One of Durban’s most beloved hotels, the Oyster Box, has been awarded the top spot in the ‘Top Resort Hotels in Africa’ category at this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

Standing majestically on Umhlanga’s beachfront just 15 minutes from the airport, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse, Oyster Box is South Africa’s most cherished hotel and a national treasure.

The awards, voted for by readers of Travel + Leisure, judge hotels on a variety of characteristics including their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and value.

With all the charm of a bygone era, Durban’s 86-room Oyster Box is the epitome of modern elegance and comfort. An ultra-luxurious hotel, Oyster Box overlooks the Indian Ocean and the iconic uMhlanga lighthouse.

Whether you’re looking for a unique experience, gourmet feast, spa indulgence or family stay, The Oyster Box has something to suit all tastes and occasions.

Renowned for exceptional cuisine and the hottest spots in town for sundowners, the hotel’s facilities also include an award-winning spa, two swimming pools and a 24-seater movie theatre.

Jonathan Raggett, managing director of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, which the Oyster Box is part of, said they were honoured to have been recognised in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

“Our teams work tirelessly to deliver unsurpassed guest experiences every day and these accolades are testament to their hard work and dedication, and to the vision of our President & Founder, Mrs Tollman, whose lifelong pursuit of excellence and passion for hospitality is the life blood of Red Carnation Hotels,” he said.

Africa is a tourist destination that never fails to amaze, boasting of moderate tropical weather conditions, friendly, hospitable people, and a plethora of interesting places to visit. However, there are some countries in Africa that are off the tourist trail and are like hidden jewels that are waiting to be discovered by those who are willing to stray off the tourist trail.

We have compiled a list of just those countries that are not so popular when it comes to attracting large number of tourists, but are, nevertheless, endowed with immense natural beauty.

São Tomé and Príncipe

The island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, located off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa, is the second smallest African country after the Seychelles, and the smallest Portuguese-speaking country with a population of just over 190,000 people.

In 2019, the nation welcomed less than 75,000 visitors, which is relatively low compared to the number of visitors other island nation countries received, including Seychelles and Mauritius. Factors contributing to the low number of visitors include the country’s fragile and volatile economy, which is still heavily reliant on international financing, absence of roads and communication infrastructure, and underdevelopment of many travel and tourism-related facilities.

Many tourists that visit the island nation, mostly Portuguese tourists, enjoy unspoiled landscapes and a warm, tropical climate. Interesting things to do include a visit to Obo National Park, which has over 700 species of flora and fauna, as well as white and black sandy beaches, a visit to various plantation houses that showcase the island’s colonial history, as well as various beaches that are far from being crowded and busy.

Burundi

Burundi is one of the smallest countries in Africa, located in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa. Just over 100,000 tourists visited the landlocked nation in 2019. A major reason for the decline in tourist arrival into Burundi is the political unrest that has plagued the country, including protests that broke out in 2015 after the ruling party announced President Pierre Nkurunziza would seek a third term in office and a failed coup that attempted to depose him. This led to as many as 100,000 people fleeing the country, causing a humanitarian emergency.

The country’s tourism potential is high as it is rich in culture and history and has great attractions, including the famous Lake Tanganyika, which is one of the deepest lakes in the world, and national parks like the Kibira National Park and Rusizi Natural Reserve, which are home to lush tropical forests and wildlife and flora such as chimpanzees, baboons, and tall palm trees of the Hyphaene bengalensis var ventricosa species.  

Comoros

Comoros, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between Northeastern Mozambique and Northwestern Madagascar, is the third-smallest African nation by area and has a small population of over 700,000 people.

The country received approximately 35,000 visitors in 2019. The Comoros has potential for a thriving tourism industry like neighbouring islands such as the Seychelles because of its beautiful beaches and warm tropical climate. However, political instability stands in the way of this. The country has experienced 20 coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. If the country were to gain political stability, it would face stiff competition from more established tourism industries of neighbours such as Seychelles and Reunion Island.

A main tourist attraction of the island nation is the large Karthala Volcano located on the southern half of Grande Comore. The volcano is still active, and volcanic activity on the island have left black rocks along the coast line, which create a beautiful contrast with the crystal white sand and blue water of the ocean.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone only welcomed approximately 30,000 visitors in 2019. The country’s 11-year civil war, which started in 1991, left the country in ruins, with over 50,000 deaths and many displaced throughout the region by the time it ended in 2002. Another factor that affected tourism in the country was the Ebola virus epidemic, which spread throughout the country in 2014 and killed over 3,000 people in the first 18 months. 

The country’s tourism sector has great potential due to its rich biodiversity. The 400-kilometre Atlantic Coastline is rich in marine life and boasts white sands and warm ocean waters, and there are lush rain forests that boast a myriad of wildlife, even though these are under threat from large scales of deforestation.

Niger

Niger, located in the Sahel Region of Western Africa, is a country that is rich in history and culture, once being home to the great ancient Mali and Songhai Empires, and being home to the nomadic Wodaabe Tribe. Niger is a developing country, which is not only less known for tourism and travel, but also ranks low on the United Nations’ Human Development Index. The country only received around 150,000 visitors in 2019.

Developmental challenges that the landlocked country faces include drought and desertification due to the Sahara desert being located there, inefficient agriculture, high poverty levels, and overpopulation due to high fertility rates.

Interesting tourist features of the country include the Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature and Cultural Reserve, which is one of Africa’s largest reserves, protecting several endangered animals including the dama gazelle and desert cheetah, as well as protecting the nomadic culture of several tribes while boasting a scenic desert landscape. It is also home to the Guérewol Festival of the Wodaabe, where young men dress up in elaborate ornamentation to sing and dance to attract the attention of marriageable young women

Ghana has an exciting mix of culture, eco-tourism, heritage, beaches and adventure tourism – not to mention its people who are well-acclaimed as warm and friendly. Indeed, Ghana has all the ingredients of an enticing destination. We bring you a report on Ghana’s tourist attractions...

Ghana is fast becoming an ideal visitor’s destination for eco-tourists and those wishing to witness first hand community-based eco-tourism projects. Attractions such as the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary which is home to troops of the sacred Mona and the Black and White Colobus monkeys. Another important eco-tourism site in Ghana is the marine turtle nesting beaches located on the shorelines of Accra, Ningo, the Gomoa-Effutu stretch and Ada Foah to the East and Axim and the people of Amansure in Beyin to the West of the country.

Ghana is rich in bird diversity and has over 700 identified bird species; attracting large numbers of ornithologists and hundreds of birdwatchers every year. The coastal and inland wetlands, the national parks particularly Kakum, Ankasa, and Mole amongst others are popular places to watch birds.

Ghana has a wealth of things to see and do. For the seasoned traveller not content with just visiting the numerous tourist sites in the country, there are a number of memorable experiences to be undertaken that are guaranteed to leave an indelible mark and be the topic of conversation long after you have left.
The coastal communities of the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Volta Regions are well known for their fishing activities and provide an opportunity for visitors to join in on a day’s fishing experience.  A day’s fishing experience with local fishermen includes pushing out and rowing the long hand built canoes, casting out nets, rowing canoes back to shore and joining a large number of people to manually pull the nets back to shore with lots of singing and cheering. It is an exciting experience that occurs on a daily basis, except on Tuesdays, in some areas, when fishing is prohibited.

There are a number of operators offering fishing trips in both fresh and salt water. Fishing for tuna, barracudas, sail fin, love fish, mackerel, tilapia and red snapper amongst others, can be found along the coast from Ada in Greater Accra to Takoradi and Miemia Bay in the Western Region. Operators also run trips for watching migrating whales and dolphins, during the months of August through to January. December is normally the peak.

The Ghana Sailing Club located at Ada in the Eastern Region offers facilities for boat berthing, boat rentals and hire at reasonable rates, the Club also organizes regular activities and boat races along the Volta River for enjoyable days out. Vessels at the Club include Hobbie Cats 16, Prindles, Monohulls and Lasers.
The Volta Region is renowned for its abundance in natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. From mountain biking, waterfalls, cave explorations to long hikes, trained local guides will help you explore this region’s unique landscape and help you spot the wildlife inhabitants of this region. Popular areas include; Gemi and Afadjato Mountains; which attract climbers of all levels, Willi Waterfall and Kalakpa Game Production Reserve.

The dry savannah of the Northern Regions with its sparse populace and predominately rural nature is perfect for the adventurer who really wants to get off the beaten track. Visitors can enjoy hiking or mountain biking from village to village and also experience village life by taking the opportunity to spend a few weeks with villagers learning how to cook, weave and hunt.

The Western Region is also known as the surfing capital of Ghana, during low tides the wave are gentle but steady and however long, during the high tide that promises numerous great rides for advanced riders. Busua Beach is the popular location for surfers of all levels from across the country. Ankrobra Beach Resort, which also gives first lessons has recently started a tutoring programme for local youngsters with the intention of raising the profile of the sport with relatively low participation costs.

The Kwahu Mountain Range in the Eastern Region is known for its annual Easter Paragliding event when a host of internationally renowned gliders show off their skills, compete and give locals and visitors an opportunity to try out the sport. Also in the Eastern Region is a unique opportunity to take to the skies in single engine ultralights provided by WAASPS. This flying centre operating from Kpong Airfield, offers the opportunity for those on shorter stays to top up their flying hours or take a trial flight and for the longer stay visitor to train for a Private Ultralight Pilots license

FORTS AND CASTLES

Discover more about Ghana unfortunate history by visiting these two castles, recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. A visit to any one of Ghana’s forts or castles will leave you with a better understanding of the history surrounding the arrival of Europeans in Africa and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
 
Rock Climbing
Ghana’s diverse geology has created numerous vertical cliff lines that provide both a challenge for the experienced climber and fun outings for the less experienced.
 
Deep Sea Fishing
Experience deep sea fishing of the coast of Ghana. The Atlantic Ocean of the coast of Ghana offer fantastic opportunities for big game fishing of blue marlin, big eye and yellow tuna, barracudas, marko shark amongst others.

Ghana’s famous canopy walkway
Visit Ghana’s famous canopy walkway and spot some local wildlife, birds and butterflies. The rainforest walkway is composed of 350 metres of suspended bridge and seven tree platforms that reach the height of 30m above the forest floor. From the treetops, visitors experience a unique and spectacular view of the rainforest ecosystem and have the opportunity to see flora and fauna, which could never be viewed from the ground. Hundreds of species of butterflies and birds can be seen from the Walkway early in the morning and there is also the chance to catch a glimpse of the Spot-nose, Campbell and Colobus monkeys.

Wildlife Encounters
Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest national park and can be located in the Northern Region of the country and covers an area of 5,000sq km. Its savannah vegetation supports about 730 species of flowering plants and over 90 species including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, antelopes, crocodiles and over 300 species of birds.

Beautiful Beaches and Resorts
Spend time discovering the beautiful beaches and resorts along Ghana’s coast. In the Western Region, the expansive Busua Beach and the Ankobra Beach with their strong wind systems and high waves are the popular two surfing points in Ghana. These resorts are well equipped with a range of water sporting equipment for jets skiing, surfing, kayaking, wind surfing, etc. They are also ideal locations for beach volleyball, soccer, and other beach sports and activities. However, the newly established Kedas Lodge Watersport Centre located in the Miemia Bay is where one heads to for an all round water experience.

Traditional Festivals
Immerse yourself in tradition at one of Ghana’s colourful festivals. The Official Ghana Tourist guide contains a detailed chapter of dates, descriptions and history for all of Ghana’s main festivals which includes the : Akwasidae in the Ashanti Region, the Masquerading Festival and the Edina Bakatue Festivals in the Central Region and the Hogbetsotso of the vibrant Volta Region.

Crocodiles of Paga
Get up close and personal with crocodiles in the Upper East Region.

Wli Waterfall
Use the Official Guide to plan a visit to this incredible waterfall whilst hiking through the spectacular landscape.
Located in the Volta Region and consisting of two parts, the lower and upper fall this impressive waterfall culminates into a plunge pool at the base ideal for swimming. The hike to and from the waterfall provide many opportunities to see the local wildlife.

BEACH TIME

The pristine coconut lined beaches that line Ghana’s 540km coastline are well noted for their cool serenity, beautiful sunsets and breath taking views over the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of Ghana’s beaches and resorts can be found in the coastal belts of Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions. The rest of the beaches along the coastline are interspaced by a number of small well preserved traditional fishing communities, who are now going into joint partnerships with some operators to establish a number resorts.

The flat sandy beaches are ideal for day picnics, barbeques, swimming, sun bathing, cocktail beach parties and many other activities.
Ghana also boasts of a number of private beaches and resorts where the general atmosphere is both serene and romantic. The majority of these upmarket resorts are excellent places to truly escape, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and the pressures of work hence, they are well patronised by both Ghanaians, expatriates and visitors.

Mention can be made of the plush White Sands Beach Resort located at Gomoa Fetteh and the Anomabo Beach Resort in the Central Region. In the Western Region, the expansive Busua Beach and the Ankobra Beach with their strong wind systems and high waves are the popular two surfing points in Ghana. These resorts are well equipped with a range of water sporting equipment for jets skiing, surfing, kayaking, wind surfing, etc. They are also ideal locations for beach volleyball, soccer, and other beach sports and activities. However, the newly established Kedas Lodge Watersport Centre located in the Miemia Bay is where one heads to for an all round water experience.

A number of eco-tourism beach front hotels have also recently sprung up in the Western Region, such as Fanta’s Folly Beach Resort with its turtle conservation project and the Escape3Points Ecolodge at Cape 3 Points, that encourage visitors to enjoy secluded beaches with minimal impact on the local environment.
In a nut shell, Ghana’s beaches offer all that you can ask for and an experience can range from a scenic retreat, beachside parties and picnics to resorts which have a wealth of water sports and activities.

ARTS GALORE

Ghana is renowned for producing the best in authentic African arts and crafts, these range from wood carvings brass works, sculptures, jewellery and a range of textiles.

Craftsmen painstakingly fashion exquisite artistic masterpieces from wood, bamboo, leather, cement and textiles. These indigenous and skilled craftsmen in the country can be found in virtually every village, town and city. Arts and crafts are an integral part of everyday life in Africa; and in Ghana it can be identified with all tribes and regions. Appreciation of arts and crafts is necessitated by cultures and traditions rather than aesthetic possessions and serves meaningful purposes in the communities.

This pivotal role can be seen by the use of Adinkra Symbols. Their visual and communicative symbols portray the philosophical thinking and way of life of Ghanaians. These are used as templates and motifs for textiles, wood carvings, ceramics and ornaments.

Indeed, Ghana still lives up to its reputation as a country with vast reserves of precious minerals (gold, diamond, silver, bronze, being the prime ones) providing an abundance of resources for artists to produce exquisitely designed hand-made contemporary and traditional jewellery of all kinds.

FESTIVALS GALORE 

Ghana has many exciting traditional festivals; these are occasions of great cultural pomp and pageantry on the indigenous calendars of the many ethnic groups. Festivals are very important occasions in Ghana; during this time many people travel to their ancestral home for the celebrations and to mark the occasion.

Festivals are celebrated to mark both the beginning and the end of the traditional year and to celebrate great events of the past and purify the traditional state. These occasions and celebrations can be the marking of a successful harvest, the initiation of adolescent girls into womanhood and the showcasing of new Kente and other traditional textile designs.

 Each region, tribe or ethnic group celebrates their festivals in different ways and these are based upon their customs, cultures and traditions. As such, even though they may at first glance look similar by the outward celebration, they are indeed very different.

 Festivals are also a time of great family reunions and feasting, revered ancestors and gods are invoked to participate. For the chiefs, festivals are the time for public renewal of allegiances to the paramount stool and the state, while plans for development projects in the community are also discussed.

Most of the activities span a week and during this time, sacred and antiquated state regalia as well as important works of art are put on public display.
The colourful grand durbar of chiefs is the climax of most festive celebrations and is usually preceded by a royal procession through the principal streets of the area, as the chiefs are carried in palanquins and sheltered by large, ornately decorated ceremonial umbrellas.

Some festival activities are of deep religious content and are held in private with fasting by chiefs and royal functionaries. Following this is the public celebrations often mistaken for the ceremony itself.

Festivals are one of the few occasions where you can experience true indigenous Ghanaian culture and tradition at its very best.

Traveling to Ghana 

Several airlines  operate daily scheduled flights from America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East to Ghana, these include;  British Airways, South African Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), Emirates, Delta, Middle Eastern, Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines.

Visas, Customs & Immigration
Every visitor to Ghana requires a visa or entry permit except ECOWAS citizens and nationals from Kenya and Zimbabwe. All visitors are given up to sixty days on a visitor’s permit on arrival. Ghanaian High Commissions abroad will facilitate the issuing of individual as well as group visas. You can find Ghanaian High Commissions all over the world, countries include, USA, UK, China, Japan, France and Germany. Furthermore, visas can be obtained upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at a fee, set at around $100.
 
Health Requirements
You are advised to consult a health care provider at least 4-6 weeks prior to your visit in order to acquire the necessary vaccinations and anti-malaria treatment. The only immunization you are required to have is for Yellow Fever all the others are optional and at your discretion.   It is advisable that you bring along prescription medicines with you. Basic medicines can be found at licensed chemists throughout the country.

Our editorial team travelled to Zimbabwe to attend the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo and took the opportunity to explore the various tourist attractions in Zimbabwe. We also talked to officials and major players in the tourism and hospitality industry to know about Zimbabwe's booming tourism industry. A report..

In order to boost its tourism income, Uganda is making efforts to promote its tourism industry internationally. As part of this plan, the country hosted a special stand at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai to showcase its tourism products in the Middle East markets.

“Arabian Travel Market is an important event for us and helps us reach new markets in the Middle east region,” said Edwin Muzahura, Marketing Manager of Uganda Tourism Board. “We are hoping that travellers from the Middle East will travel to Uganda in increasing numbers to take advantage of the excellent tourism infrastructure that Uganda has developed over the years – including some world-class hotels and resorts. Excellent air connectivity between the GCC countries and Uganda also augurs well for increased bi-lateral tourism and travel ties between Uganda and the Middle East,” he said.

Holiday Guide talks to Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board about Middle East and Africa tourism and trade ties. Kenya has been registering a steady growth in the number of tourists arriving to Kenya from the Middle East countries. Holiday Guide magazine is compiling a special guide on Africa to promote African tourist destinations among the Middle East audiences...

Holiday Guide Africa magazine catches up with Otumba Segun Runsewe, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Promotion Corporation at the Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He talks about how Nigeria's tourism sector has been successfully attracting a growing number of tourists to its shores by adopting new and innovative marketing and promotional campaigns...

Namibia’s pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market generated a lot of interest and attention. Holiday Guide magazine brings you a comprehensive report on why Namibia is fast emerging as a popular tourist destination among travellers from the Middle East as well as all across the world.

The tourism sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of Namibia’s economy and over the next ten years, travel and tourism in Namibia is forecast to achieve an annual growth of 7.9% in terms of GDP and create new 36,000 jobs. The share of travel and tourism is expected to rise to 23% of Namibia’s GDP and to 22% of total employment by 2020.

Even though Namibia does not have a warm coastline to attract sun-loving beach-goers and most safari enthusiasts are more commonly drawn to Kenya or South Africa, even so, Namibia has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination among seasoned travellers from the Middle East region.

Most visitors are attracted by Namibia’s dramatic scenery and landscapes – such as the spectacular Fish River Canyon – and by the large areas of unspoiled wilderness.

In 2018, Namibia received approximately 1.4 million visitors. Generally, tourists come for self-drive holidays or tours in small groups. This allows visitors to enjoy the isolated nature of many attractions. A number of small camps, lodges and guest farms provide accommodation.

Uganda participated at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to promote its tourism industry among tourists from Dubai and the Middle East region. We spoke to H.E. Nimisha Madhvani, former Ambassador of Uganda in Dubai…

Here is what you can expect on a holiday in Zimbabwe. A visual destination report compiled by Holiday Guide magazine for those planning a holiday in Zimbabwe. Our editorial team travelled to Zimbabwe to attend the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo and took the opportunity to explore the various tourist attractions in Zimbabwe. We also talked to officials and major players in the tourism and hospitality industry to know about Zimbabwe’s booming tourism industry. A report…

Swaziland was renamed the 'the Kingdom of eSwatini in 2018. Its a small, landlocked monarchy in southern Africa – almost like an enclave within South Africa situated on the border of Mozambique.