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Togo Travel Guide: Overland Travel in West Africa
Togo is a seldom-visited country in the heart of West Africa. Sandwiched between Ghana and Benin, the small vertical nation flies largely under the radar. And without the jaw-dropping natural splendors or wildlife-rich parks found on other parts of the continent, it is not difficult to see why. Togo doesn’t have the types of attractions that draw large crowds or tour groups. Instead, Togo offers a taste of Africa that is raw and unfiltered. Traveling to Togo reveals an Africa bursting at the seams with color. An Africa that welcomes…
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The Beautiful Goree Island in Senegal
Wander the sandy streets of tiny Goree Island in Senegal, and you might begin to feel that you were stuck in time. The tiny island off the coast of West Africa is a colonial gem with a relaxed Afro-European vibe. It is a place where sandy streets meander through groves of baobabs, where fishermen set out on vibrantly colored boats to find their fresh catch of the day, and where women walk the streets clothed in traditional batiks. Goree Island is a picturesque place that feels worlds away from the…
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Game Drive in Hluhluwe Imfolozi: A South African Rhino Safari
For most Americans, the holiday season conjures images of tree decorating, gift-giving and wintry weather. It is difficult for many of us to imagine Christmas without also thinking of snowflakes, sleigh bells and a yearly visitor from the North Pole. And, though I remember very few years in which we actually had a white Christmas in Oregon growing up, the cold winter weather did not make it difficult to imagine a snowy wonderland outside. It rarely occurred to me that, for those, living South of the equator, Christmas and snowflakes…
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Swaziland: Arts and Crafts in the Ezulwini Valley
The landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland rarely receives much international attention and often sits forgotten in the shadow of its much larger neighbors. And in the few instances that it does pop up in conversation or make its way to the news outlets, it often draws inquisitive looks or comments from people who are quick to confuse it with Switzerland. But Switzerland and Swaziland share very little in common, save for their similar names and beautiful scenery. While the former is an organized, wealthy European bastion of stability, neutrality and punctuality,…
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A Self-Guided Safari in Kruger National Park
While safari-going may rank toward the top of things to do on a trip to Africa, I admit that prior to setting foot on the continent, animal viewing fell somewhere near the bottom of my travel list. After all, I’d been to plenty of zoos in my life and seen many of Africa’s prized animals up close in captivity. How different could it be to see these animals in the wild, I wondered? My first encounter with Africa’s animals in the wild came during a month-long adventure through Botswana, Zimbabwe,…
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The Spectacular Blyde River Canyon in South Africa
South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon, also known as the Motlae Canyon, sits at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers. It is a remarkable geological icon, made even more beautiful by the lush greenery that clings to its walls. The Blyde River Canyon’s mist-shrowded rock formations tower above the verdant canyon slopes, providing birds-eye views of the river below. It is among the most beautiful canyons in the world and one of South Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural attractions. Visiting the World’s Third Largest Canyon Everyone has heard of Arizona’s…
