Africa travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Overlooking the sapphire blue waters of the Atlantic right on the beach near El Jadida in exotic Morocco, Mazagan Beach Resort is a truly unique coastal destination resort. Located a 20-minute drive from the town of El Jadida, this luxury resort is set in 250 hectares of undeveloped land. Less than an hour drive south of Casablanca, here you will experience Morocco at its most fascinating and intense, where tradition and modernity go hand in hand.  This sophisticated hotel offers stunning views, traditional hospitality, fabulous golf, delicious food and a host of relaxing facilities.

Continue reading A 180 degree view over the Atlantic Ocean

 

 

Listed as one of the World’s Best Hotels in 2009 and 2011 by the influential Travel + Leisure magazine, the Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania‘s very own Serengeti National Park is one of the World’s most amazing places to visit and stay. The area encompasses 400,000 acres of unrivalled wilderness and forms part of the famous migratory route, which is traversed by hundreds of thousands of animals every year. Situated on a rocky slope, basking in a dense habitat of abundant animal species and birdlife, Singita Grumeti Reserves lend a contemporary style signature to safari.

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The Khwai River is part of the Okavango’s complex delta system. Located 8 km northwest of the north gate of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Khwai River Lodge is one of the oldest safari lodges in Botswana. Overlooking the vast Khwai River floodplains, the exceptional location of Khwai makes it a regular host to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs. Surrounded by nature and the calls of the wild, this is the perfect location for observing the perennial drama of the African bushveld and provides viewing for excellent birding. Known for its large concentrations of big mammals, this is one of the most popular game lodges in Botswana today.

Continue reading One most established of the game lodges in Botswana

Located in Casablanca, Morocco, the Hassan II Mosque was built between 1986 and 1993 for the 60th birthday of former Moroccan king Hassan II. Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, approximately half the Hassan II Mosque sits directly over the Atlantic Ocean with glass flooring so worshippers can see the ocean below. It is the third largest mosque in the world settling in just behind Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. The project is estimated to have cost as much as $800 million, funds that were remarkably raised entirely from public subscription.

Continue reading One of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world

 

Situated some 20 miles west of the city of Lubango, in the Huila province, the Serra da Leba Pass is a national landmark in Angola.  Located at an altitude of 1700m, Lubango is one of the highest cities in the country. The road is a marvel of engineering given the era of its construction and it has been one of the country’s postcard images for decades, but all shots were taken by day. Legend has it that the Serra de Leba is named after the Portuguese woman who designed and built the road – then died after she viewed it on the very day the project was finished. 

Continue reading The Leba Mountain Pass

Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital of Morocco under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672–1727. Located 130 km from the capital Rabat and 60 km from Fes, Meknes has been called the Versailles of Morocco, but the grand scheme for a royal palace was never completed. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue reading One of the four imperial cities in Morocco

 

Located in the area of Cairo called Mar Girgis, where many of the oldest Coptic churches and Jewish synagogues can be found, the Coptic Museum is a small museum hosting the world’s largest collection of Coptic Christian artwork. Founded by Marcus Simaika Pasha in 1910, the museum displays the history of Coptic Christianity in Egypt from its beginnings to the present day. It is a significant aspect of Egyptian history as its emergence marked the end of pagan religion and the birth of Islam in Egypt.

Continue reading The world’s most important examples of Coptic art

The most populated and visited island among the Canaries is Gran Canaria, mainly due to its breathtaking and incredibly diverse landscape. Naturalists head for the Parque Rural del Nublo on the flanks of Pico de las Nieves, to track down the largest number – and amazing variety – of endemic species in the archipelago. However, the biggest card id the seemingly endless beach – in fact about 17 km long – of Maspalomas on the south coast.

Continue reading Big Canary

Far closer to Africa than to Spain, the sub-tropical Canary Islands are known for their budget sun and sand – although, as they are volcanic, the latter is often a rather uninviting shade of charcoal. Solutions have been found by importing golden sand from the Sahara 200 km away, and by building saltwater lidos. Nonetheless, the balmy year-round climate, cooled to a steadt 25-30º C by marine currents, has ensured that these seven islands have not only fabulously lush vegetation, including a sufeit of bananas, but also a constant flow visitors.

Continue reading Island Spain – Canaries

Hemingway’s is an intimate, privately owned hotel built right at the edge of the beach of Watamu Marine Park, considered one of the world s most beautiful. Situated in one of one of East Africa’s finest big-game fishing destinations, Hemingway’s Resort overlooks the stunning beach and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels. Surrounded by lush and palm-filled gardens and offers a wide array of water sports and activities, this is the perfect way to encounter Kenya. The ocean can be seen from most rooms.

Continue reading African horizonts