National parks, the wildlife, the people, just anything about Africa and its beauty.
If you’ve ever typed “Zanzibar” into Instagram or YouTube, you’ve probably seen it: a little thatched house perched on a coral outcrop, surrounded by ridiculous turquoise water. That’s The Rock Restaurant on Pingwe Beach. I went when I was staying at Zanzibar and planned it around the tides, brought an …
Imagine arriving at a castle, yes, in South Africa, of all places. You read that right. We actually stayed in a castle in Clarens. And not just any castle, but one that looks straight out of a fairytale. Think Rapunzel’s tower, the one where she lets down her long golden …
I’ll be honest: when I booked my trip to Ethiopia in September, New Year’s wasn’t on my mind at all. Who celebrates the New Year in the middle of September, right? Turns out… Ethiopians do. And not only that, when I clinked a glass of honey wine to welcome the …
Some places look like they belong on another planet. For me, Tsingy de Bemaraha in western Madagascar was one of them. I’d seen pictures of the Stone Forest before I went, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of thousands of jagged limestone spires stretching into the sky, or …
If you’ve ever been on safari at night, you’ve probably heard it: that eerie, high-pitched “laugh” echoing in the dark. The first time I heard it in Kruger, it sent a chill down my spine. It felt like the bush was full of dangerous creatures laughing at me. That sound …
Whenever I spot a herd of zebras grazing on the savanna, my mind races: are they attending an exclusive black-and-white gala? Those stripes are eye-catching and bold; you’d think they’d make zebras easy prey. So why the dramatic makeover? Scientists once floated a range of ideas: camouflage, social signaling, and …
Elephants are among the most admired animals in Africa. Tourists travel thousands of kilometers hoping to see them in the wild, to watch them move as a herd, or simply to stand in awe of their presence. For many, the idea of sitting on an elephant’s back for a ride …
Pangolins are some of the strangest and least-known animals in Africa. If you’ve ever wondered “what is a pangolin in Africa?” the answer might surprise you: it’s a shy, nocturnal mammal covered head to tail in tough keratin scales, often called the “scaly anteater.” Despite traveling through Africa quite a …
Most wild birds spend their days looking for seeds, worms, or unlucky insects. But in parts of Africa, one bird has a very unusual side hustle: leading humans to honey. Yes, really. The greater honeyguide is like nature’s tiny tour guide with a sweet tooth. The bird shows up when …
When people ask me about flightless birds in Africa, I bet you immediately think of the ostrich. And maybe, if you’ve been to the Cape coast, you’ll add the African penguin to the list. For the longest time, I didn’t even count penguins as birds—how silly is that? I mean, …