From swimming with sea turtles to mingling with wild lemurs, here's my ultimate Nosy Be travel guide: the best things to do, island day trips, where to stay and practical tips. After a week of dusty roads, dramatic sunsets backdropped by baobab trees and climbling stone forests in Western Madaga[...]
Since moving to Cape Town, we've been on so many safaris we've lost count. Here are some things we've learned that we hope you'll find useful before going on your first African safari. Our love for South Africa runs so deep that we decided to make Cape Town home for a year. During that time, we[...]
Having lived in Cape Town for a year, we absolutely love South Africa and have come up with this recommended 2-week South Africa itinerary perfect for first-time visitors. If you think South Africa is all about wildlife safari, think again. Of the 150 countries I've traveled to, South Africa is[...]
If you’re planning to travel South Africa with kids, make sure to book a stay at Mhondoro, an outstanding family-friendly lodge in the malaria-free Welgevonden reserve. The engine of our open-top Land Cruiser stops, leaving nothing but the sound of the wind moving through the dry grass. The la[...]
I’ve traveled to 27 countries in Africa and Tanzania remains my favorite safari destination. If you’re looking for an adventure of a lifetime, here’s my detailed 1-week Tanzania itinerary from a recent trip. Some places you visit, the others you carry with you. For me, Tanzania is one of t[...]
If this is your first time on safari, packing can be a daunting task. Here's a detailed safari packing list. I’m a firm believer in ‘less is more’. The less you pack, the more convenient it will be to move around and the happier you'll be. We almost always travel with carry-on only (e[...]
Join me for a sneak peek of the Tintswalo Summer House, a century-old Cape Town icon beautifully reborn into a vibrant and whimsical seaside retreat. Since moving to Cape Town, we’ve explored the Cape Peninsula several times and it has quickly become our absolute favorite area to escape to. At[...]
The highlight of our recent trip to Ethiopia was camping with the Karo tribe in the Omo Valley, an experience that took us way off the well-trodden path. The motor hums a steady rhythm beneath my feet as our small boat cuts through the murky waters of the Omo River. We left the dusty town of Tur[...]
15 years ago, Alberto and I traveled all over Madagascar on our honeymoon, and the Red Island completely blew us away. Wild and rugged, it was the most unspoiled and pristine country we’d been to. Now that we’re living in Cape Town, we decided it’s time to return and show our daughter one of[...]
Just a few hours from Cape Town lies the spectacular Garden Route, chocked full of adventure and wildlife. We had an amazing time driving it; here's our detailed 2-week Garden Route itinerary. If you think South Africa is just about wildlife safaris, think again. The Garden Route is South Africa[...]
We’ve recently moved to South Africa from Mexico, and I’m here to share our experience and personal tips on moving to Cape Town. Since I met my husband in 2005, we've built a life on the move. Both of us work remotely – him as a software engineer and me as a travel writer – and we’ve l[...]
Kickstart your adventure in Egypt with this Cairo itinerary, designed for first-time visitors with 3 days in Cairo and Giza.
Always dreamt of visiting Egypt? Plan an adventure of a lifetime with my 2-week Egypt itinerary, designed for first-time visitors. Egypt is the stuff of dreams: it’s home to the only remaining ancient wonder of the world, the Giza pyramids, the sprawling Valley of the Kings where over 63 ancie[...]
Is it safe to travel Egypt now? In this post, I discuss safety issues in Egypt, particularly for solo female travelers. Having recently returned from a second trip to Egypt, I've found that the country’s historical treasures are still as impressive as ever — but its tourism industry is[...]
If you’re looking for a place to stay with your family in South Africa where you’re surrounded by nature and wildlife, make it Morukuru Family De Hoop. The five-star beach lodge is plonked right in the middle of a wild nature reserve, with giant sand dunes for a backyard and whales breaching in[...]
Visit Senegal for a peek into West African culture and history. Here's my detailed Senegal travel guide and itinerary. Perched on the westernmost tip of Africa, Senegal beats to a different rhythm as its neighbors. The country is lined with beaches popular with surfers and dotted with islands that a[...]
From spotting towering giraffes to tracking lion paw prints, safaris are a thrilling adventure for the whole family. Here’s our pick of the best destinations for safari with kids.
Traveling Kenya with kids can be a life-changing experience for both you and your kids. Here is my guide to planning a perfect Kenya family safari. For adventurous families, Kenya makes an excellent introduction to Africa. The country is home to world-class national parks, nature reserves,[...]
A journey through Namibia's vast desert is one for the keeps. From the towering dunes in Sossusvlei to the diverse Etosha National Park, here are some of the coolest things to do in Namibia.
Planning an African safari in Kenya? Check out my detailed Kenya itinerary with recommendations on best places to visit and stay for those with 2 weeks in Kenya.
Dive deep into the heart of Egypt and explore the historical center of the country with this 3-day Luxor itinerary. If Egypt is the historic center of the world, then Luxor would be the crown jewel. Luxor is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum, but that comes nowhere near describ[...]
Having been to Kenya 3 times, I'm sharing a detailed Kenya travel guide, from safety to vaccination requirements and how to arrange a safari.
Of all the wildlife experiences I’ve had, gorilla trekking still ranks high as my favorite wildlife adventure. Here's a complete guide to gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is unlike any other wildlife experience I've had. There is something humbling and moving about coming so close to an animal o[...]
![Travel Sudan: My Detailed Guide & Itinerary [2020]](https://photos.smugmug.com/Africa/Sudan/Meroe-Pyramids/i-8jfRxCV/1/610a52ac/L/P2250908-L.jpg "Travel Sudan: My Detailed Guide & Itinerary [2020]")
If you're seeking to go off the beaten path, travel Sudan for a rewarding and surprising experience. Here is my detailed Sudan travel guide and itinerary. Many have the misguided view of Sudan is like Egypt — but Sudan deserves more than that. Sudan is irrefutably an African nation, albeit with a[...]
As a huge fan of wildlife watching, I’ve spied on a leopard up close in the Serengeti National Park, observed black rhinos in the savannas outside Nairobi, and floated alongside hippos in the lush eden of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Being able to observe wildlife in a natural setting is a rare[...]
For a crash course on traditional Ethiopian food, here are some of the best Ethiopian dishes and where to eat in Ethiopia. On my recent trip to Ethiopia, I was surprised to find that Ethiopian cuisine - much like other aspects of Ethiopian culture - is one of the most unique and diverse cuisines in[...]
To most of the world, Ethiopia is practically synonymous to famine and drought. Granted, the famine that plagued Ethiopia between 1970s and 80s killed over a million people. It was one of the worst disasters in the world and millions of dollars were poured in from other countries in the form of aid[...]
For intrepid parents, Morocco is a great family travel destination. This is my comprehensive travel guide to Morocco with kids. Morocco is undoubtedly the most adventurous country you can get to travel within just a few hours of Europe. Its bustling souks offer a sensory overload, while its desert[...]
A Sahara desert tour is an adventure and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are my detailed tips on how to plan the perfect Sahara trip. Shades of gold shimmer around us, sparkling under the sun’s rays. Sand dunes stretch endlessly into the horizon as far as the eye can see. A Berber man dresse[...]
![Eritrea Travel: A Detailed Guide on Safety, Visas and Budget [2020 Guide]](https://photos.smugmug.com/Africa/Eritrea/Asmara/i-B7j7QHK/0/46e805a6/L/2020031014310829--228325385358997679-IMG_0741-L.jpg "Eritrea Travel: A Detailed Guide on Safety, Visas and Budget [2020 Guide]")
Eritrea travel is not easy, but it's definitely interesting and very much off the beaten path. Here's a detailed Eritrea travel guide I compiled based on my trip there. Dubbed “the North Korea of Africa”, Eritrea is a hermit kingdom and the most secretive country in Africa. Since independence in[...]