic, hip-hop and house influences, and is just one example of a whole new generation of musicians creating new South African sounds. He’s one of the African creatives from the worlds of fashion, film, music, literature, and photography, celebrated in Studio Africa, an initiative to promote African creativity by Italian jeanswear brand Diesel and Bono’s label, Edun.

Number-one dish? Mala le mogodu. Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? Be aware of the bad traffic and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Best way to spend an evening? Sandton Nelson Mandela Square, with access to the Gautrain. It’s full of shops, bars and restaurants (nelsonmandelasquare.co.za)

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

USA Centre of innovation, with cool cities and sprawling countryside

It’s always a good time to visit the USA – there’s so much to see, from exciting megacities to a dramatic and diverse countryside. For cuttingedge trends in fashion, art and food, there’s no better place to start than Arik Air hub, New York. Expect a new atmosphere this year, as the nation trades in its first-ever AfricanAmerican President, Barack Obama, for a new leader, in November.

The Great Northern Food Hall

Nordic-inspired food hall inside Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, created by chef Claus Meyer with bakery, Danish Smørrebrød rye sandwiches and granola. grandcentralterminal.com

Gotham Market At The Ashland

NYC For Foodies There are more places to eat out than ever, with a boom in NYC food halls. Try these latest hits:

Berg’n

A trendy food marketplace in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with burritos, Filipino-inspired cuisine and pulled pork and brisket.

gothamwestmarket.com

Highlights for 2017…

This is a 40,000-square-foot Italian food outpost at 4 World Trade Center.

…include a vast international food market on Pier 57 by Anthony Bourdain (bourdainmarket.com), and Staten Island’s first artisanal food hall, Empire Outlets Marketplace (MRKTPL).

eataly.com

empireoutletsnyc.com

bergn.com

Sister to dining destination Gotham West Market in Hell’s Kitchen, this gastronomic space in The Ashland in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene will be home to pop-ups from local chefs and full-time food vendors, including Apizza Regionale (Italian fare); Flip Bird (rotisserie chicken); Mu Ramen (bowls of noodles, burgers and Japanese snacks) and popular Midtown barbecue restaurant, Mason Jar.

Eataly

New Eye On New York For great ideas, visit New York City’s tourism website, NYCgo.com – it’s just been given a revamp.

ARIK ADVENTURER

New York City Nouman Ali, GM Finance & Administration — The Americas

What makes your city so amazing? We’re the city that never sleeps. Really. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Las Vegas. Only one day in town… Hit Times Square, Central Park, Herald Square, and hop on the Staten Island Ferry.

A Sight For Sore Eyes Hit the Catskills for an unforgettable experience with North America’s longest and highest zipline canopy tour. The experience in Hunter Mountain will fire you between two Catskill mountain peaks at 50mph, 600ft above the ground. www.ziplinenewyork.com

Best way to spend an evening? Go to a rooftop bar, overlooking the Manhattan skyline while the sun sets. Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? South Africa (Cape Town, Durban etc) – for safari, beaches, and beautiful scenery.

Cycle The City

Get an urban adventure by discovering Brooklyn by bike. Get Up And Ride offers tours to give travellers an insight into local art, gastronomy, marketplaces, parks and history. www.getupandride.com

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

IVORY COAST Booming cities, stunning coastline and lush rainforest

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Abidjan

Marie Diegueye Duty Officer

Once known for cocoa exports and civil strife, French-speaking west Africa’s largest economy is booming, under President Alassane Ouattara, who was re-elected in a landslide victory last year. New malls, boutiques, clubs and luxury hotels including a striking new Radisson Blu hotel are opening their doors in its economic powerhouse, Abidjan. There’s a huge range of sights to see, from beach resorts such as the UNESCO-listed Grand-Bassam to World Heritage Site, Comoé National Park, to the remote but extravagant political capital, Yamoussoukro.

Fashion Ones To Watch

Loza Maléombho

Watch Beyonce’s video, Formation, and you’ll spot clothes taken from Loza Maléombho’s Spring/ Summer 2016 Zaouli collection, inspired by Guro Princess, Djela Lou Zaouli, from the Northern region of Ivory Coast. This Abidjanbased fashion designer ’s distinctive style has seen her work with H&M. www.lozamaleombho.com

158 metres… …That’s the height of the basilica at the world’s tallest church – Notre-Dame de la Paix, the church built in Ivory Coast’s administrative capital Yamoussoukro, for former president Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Plus, each of the 7,000 seats in its nave has its own personal air-conditioning system. www.ndpbasilique.org

Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? La Basilique Notre Dame de Yamoussoukro. The Guinness Book Of World Records lists it as the largest church in the world. Where to go to let your hair down? Assinie Mafia beach resort. Located 80km east of Abidjan, with its swaying palm trees and soft sand, it’s paradise on earth.

Great Dame The basilica in Yamoussoukro is Notre be missed.

Number-one dish? Attieke poisson braisé, a tasty fried-fish dish.

Laurence Chauvin Buthaud

Making a costume for pop star Keziah Jones kick started Laurence Chauvin Buthaud’s label, Laurence Airline. After studying and working in fashion in Paris, she returned to the Ivory Coast to set up her menswear line, known for its unusual prints, now stocked in France, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa, Japan and the USA. www.laurenceairline.com

What makes your city so amazing? Cultural diversity. We have people and food from all over the world.

Where else on the Arik route network would you like to visit and why? New York, to see the Statue Of Liberty.

Abidjan On Instagram

From giant prawns and sunset cocktails to idyllic villages, this account gives a colourful spotlight on the best of Abidjan and further afield. instagram.com/abidjan.places

Hot Chocolate

Finally, the world’s largest producer of cocoa gets the

chocolate, too. French chocolatier Cémoi is opening a chocolate factory – usually the raw beans are exported. cemoi.fr/en

Iconic Hotel

The stunning Hôtel Ivoire, which overlooks the Ebrie lagoon and the Plateau, has had an exciting history, hosting dignitaries, soldiers and hotel guests since it

was built in 1963 and beautifully renovated in 2011. It’s now a Sofitel. sofitel.com

Best Blog

Orphelie Thalmas was named the country’s best blogger for Rythmes d’Afrique, a compelling arts and culture site covering photography, art, literature, fashion, music and more on the continent (in French). rythmafriq.com

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

GHANA Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and a vibrant tourism scene

That Ghana was the first African country to earn a visit from President Obama speaks about its reputation as a democratic and stable country. For decades, foreign holidaymakers have come here to languish on golden beaches and enjoy the traditional side of the country as well as its modern edge. There’s plenty to discover, here, with beautiful natural attractions as well as the vibrant capital Accra, with its buzzing art, fashion and music scenes. It’s no wonder that the country’s dubbed ‘Africa for beginners’.

Come Away With Me Pack a bottle of water and a camera, and let a great tour company do all the work…

Off The Tourist Trail

Nima is one of the most impoverished areas of Accra, but also a prime example of a community in which cultural and religious diversity reigns. Founded by Charles Sablah – born and bred in Nima – the tours lasts just two hours and takes you to a primary school and for lunch at a Chop House. Interested in ‘the real Accra’? Sign up, sign up. Duration: Two hours Average cost: 25GhC per person per hour approx. $7.00 ghana-nima-tours.yolasite. com

Royal Treatment

Greet a village chief at the Akuapim Range above Accra. You’ll start at the Aburi Botanical Gardens and a craft market, before being received at the palace to receive a traditional blessing and witness a Durbar complete with drumming and dancing. Duration: Day trip Average Cost: Starting at $305 per person, easytrackghana.com

Life Of The Party

Hotel Meets Art Gallery Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast, Accra

This new five-star hotel will boast the largest spa in West Africa when it opens this September, with 3,000 metres of treatment rooms and relaxation areas. It's also home to a shopping mall and a contemporary art gallery, Gallery 1957, which represents artists including Jeremiah Quarshie, Yaw Owusu, Serge Attukwei Clottey and Zohra Opoku. From £223 per room, per night. kempinski.com/en/accra/hotel-gold-coast-city

Be whisked away on a Cultural Festivals Of Ghana tour. Start with sightseeing in Accra, through to the Bakatue Festival, Elmina, Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park, and the Akwasidae Festival. Along the way, you will be bestowed a Ghanaian name. Hint: It’s not ‘Chale.’ Duration: 10 Days Average Cost: Starting at $1,877, depending on group size. landtours.com

ARIK ADVENTURER

Frolic In The Foliage

Accra

Femi Asun Sales/Station Manager

The biggest attraction in the small town of Aburi is the area’s botanical gardens, opened in 1890. Around 30 kilometres from Accra, there’s a school of horticulture within the park, and with 10 lawns, over 300 plant types and over 100 acres of natural forest and nature trails, you’ll have more than enough to satisfy your inner botanist.

What makes your city so amazing? La Tante DC 10, a muchloved restaurant set in a disused aircraft. Another spot in your country that’s a must-see? Peduase Valley Resort in Aburi. Complete with pool and health facilities, it’s a perfect weekend escape from the city (peduasevalleyresort.com). Where to go to let your hair down? Soho, a sushi restaurant and bar in Marina Mall (facebook.com/ sohobarsushi) Number-one dish? Kenkey, a staple food made with cornmeal, and served with fish. Best piece of advice for first-time visitors? The city is secure, but don’t let your guard down.

Beachy Keen

For sand, surf and sound systems blasting out Highlife and Hiplife, hit La Pleasure Beach. Visit on a Wednesday to enjoy the sights and sounds of reggae night at this golden beach at Labadi, a township on the southeast side of Accra.

Kakum By Canopy

Get a bird’s-eye view on the rainforest from the tree canopy walkway in Kakum National Park, a 500m-long swinging bridge between the tallest trees. You’ll see porcupines, olive colobus monkeys and much more. kakumnationalpark.ghana-net.com

Ghanaian Jewel

A pocket paradise, the lively fishing port of Elmina offers visitors some heavenly beaches, alongside some of the oldest colonial buildings in the region and a Dutch fort –and it’s all just waiting there, a mere three hours’ drive from Accra.

Best way to spend an evening? Have a meal and drink at Rhapsody’s, a sports bar and restaurant at Accra Mall.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

BIGGEST © Emmanuel Bobbie

In the Volta region of the country, lies the world’s biggest man-made lake. It’s 250 miles long and covers 3,283 square miles.

Accra’s Answer To Sex In The City

Carrie Bradshaw’s girl-gang has met its match in An African City, a TV show based in Accra about the lives of five sassy and single Afropolitan career women from different parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Creator Nicole Amarteifio developed the series as a way of telling the true story of real, modern, urban African women.

LARGEST

www.anafricancity.tv

Visit the largest market in West Africa: Kejetia market, located in Kumasi.

Fashion

Made In Ghana

Social responsibility is at the heart of Ghana’s growing fashion industry, with glamorous brands tapping into, and empowering, local talent…

Yevu Clothing uses Ghanamade fabric, giving a boost to local micro enterprises, micro producers and artisanal manufacturers. yevuclothing.com

Hi On Life

Swedish fashion label Hi On Life has moved its HQ to Accra, where it uses Ghanaian tailors and craftspeople to create its distinctive designs. hionlifestore.com

Heel The World

Social enterprise and footwear brand Heel The World combines traditional

FIRST

African shoemaking skills and traditional European craftsmanship, as well as offering funding and help to local start-ups.

Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain freedom from colonial rule. It gained its independence on 6 March, 1957.

htwshoes.com

KISUA

An online platform to showcase African fashion, KISUA – which means ‘a well-dressed person’ in Swahili – creates collaborations with African designers. Former banker Sam Mensah set up the site to promote African fashion and create opportunities for workers across Africa. kisua.com

Yevu Clothing

FASTEST In 1991, Ferdie Ato Adoboe set a world record by running 100 meters backwards in 13.6 seconds.

App In The Market The TSTMKRS app is an indispensable African travel guide.

AFRICA ON TAPP

The TSTMKRS app is an expertly curated gateway to entertainment in Africa. Founder Charae Robinson curates her favourite trips esigned to be your cool friend in every African city, the TSTMKRS app offers curated experiences in cities including Accra, Dakar, Johannesburg, Kigali, Lagos, and Nairobi. Users can book different activities or organise an entire trip – from a pop-up dinner with chef Selassie Adetiba in Ghana or an ultra-light plane ride over the Senegalese coast curated by DakarLives – giving them an instant inside track to where they are. Tastemakers Africa’s CEO Cherae Robinson came up with Tastemakers Africa four years ago, when she was travelling for work across Africa. “What I discovered time and time again, from Lagos to Johannesburg, Nairobi to Addis Ababa, was an entirely different vision of Africa than what was being shared with the world,” she explains. “From rooftop bars with filmmakers in Nairobi to road tripping to Lesotho with two South African DJs and some friends, 68

I was introduced to young ‘tastemakers’ who had access to experiences that most tourists never touched.” In response to demand from friends, she set up a Tastemakers Tour Of Ghana. It was an instant hit, but Robinson didn’t see it as much of a viable business as the app – or as effective a means to achieve her aim of changing perceptions. “TSTMKRS is more disruptive. It puts access to authentic, premium experiences in Africa – selected by curators who live and breathe these destinations – at your fingertips. It’s changing what the world thinks about Africa, one trip at a time.” As well as developing more features for the app, Robinson’s team is growing, with General Managers, Curators, and Experience Scouts in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa. “Ultimately, we’ll be guided by the needs of our users and the network of experience partners, helping us see Africa beyond poverty and safaris.”

GREAT EXPLORATIONS

TSTMKRS

10 Cool Things

Ouidah Voodoo Festival

BENIN, 10 JANUARY, 2017 Way below the radar for most, the Ouidah Voodoo Festival gives a glimpse of West Africa’s oldest traditions in one of the most culturally rich countries in the world.

Coco Ocean Resort & Spa

GAMBIA Gambia is fast becoming a hotspot for its plentiful beaches, amazing food, and sunshine. Your passport into it all is boutique hotspot Coco Ocean Resort & Spa. Artfully decorated like a Miami Mansion in its heyday – you may not want to leave.

move is finally decided after a fair amount of pre-game vibes. On Facebook

Olma Colonial Suites

ACCRA, GHANA A boutique hotel that just completed an expansion, adding two bedroom suites to its already stunning collection of rooms, Olma is bringing modern luxury in the heart of Osu (www.olmacolonialsuites.com). After a day of selfies taken by the palm-flanked pool, walk down 13th Road to Burger And Relish, the king of cocktails and gourmet burgers in Accra. It’s perfect for stumbling home. On Facebook

Chale Wote Street Art Festival

ACCRA, GHANA The annual festival held the third weekend of August every year continues to strive and thrive. Bringing nearly 10,000 people into the James Town historic district, this countercultural force is a place where art, fashion, music, and advocacy collide.

cocoocean.com

accradotaltradio.com/chale-wote-street-art-festival

Kora Nightclub

SEREKUNDA, GAMBIA Banjul neighbourhood favourite, Kora, is named after the instrument that dominates Gambian music. Kora epitomises the laid-back vibe of The Gambia. It’s one of those venues that just keeps you feeling sexy with great lighting and vibes. This is where the networking happens, social politics are discussed over shisha and the evening’s

Maame Adjei

GHANA Certified ‘Ghana Girl‘ Maame Adjei is a fashion-designer-turned-actress, who is now taking the travel world by storm with her new series, Girl Going Places. When not showing us the nooks and crannies of Ghana, you can find her curated experiences in the TSTMKRS mobile app. instagram.com/msadjei

You Should Bl**dy Coco Check out Gambia’s Coco Ocean Resort & Spa for a luxrious break.

Le Berger de l’Île de Ngor

NGOR ISLAND, SENEGAL The gallery and creative home of engineer, painter and poet Abdoulaye Diallo greets you like a pulsing energy on the shores of Ngor Island. Provocative and passionate about beauty, Mr Diallo managed to travel, dream, and transform the abstract into concrete, making the invisible visible. Visiting the gallery, with the lapping waves between Ngor Beach and Ngor Island just outside the window is a magical way to spend an afternoon. lebergerdelile.com

Le Phare des Mamelles Friday Nights

DAKAR Local socialite, marketer, and good-time seeker Bintou Seck has created an amazing pop-up venue at the Mamelle Lighthouse in Dakar. Each Friday from about 6pm to 11pm, Dakar’s cool crowd of artists, expats, entrepreneurs and lovers of the breeze gather to imbibe cocktails, grilled bites and epic sunset views.

Grill At The Pent

ABUJA, NIGERIA Never be bored on a Sunday. Bankhead Entertainment, one of Lagos’ premier nightlife promotional planners, has taken this underground rooftop party at Cova Lounge in Victoria Island and expanded it to the capital city of Abuja. You will dance so hard you will be certain it is Friday. Be sure to rest up for those Monday morning meetings, though. On Facebook

Wall-to-wall The Chale Wote Street Art Festival in Accra is packed with attractions.

PoP Beach Club

LAGOS, NIGERIA Just a 10-minute boat ride away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos – be transported to Africa’s budding new surf culture at PoP Beach Club. popbeachclub.com

Look What’s Cooking…

The seasonings and satisfaction of nutritious Nigerian food

5min

2min

On the table in 2 minutes Easy.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hungry for good food:

foodisready@goodfood.ng

FEATURE | Home Shopping

HOSTS WITH THE MOST

In retail, there’s no space like home… until now. In the age of e-commerce, a new breed of bricks-and-mortar store is starting to trend. Leading the charge, Alex Eagle creates social shopping spaces, where everything is for sale.

WORDS TIMOTHY ANSCOMBE-BELL PORTRAITS

ROBBIE LAWRENCE INTERIOR PHOTOS ROSELLA DEGORI

Home Shopping | FEATURE

FEATURE | Home Shopping

e want people to be able to come in and hang out,” smiles Alex Eagle, the 32-year-old creative director and driving force behind her eponymous boutique on Lexington Street in London’s Soho, as well as The Store x Soho House in Berlin. Walking into the Alex Eagle Studio is like stepping into a friend’s beautifully designed home, where – for a price – you can take nearly everything away with you. By placing cherry-picked pieces from around the world within a calm and uncluttered living space, the connection between an object and its environment is brought into context. It’s a reimagining of the concept-store idea, and the fastidious, idiosyncratic eye with which Eagle approaches curation has quickly positioned her not just as an exemplar of good taste, but as one of the most exciting and in-demand talents in the design world. ‘If something’s good, it’s good forever’, is the mantra that governs here. Jewellery from Rosa de la Cruz and a range of carefully selected beauty and homeware offerings might sit alongside a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth or a provocative Helmut Newton

Retail Revolution In Alex Eagle’s chic space, everything, from clothes to ceramics, is for sale.

photograph. But despite the big names, the mood is far from stuffy. The distinctive aesthetic, which asserts that ‘if you love it, it will work’, is carried off with a touch of humour and playfulness, and is perhaps a quiet rebuttal to the homogeneity that characterised so much of luxury interior design in the mid-2000s. Eagle herself is charming, warm and unsurprisingly dynamic. As we make our way around the store, a couple is sat poring over a stack of coffee-table design books and vinyls. Furniture is largely 20th century, with art deco and postmodern references, and the natural wood Dinesen floors act to ground the space. “Because we didn’t want it to feel like a shop, it wasn’t really retailers that I drew influence from,” she explains. Instead, the idea for the Studio came about after a trip to Venice, and to Belgian designer

“We’re all so time-poor and those of us in cities are so space-poor, that people want the edit to be done for them” Alex Eagle

Home Shopping | FEATURE

Where ideas take off During a flight, the mind’s usual patterns are broken – you become receptive to new ideas. Close Collaboration Alex Eagle believes the key to successful retail is to work with people you strongly believe in.

and collector Axel Vervoordt’s Palazzo Fortuny installation. “Every Art Biennale, he takes over this incredible space and curates it,” Eagle says. “He brings in antiquities, mixes contemporary art with Old Master paintings and leaves his furniture to act as a beautiful neutral, from which everything else pops: it was a massive inspiration.” The Studio’s approach to womenswear is similarly considered and based around non-seasonal staples, with a focus on fabric and fit. Jackets from Blazé Milano and dresses from Vita Kin share hanging space with Eagle’s range of in-house designed trousers, tops and outerwear. “Our pieces act as building blocks that you can invest in,” she explains. “It’s almost a male approach to building a wardrobe. Buying things that fit beautifully and last; keeping it quite simple and pared back, but then having fun with jewellery or with brands like Balenciaga and Vetements.” So what’s the secret to cracking the apartment-retail concept? Eagle attributes much of her success to close collaboration and being able to offer the customer a real experience. Starting off collaborating with New & Lingwood, the historic shirtmaker and outfitters to Eton College, as well as leather-goods

Add calming views of the open skies, and neural pathways are revitalised.

Reach a captive audience mid-flight. Our readers are at peak awareness Advertise in Wings: arikwings.com/advertise

FEATURE | Home Shopping

Home Comforts The balance between store and living space is expertly poised.

maker Swaine Adeney Brigg, Eagle started to build her collection slowly. “Pick wisely and carefully and work with people you really strongly believe in,” she notes. “That way, your offering is concise and it’s got a point of view.” When the first pieces proved successful, she expanded the selection. “I love beautiful things and so I’ve ended up being friends with lots of artists and creatives. I can’t paint or throw a pot, so I’m really drawn to those people who can,” she says. “I’m lucky to have this platform; we come up with an idea together and I have a place to market them.” Most recently, this resulted in a project with artist Luke Edward Hall, who developed a series of Picasso-inspired ceramics for the studio.

Educating retail

Elsewhere, Eagle works with Berlin-based Idea Books to source her design monographs and special-edition magazines, and with Mark Wadhwa, owner of The Vinyl Factory in London on the rare records spinning in the background. Wadhwa also happens to be Eagle’s partner and the pair oversees The Store x Soho House as a joint partnership alongside Soho House chief executive, Nick Jones. The Lexington Street space also functions as a creative studio, where the womenswear collections are designed. Pieces are made in limited runs from select British, French and Italian manufacturers, and have proven popular. “They never go on sale, we always sell out and then we make more,” she says. While prices on period furniture and art are understandably high, Eagle wants everything she showcases to be worth the money. 76

“Luxury can be a record, book or an experience, as much as it is an expensive object for the home.” As the Alex Eagle team gears up to open a downstairs multi-use space that will host reiki, yoga classes, presentations and events come September, a new 10,000-square-foot outpost of The Store x Soho House is being fitted next door, featuring a café and co-working space, alongside an eclectic mix of fashion and design. Eagle is also overseeing the iconic Hayward gallery’s residence at 180 The Strand in collaboration with Soho House between September and December. The idea that links these ventures is one of shifting focus from a purely transactional relationship, towards giving the customer something real. In Eagle’s universe, shops take on a fresh role as a place of learning and inspiration – even if this means slowing the journey to purchase. Increasingly, independent retailers are creating communities around their stores, making them places where like-minded people can spend time, where they are introduced to new food and books, and encouraged to linger. “We’re all so time-poor and those of us in cities are so space-poor, that people want the edit to be done for them,” concludes Eagle. “That’s modern luxury to my mind – giving yourself time to enjoy and to relax.” We couldn’t agree more. alexeagle.co.uk 6-10 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LB, +44 (0) 207 589 0588 Opening hours, Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

Home Shopping | FEATURE

SoHo Boho The Apartment By The Line in SoHo, New York.

HOME FROM HOME Three other apartment-style retailers, and why we’d happily move in…

Stranger, Lagos

THE APARTMENT BY THE LINE New York With a feeling of having stepped into a friend’s chic city loft, this SoHo boutique places fashion, home and beauty products into a well-appointed living space – where everything is for sale. theline.com 76 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012, +1 917 460 7196 Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm

STRANGER Lagos Toeing the line for West African concept stores, the Lekki-based multi-brand retailer offers a tight edit of international and domestic menswear and womenswear, alongside a co-working space and brew bar.

strangerlagos.com 3 Hakeem Dickson Street, Lekki Phase One, Lagos, +234 (0) 1 295 7665 Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 1pm-7pm

L’Appartment Sézane, Paris

L’APPARTEMENT SÉZANE Paris A cheery and supremely stylish jewellery box of bright colours and eclectic décor, the French womenswear brand hangs its silk blouses and well-cut trousers next to antiques, books and flowers with aplomb. sezane.com 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002, Paris Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-8pm

Our experience is global Our focus is West Africa

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FEATURE | Hillbrow Boxing Club

Nigerian-Liberian boxer, Angel Harrison at the Hillbrow Boxing Club. Harrison says he came to South Africa to turn professional, and hopes to qualify for his boxing licence.

Hillbrow Boxing Club | FEATURE

Hillbrow is inner-city Johannesburg’s most notorious neighbourhood. Set against the backdrop of poverty and crime is George Khosi’s boxing gym, one man’s attempt to bring discipline and aspiration to the youth of his neighbourhood WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY

NYANI QUARMYNE

FEATURE | Hillbrow Boxing Club

uring the apartheid era, Hillbrow was the exclusive domain of wealthy white South Africans. Then, during the unrest of the 1980s, black South Africans began to move into the area in defiance of the Group Areas Act, which decreed who could be where according to the colour of their skin. The whites moved out, taking their money with them, and the area began a steady decline. After decades of civil unrest and the eventual loosening of barbaric apartheid restrictions, poor black South Africans flooded into the inner city seeking a better life, and in the 1990s, Hillbrow hit an apex of crime and poverty. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, a lack of investment and myriad problems with cultural integration, this rapid increase in urban population led to a city divided – where Affluent pockets of the global super-rich live next to modern-day slum neighbourhoods with an overwhelmingly black populace, overrun with poverty. Hillbrow is one of these neighbourhoods. Towers like ‘Highrise’ still offer magnificent city vistas but to reach them, one must enter in the 82

knowledge that the building is the chosen home of the dealers who operate with impunity in the park below. You will have to trudge up endless flights of stairs — the elevators are almost always broken — and traverse garbage-strewn hallways to look out at the view. Long-term residents say Hillbrow is not as bad as it once was. But they still don’t walk the streets at night. Against this backdrop, George Khosi’s story unfolds. A childhood spent on the streets, petty crime, hustling, and stealing to eat. He was constantly in and out of trouble with the law. Then, aged 16, because he was big and looked older than his age, George wound up in an adult prison. When he got out, he took up boxing in earnest. His prospects as a professional boxer looked bright, and his record in the image to the right speaks for itself – bright, that is, until he was shot and left for dead during a burglary. He lost the sight in his right eye and now walks with a limp. His boxing career seemed over, but George picked up his gloves again – this time, to teach Hillbrow’s youngsters. George operates Hillbrow Boxing Club on a shoestring. He does much of what he does for free, with battered equipment and a

Hillbrow Boxing Club | FEATURE

makeshift ring in the donated space of the forecourt of a disused petrol station. South Africa is an incredibly complex society — there are so many ethnicities, subcultures, economic disparities and world views, and all are inevitably set against the backdrop of the legacies of apartheid. Within this broader context, inner-city Johannesburg is a patchwork of the most incredible contrasts, all within the space of a few minutes’ walk from each other. In many ways, it’s a microcosm of the socio-economic challenges the nation faces. Drawn to explore this further, it was along the way that I found George Khosi and his boxing club. It would be hard for anyone not to like George. I respected his humble ‘I’ll-do-what-I-can’ approach to rehabilitating his corner of the inner city in his own way. Ultimately, I was struck by the notion of positive transformation and the hope of a safer, more peaceful society deriving from the violence of the boxing ring.

Siyakudumisa Vapi (right), a licensed boxer hoping to make it as a professional, sparring at the Hillbrow Boxing Club. He’s training for a fight against the third-ranked fighter in the national featherweight division.

Selina Mabunda wrapping her knuckles before boxing training at the Hillbrow Boxing Club.

FEATURE | Hillbrow Boxing Club

Members of the Zionist Church hold a service in the weights room at Hillbrow. The church rents the space for a Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spirited prayer meetingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Siyakudumisa Vapi arranges his CV and qualifications on his bed before heading out into the city to look for work.

Hillbrow Boxing Club | FEATURE

Natalie Baniea trains a young boy at Hillbrow. Due to a lack of resources, youngsters make do with adult gloves.

George operates Hillbrow Boxing Club on a shoestring. He does much of what he does for free, with battered equipment and a makeshift ring in the donated space of the forecourt of a disused petrol station.

Yomi Shokunbi, a Nigerian living in South Africa, is a model, fitness trainer and pro boxer, who has qualified for his licence and fought three bouts.

FEATURE | She Leads Africa

She Leads Africa | FEATURE

HIVE MINDS She Leads Africa has become a savvy, female-focused, entrepreneurial movement, with long-term plans for the future of large-scale business in and beyond the continent WORDS

NANA OCRAN

ole models can be quite distant and removed from reality, so we choose to gain our inspiration from the incredible young women that we serve every day.” This is a response from Afua Osei, one half of the entrepreneurially savvy duo behind She Leads Africa (SLA), a pan-African diaspora community with members from more than 30 countries across the globe. The organisation was launched by Osei and her business partner Yasmin Belo-Osagie in Lagos in 2014. This was the first time around for their SheHive bootcamp competition for dynamic pitches. The event included a $10,000 donation from business giant Aliko Dangote, which was won by Cherae Robinson, founder of the boutique travel app, Tastemakers Africa. Since the Lagos launch, SLA now has solid engagement from major hubs such as Kenya, Ghana, the UK, South Africa and the US. “Just like our community, the SLA team is pan-African and spread across the diaspora,” says Osei. “Yasmin is in the United States, while I’m based in Nigeria.”

FEATURE | She Leads Africa

With the initial launch winner based in the US, other SheHive entrants reflect the pan-African nature of the movement. They have included Ruramiso Mashumba, who runs a farm in Zimbabwe growing crops for export to the European Union and other African countries; Adepeju Jaiyeoba, who started Mother’s Delivery Kit in Nigeria, to provide hygienic birthing supplies to mothers without access and Winnifred Selby, founder of Afrocentric Bamboo – makers of sustainable bikes in Ghana. Osei: “It’s about making a difference, and these are just a few of the incredible women we have in our network who inspire us.”

The sharing economy

There is an undeniable expectation from the SLA founders, as well as the women they work with, to see themselves better reflected in business articles, global advice and think pieces on entrepreneurship. Consequently, there is a persistent need to break through the glass ceiling and to get beyond the stage of receiving microbusiness financing for cottage industries and to aim for highly scalable options. After all, both Osei and Belo-Osagie hail from backgrounds in global management at McKinsey & Company (a globally recognised

management consultancy), so strong ideas on strategy, fused with a desire to engage with socially driven output by perhaps creating new business models, seems to be the direction that SLA is going. There obviously needs to be a positive constellation of factors and creative sharing that will allow this to happen, something which Osei recognises. “The beauty of technology and almost frictionless communication is that today, we can all learn from each other,” she says. “A business idea that is started in one market can be perfected on the other side of the world – so this is an exciting time to be an innovator and entrepreneur. For us, it is less about specific business models and more about how to adapt and adjust quickly, to keep pace with your customers’ evolving needs and a more volatile Previous page: SLA’s Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei.

She Leads Africa | FEATURE

Women's Web A show of strength from some of She Leads Africa’s groups from across the continent.

macro-economic environment.” She’s essentially highlighting a global fluidity which depends for its success on listening very carefully to the African market. The youthful energy of the SLA movement – both co-founders are in their 20s – sits well with the ‘Africa rising’ mantra, but the vision is more diverse than one central age demographic. Says Afua: “We are specifically focused on young women between 25 to 35, but age is not a restriction. We’ve had women connect to us from 18 to 50. These women have an attitude that is positive, committed and fierce. If we had to sum them up in a hashtag, it would be #MotherlandMoguls.”

Faith, hope and clarity

“The beauty of technology and almost frictionless communication is that today, we can all learn from each other. A business idea that is started in one market can be perfected on the other side of the world” Afua Osei

This savvy energy also works well in terms of the promotional focus. A desire for SLA to become globally known beyond the growing membership base is smoothly aided by a PR professional, Jessica Hope. London-based and familiar with Nigerian markets – having worked closely with pioneering online African movie channel iROKOtv – she was asked to help build further recognition for the SLA brand. Of their status so far, she feels that what the organisation is doing is unique. “It’s a good African, female-led, contemporary story to go with,” Hope says. “I don’t think there are many similar initiatives in terms of their energy. They’ve also got some really big global sponsors behind them already. Yasmin was voted one of Fast Company’s Top 100 most creative people in business this year. So, what I’m doing is helping them raise their international profile.” Getting props from the progressive business media brand is well-deserved for Belo-Osagie, an innovator whose trajectory also includes an academic background in history and, interestingly, a past experience as a trainee chef in Hong Kong, having studied at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in London and Paris. A wellconnected all-rounder, no doubt, she picks up on the relevance of 89

FEATURE | She Leads Africa

Leaders League Afua Osei, Aliko Dangote, Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Hakeem Belo-Osagie.

BUSINESS FOR ALL Men, women and children can all find inspiration for Africa’s big-business future START INNOVATION HUB Akwa Ibom is the location for this dynamic business hub, where the entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged early. A Kids’ Code club for eight to 17- year-olds promotes the fact that any Nigerian child could be an important developer in the future. Kids’ Camps are also on offer, and there’s a mission to roll out these programmes across schools nationwide. starthub.com.ng VENTURES PLATFORM Abuja’s co-creation space exists as a wonderful collaboration between arts and business. Primarily founded as a softwareengineering company, the centre has expanded into the first fully serviced technology hub in Abuja. Facilities include incubation, work and resident’s spaces, all housed in large sustainable containers, which are all beautifully designed using intricate external murals created by critically acclaimed artist Victor Ehikhamenor. venturesplatform.com WENNOVATION HUB With something of a caring, sharing ethos, the Lagos-based Wennovation hub is open to young solo-preneurs, whose tech and innovation ideas are blended with others to form collaborative businesses – ideally within a six-month time frame. A second Wennovation hub exists in Ibadan, where the same principle of group entrepreneurial thinking applies. wennovationhub.org

building solid networks with the commercial world. “We love working with brands who understand the role young African women play as influencers and decision makers,” she says. “Obviously, it’s important that selected partners go beyond talking, and make real commitments towards action. Over the past two years, we’ve enjoyed working with international companies such as Facebook, Intel, Reel African, Cointreau, Guaranty Trust Bank and South African Airlines, to name a few.” This is fine company for SLA and the many early-stage entrepreneurs they work with. Aspirations for their community are high, although it’s not always easy to fully document exactly where the female-led entrepreneurial changes and developments are actually taking place within the current African business space. “One of the main challenges in this environment is the lack of hard data,” adds Osei. “It’s difficult to specifically state which sectors that women-led businesses are specifically thriving in. Naturally, entrepreneurs solve problems that they understand very well, so we’ve seen successful enterprises in e-commerce and consumer goods, as well as in professional services. However, there is still plenty of room to grow, so we look forward to seeing more women in industries such as financial technology, construction and natural resources.” A major goal for the future is for SLA to become the number-one resource for professionally ambitious African women. To do this, their aim is to create an investment fund that provides direct financing for women-led businesses. They also aim to keep expanding their digital content with a suite of formats, from podcasts to videos and in-depth research articles – all geared to help young African women build their careers.

Home Shopping | FEATURE

200,000 people will read this issue…

...across 134 flights per day and 31 destinations. That’s enough readers to fill three huge football stadiums.

Attendees at SheLeadsAfrica’s Open House event.

And as for the immediate expansion of the growing membership? “We base our SheHive bootcamp locations on the activity and excitement of our community,” says Osei. “We’re still looking at the numbers to see where it would be a good fit for next year. We always encourage our community members to ‘bring us to their city’ by getting more of their friends and networks to join up on our website. Right now, there’s a whole crew pushing to get us to visit Toronto, Canada and Freetown, Sierra Leone… so if we get enough members in those regions, you might see us there in 2017.”

The platform is yours: get on the pitch and score a winner! Advertise your brand in Wings. arikwings.com

Arik Air

10th

ARIK ZONE Anniversary

Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

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10th Anniversary

Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

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10th Anniversary

Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

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Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

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10th Anniversary

Ten years of Saf e and Secure Tra vel

094 Inside Arik 096 Onboard Tips 097 Fleet 098 Safety & Services 100 Route Map 102 Contact Us www.arikair.com

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Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

INSIDE ARIK

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10th Anniversary

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

ARIK DEBUTS NEW BUSINESS CLASS KITCHEN AND NEW MENU

his summer, Arik Air opened its own Business Class Kitchen in Lagos delivering a new dining menu for passengers to London, New York and Johannesburg. Designed ‘for Nigerians, by Nigerians’, the menu choices feature Nigerian as well as continental dishes. Once the service commences, a selection of appetisers and salad are available. Items such as hot goat pepper soup or fishcakes with beetroot towers are served with warm bread. For main course, there are four choices available: beef suya, plantain and jollof rice, fried croaker fish with yam porridge, pan-seared beef fillet

with a rosemary sauce or chicken served with a tangy citrus sauce. On offer for dessert is a traditional lemon posset tart served with fresh gingerbread biscuits or a selection of fresh cut fruit. All menu choices are alcohol and pork-free, and jollof rice is always available regardless of your menu selection. On the London and Johannesburg service, afternoon tea is served approximately 60 minutes prior to landing and on the New York service, a continental breakfast is offered. Previously, Arik Air outsourced return catering to airline catering services in

London and Johannesburg but by catering specifically to its own customers, the airline can now source local products and deliver true Nigerian flavours. Rodger Whittle, Arik Air’s Senior Vice President, Standards And Service Delivery comments: “The addition of a dedicated Business Class Kitchen to our already busy Economy Kitchen means that we are truly very busy. As a company, we have always wanted to be able to manage our own catering with a comprehensive offering. We are

MAINTAINING A PARTNERSHIP LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AND ARIK AIR RENEW COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE Arik Air has reaffirmed its partnership with Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary of Lufthansa German Airline. The German company will carry on providing technical and maintenance support to the Nigerian carrier. Director, Line Maintenance Network And Technical Operations Management, Lufthansa Technik, Jurgen Hupe commented: “We are happy to work for Arik and would like to see Arik thrive and play a more important role in the market in the region, as well as in the international market. We will do

www.arikair.com

our best to be a good partner to help Arik in achieving this.” Deputy Managing Director And Senior Vice President Operations, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, said Arik Air is committed to its partnership with the company, stressing that they are satisfied with the partnership with Lufthansa. “They are the most experienced MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) in the world and we look out for the best. There was a bid, which Lufthansa Technik won at that time. We are very satisfied with their level of partnership. We are looking forward for a deeper partnership.”

very proud to have achieved this new milestone on the eve of our 10th Anniversary. The feedback from our customers and crew has been exceptionally positive.” The current menu cycle will run until October, when a brand new cycle will be introduced. With the airline’s expansion drive, our catering facilities are becoming busier by the day. The service that we currently manage for our own use could easily be expanded to offer a service to other carriers operating in and out of Lagos.

ARIK ZONE

A REGAL TOUR

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF OPERATION, IN NUMBERS

THE OONI OF IFE AND YORUBA’S TRADITIONAL RULERS CHOOSE ARIK AIR TO VISIT THE USA

“I am an apostle of made-inNigeria and that is why everything you see on me, except my wristwatch, is 100-per-cent made in Nigeria.” These were the forthright words of the Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who, along with his wife Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi and a 50-strong entourage of

Yoruba traditional rulers, chose Arik Air to fly from Lagos to New York for a summer tour of the US. Part of a mission to support Nigerian brands, the underlying importance of the Ooni’s trip was to ensure that Nigerians patronised not just the airline, but Nigerian products as a whole. With around 10 Yoruba traditional rulers from Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States included on the flight, it is hoped that these titled passengers will be successful in using their positions to keep Nigeria’s brands thriving both within and beyond the country.

AWARD IN ACCRA ARIK AIR HAS WON ANOTHER ACCOLADE – THE WEST AFRICAN AIRLINE OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE GHANA AVIATION AWARDS 2016

The special recognition award, according to Ghana Aviation Awards Events Director, Richard Abbey Jnr, was conferred on Arik Air because of its achievement in airline business leadership and commitment to safety. The impressive award ceremony, held at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra in July, was a gathering of the cream of aviation personalities in West Africa and a celebration of excellence in the industry. The West African Airline Of The Year Award is a crowning glory for Arik Air’s eight years of operation in Ghana and the rest of the region, which began with the inauguration of flights to Accra in January 2008.

The airline is the first African carrier to create a hub at Kotoka International Airport, Accra where flights from Lagos and Abuja arrive into Accra within a few minutes of each other and then depart onwards to other West African cities from Accra, non-stop. Arik Air operates to six cities non-stop from Accra, which include Freetown, Banjul, Dakar, Monrovia, Lagos and Abuja. Arik Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, Suraj Sundaram, said: “This year marks the 10th Anniversary celebration for Arik Air as the largest airline operating in West and Central Africa, so it is very encouraging to receive this award – which demonstrates the increasing recognition not only from the travelling public, but also from industry partners. We are still a young company and we see ourselves as a major contributor to the economies of West African states, by continually improving and expanding our service offering in the region.”

THE SOUND OF MUSIC ARIK AIR SPONSORS THE ONE AFRICA MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE BARCLAYS CENTRE IN NEW YORK Tiwa Savage, Banky W, Davido, Flavour and Wizkid are just the initial roll call of lyrical names who flew in for the landmark One Africa Music Festival in New York City this summer. Sponsored by Arik Air, the road-stopping event took place at the Barclays Center, in line with the Brooklynlocated multipurpose arena’s avowed commitment to the local community. “Arik Air remains dedicated to partnering with the community and raising the visibility of Nigerian culture to audiences in the US,” said Robert Brunner, Vice President The Americas, Arik Air. “Our support of the One Africa Music Fest has enabled Nigerian artists to perform at the Barclays Center for the first time, allowing them to reach new audiences, and we are very proud to be a part of history in the making.” This year, Arik Air has sponsored a large number of Nigerian performers, underlining the airline’s commitment to cultural exchange between US and Nigerian audiences. Arik’s relationship with the US is a strong one, and in celebrating 10 years of operations, the airline happily acknowledges its seven years of operating into John F. Kennedy International Airport, remaining the only African airline to fly direct to JFK.

LAGOS ABUJA

NUMBER OF HUBS

PASSENGERS

123 km SHORTEST ROUTE COTONOU

8,467 km LONGEST ROUTE NEW YORK, JFK

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Arik Air

10th

ARIK ZONE

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Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

ONBOARD TIPS

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

HEALTH & COMFORT DRESS FOR COMFORT

EQUALISE EAR PRESSURE

Loosen shoe laces, belts, tight socks and ties for maximum comfort.

During ascent and descent, changes in the cabin pressure can cause a feeling of discomfort in your ears. Chewing gum or sucking and swallowing will help equalise this feeling of pressure in your ears. Babies or young passengers may suffer more acutely. Consider providing them with a dummy to suck on.

ENTERTAIN YOURSELF Enjoy a film, read your copy of Wings or explore your personalised in-flight entertainment system. Arik Air offers a great choice of Hollywood and Nollywood movies, radio channels and a map display.

HYDRATE Try and drink eight ounces of water every hour. Avoid drinking too much tea, coffee and alcohol, which are diuretics.

ADJUST YOUR SEAT Use the seat recline as well as the lumbar support to find a comfortable position. All Arik Air seats are fitted with a footrest which, while aiding your comfort, will also help relieve pressure on your calf muscles.

www.arikair.com

MOISTURISE To combat dry cabin air, pamper yourself with a good-quality skin moisturiser, provided as standard to Premier Class passengers.

GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK Contact lenses may cause eye irritation due to the dry cabin air. We recommend that you wear your glasses in flight. Your eyes will feel fresher and less tired when you arrive.

CIRCULATION SAFETY Try doing seated leg exercises every couple of hours throughout the flight to help prevent stiffness and swelling. Lift your knees, while at the same time clenching your thigh muscles and pointing your toes up and down and around in a circular motion. Repeat this between 10 and 20 times with each leg. Doing these exercises whilst flying will help you feel better when you arrive. When resting, try to make sure your body is in a comfortable position and turn frequently so your body is not constricted or stretched for long periods of time. Try to avoid sleeping for long periods without changing position.

n Pay close attention to the safety briefings at the beginning and end of the flight and know the location of all exits, including how many rows away you are from an exit. n Be aware of which electronic devices are and are not allowed to be used during the flight. If you are unsure of our policies, consult a crew member. Mobile phones are not permitted for use at any time whilst on board. n Follow the instructions of the crew at all times and be respectful of them and the other passengers. n Inform the crew of any disruptive behaviour, follow their instructions, and be courteous. n Be aware of safety procedures, relax and enjoy your flight!

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FLEET AIRBUS A340–500 n Number of aircraft in fleet 2nn Number of seats 237nn Length 69mnn Wingspan 63.45mnn Cruising speed 881km/h

AIRBUS A330–200 n Number of aircraft in fleet 2nn Number of seats 217nn Length 58.82mnn Wingspan 60.3mnn Cruising speed 871km/h

BOEING 737–800 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 148nn Length 39.5mnn Wingspan 35.7mnn Cruising speed 828km/h

BOEING 737–700 n Number of aircraft in fleet 9nn Number of seats 124-149nn Length 33.6mnn Wingspan 35.7mnn Cruising speed 828km/h

BOMBARDIER CRJ1000 n Number of aircraft in fleet 1nn Number of seats 92nn Length 39mnn Wingspan 26mnn Cruising speed 870km/h

BOMBARDIER CRJ900 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 74nn Length 36.40mnn Wingspan 24.85mnn Cruising speed 881km/h

BOMBARDIER DASH8 Q400 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 72nn Length 32.8mnn Wingspan 28.4mnn Cruising speed 660km/h www.arikair.com

Arik Air

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SAFETY & SERVICES

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

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TICKET PURCHASE Bookings and e-ticket purchases can be made by calling our reservation desks or call centres or online at www.arikair.com. They can also be made by visiting our airport or regional offices or via select travel agents. Please see the Contact Us page or our website for further details. You can access all up-to-date fares by going to the booking engine on our homepage. A booking cannot be cancelled online once it has been

confirmed. However, you can call our reservations office or visit your local Arik Air office for cancellations, or to reschedule a booking. Note that an administration charge may be charged for cancellations or rescheduling of flights. If you choose to pay for your fare by cash, you may collect your ticket from our city office, or local airport office. Passports should be valid for more than six months from the date of travel. We advise you to contact the embassy or consulate of your transit and final destination for visa requirements.

Special Fares Promotional and special fares are posted on our website on a regular basis. Please go online and check www.arikair.com for updates.

CHECK IN n Arik Air check-in counters open in Nigeria two hours before departure for domestic flights, three hours before regional flights, and four hours before international flights.

Arik App With the Arik Air App, you’re in charge of your flying experience. The app is free to download on Blackberry, iOS, or Android devices For more information, visit arikair.com/ arik-air-mobile-app

www.arikair.com

For international flights, checked in baggage allowance is:

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

PREMIER BUSINESS CLASS 3 pieces at 30kg max per piece.

ECONOMY CLASS 2 pieces at 30kg max per piece. n The total number of bags allowed for any guest is eight pieces. n Do not overfill suitcases and bags beyond their weight or volume capacity. This can lead to breakage of handles, zips, wheels or other damage caused to your baggage. The airline is not liable for these types of damages. n It is advisable to label all baggage with your name, destination and contact details.

n Keep any baggage labels or receipts in a safe place. You may be required to present them upon leaving the airport. n It is advisable to clearly label or tie a coloured ribbon to your luggage in order to identify your bags easily. n Guests are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage at 12kg maximum. n Knives, nail scissors, tweezers, lighters and other sharp or explosive objects are not allowed in hand luggage.

n At check-in, please present your passport and ticket together with anything else you were asked at the time of booking to bring with you, such as your company ID card. n Knives, nail scissors, tweezers, lighters and other sharp or explosive objects are not allowed in hand luggage. Please see the notices at the airport. n Guests who fail to complete check-in procedures on time will not be permitted to travel. n Premier Business Class guests are entitled to use the business-class lounges at Johannesburg International, London Heathrow, New York JFK and Lagos Murtala Muhammed International airports. n All guests must complete check-in for their Arik Air flight prior to check-in closure which is 30 minutes for domestic flights, 60 minutes for regional flights and 90 minutes for

BAGGAGE

International flights. Strict closure of check-in at all airports is to ensure our flights depart on time. Once we have accepted guests at the check-in desks, we close the flight at the stated latest check-in time to permit the necessary calculations and preparations for an ‘on-time’ departure. Re-opening our guest list after check-in closure puts the flight at risk of delay, i.e. the flight could miss its allocated take-off slot.

ONLINE CHECK-IN Online check-in allows you to avoid long check-in queues at the airport and confirm your seat in advance. It opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight and closes five hours before international flights, and three hours before domestic and regional flights. Log on to www.arikair.com and follow the prompts to the online check-in service, then follow the instructions.

ARIK ZONE

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS Unaccompanied minors are well looked after on all Arik Air flights. Our crew will assist with all of the complicated airport details and forms and will help unaccompanied minors call home at our cost to let parents know they are okay. Onboard, we make sure the youngsters have a great time with lots of goodies and attention. In fact, they probably won’t even notice that mum and dad aren’t around! We will carry unaccompanied minors only upon completion and signature of the necessary forms by a parent or guardian. n Domestic Flights Arik Air does not carry unaccompanied minors under five years. n International Flights Arik Air does not carry unaccompanied minors under five years of age and also if there is a transfer prior to the final destination.

MEALS A choice of international and Nigerian cuisine is available to all guests on Arik Air flights. Vegetarian and children’s meals are available to guests on

designated routes. Requests must be made at the time of ticket purchase online or via our call centre or reservation desks a minimum of 48 hours before the flight. On international flights, soft drinks, wine, cocktails and snacks are available to Premier Class guests at the Kira Bar.

Travelling With Benefits A simple way to join Arik’s Frequent Flyer programme

SAFETY STANDARDS Arik Air is committed to ensuring that a safe, hazard-free environment prevails throughout its areas of operation, for both employees and guests, by meeting or exceeding all flight, occupational, and environmental health and safety standards. The management considers safety as the number one priority for the airline, and is committed to minimising the possibility of accidents by implementing a safety program provided by the Corporate Safety and Security Department.

WHEELCHAIR SERVICE Elderly guests and guests with walking difficulties are entitled to wheelchair service. However, requests must be made at the time of ticket purchase or reservation.

Pearl, Bronze, Silver or Gold memberships are free as part of Arik’s Affinity Wings programme. Customers can

CHILDCARE We provide a variety of amenities to ensure a stress-free flight for parents of babies and small children. Please ask a flight attendant for assistance. Diaper

AIRBUS A340 & A330 CABIN FEATURES Premier Business Class guests on international flights enjoy fully flat seats with a 10-motor vibro massage system, full control by touchscreen suite, electric leg, head and armrest extension and rotation, mirrored privacy dividers and on-board social bar area. Our economy seats provide extra leg space, and all seats are equipped with individual entertainment systems.

sign up via a straightforward online booking process. Members can accumulate points which enable them to earn and redeem valued air miles, with benefits featuring allowances for excess baggage, lounge access and special spending deals with a range of Arik’s commercial partners. Not bad – especially for all those travelling long haul to international destinations. Arikaffinitywings.com

changing boards are located in selected toilets.

CARRIAGE OF INFANTS If you are travelling with an infant under 24 months, you can include them on your seat booking by making an infant reservation. Newly born infants under seven days old will not be accepted. For safety requirements, infants must be accompanied by a guest aged 21 years or above and booked in the ratio of one infant per adult. Infants under 24 months on the day of travel may fly for a significantly reduced infant fare per one-way flight, provided they sit on an adult’s lap. If the infant reaches the age of two years prior to the return journey, contact Arik’s reservations directly to book a seat, as safety regulations require that a seat is allocated. Proof of age may be required, so please have the infant’s valid photo-ID available for inspection. www.arikair.com

Arik Air

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ARIK ZONE

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ROUTE MAP

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

Arik Air

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

NEW YORK CITY

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SOKOTO

KANO

KADUNA

GOMBE JOS

ABUJA

YOLA

ILORIN IBADAN ENUGU

LAGOS

ASABA BENIN CITY WARRI PORT HARCOURT

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OWERRI UYO CALABAR

ARIK AIR DOMESTIC ROUTES

ARIK ZONE

UK LONDON

SENEGAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN

DAKAR BANJUL GAMBIA

NIGERIA

GHANA

SIERRA LEONE FREETOWN MONROVIA LIBERIA

CÔTE D’IVOIRE COTONOU ABIDJAN

ABUJA LAGOS

ACCRA PORT HARCOURT

CAMEROON DOUALA

LIBREVILLE GABON

ANGOLA LUANDA

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

ARIK AIR INTERNATIONAL ROUTES www.arikair.com

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CONTACT

Arik Air

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ARIK AIR TRAVEL SHOPS & AIRPORT TICKET OFFICES

Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

Reservations Nigeria +234 (0)1 2799999 +234 (0)1 906 7000 Angola +244 222 391150 Cameroon +237 233421301, 233421308 +237 653564842, 653564828 The Gambia +220 4399966/77 Gabon +241 02552525, +241 03463939 Ghana +233 (0) 233 044 800/1/6/7 Liberia +231 (0) 22 00 76 54 Republic Of Benin (229) 2131 84 10, (229) 21 30 34 81 Republic Of Côte D’Ivoire (225) 21 21 97 32, (225) 20 22 28 08 Senegal +221 33 821 7497 Sierra Leone +232 25203949 South Africa +27(0)11 666 7470 United Kingdom +44 (0)844 482 2324 USA + 1 877 900 2745

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

To provide feedback on your travel experience with us: T +234 1 906 7000 +234 1 279 9999 E talktous@arikair.com

TRAVEL TRADE SALES

If you are a travel agent and have a question or request: T +234 (0) 8077791664 E travelagencydesk@arikair.com

CORPORATE SALES

If your company has a question concerning business travel: T 08077791154 08077911466 E corporatesales@arikair.com

GROUP SALES

To make a booking for nine (9) or more guests travelling together: T +234 (0) 8077791667 E gdm@arikair.com

CHARTER SALES

For enquiries into our Charter services: T +234 (0) 8077791652 E chartersales@arikair.com

ARIK AFFINITY WINGS

To register or ask questions about our frequent flyer programme T +234 1 279 9999 E affinitywings@arikair.com

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

If your query does not fall into any of the above categories: E info@arikair.com

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NIGERIA ABUJA Arik Air Travel Shop Arik Air Travel Shop Arik Air Travel Shop Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal Abuja Domestic Airport Terminal LAGOS Arik Air Travel Shop Arik Air Travel Shop Arik Air Travel Shop Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Lagos Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport (GAT) PORT HARCOURT Arik Air Travel Shop Port Harcourt International Airport Port Harcourt Garden City Terminal REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ANGOLA Arik Air General Sales Agent Aeroporto Internacional 4 de Fevereiro Luanda CAMEROON Arik Air General Sales Agent

Arik Air

Melita Plaza, Near Efab Plaza, Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11 Transcorp Hilton, 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama 417 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi, Maitama

10th Anniversary

Ten years of Safe and Secure Travel

45 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi 44 Toyin Street, Ikeja Sheraton Hotel & Towers, 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja

47 Aba Road, Eastern Garden House

Valeria Tours, Rua Dr Alves da Cunha Nº 4 1º A (descendo o Largo Mutu Ya Kevela) Luanda

Douala International Airport

L4G Asset Management Company , Blvd de la Liberte, Akwa, P.O Box 8626 Douala, Cameroon Douala

THE GAMBIA Arik Air Travel Shop Yundun International Airport

FIB Building 2, Kairaba Avenue, Serekunda Banjul

GABON City Ticket Office Airport Ticket Office GHANA Arik Air Travel Shop Kotoka International Airport LIBERIA Arik Air Travel Shop Monrovia Roberts International Airport REPUBLIC OF BENIN City ticketing office Airport ticketing office REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D'IVOIRE City ticketing office Airport ticketing office

Louis Gallerie JUMA near Gabon pain, Libreville. Gabon Leon MBA International Airport, Libreville Gabon Ground Floor, Phillipa, 89 Ringway Estate, Osu, P.M.B 95 KIA, Accra Accra Rose Garden Plaza, Crown Hill, Monrovia Monrovia Olizair Bénin, angle Avenue Steinmetz / Rue Chagas, Immeuble Kougblenou, 01 P.O. Box 3530 Cotonou Olizair Bénin, Aéroport international Cardinal Bernandin Gantin, Cotonou Olizair Côte d'Ivoire, Rue du commerce, Immeuble l’Amiral, 17 P.O. Box 199 Abidjan 17 Olizair Côte d'Ivoire, Aéroport international Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan

SENEGAL Arik Travel Travel Shop Immeuble Amsa Assurance, Amadou Assane N’doye, Dakar Dakar-Yoff-Leopold Sedar Senghor International Dakar Airport SIERRA LEONE Arik Air Travel Shop 13 Howe Street, Freetown Arik Air Sales Desk Lungi International Airport SOUTH AFRICA Arik Air International Sales Agent O.R. Tambo International Airport, International Terminal UNITED KINGDOM Arik Air General Sales Agent London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 USA Arik Air General Sales Agent John F Kennedy Airport, Terminal 4

Zenith Bank, 18-20 Rawdon Street, Freetown Freetown Suite 14, 1st Floor Daisy Street Office Park 135 Daisy Street, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg Johannesburg

Aviareps PLC., 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0AU London Aviareps INC New York City

WINGTIPS Your definitive guide to Arik Air destinations 104 Abidjan Abuja Accra 105 Asaba Banjul Benin 106 Cotonou Calabar Dakar 107 Douala Enugu Freetown 108 Gombe Ibadan Ilorin 109 Johannesburg Jos Kaduna 110 Kano Lagos Libreville 111 London Luanda Monrovia 112 New York City Owerri Port Harcourt 113 Sokoto Uyo Warri Yola

www.arikair.com

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ABIDJAN

CÔTE D’IVOIRE An industrial and modern city, Abidjan has a number of cultural offerings for business travellers as well as tourists en route to one of The Ivory Coast’s bountiful beaches. Notable spots include the Galerie d’Arts Pluriel, (Rue des Jardins) which is run by a local arts historian, and the Musée National (32 Boulevard Carde), which houses traditional artworks. The Cathedrale St Paul (Boulevard Lagunaire) is also well worth a visit. BUY The Marché de Cocody (Boulevard de France) has a top floor geared for souvenir-hunters, with intricate woodcarvings, masks, textiles, jewels, and timeless examples of Ivorian art. If you’d like a more local feel, though, head to Marché de Treichville on Avenue Victor Blaka. It’s in a Chinese-built building, but inside you’ll find a truly Ivorian market experience, packed to the rafters with everything from unusual foods to exquisite antiques. BON APPETIT Don’t miss eating

at one of the many maquis dotted along the streets of Abidjan. Unique to the country, they’re a type of open-air restaurant serving simple but delicious braised chicken and fish dishes, cassava, and the ubiquitous Ivorian stew, kedjenou. On the opposite end of the scale is Aboussouan (Boulevard Giscard-D’Estaing), which takes these very same maquis dishes and perfects them into haute cuisine, pairing them with a selection of wine. Englishlanguage website abidjanito.com provides comprehesive coverage of dining and nightlife. BED TIME Most good accommodation is found in the streets between the Musée National and the bottom tip of the Abidjan Plateau, where you’ll find the Novotel Abidjan (+225 20 31 80 00), which boasts an excellent view and all the business-traveller trappings. A more humble but no lesser stay is found at the Villa Anakao (Cocody Il Plateaux, +225 49 74 21 13), a boutique hotel with a handful of personalised rooms, with artwork handpicked by owner Caroline and her family. HIP TIP Take a break from the shopping and nightlife of Abidjan and explore Banco National Park and its stunning wildlife; its previously difficult trails have now been upgraded. Don’t forget your camera!

ACCRA GHANA

Ghana’s exceedingly welcoming capital marries a vibrant music and nightlife scene with a distinctive traditional culture. Add easy and accessible links to ecotourism hotspots, and you have yourself a spot-on holiday destination. A lot of attractions are contained between the Waterfront High Street and Makola Market. Other historically-relevant pockets include James Town, and Cape Coast Castle, the seat of British colonial administration from 1664—1877. www. touringghana.com posts up-to-theminute information. BUY Hone your bargaining skills at Makola Market on Kojo Thompson Road and The Centre for National Culture on 28th February Road. Both stock stunning

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ABUJA NIGERIA

Nigeria’s neatly planned capital boasts quite a few intriguing landmarks. Among them are the National Mosque, Zuma Rock, and the Ecumenical Cathedral. Take in the view from Kpaduma Hills. BUY Bring on the bling at Wuse Market in Zone 5 which sells stunning West African fabrics. Bwari Pottery (Old Suleja Road, Bwari (call ahead on +234 803 452 8805) to arrange your visit and a barbecued fish lunch) offers unique ceramics. Buy art at Life Strokes gallery (Life Strokes, Dunes Center, 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, 0803 304 3822) and Signature Gallery (Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, 09 5233849). BON APPETIT For Nigerian fare, try Nkoyo (K-City Plaza, Malabo Street, (+234 705 953 0000) and Ceddi Plaza,(+234 9291 4917). Al Basha Palace (11 Cassandra Crescent, off Usuma Street, Maitama) serves fresh Lebanese food. The Secret Garden (Riverplate Park, off Ahmadu Bello Way, (+234 8060 722 177) does superb Italian pizzas. For a light and healthy bite, head to new kid on the block Café de Vie (11 Adzope Crescent, off Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II, (+234 816 666 6696 or +234 803 636 7606).

BED TIME The international hotel chains are concentrated in Central Abuja. The Transcorp Hilton in the Maitama District houses four restaurants, a large shopping area and a casino. (Transcorp Hilton, www.hilton. co.uk/abuj, 234 (0) 9413 181 184). Summerset Continental Asokoro (104 Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Off Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro, (+234-9-2208504, +234-903-933-3764) has a quirky feel and a breezy rooftop bar. The Nordic Villa (52 Mike Akhigbe Way, Jabi, tel +234 703 682 9922) combines a simple aesthetic with the natural beauty of its setting near Jabi Lake. Bamboo House (3 Salt Lake Street, Maitama, tel +234 813 388 0002) is a mid-range option for travellers. The hotel’s outdoor bar is a popular meeting place. HIP TIP Catch a stunning Abuja sunset at Barcelona Hotel (23 Blantyre Crescent, Wuse II, (+234 814 137 5819).

handicrafts and kente fabric. BON APPETIT Accra is home to varied cuisine. Discover the much-loved Buka, a casual, partly open-air rooftop, chop house (Buka, Osu R.E, adjacent to the American Embassy Visa Section. Tel 233 21 782 953). The nearby Osu Foodcourt on Cantonments Road and cafes on Labadi Beach are good for fuss-free family dining. BED TIME Budget hotels are concentrated between Adabraka, through Asylum Down and up to Kokomlemle Road. The Cavalry Methodist Guest House comes recommended (Cavalry Methodist Guest House, Barnes Road, opposite the National Museum, 021 234507). In the upper bracket, The Golden Tulip is good value with a free airport shuttle service (Golden Tulip, Liberation Road, 021 213161). Luxe it up beachside at La Palm Royal Beach

Hotel, 5km from the city centre and one of Accra’s most upmarket hotels. (La Palm Royal Beach, Pleasure Beach, 021 771700). HIP TIP Head out to one of Ghana’s national parks or craft villages. Kumasi is famous for its kente cloth loom-workers. Visit Ntonso for Adinkra cloth, Asuofia for bead-making, or Anpobame Krofron for brass.

WINGTIPS

ASABA NIGERIA

With vibrant neighbourhoods and a swath of the River Niger running through it, Asaba has a vibrant urban culture that is great for business and leisure. The city is ethnically diverse and mostly composed of Igbo speakers with Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko,

Ijaw, Hausa and Yoruba communities. Asaba is replete with cultural sites, the most popular of which are Asaba Beach, River Ethiope source, Kwale Game Reserve, Jamieson River, Chief Nana’s Palace Living History Museum, The Royal Palace Of The Obi (traditional ruler), Mungo Park House, and Escarvo Beach. Enjoy recreational fare at the Bombardi Beach Party Resort, Olona Ranch & Holiday Resort and Leisure Palace Amusement Park in Effurun. BUY Ogbeogonogo Market is the biggest street market in Asaba, located in the heart of the town within Oshimili south local government area. The market has over one thousand traders and attracts large crowds of daily customers. BON APPETIT In addition to a variety of local cuisine on offer at street corners, eat

BANJUL

THE GAMBIA Often bypassed in favour of The Gambia’s seaside resorts less than an hour away, Banjul is an unlikely gem. Originally named ‘Bathurst’ after British colonial Henry Bathurst, Banjul was once a port used to hamper the slave trade after the Abolition Act of 1807. Today, the crumbling city on an island is a destination with a compelling national museum, an atmospheric old town and views across the Gambia River. Its manageable size is an added bonus. Discover the pleasure of Banjul with a leisurely stroll coupled with a flexible itinerary. BUY Barter and banter at Albert Market where aisles of shabby stalls burst with a treasure trove of quality souvenirs. BON APPETIT In contrast to the Atlantic coast which has a more varied selection, simple chop shops abound. Michel’s on 29 July 22 Drive, is one of the few

restaurants open from early morning until late at night. Afterwards, head to Queens Nightclub on Renee Blain Street. The slightly seedy late-night scene is made up for with sublime Gambian music. BED TIME A lot of the better hotels are on the coast though Carlton Hotel is a satisfactory city centre guesthouse (Tel 228670; fax 4227214, 25 July 22 Drive). On the top-end, try Atlantic Hotel (Tel +220 4228601/6, corinthiahotels. com; Muammar al Gadhafi Ave). The sprawling resort has all the amenities you would expect including a private beach, pool, gym and nightclub. Gambia. co.uk is one of the best sites for detailed holiday and accommodation information. HIP TIP Birdwatch from a pirogue along the mangroves of Oyster Creek. Most hotels organise pirogue trips, though you can also book independently at Denton Bridge, 3km west of the city centre.

out at one of many city hotels and restaurants, including Larryville Hotel & Restaurant on Brigid’s road, and Dema Kitchen on Ezenel Avenue. BED TIME Place a reservation for a stay at the Grand Hotel (grandhotelnigeria. com/+234 8037584941) or enjoy the sedate atmosphere of the Amena Hotels & Resort (+234 056342646) in Oghara. Other accommodation spots are the Nelrose (+234 046300688) on Government House road and Wellington (+234 080550244) in Effurun, a little over a 10-minute car ride from the city centre. HIP TIP Festival season is between March and December. The more popular festivals that you might want to mark in your calendar are: Ulo (held in July), Aja (in August) and Iwaji (celebrated in September to mark the end of harvest).

BENIN NIGERIA

The Kingdom of Benin is still immersed in age-old traditions making it one of Nigeria’s most fascinating destinations. According to local lore, the Bini people founded the empire in 1880AD. Today’s reigning Oba is the spiritual leader of the people of Benin. Sights include The Oba’s Palace at King’s Square, and The Benin National Museum, which houses a large collection of bronze, brass and ivory treasures spanning five centuries and the ramparts of the Old City Wall, once the world’s second largest man-made structure after China’s Great Wall. BUY Purchase brass statues and witness the making of Benin brass heads at the shops along Igun Street or go for the full market experience at the Oba’s market. BON APPETIT New Benin Market, northeast of the city centre is home to great street

food and suya along with bars and shops that stay open late. Saidi Centre has one of the best restaurants with a Chinese, Lebanese and European menu. BED TIME Numerous hotels of varying standards are dotted around the ring road. Among these, the Constantial Hotel sets a high standard coupling wellappointed suites with internet access, a gym and pool (24–26 Airport/Ogba Road, opposite Benin Airport exit gate; +234 52-257-122, constantialhotel. com). Samsy Hotel on Adesuwa Road in GRA also comes recommended. HIP TIP Make a trip to Okumu Eco Resort, 35 km from the city centre. On tailored nature walks visitors can look out for over 200 species of birdlife, monkeys, civets and butterflies (okomuecoresort.com, Tel +234 808 468). Also, on the last Sunday of every month, a Motocross race is held in the town and is often attended by Edo State’s governor. www.arikair.com

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CALABAR NIGERIA

COTONOU

REPUBLIC OF BENIN BEHOLD Many visitors use Cotonou as a starting point en route to Ouidah or Porto Novo. However, the city offers many points of interest such as the Italian neo-renaissance cathedral in the city centre. For cultural performances contact the Centre Culturel Francais located near the French Embassy on route de l’Aeroport (21 30 08 56) or the American Cultural Centre on Boulevard de la Marina (21 30 03 12). BUY The incredible Dantokpa market near the Boulevard Saint Michel spreads all the way to the lagoon. Inside, discover an enthralling fetish market selling dried, whole animals and voodoo apparatus. If you prefer handicrafts to whole dried goat, check out the Centre de Promotion de l’Artisanat on Boulevard St Michel. BON APPETIT Local cuisine consists of Beninois street food and a small but growing selection of international

restaurants. Chez Maman Benin near Cine Benin and Chez Clarisse are favourites. Le Petit Four on Boulevard Steinmetz is a charming art-deco coffee shop with Wi-Fi, pastries, pasta and oven-baked pizzas. After dinner head to So What! off Boulevard Steinmetz for infectious live music (21 31 06 66). BED TIME Most of the accommodation is found in the Ancienne Pont area or Akpakpa rather than in the centre, including Benin Marina on Boulevard de Marina (21 30 01 00, www.benin-marina.com). Business travellers flock to Novotel Orisha on Boulevard de la Marina which has a large pool and high-end French restaurant (novotel.com, 21 30 41 77). HIP TIP VooDoo followers from around the world travel to the beautiful coastal town of Ouidah for the annual VooDoo festival in early January, to receive blessings and participate in ceremonies. 60 per cent of Benin’s population practise the religion.

BEHOLD Since the colonial era and crowning of King Archibong III by Queen Victoria in 1878, this 16th-Century port city has been a popular holiday destination. Explore colonial architecture around Henshaw and Duke Town including the governor’s residence, Mary Slessor Residence and the Calabar Museum. Nature enthusiasts: spare the time to travel to Agbokim Waterfalls surrounded by lush green valleys and near to the Afi Wildlife Sanctuary, Refome Lake and Kwa Rapids. For wildlife, visit the Afi Mountain Drill Ranch (pandrillus.org) and Cercopan Primate Rehabilitation Centre (cercopan.org).

SENEGAL

Senegal’s capital is a frenetic study of contrasts, brimming with creativity. Take in the views with the Chi Chi Dakarois,

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HIP TIP Every December 26th, Calabar comes alive for a weeklong carnival featuring parties, parades and a load of fringe activities (calabarcarnival.org).

BUY Pick up textiles and handicrafts at Watt Market or delve in to a local experience at Marian Wet Market. BON APPETIT Food from Calabar is renowned. Sublime suya is served up at Bogobiri Corner. More formal diners can head to Freddy’s for Lebanese (Freddy’s, 90 Aketong Drive, 087/232 821). If you’re a fan of bars with kitsch names, have a post-prandial boogie around Nelson Mandela Street at La Luna, Paradise City and Tuxedo Junction.

from the roof of the Hotel Independence on Place de l’Independence. Stroll through the IFAN Museum on Place Soweto. Go for a beach dip at N’Gor or on private beaches such as at the Hotel Lagon 2 or Plage de la Voile d’Or. Better yet, catch a 20-minute ferry ride to the tranquil Île de Gorée. After sunning, pop a long dress over your bikini for a tour of Dakar Grand Mosque, styled after Casablanca’s Mohammed V Mosque.

DAKAR

BED TIME Recommended hotels include The Mirage (themiragecalabar.com, Plot 230, Mcc road Calabar, +234 80372 26046) and Transcorp Hotel at Murtala Mohammed Highway (+234 (0) 807 773 1111, transcorphotels.com). 25 km from the airport, Tinapa Business Resort offers a host of facilities and activities +234 87 232300, Tinapa.com.ng).

BUY Fill up on fruit and veg at Marche Sandaga, the city’s centreville market where you will also find unique souvenirs like briefcases made of recycled beer cans. 500m downhill from Sandaga, you’ll discover a former Mauritanian silversmiths’ yard, the Cour des Orfevres. BON APPETIT Dakar teems with world-class restaurants, bistros and cafes, though many are closed

on Sundays. Scrumptious Senegalese meals can be had at Keur N’Deye (821 4973; 68 Rue Vincens). Excellent, free listings magazines are available at hotel lobbies. BED TIME Hotel Lagon 2 is modelled on the interior of a ship and has views over the rocky cliffs as well as access to a private beach (www.lagon.sn, 338 89 25 25). The luxury Sofitel Teranga remains popular with business travellers (889 2200, Place de l’Indépendance) but for a boutique experience, try Hotel Sokhamon (hotelsokhamon.com, 338 89 71 00). HIP TIP Discover unrivalled nightlife such as the world-renowned Thiosanne, owned by Youssou N’Dour (Sicap rue 10, 338 24 60 46) or head to Just 4 U, a live music institution, serving authentic local fare (824 3250, just 4u@sentoo.sn, Ave Cheikh Anta Diop).

WINGTIPS

DOUALA

CAMEROON Cameroon’s economic centre is a bustling port city known for business rather than tourism. In contrast to the capital Yaounde, visitor-worthy spots can mostly be covered within a few hours. Your best bet is to visit the cultural centres. Highly recommended is Doul’art (Place du Gouvernement, Bonanjo, + 237 33 433 259, doualart.org), a non-profit cultural centre and gallery opened in 1991. Artists’ work centres on the cultural and urban identity of Douala. BUY Find a selection of art, crafts and antiques at Marche des Fleurs (Street R1.221, Douala-Bonapriso). Conveniently located on the main road from downtown towards the airport, it’s famous for Cameroonian wood products. There’s also a good souvenir market on Ahmadou Ahidjo Avenue.

ENUGU NIGERIA

The Igbo capital of Enugu has regained its vitality from its heydey when coal was discovered in the area. Enugu, which means ‘top of the hill’, became the capital of the Eastern Region in the 1930s. The National Museum (58 Abakiliki Road) is open from 8am-4pm daily and features Igbo artefacts, textiles and weapons. BUY For an authentic experience, head to the city’s main market, Ogbete Market. Hanidcrafts, souvenirs and household goods are also available at the Artisan Market and New Market. BON APPETIT Station Road has a large selection of chop houses. BED TIME Nike Lake Resort has 200 air-conditioned rooms, a

BON APPETIT There’s an open-air drinking and dining culture in Douala so places to eat are not hard to come by. The city is also home to quality international cuisine. French restaurant, La Fourchette (Quartier AKWA, Rue entrée SHO plus et AXA, +237 99 92 64 66), is favoured by business visitors. Try local dishes, seafood and steak at La Cigale, in the Bonanjo neighbourhood, where you can also enjoy live music and a glass of South African wine. BED TIME Unlike in some West African cities, Douala’s hotels are mostly reasonably priced. Business hotels equipped with pools include the Akwa Palace (920, Boulevard de la Liberte, hotel-akwa-palace. com), as well as international chains such as Le Meridien (35 Avenue des Cocotiers, +237 3 343 5000, starwoodhotels.com) and the Ibis (Rue Pierre Loti, Bonanjo, (+237 334 25760, Ibis.com)

HIP TIP Tourists are advised to venture out. Nearby beaches include Limbe, 90kms from the city and Kribi, a popular beach two-hours drive from Douala. Further afield, wildlife lovers flock to Waza National Park and trekking in the Mandara Mountains.

restaurant, bar, pool and tennis courts (Nike Lake, 042 557 000, proteahotels.com). The nearby, and smaller Zodiac Hotel also has a good restaurant, a pool and satellite TV (042 457 900, 5 Rangers Ave, Independence Layout). Lucha Guesthouse caters to the budget traveller (042 253 795, Nweko Lane, off Ogidi Street).

out Balmaya Arts & Cafe (32B Main Motor Rd, Congo Cross).

HIP TIP Visit the Holy Ghost Cathedral near Ogbete Market or catch a Sunday service in order to gain a sense of Enugu’s religious scene.

BED TIME Football fanatics should book the ‘Beckham Room’ at Hotel Barmoi, named after their most famous hotel guest. The football star may have skipped town; however, the excellent amenities, pool and sea view remain (hotelbarmoi.com, 75C Cape Road, Aberdeen 232-22-234933). Budget travellers: check out Family Kingdom Resort on Lumley Beach Road which boasts – strangely but charmingly – extensive playgrounds and the wandering deer.

BON APPETIT Aberdeen is home to many good restaurants. Dine on exemplary seafood and international cuisine at Alex’s Restaurant with a view over Man of War Bay (64 Cape Road, 23222 272957). There's also a nightclub next door for night caps.

FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE

THE APHROLOUNGE

Enugu’s coolest lounge/hangout. Visit Aphrolounge Kitchen with Chef Stan for exquisite breakfast, Continental and African dishes. Bring your own bottle every Thursday night. Aphro-Jazz night on Sundays. Space for events rental: weddings, parties, luncheons and more. 5/14 Cathedral Drive, Independence Layout, Enugu info@aphrolounge.com Phone 080 5418 6612, 070 6647 3825, 07054509700 Open 9am-Midnight weekdays Club nights Wednesday, Friday & Saturday www.aphrolounge.com

Despite recently emerging from a decade-long civil war, Freetown is blossoming rapidly. Enjoy the nightlife and beaches before the tourists rush in, in their droves. Take in the 500-year-old cotton tree, a symbol of freedom since former slaves settled the town in the 1800s. Thousands of bats fly out en masse at dusk. From here, hop to the Sierra Leone National Museum. Take in views of the city from Tower Hill, ocean views from Lumley Beach and Krio architecture around Pademba Road. BUY The Big Market on Wallace Johnson Street brims with bric-a-brac and traditional household goods. For a more streamlined selection, check

HIP TIP Sample Freetown’s ‘anything goes’ nightlife. Try Paddy’s Bar (Sir Samuel Lewis Road, 232 22 272 962). The club, which once entertained diamond dealers, UN troops and an exotic range of and sordid characters has a new lease of life, post-conflict. It now boasts a large dance floor, cheap drinks, seafront outside area, and great hip-hop, West African and dance music to get you moving. www.arikair.com

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GOMBE NIGERIA

A confluence of economic activity, Gombe is positioned with Borno and Yobe to the north and east, Taraba and Adamawa to the south, and Bauchi to the west. Lying in the savannah lands of the Gongola River basin, Gombe has been a major agricultural centre since the railroad was built in 1963. The State boasts captivating hilly scenery, best seen by driving along the Filiya – Kushi-Burak-Bangunji road to places like Tula, a historical town with an old prison and mud hut housing. Gombe is predominantly Hausa-speaking with the Fulani in the centre and north and Tangale in the south. There are

BUY The traditional crafts of weaving and dyeing are common practice, while modern textile manufacture began in the early ’70s. A tour of the markets and roadside stalls offer up a good selection of colourful souvenirs. BON APPETIT There are chop houses as well as hotel dining options, however, a trip to Bauchi offers a more extensive range of eateries. BED TIME The Gombe Holiday Inn on New Market Road is a good bet (Tel +234 72 20295) or try the A.Y Guest House on Dukka Road for budget accommodation. HIP TIP Yankari National Park, a short trip from Gombe, is a stunning hidden gem for wildlife watchers and is probably Nigeria’s best national park. Late December to May are good months to watch birds, buffalo, baboons and elephants. The park has a safari truck that takes tours at 7.30am and 3.30pm daily or you can drive your own vehicle if you prefer. You can sleep at the nearby Wikki Warm Springs Hotel (077 542174).

ILORIN NIGERIA

A sojourn to Alfa Alimi’s mosque would not go amiss if you are looking for some of the true local culture. Built in 1831, it is relatively undeveloped as a tourist destination but a beautiful example of the importance of Islam in the city and surrounding region. Further afield are the Owu Falls, the highest natural waterfall in Nigeria, and surrounded by lush rainforest. BUY Ilorin allegedly has the biggest traditional pottery workshop in Nigeria, so head to Okelele to find some great gifts for family and friends back home. Aso Oke textiles are also great traditional gifts from this area. You can find souvenirs at the Kwara State Council For Arts And Culture gallery. BON APPETIT If you’re looking for

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BUY Do your grocery shopping at the Agbowo Shopping Complex, opposite the University of Ibadan, in the city centre or the Big Treat Supermarket (+234 8 074 386 831) on Oluyole industrial estate. There are farm and flea markets at Dugbe, Bodija and Mokola, and the Palms Mall (+234 1 2714491-3), with its new cinema, is at the Liberty Stadium Road and Express Road.

also numerous minority tribes, each with their own language. The state has a population of over 2,300,000 and 11 separate administrative areas.

IBADAN NIGERIA

Ibadan is the largest city in Africa in terms of geographical mass; it was the former capital of Southwest Nigeria excluding Lagos, and currently the capital of Oyo State. Its historic significance in the affairs of the declining Oyo Empire have endowed it with a lot of places to see and its location at the edge of the Yoruba heartland makes it an ideal location for an exploration of the major Yoruba cities. There is charm in the old colonial city seen in the sprawling rusty rooftops of its downtown houses, tropical weather and varied geography. Your itinerary should include visits to one or more of the city’s iconic landmarks: Mapo Hill, Irefin Palace, IITA Forest, The University of Ibadan and its Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Cocoa House, the Bower Memorial Tower, and Old Oyo National Park.

Nigerian food, try the eba and okoro soup at the Royal Restaurant Ilorin (Ahmadu Bello Avenue GRA; +234 31 741 666), whose bakery also sells pastries. During the day, enjoy a light meal at competitive prices at the Brunch Café Ilorin (9B Ahmadu Bello Avenue GRA; +234 805 569 4022). The meat pie comes recommended. BEDTIME The Kwara Hotel (9A Ahmadu Bello Avenue PMB 1476; 031740836;), three km from the airport, is ideal for the business traveller and others who are used to comfort. Leave time between meetings for a stint in the squash court and a dip in the pool before heading out after the day is done to the in-hotel nightclub. Closer to town is the Kingstone Grand Suites (7 Ahman Pategi Road; 07031184505; 08076553519), where you can drink at the in-house bar before heading to the restaurant for African or Chinese (or both,

BON APETIT Try the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant (Premier Hotel, Mokola/+234 8 051 222 640), Kokodome Restaurant (Cocoa House, Dugbe/+234 0 275 10918) and the popular Mama Ope (Mokola/+234 8 0 6969 6141) for good, home-cooked traditional Nigerian meals. BED TIME Premier Hotel (+234 2 201 2345) is located on top of a hill in Mokola where visitors can see the city below. It offers a range of services and recreation facilities including a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, car park, and internet access. Other choice hotels are Kakanfo Inn (+2342 2 311 471) and D Rovans (+234 275 08128). HIP TIP Jump on a bike for an urban adventure. A journey from one end of the city to the other costs around N100. Okadas (motorcycle taxis) are cheap and are available everywhere.

if you’re an adventurous eater). All rooms have air conditioning and satellite TV. HIP TIP Go to Shao for the colourful Awonga Festival. This fun-packed event is held every year in celebration of the River Awon, which is said to house a goddess who oversees the marriages of maidens during the festival.

WINGTIPS

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s beating heart is a dramatic metropolis and stage for the ups and downs of a fascinating country. A trip on a City Slicker bus, which you can hop on

and off at your leisure, will take you to major tourist attractions. Good places to hop off are Constitution Hill (constitutionhill.co.za) and Gold Reef City. In Ormonde you’ll find the illuminating Apartheid Museum (011 309 4700; www. apartheidmuseum.org), which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. BUY The City Slicker buses go past major shopping centres like Eastgate Mall on Bradford Road in Bedfordview (eastgateshops.com). Wire-work and other township-produced crafts make great gifts. Held every Sunday in Rosebank Mall’s multilevel car park, the Rosebank Rooftop Market has a great range. Head to Sandton for upmarket shopping. BON APPETIT Jo'burg caters for all tastes. Recommendations can be found

JOS

NIGERIA The lush countryside surrounding Jos, especially the area around the plateau, is well worth a visit. In Jos itself, you’ll find an interesting exhibition on the pottery and artefacts of the central Nigerian people at the Jos National Museum, open daily from 8am to 5:30pm. A more unusual museum is the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, which houses very impressive full-scale reproductions of the country’s monuments. BUY Most consumer goods can be found at Terminus Market on Bauchi Road or between Bauchi Road and Ahmadu Bello Way. Leather and basket-work crafts are sold in the shops on Museum St, the south end of Beach Road, and on Noad Avenue. BON APPETIT There isn’t as large a selection of restaurants in Jos as in other cities. Bight of Benin (Zoo Garden Road) has a selection of well-cooked

at food24.com, a website that has an easily searchable database by cuisine and city, with customer reviews. BED TIME No matter what your price range is, you have your pick of hotels in Johannesburg, but try to stay in the northern suburbs as the city centre can be dangerous at night. Good listings can be found at johannesburg-venues.co.za, which you can search by suburb, type of hotel, and star rating and which has a clickable area map. Tripadvisor.com is also a highly reputable source for unbiased recommendations. HIP TIP Want a good night out but trying, if at all possible, to avoid the same old tourist traps? joeblog.co.za is a comprehensive daily look at what’s going on in Jo’burg.

authentic dishes and there is a smattering of Lebanese and Chinese restaurants. BED TIME Rooms at the Hill Station Hotel (Tudun Wada Road; 073 455 300) have air conditioning, satellite TV, and tranquil surroundings. There are several guesthouses, most of which are comfortable and equipped with Wi-Fi and other amenities. These include Les Rosiers (1 Resthouse Road; 0803 357 5233; lesrosiers.sampasite. com) and Elim Suites (elimtopsuites.com). Rooms are at a range of prices, but most of them are generally inexpensive. HIP TIP Interested in ethical shopping? You’ll be pleased to note that there is a Fair Trade craft shop run by the Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (1 Museum Street; open from 8am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm). Have a look at the goods on offer before you travel by going to fairtradenigeria.org.

KADUNA NIGERIA

The Kaduna National Museum (Alli Akilu Road) is open from 9am to 5pm every day. Of particular note is its Gallery Of Nigerian Prehistory, from Neolithic times, as well as the recreation of a Hausa village behind the museum. BUY Although most of Kaduna’s market (off Ahmadu Bello Way) is given over to consumer goods, you can also find gifts for friends and family. Pick up a bargain from the range of textiles, leather goods and Kaduna pottery. BON APPETIT Sample traditional Northern Nigerian food at Food Palace (1 Alkali Road). For relaxing al fresco dining, head to Sou’s Place (2 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent; 0803

588 6404), where you can also knock back a few beers, a rarity in Kaduna. BED TIME If you’re used to your creature comforts, go to Mohammed Buhari Way, where the best hotels are located. The Command Guest House (Mohammed Buhari Way; 062 242 918; commandguesthouse@ yahoo.com), offers air conditioning, TV, and hot water. You can also take advantage of its snooker room, and tennis and squash courts. A good option for the budget traveller is The Duncan (6 Katsina Road; 062 240 947) which has a good restaurant. Some of the 20 rooms have air conditioning and TV. HIP TIP Artisans in the back of Kaduna National Museum produce beautiful handloomed cloth, metalwork and other crafts. These make for excellent gifts. www.arikair.com

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LAGOS NIGERIA

Africa’s largest metropolis is one of the world’s most multi-faceted cities brimming with cultural curiosities, and some of the best music, art and literature anywhere. Exciting developments are affecting the megacity, and most of the best bars, restaurants, galleries, hotels and boutiques are on Victoria Island.

KANO NIGERIA

Built in the 15th Century and declared a national heritage site, the Gidan Makama Museum holds ethnographic and historic exhibits on the Kanawa civilisation and Hausa Land. The majestic Emir’s palace opposite the museum is also architecturally striking, but its interior is by invitation only. Also go to the Kofar Mata Communal Dye Pits, which are a relic of Kano’s skin-dyeing trade and the oldest in Africa (1498!). BUY Go to Abubakar Rimi (Sabon Gari) Market for household items, jewellery and clothing. If you’re looking for gifts, Kurumi Market, founded in the 15th Century, has brass, silver, stone and wood carvings, sculptures, and leather products. Textiles and fabric can be found at Kwari Market.

BON APPETIT Relaxing drinks can be had at the French Cafe (Race Course Road). Good places to go for Nigerian dishes and meals from the rest of the continent are Ten-O-Five (Post Office Road) and Pounded Yam & Co (Lodge Road). BED TIME Business travellers enjoy Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, which has in-room Wi-Fi, conference facilities, and a travel agent (4 Ibrahim Nastsugune Road; 234 64 315281; tahirguestpalace.com). Set in a quieter part of the city, is the Prince Hotel, with a pool and a well-rated restaurant (1 Tamandu Road; 234 64 200601; princehotelng.com)

BUY For souvenirs, try Lekki Market or Quintessence (Suite C6, Falomo Shopping Center, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, quintessenceltd.com). Head to Palms Shopping Mall for restaurants, a supermarket and international brands (BIS Way, Lekki – Lagos, 234 1 27144913, thepalmsshopping.com). BON APPETIT Lagos is home to an ever-increasing number of good restaurants. Pick up a

LIBREVILLE GABON

Home to more than a third of Gabon’s population, Libreville’s French colonial architecture, wide streets and palm trees are a stately introduction to this generally French-speaking port city with lively street markets and relaxing beach getaways nearby. The city’s seafront has a range of chic restaurants and luxury hotels, as well as sculptures overlooking the beaches.

www.arikair.com

BED TIME Eko Hotel & Suites is a self-contained expat hub (www. ekohotels.com, +234 1 262 4600 19). The Sofitel Lagos, in Ikoyi, is equally high-end (Bankole Oki Road, Ikoyi, +2341 4615 40922) as is The Federal Palace Hotel (26 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, 1-262-3116). Of the boutique hotels Bogobiri Guesthouse is a favourite (9 Matatma Sule, Southwest Ikoyi, bogobirilagos.com, 270 7437). HIP TIP Pay homage to Afrobeat at The New African Shrine (1 Nerbc Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja). Sleep off Sunday at Bar Beach.

HIP TIP The annual Durbar Festival is a dazzling display of cultural and equestrian might held at the Emir’s palace to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri and Eid-el-Kabir festivals.

BUY There are plenty of shops in the city centre, and a good range around the seafront. The Marche Atisanal sells a range of African craft items, whereas the sprawling Marché Mont-Bouet is awash with traders selling anything and everything.

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copy of Time Out Nigeria available at Quintessence gallery (see above) or check out www. lostinlagos.com for the latest listings and openings. If it’s authentic street food you’re looking for, then you should definitely try the suya at Ikoyi Hotel Ikoyi Hotel, Kingsway Rd, Ikoyi).

BON APPETIT Multicultural Libreville offers a dining experience to suit international palates, from Italian and Chinese to Lebanese and South African and, of course, French. La Parisienne is a quality café/bakery offering cakes, pastries and light lunches; for something more substantial with an emphasis on seafood, try French-Gabonese Le Lokua. Roma Restaurant is an expensive, though highly regarded, choice for Italian food. BED TIME There’s a plentiful stock of

accommodation to choose from in Libreville, ranging from high-end European-style experiences to more basic fare. Le Cristal is a highly rated, boutique four-star hotel at the downtown Pl. de L’Independance, with modern facilities, a gym and pool (www.legacyhotels.com, +241 01 72 27 78). The Park Inn By Radisson (www.parkinn.com, +241 0173 2023) is a newly renovated 140-room hotel with sea views, good food and business facilities; and Le Patio in Quartier Louis (www.hotel-lepatio.com, +241 01734716) offers a simpler and cheaper but still convenient option. HIP TIP Nature lovers will enjoy the Arboretum de Sybang, a large sanctuary which hosts thousands of tree species. Quartier Louis is Libreville’s nightlife hotspot; start at Le Warhol on Main Street.

WINGTIPS

Arm yourself with an A-to-Z map book (available at most corner shops) and an Oyster Card , which allows you to travel easily on public transport. Take in the city from a double-decker bus and trawl free museums like the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, and Natural History Museum. Go for a night stroll along the South Bank or a whiz around the London Eye. Time Out London Online posts the day’s events in theatre, film, art, comedy, music and dining.

LONDON

UNITED KINGDOM London is one of the world’s most multicultural and creative cities, home to 7.5 million people, with 300 languages spoken and set against a host of stunning historical architecture.

BUY Swing by Oxford Street for Topshop, Selfridges, and Liberty. Vintage lovers love Portobello Market in Notting Hill (Fridays) and East London’s Brick Lane. BON APPETIT London is arguably the food capital of the world. It's impossible to choose our favourites. Search for unbiased

reviews at www.london-eating.co.uk. Foodies adore Borough Market by London Bridge tube. BED TIME Visit www.laterooms.com and www.lastminute.com for bargains. Business travellers often choose the Hilton Paddington for its proximity to Central London and the Heathrow Express. HIP TIP London’s a big city. Simplify airport transfers to and from wherever you are staying (+44 207 701 4321, Simplyairports.co.uk) leaving you free to enjoy the best of each season. Welcome Spring at Regent’s Park and late Summer at the Notting Hill Carnival. In Autumn, climb Primrose Hill for bonfire night. Come Wintertime, get your ice skates on and go to Somerset House.

MONROVIA LIBERIA

LUANDA ANGOLA

Perched on the Atlantic coast overlooking a narrow sandbar known colloquially as the Ilha, the hot oceanside setting of Angola’s capital city is a study in contrasts. After decades of conflict, Luanda has seen a massive boom in construction where stability has attracted foreign investment in the city. The government is also investing heavily in and around Luanda, including in the construction of several six-lane highways leading out of the city; other infrastructure projects include the reconstruction of railroad lines and a large new airport. BUY Peruse a range of local crafts at reasonably low prices at Benfica Handicrafts Market just south of Luanda. Other shopping sites include Maianga Luanda (+244 924 091680) and Belas Shopping, Angola’s first shopping mall. It features nearly

100 different shops, a cinema, restaurants, and a central square for live entertainment. BON APPETIT If you’re in the mood for Portuguese cuisine, visit Portugalia (222 309677) located on the coastal Ilha de Luanda or the more international Restaurante Bordao (Avenue Murtala Mohamed Luanda, Ilha/222 309028) where the hip flock in the evenings. BED TIME Four-star guesthouse Rouxinol (+244 923 745 078/ +244 923 581 308, Beco de Moçambique no. 16, Bairro Cruzeiro), located near the embassies in Miramar is popular with foreign visitors. Rooms start at $180 per night. HIP TIP Wildlife park Kissama (also spelt Quiçama), situated 70km south of Luanda comprises a swath of coastal savannah where elephants, water buffalo and sea turtles are easily accessible.

There is an understandable lack of tourist traps in Monrovia – but all the better to see the local flavour. The National Museum (Broad Street, open every week except Sunday and Monday) is worth a visit. About threequarters of its collection of 6,000 artefacts were looted during the war, so it is both an example of and a chronicler of Liberia’s recent history. BUY Waterside Market (Mechlin Street) is definitely the place to go for souvenirs, especially beautiful textiles and intricatelymade handicrafts. The market is big and bustling, so it’s also a great place to people-watch. Be your own oasis with a cool drink as the frenetic atmosphere surges around you. BON APPÉTIT There is an extensive array of good food in Monrovia, both on the street and in restaurants, especially around Sinkor. Liberian chop shops are as close as you can get to home cooking here, and fortunately they are located on almost every street. The long-standing Golden Beach restaurant (Tubman Boulevard) serves fine food and, as its name suggests, is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset. BED TIME Business travellers will find comfort at The Cape

Hotel (Mamba Point; +231 77 006633; www.thecapehotel.com. lr), which offers internet and all other modern conveniences with a smile. The restaurant here comes particularly recommended. For comfy and affordable accommodation, the Mokos Bed and Breakfast (19th Street Payne Avenue; +231 11 23165 15897) is clean, homely, and very good value for money with TV, A/C, and internet included. By far the best thing about Mokos, though, is the good security and very friendly staff. HIP TIP Head to Robertsport (Robert’s Port), a small fishing village near the Sierra Leone border, for some great surfing. It is also the home of the Robertsport Community Works, which alongside its community outreach programs also offers eco-tourism, sea turtle rescue programmes and free yoga lessons. www.arikair.com

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BON APPETIT You can rely on hotel restaurants and chain fast food like Crunchies on ITC Junction and Mr.Biggs on Okigwe Road. There is also a good choice of Nigerian eateries on Ekwena Crescent off Wetheral Road including Best Lady, Renny’s Place and DE Simeons.

Williamsburg. Looking for something to take back home? T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with the iconic ‘I Love NY’ logo make great souvenirs.

NEW YORK

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Places to sight-see are a dozento-the-dime in NYC . Don’t miss views of the Statue Of Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry (1 718 727 2508; www.siferry.com) and the Empire State Building (1 212 736 3100; www.esbnyc.com) or get lost in artistic reveries at the Museum of Modern Art (1 212 708 9400; moma.org) For those who want to get off the well-worn track try the numerous walking tours available. Official tourist information can be found at nycgo.com. BUY New York is famous as a shopper’s paradise, and many flock to the big department stores like Macy’s (151 W 34th Street; macys.com), Barneys (660 Madison Avenue; barneys. com) and Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Avenue; bloomingdales. com) for everything from designer duds to kitchenware. Children will never want to leave the giant toy paradise FAO Schwarz (767 Fifth Avenue; fao. com). For hip boutiques, go to the Lower East Side and

BON APPETIT Order the pastrami on rye and recreate the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally at Katz’s Deli (1 212 254 2246; katzdeli.com). You’ll be hard pressed to go a block without finding an amazing restaurant selling everything from bialys and bagels to Michelin-starred cuisine. Remember to tip well. Waiters earn much less than the minimum wage; 15 to 20 per cent of the bill is expected. BEDTIME You are spoiled for choice with New York’s luxury hotels, one of the most famous of which is The Plaza (1 -212 759 3000; 1 800 759 3000; Fairmont. com/theplaza). Rooms start at $595 a night, though, so for cheaper options try newyorkhotels.com. A notable one is the Pod Hotel (1 212 355 0300; thepodhotel.com), where for $89 dollars a night you can have clean rooms with iPod stations, free Wi-Fi and LCD TV. HIP TIP Things move fast in NYC. Find up-to-date information at Newyork. timeout.com. For deals on tickets visit lastminute.com.

OWERRI NIGERIA

The heart of Nigeria’s tropical Igboland and formerly the capital of the Republic Of Biafra, the lush landscape of Owerri has a wide variety of natural and cultural attractions to lure visitors, including outdoor activities around the Oguta Lake, hot springs, craft markets and ancient shrines. Reliable listings and updates can be found online, so head to www.imostate.gov.ng. BUY Souvenir Igbo arts and crafts of all kinds are on offer at Owerri’s Mbari Cultural Center, Eke Nguru in Aboh Mbaise and lgwekala Shrine in Umunoha.

BED TIME The city centre is home to an extensive range of accommodation, most located on or off Port Harcourt Road. Two of the better mid-range options are the East Gate Hotel (eastgatehotelowerri.com, Plot C, Ugwu-Orju Layout, + 234 083 233560, 305387) and the recently opened Rockview Hotel which also has branches in Abuja and Lagos (Rockviewhotels.com) If you happen to be partial to 80s maximalist decor and even a spot of roulette on your travels, the sprawling Imo Concorde Hotel and Casino, 30 minutes from the airport off Port Harcourt Road has 203 rooms with balconies, a business centre, a nightclub, conference rooms, sports facilities and a casino. HIP TIP Imo State plays host to a series of vibrant festivals, dance performances and masquerades. To find one that coincides with your visit, see the following website: imostate.gov.ng/festivals.

PORT HARCOURT NIGERIA

If time and flexibility is limited, head to Port Harcourt’s State Museum at the bottom of Azikwe Rd for outstanding examples of objects from the area’s ethnic groups, including colourful masks and utensils. There are also a few small parks throughout town. Port Harcourt is known throughout Nigeria as ‘The Garden City.’ BUY There are supermarkets on Azikwe Rd and two markets in the Old Township including the bustling Creek Rd Market. BON APPETIT For upmarket dining, eat at Ororo at Le Meridien Hotel. Hotel Presidential, on Aba Expressway houses Why Not Lebanese Restaurant, and 4,5,6 has some of the best Chinese in town. Sopranos Bar (7 Abacha Rd, 0803 312 3878) is a local favourite for night caps.

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BED TIME Hotel Presidential is the city’s oldest and very popular with foreign visitors (GRA Phase II, Aba Road, +234 (0)84-461 500, hotel-presidential.com). Le Meridien Ogeyi Place is quite possibly Nigeria’s most luxurious hotel. Each room has a jacuzzi and there is a pool, spa and meeting rooms (45 Tombia Street, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt, +234 84 461 770).

The Protea Hotel Garden City is another good business hotel: (Km16 PH/Aba Expressway Port Harcourt, +234 84 465 700 proteahotels.com). HIP TIP The Old Township by the waterfront is a bustling hive of activity and the most atmospheric and interesting part of town, although going with a guide or local resident is recommended.

WINGTIPS

SOKOTO NIGERIA

Located in the extreme northwest of Nigeria, Sokoto is the seat of the Sokoto Caliphate, and home of the Sultan of Sokoto, regarded as a spiritual leader to many Nigerian Muslims. The proud and orderly town has a rich and colourful history. The Fulani are thought to have migrated there from Mali in the 13th century. In 1807, Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad led to the creation of the caliphate. Historical sites of interest include the Sultan’s Palace, Shehu Mosque and Bello Mosque on Sultan Bello Road. The Waziri Junaidu History & Culture Museum on Alli Akilu Road is also worth a visit. The colonial era room contains artefacts including a throne given to the Sultan by Queen Elizabeth with a carving of a naked boy on it. The culturally insensitive chair had to be redesigned before the Sultan could sit on it. BUY Shopping is limited, although roadside stalls sell a

range of textiles and food. One would be better off ambling through Sokoto Central Market. BON APPETIT The Young Shall Grow bus terminal serves good Nigerian food. There is also a supermarket and Middle Eastern restaurant called Double 7 on Abdulahi Fodio Road. Don’t expect to find alcohol. Northern Nigeria is an Islamic region with strict restrictions on nightlife and alcohol consumption. BED TIME There are four or five hotels on and around Kano Rd. However service and amenities are not of a high standard. These include Giginya Hotel (060 231 262, Bypass Rd) and Shukura Hotel (060 230 006, 10 Kano Rd). HIP TIP Time your journey to coincide with the legendary Argungu Fishing Festival. Thousands of participants compete to catch fish in the Matan Fada River, diving in to wrestle the fish with their bare hands. Fringe events include wrestling and a parade.

WARRI

Uvwie Modern Market is also worth a visit.

Warri is a predominantly Christian oil city in Delta State with a population that has increased rapidly since the oil boom in the 1960s. The city developed as a port during the late 1800s, when it became a centre for the palm oil trade and other major items such as rubber, cocoa, groundnuts, hides, and skins. Warri has a vibrant culture and kind people. A good way to spend a weekend is a visit to Abraka Beach, 30 minutes away from Warri by car. The beach is famous for its natural flowing spring water, and there are plenty of recreational facilities including canoeing, golf, fishing, and swimming.

BON APPETIT Most hotels have decent restaurants. There are fast-food joints and Nigerian eateries on Effurun Rd.

NIGERIA

BUY Warri’s main market is an incredible site to behold. Weave your way through colourful vendors touting fruit, vegetables, ankara textiles and more.

BED TIME Thanks to the number of oil companies operating in the area, there are a lot of hotels in the Effurun neighbourhood. Hotel Excel (Refinery Rd, Effurun, www. hotel-excel.com) is quite professional. A step down but comfortable is the Godatin Hotel Number 2, Ayoro Lane, Off Enerhen Rd, www. godatinhotelslimited.com). HIP TIP Wetin you dey talk? Try learning a few phrases in Pidgin, the common language of Warri. Warri Pidgin is famous throughout Nigeria for being expressive and authentic. Its superstrate is English with influences from dialects like Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

UYO

NIGERIA Satisfy your inner historian at the Uyo Museum (Wellington Bassey Way). Beach lovers can head to the Ibeno Beach, farther afield but worth the journey. Ask your concierge for directions on how to get there.

dishes at the amusingly named Oliver Tweest (Dominic Utuk Avenue), which is also good for breakfast. Please, sir, can I have some more?

BUY Akwa Ibom state is famous for its raffia creations, with everything from baskets to ties made out of the fibre – it’s evidently more versatile than most people think. Good souvenirs also include textiles from Uyo’s textile mill, and handicrafts, all of which you can find in the Akpan Andam Market or the Entrepreneurial Village.

BEDTIME Lovers of luxury will revel at the brand new Le Meridien Ibom (234 0 708 0660; Nwaniba Road PMB 1200). The resort offers everything you’d expect from the Starwood Group, along with a golf club and riverside marina. Those who want clean, comfortable surroundings but don’t want to empty their pockets too quickly should try the Tevo Hotel (+234 852 00694; 41 Udoh Street), which is cheap and cheerful.

BON APPETIT Try the delicious afang soup, featuring smoked fish and shredded afang, and ekpang nkukwo, made from two types of yam and yam leaves. You can get these and other

HIP TIP If you’re lucky, you can catch a show by the Ekemini Dance Group, which builds on Akwa Ibom State’s tradition of dance and drama. The group’s performers come from all ages and walks of life.

YOLA NIGERIA

The capital of Adamawa State is a spacious town on the banks of the Benue. Formerly the capital of the Fulani State until the British arrived in 1901, the town is divided in to two parts, the old town and administrative centre, Jimeta. Yola is also home to the American University Of Nigeria. BUY Yola is easy to get around, and you’ll see what’s available to buy on the roadside, including textiles, fruit and vegetables. BON APPETIT Choice is limited. The Pool Bar Restaurant on Garkida Road on the north side of Jimeta has a choice of dishes, a garden and cold drinks. Dreams on 13 Atiku Abubakar Road next to the police roundabout serves burgers, chicken and other fast-food standards. BED TIME Located across the road from AUN and the new Federal Law School, AUN Hotel opened in 2012. It’s tastefully

decorated, well-maintained and comprises a conference centre and spa, (AUN Hotel, 228 Modibbo Adama Way, 0805 870 5555, www.aunhotel.com). While most hotels are located in Jimeta, 5km north of the city centre. Jokems Airport View Hotel, (075 627127, jokemsairportviewhotel.com, 9 Gumti Rd, Kofare Industrial Area) is near the airport. HIP TIP 6,700 square kilometres of mountainous forest and savannah land border Cameroon. The area is now Gashaka-Gumpti National Park, site of a major World Wildlife Fund project and home to chimps, lions, elephants, leopards and hartebeests. There is simple accomodation in Serti, a village on the Yola to Gembu road where rangers and vehicles are available to hire. The trip is not for those who like creature comforts, but adventurers will definitely be rewarded with an experience to remember.

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