As initial data suggests the omicron variant may not be as lethal as initially feared, the U.S. is considering loosening its ban against foreign travel from South Africa and several other nations in southern Africa. U.S. May Loosen Africa...
UPDATE: U.S. To Restrict Travel From South Africa, 7 Other Nations
Starting on Monday, the United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other nations in southern Africa as concerns mount over the “Nu” COVID-19 variant. UPDATE: We now have further details concerning the entry restrictions USA Restricts...
Introduction: An African Adventure As The World Shut Down
As the world began shutting down in March, I found myself in Accra, Ghana. While I considered aborting the remainder of my trip and heading directly home, I opted to remain for a couple extra days and enjoyed an...
Is Eritrean Airlines The Solution To My Dubai Dilemma?
You know I love trying exotic airlines and you cannot get much more exotic than Eritrean Airlines. Is this the solution to my Dubai dilemma? Last week, I asked you for suggestions on how I should get back to the...
How Africa’s Largest Airline Exercises Strategic Influence
We’ve seen many surprises at the Farnborough Airshow this week, including the birth of a new airline. But the politics behind it are even more interesting. Nigeria has struggled to maintain a viable flag carrier over the decades. Nigeria Airways...
Remorse & Resolve: Final Thoughts on a Month in Africa
My unexpected month in Africa will always be a two-edged sword: a treasured memory on the one hand and a painful and expensive exercise in futility on the other hand. Remember the purpose of this trip was to secure...
The Robben Island Experience
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to Robben Island, a political prison turned national monument that housed Neslon Mandella for more than 30 years. Buy Your Robben Island Tickets in Advance Online Same-day tickets are...
The Cruel Poverty of Cape Town
Income disparity is a fact of life. I am not a Marxist and I reject the notion that it is purely luck or at the expense of others that great fortunes can be made. But I do recognize both...
Johannesburg to Cape Town in South African Airways A343 Economy Class
I had neglected to assign seats in advance on this flight (did not even think it was possible) and my wife and I ended up in middle seats. The A343 economy class cabin has a 2-4-2 configuration and the...
Road Trip from Johannesburg to Lesotho
I am on a quest to visit every country in the world. My “first pass” through the world will often include more limited visits — sometimes just hours — but my goal is to experience a taste of life in every nation....
Review: South African Airways Domestic Voyager Lounge – JNB
Disclaimer: This lounge has been refurbished. I am publishing this review for historical purposes — to make my South Africa trip report complete — but note that the lounge now looks quite different. Check out Lucky’s review for what this lounge...
Review: Hyatt Regency Johannesburg (Suite)
Located in the Rosebank district of Johannesburg and surrounded by several shopping malls, my wife and I spent five nights at the Hyatt Regency Johannesburg to round out our time in Johannesburg. The hotel is a Category 2 property,...
Kasane, Botswana to Johannesburg on South African Airways (Airlink)
When planning out the routing for our trip, I was not even aware that Kasane (BBK) had an airport – credit to my wife for stumbling upon it when looking for accommodation. It worked out perfectly, saving a long...
A Visit to Impalila Island, Namibia
You know by now that I love to country hop…even if it is just for a brief visit to a rather ordinary border town. That’s what I thought the visit Impalila Island would be…but it turned into another eye-opening...
Review: The Old House Guest Lodge – Kasane, Botswana
After consecutive stays in Zambia and Zimbabwe in very modest accommodations, I was looking forward to a room with air and a comfortable bed. My wife stumbled upon The Old House Bed and Breakfast and though still pricey for Botswana...
From Hate to Great: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
As we crossed over the border from Zambia to Zimbabwe, a word of advice – don’t hire the vulture taxi drivers waiting outside the Victoria Falls entrance for they will rip you off. Walk past the border control and...
Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side
Victoria Falls has been a part of my bucket list since I was amazed by Igaucu Falls in Brazil and I knew the moment we discovered the need to journey to South Africa, we would visit the falls. We...
Our Humble Abode in Zambia
Although Livingstone is a tourist city juxtaposing Victoria Falls, there are no hotels to speak of—smaller inns and guests houses are the only options with the exception of the very pricey Livingstone Inn just outside the Victoria Falls gates....
Review: Mountain Inn Mbabane, Swaziland
Mbabane’s finest hotel may not be much, but I enjoyed our night at this family-run property and recommend it for a break from Swaziland while you are in Swaziland. Allow me to explain. I talked about driving through Swaziland...
Driving through Swaziland
As we drove out of Kruger National Park, my wife had one thing on her mind and I had another. The sun was precipitously dropping over the rolling green hills and Heidi’s concern was where we would stay the...
