Gambia’s tourist industry is developing at a rapid rate and so are restaurants and bars to cater to the burgeoning influx of tourists. Watch the world going by at the Ali Baba Pizza restaurant which is one of the best restaurants in Senegambia being run by Alibaba Pizza. Around the corner of the Ali Baba restaurant, you will find the exchange office, internet cafe, some more restaurants and several shops. At the backside of the Ali Baba bars & restaurant is a lovely garden. Here you can have your meals too. This is also the place to rock with local bands. You can enjoy special live music every night. Direction: It is situated at Senegambia, just a few minutes from the main Kololi highway. Gambia’s tourism season was a great success this year. Significant improvement on infrastructure, security, peaceful atmosphere and friendliness of Gambian people attracted many tourists and makes it a wonderful place to visit.. Source: AllAfrica
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Tunisia tops Africa in Tourist And Travel Competitiveness
The 2007 Davos World Economic Forum Report ranks Tunisia first in Africa and second in the Arab World after Dubai , in terms of tourist and travel competitiveness. More than 6 million tourists visit Tunisia each year, making it one of the top Mediterranean destinations. The report, which is based on three main criteria: business environment, human and natural resources and the quality of political reforms undertaken, also writes that Tunisia ranks 34 th in the world insofar as its travel and tourist competitiveness are concerned. It comes ahead of Turkey (52 nd ), Thailand (43 rd ) and Morocco (57 th ). In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Tunisian cuisine is very much in the Northern African Maghreb tradition, with couscous and tajine stews forming the backbone of most meals. It has been most popular for its health and spa resorts. So do plan your next trip to this beautiful country. Source: All Africa
Victoria Falls: The ultimate waterfall of Africa
For you a visit to these falls will not only be a splendorous sight but will give the added pleasure of diverse and easily-seen wildlife. You could also walk in the footsteps of David Livingstone, who the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya which he named the Victoria Falls after his monarch. The bridge links Zambia on the left and Zimbabwe on the right They are shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and each country has a national park to protect them and a town serving as a tourism centre: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The Africans called the falls the Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the smoke that thunders. That’s probably because of the mist and vapor that is tossed in drafts around the cataract especially during the rains. And also because of the spray that shoots upwards like reversed rain, especially at Zambia’s Knife-Edge Bridge. The the Zambezi river forms the Victoria falls. The river’s course is dotted with numerous tree-clad islands, which increase in number as the river approaches the falls. Options to stay: Royal Livingstone Hotel is an option very close to the falls. For a taste of the backpacker scene, try Jollyboys International Backpackers hostel Victoria Falls sits on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, so travelers must choose which country will be their point of arrival. The beauty around waterfalls generally masks the destructive force that fluid water holds. However, a fall of such magnificence just reinforces a feeling of being alive. Source: The New York Times
The Dufile fort of Nile: Retracted from oblivion
When one thinks of going to Africa only safaris come to mind, yet it is developing into a region of cultural and sustainable tourism as well. The Dufile fort was built by the native Madi people, who were among the first tribes in Africa to come in contact with Europeans, Egyptians races and played a big role in the history of the region. Situated in the Moyo district, it was built between 1874 and 1879 for governor Charles Gordon. Location: Dufile is on the western bank of the Nile in Moyo District, West Nile region How to get there: Can be reached by road or boat from Laropi. Emin’s old harbour is now the departure point for passenger ferries to Nimule in the Southern Sudan. The West Nile was destabilized for over 30 years because of civil war, the war in the Sudan and the LRA insurrection to the east. As a result the maldi tribes lost a sense of identity and had few cultural sites. It is hoped that the fort will be maintained as a cultural icon after excavation, and that a visitor’s center will be built in order to showcase local crafts and traditional museum displays. This particular site is unique in the sense that it is both a cultural center as well as a battlefield, attracting many different types of visitors. Madi territory is hilly and traversed by rivers and streams. The Madi are a sedentary agrarian community. Their economy is based on subsistence agriculture, in which the main crops are sorghum, maize, cassava, groundnuts and tobacco. In the 1960s, the farming of tobacco was introduced as a cash crop but this was disrupted by war. The Madi rear small herds of cattle, goat and sheep as well as fowl. In the 1830s, Egyptians moved south into the Sudan. Their attraction was ivory, then in high demand for making piano keys, billiard balls and cutlery handles. They also came to get slaves who were sold in Egypt but were also shipped to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The fort is one of 335 national sites and monuments in Uganda. The Dufile project was initiated in 2004 to find out more about the Madi, one of the African societies most heavily impacted by the 19th century slave trade. Not much is known about the history of East Africa and Uganda, this is what prompted research in the region and is now bearing fruit. Source: All Africa
The Gold of Africa: Awesome archive of African artifacts
Wildlife apart, South Africa boasts some unique fascinating features that draw visitors since ages. ‘Gold mines’ in Africa lures many gold lovers and I can say that no visit can be complete without getting a thoughtful understanding of the story of African Gold. Here I am going to accustom you with the world’s first museum dedicated to history of African gold. ‘The Gold of Africa’museum , located in the Martin Melck House in Cape Town ( built in 1783 , is believed to be one of the finest remaining example of old cape town) the Gold of Africa museum complex is literally filled with the gold. Africa’s most beautiful gold artifacts, the museum houses present thousand years old African gold artifacts. The visitor can glimpse thousands of years of legend, ritual and art that were so mush part of the gold-rich kingdom of Africa. Visitors can enjoy audio-visual presentations on the history of gold in our presentation suite. Museum shop offers the finest examples of modern and traditional gold and jewellery in 18 and 22-carat gold. The museum authorities considered it as a goal to preserve the ancient African civilization and to work as a bridge between traditional designs and techniques to inspire development of a new form of African gold design.
Botswana Wildlife Safari: Giving shape to your wildlife dreams
Country: Botswana Location: Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Why visit? Botswana is one of the most exciting and beautiful destinations to experience the wildlife in Africa. The country offers diverse ecology, ranges from magnificent Chobe National Park that shelters the world’s largest elephant herds, to the Okavango Delta, a wildlife paradise enclosed by the great Kalahari thirstlands. 17% of the lands areas have been remain untouched for national reserves and game parks while 84% of Botswana is covered by the Kalahari Desert. If you nourish a desire to discover the geological, cultural and wildlife wonder of this matchless destination than without visiting the destinations such as Chobe, Okavango Delta, Kalahari, Tuli and Makgadikgadi your journey would be incomplete. A camera is a magnificent tool that has made it possible to share your experiences. There are many safari and wildlife lodges all over Botswana and these provide the local dwellers with employment and contribute to the stable economy of this democratic country. Major Attractions � Chobe National Park, Moremi National Park in the Okavango Delta � Central Kalahari Game Reserve � Victoria Falls, on the edge of the Zambian border Climate: Botswana experience semi-arid climate. Though it remains hot and dry for much of the year, yet there is a rainy season that runs during summer months. The rainfall is unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy shower may occur in particular area while 10 or 15 kilometers away there is no rain at all. Read MORE PICS
Poverty-stricken townships in South Africa drawing large number of tourists
South Africa is drawing large number of tourists these days. If you are thinking that it is some museum or any other tourist spot that is luring large number of people, then i must tell you that you are wrong. The poverty-stricken townships in Johannesburg, are drawing large number of tourists. Yes, you’ve read it right! The Squatter camps in Soweto township on the edge of Johannesburg are attracting large number of tourists and bringing cash to South Africa. In short, poverty tourism is growing and bringing cash to South Africa. Guided tours are being organized. People who are keen to get a glimpse of the grim side of the new South Africa go to these camps. Touring these camps is free of cost but guides earn good amount by taking visitors on a short stroll down the narrow alleys, visiting a shack and watching residents. Sometimes visitors have to face problems when the poor people living in these slums compel them for money. Still, the number of visitors is growing. The bottom-line is that the poverty-stricken townships of South Africa are drawing in large number of tourists and lending a hand in bringing more cash to South Africa. Image Credit Source: Stuff
Pyramids get first place in old and modern wonders list
The Pyramids are one of the few manmade creations that have managed to survive the harsh realities of time for so many years. Though these Pyramids are believed to be the tombs of pharaohs but even then they have remained an enigma to mankind since ages. Once again these Pyramids hogged the limelight when they topped the list of old and modern wonders of the World. Egyptian State Information Service said: The international committee which includes world experts chose the Pyramids to be on the top of the wonders given that it is the only wonder left after the disappearance of the other six. The choice of the committee confirms that Pyramids are the most important wonder all the time. The committee, which has released its list recently, comprised experts from all over the world. Its chief Bernar Veber, was allowed to select the new seven wonders and his number one choice was splendour Pyramids as they are the only wonder left whereas the remaining six old wonders of the world have vanished. Image Source: allafrica
Cape Town gears up for 2010 Fifa extravaganza
Cape Town Tourism (CTT) will require an extra R13 million over the coming three years to deliver upon its visitor strategy in its run-up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CTT General Manager, said that this huge sum will be needed over the next three years in a state of the art data management system in order to compete globally. The system will host an integrated eBusiness platform linking their website with an on-line booking centre and customer contact centre. She also said that Cape Town needed to better its Visitor Information Centre (VIC) network besides empowering training and skills development. Mariette du Toit-Helmbold informed a portfolio committee for Economic, Social Development and Tourism on Thursday that the master plan caters to the expected increase in visitors to the city, tough international competition and the advent of new communications technology. It also looks at the need for a visitor services legacy that will support tourism in Cape Town way beyond 2010. The event would aid Cape Town in establishing itself as a top international destination, increase the economic benefits of tourism to all communities and individual tourism businesses as well. Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member, stated that the city has designed strategies that can propel Cape Town Tourism forward as a global model of visitor service excellence and contribute towards establishing Cape Town as the world’s best travel destination. Mr Grindrod, endorsing the request for additional funding, stressed that tourism remained a crucial element of the city’s job creation strategy. As football fans all over the world begin the countdown to one of the greatest events in sports, Cape town is busy making full preparations to ensure that the event is a success. In its aftermath, it will pave the way for the host nation to make the most of the plethora of opportunities it will open out to them. After all, as they say, no pains, no gains! Image Credit: 2010safwc