(Posted 07th February 2024)
Following a strong 2023, international tourism is well on track to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Check out the newest safari lodges; new ways to explore West Africa; and our monthly roundup of cultural news and highlights from around the continent.
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM TO REACH PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN 2024
According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals
8 NEW SAFARI LODGES AND CAMPS TO TRAVEL FOR IN 2024
Experience some of Africa’s great wilderness areas while staying in one of the recently opened or soon-to-launch safari lodges and camps capturing luxury travellers’ attention.
EXPLORE THE COAST OF WEST AFRICA ON THIS ADVENTUROUS EXPEDITION CRUISE
HX offers an adventurous cruise experience marked by scenic tours, challenging hikes, and encounters with nature. The most appealing aspect of the Norwegian cruise line is the unique destinations you can visit; cities and countries not yet spoiled by droves of tourists. From the shores of Senegal to Kunta Kinteh Island, here’s what it’s like to see the West Coast of Africa on an HX Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise.
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UNLEASH THE NIGHT: EPIC NIGHTLIFE DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA
Africa is known for its vibrant culture, diverse music, and lively spirit. When the sun sets, the continent comes alive with an epic nightlife scene that rivals some of the best in the world. From pulsating clubs to trendy bars and unique cultural experiences, Africa offers a plethora of destinations where you can dance, socialize, and create unforgettable memories. Let’s explore some of the top places to enjoy an epic nightlife experience in Africa.
BENIN VOODOO FESTIVAL REBRANDS TO DRAW TOURISTS
Every January for the past 15 years, the 48-year-old local has joined hundreds taking part in Benin’s famed Voodoo festival. “It’s more than just a festival,” Dangnitche told AFP. “The meeting here is a pilgrimage, a rejuvenation, a reconnection with the ancestors to hear them speak to us again.”
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THIS PROGRAM IS PUTTING YOUNG BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS AT THE HEART OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AND CONSERVATION
Despite living a stone’s throw from one of South Africa’s largest natural reserves, home to elephants, lions and more, seeing these animals face-to-face seems to be a luxury reserved for others.
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HOW A TOURISM APP IN UGANDA IS MAKING ITS MARK IN EAST AFRICA – AND BEYOND
What if there was a platform where you could book walking tours with a local who knew the city well? Namanya says that’s when the idea came to him to build Tubayo, an online travel marketplace where travelers can book accommodations and experiences within East Africa. To date, the platform has about 77,000 users.
FIVE YEARS ON THE ROAD IN AFRICA: HOW LERATO MOGOATLHE BECAME A TRAVEL WRITER
South African journalist Lerato Mogoatlhe set off for three months in west Africa. She ended up drifting across the continent for five years. In 2019 she wrote a book about her travels, called Vagabond: Wandering Through Africa on Faith.
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AFRICAN FASHION PREDICTIONS FOR 2024
OkayAfrica speaks to fashion insiders on the trends that will go big this year.
A WORLD FAMOUS CHEF RETURNS HOME TO ETHIOPIA
World renowned Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson has opened his first Africa-based restaurant in the capital Addis Ababa to showcase fusion cuisine inspired by his unique upbringing.
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THIS BOOK IS AN AMBITIOUS SURVEY OF SPORT ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
“Africa is everywhere and Africa is influencing everything,” says Peet Pienaar, editor of Afrosport, a fascinating survey of sport, photography, design, and culture across the continent.
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USE MOVIES TO CHANGE KENYA AND AFRICA’S GLOBAL PERCEPTIONS
The story about Africa, her people, her cultures, her struggles and triumphs has continued to be told through the eyes of Westerners who may never fully appreciate unique anthropological bases for certain phenomena which sometimes make them to fundamentally misrepresent and distort facts.
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9 AFRICAN STREETWEAR BRANDS REDEFINING GLOBAL CULTURE ACROSS THE DIASPORA
Beyond the confines of fashion, these brands are part of a broader movement that recognizes the influential role diasporas play in reshaping global perceptions. African communities abroad act as cultural ambassadors, introducing their host nations to the rich tapestry of African culture, music, food, and entertainment.
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Images from (top to bottom) courtesy of UN Tourism; courtesy of Lepogo Lodges; courtesy of HX; courtesy of Getaway; courtesy of The East African; courtesy of CNN; courtesy of Beatrice Lamwaka, GPJ Uganda; courtesy of Taarifa; courtesy of Reed Expeditions; courtesy of Okay Africa; courtesy of Standard Media; courtesy of Okay Africa; Courtesy of Another Mag; courtesy of Hype Beast; courtesy of Semafor; courtesy of Financial Times.
