Africa

Why donating animals to Ethiopia isn't as straightforward as it seems

Published: 22 December 2007

Donating livestock to the third world is a popular Christmas gift. But when Simon Calder tracked down his festive livestock, things soon turned nasty

Independent Familes: 'Are there any safaris that are family-friendly?'

Published: 15 December 2007

Q. We have decided to take our three children, aged four, seven and nine, to South Africa next summer.

Libya: From desert to oasis

Published: 08 December 2007

After decades of isolation, Libya is welcoming visitors again to share the glories of its heritage, the drama of its Saharan setting, and the charm of its culture, writes Ian Birrell

24-Hour room service: Suyan Camp Tanzania

Published: 08 December 2007

You won't see the beige tents of the Suyan Camp until the last minute, tucked away in a shallow valley in the Loliondo border lands of the north-east Serengeti.

Wild about you: Arabella Weir goes on safari with Kenya's Masai

Published: 01 December 2007

As safaris go, it was fairly luxurious, but for Arabella Weir and family, getting up so close and personal with the magnificent wildlife of Kenya was the real privilege

Gambia: Africa's garden of delights

Published: 18 November 2007

The Eden Project has hooked up with the Gambia's leading eco-attraction to promote sustainable tourism. Fiona Cullinan joins its first visitors

The Complete Guide To: South African shores

Published: 17 November 2007

Dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, coral reefs, mountains... There are natural wonders aplenty on both land and sea on this celebrated coastline. Cathy Packe reports

Uganda: A jungle out there

Published: 10 November 2007

Uganda's chaotic past had a devastating impact on the country's wildlife. But now the animals have returned – as have the visitors, says Jack Barker

Gabon: 'Gorillas roam the forests, hippos surf the waves'

Published: 04 November 2007

Gabon's economy relies on oil and timber but its wildlife could also be a big earner. BBC presenter Kate Humble reports

Mount Kenya: Simon Calder tackles Africa's other summit

Published: 27 October 2007

With a guide, a map and lots of tea breaks, Simon Calder retraces the steps of Felice Benuzzi, a PoW who escaped to climb Mount Kenya – then snuck back into camp

Take a breaker: Morocco's coastline could have been made for surfing

Published: 27 October 2007

With some intense tutoring – even near novices like Ruaridh Pringle have a chance to rule the waves

Independent Families: 'Where can we have a West African escape?'

Published: 20 October 2007

Q. After a holiday in Kenya a couple of years ago, we are thinking of taking our children to West Africa next year, but can't decide where. So far, we have considered countries including the Gambia, Ghana and Mali, but are these places safe? And when is the best time to go? We're fairly adventurous, but would nevertheless prefer to travel on an organised trip. Can you help? R Wright, via email

There's black gold in the green hills of Ethiopia

Published: 07 October 2007

Nick Francis and his brother Marc are co-directors of a thought-provoking film about the plight of this country's coffee farmers. Nick tells Simone Kane why tourism is key to changing people's perceptions of this beautiful land

Okavango Delta: Encountering a sexually aroused bull elephant and a pride of feasting lions

Published: 15 September 2007

It's enough to make writer Gill Harvey forget her vehicle's failing clutch

Dateline Ethiopia: Let's do the time warp

Published: 09 September 2007

You and I think it's 2007, but according to the Julian calendar this Tuesday marks the beginning of the year 2000. Adrian Mourby reports from Addis Ababa

Volunteering in Namibia: Tracking elephants, hiding from rhinos and building very big walls

Published: 01 September 2007

Gill Harvey sets up camp in remote, dusty Damaraland

The Complete Guide To: Nile journeys

Published: 25 August 2007

From the source of the White Nile in Rwanda to the Valley of the Kings and beyond, David Else explores the travel possibilities along the longest river in the world

24-Hour Room Service: Riad Noir d'Ivoire Marrakech

Published: 18 August 2007

"Wow, Lulu, wow!" Jill Fechtmann's little lame cat is leaping lopsidedly around the courtyard, chasing shadows, her owner laughing. Lulu appeared on the doorstep of the riad when she was just three days old, and Jill nursed her back to health.

24-Hour Room Service: Little Ongava Namibia

Published: 11 August 2007

Being somewhat vertically challenged, I've always believed in the idea of small is beautiful. Happily, it's a view supported by Little Ongava, one of Namibia's most luxurious lodges. With just three suites – houses might be a more appropriate description – spaced along a hillside, this place defines safari chic. Overlooking a game-filled savannah stretching on for miles, the hill is a small bump in an otherwise flat landscape. A short drive away from its sister properties – the 12-room Ongava lodge and eight-suite Ongava Tented Camp – Little Ongava is the intimate, exclusive option for people who like their lodges small, posh and personal.

Cooking in South Africa: Get your greedy trunk off my warthog kebabs

Published: 05 August 2007

At Ngala Lodge in South Africa, you can squeeze in a quick cooking lesson between game drives. Adrian Mourby learns the art of bush cuisine

Bewitched by Madagascar's eco luxury

Published: 01 July 2007

Foreign money has taken it upmarket, but what about the locals, asks Meera Selva

Mali: A traditional culture is under threat

Published: 30 June 2007

Cruising along the Mopti-Bandiagara highway on the back of a Chinese motorbike, dampened turban flying in the wind: life doesn't get much better than this.

24-Hour Room Service: Dar Karma, Marrakech

Published: 23 June 2007

Fresh from the airport, it is a bewildering experience to arrive at a Marrakech riad at night. Just inside the walls of the medina (old town), my taxi stopped abruptly. The driver jumped out, grabbed my bag and, beckoning me to follow, left rapidly on foot down a dark tangle of lanes. After a few minutes of trotting behind and dodging footballs kicked by small boys, I began to wonder at the sanity of darting into this dimly lit maze. But just then, the driver deposited my bag outside a large door. He rang the bell, nodded and silently left. The door swung open and – magic. I was ushered into a beautifully lit hallway, my hand warmly shaken, my bag whisked inside. Welcome to Dar Karma.

Five Best: African beach houses

Published: 09 June 2007

For surf, sand and style these ocean-front villas are a shore thing

African dawn: Make the most of Mozambique

Published: 02 June 2007

A visit to Mozambique is a chance to kayak among mangroves, dive the reefs and chill out in luxury. Kate Humble does it all – at the same time as being a responsible tourist