From the burnt-orange sands of the Sahara and the subterranean treasure-troves of Egypt’s ancient sites, to the thrilling wildlife encounters of a safari, Africa is a continent as diverse as it is vast.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of this intriguing continent, but we’ve already had some incomparable experiences, like shadowing a troupe of chimps through their forest home; sailing up the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya, and spending an hour with a family of gorillas on the misty slopes of a Rwandan volcano. We’ve gorged on Moroccan street food in Marrakech; marvelled at the decorated tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, and joined Maasai warriors in a traditional adumu (jumping dance) in Kenya. We’ve also dived some of the most pristine reefs in the world in the beautiful Red Sea.
We’ll need a lifetime to experience our way through Africa, but we’re up for the challenge.
Posts from Africa
Dahab Diving: A Red Sea Escape
Sydney diving is great fun, but we’ve been aching for the warm, clear waters of the Red Sea, and the spectacular dive sites off the coast of Dahab. It’s a place we frequently talk about, especially with other divers, and it’s always been one of the highlights of our diving …
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Sailing the Nile Aboard a Traditional Dahabiya
We follow in the footsteps of Egypt’s 19th-century explorers and set sail on a Nile cruise aboard a beautiful, traditional dahabiya sailing boat. We couldn’t blame Enrique for trying. Our dahabiya host was determined to get us off the boat at least once a day to experience ‘the real Egypt’ …
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Maasai Mara Safari: Photo Gallery
Welcome to safari heaven. The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is 1,500 square kilometres of expansive savannah landscapes, magnificent wildlife and vibrant local culture. Whether you’re out spotting the Big Five on a jeep safari or hunkering down at your camp twitching for birdlife, every day in the Mara is a thrill. Here’s a selection of …
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The Maasai Express
Not unlike car journeys involving maps, putting up, taking down and living in a tent can be a potentially fraught experience for a couple. Throw in mud, sleepless nights and pre-dawn starts and you’re guaranteed some early morning grumbles over who pushed the tent pegs in so far we need …
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A Camping Safari In East Africa
We’ve visited some cities with seriously bad reps in our travels, but none has had our arrival nerves jumping quite like Nairobi, or Nairobbery as it’s notoriously nicknamed by some. It didn’t help that we were carrying a small ransom in cash as kitty for the tour we were about to join.
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Colours of Morocco: A Photo Gallery
Morocco is a country of vivid colour: from the skilled polychrome zellij and mosaics of its palaces and the eye-catching spices in the markets, to the burnt orange hues of the rippling Sahara sands, the iridescent blues of boats and skies, the lush greens of its desert oases, and the rich reds and …
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From Bedbugs to Bliss: A Marrakech Birthday
Carrying the scars of the budget-conscious – bedbug bites, mozzie welts and that general itchy, uncomfortable feeling that comes from staying in less-than-salubrious digs, we left windy Essaouira for our return to vibrant Marrakech and some five star treatment. Arriving at Maison MK in Marrakech’s medina (Dan’s birthday surprise for me), I understood immediately …
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Pushing the senses: Fez to Essouira
“Welcome to Fez, where you from?”“Australia.”“G’day maaate! What you looking for?”“Just walking, thanks.”“There is nothing this way, it is closed.”“Really.”“Really, the lane, it is closed this way.”“Well, we’ll have a look anyway.”“The tannery is not this way, you want to go to the tannery?”“No.”“Why not?”“Just don’t want to go to …
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Sailing Into The Sahara On A Moroccan Camel Safari
For years, whenever I’ve thought about Morocco, I’ve imagined myself sailing gracefully through burnt-orange sands at sunset aboard a comfy, good-natured ‘ship of the desert’. The reality proved far different.
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