WAA News - We Are Africa

THE BEAT

STORIES FROM WE ARE AFRICA, THE AFRICAN CONTINENT & AROUND THE GLOBE

04
May
2018
TUNE IN: WOMEN OF AFRICA

‘Sounds from’ is a new series of monthly playlists curated by music guru Jared Dietch that will drive Africa’s coolest tunes to the fore. First up are a sassy bunch of African female artists who’re bringing the girl power to ladies everywhere on International Women’s Day. They’ve got it – hear them flaunt it.

03
May
2018
BENCH THE BEER: MAKE WAY FOR THE CRAFT CIDER REVOLUTION

Everyone, put down your beer: cider is making its grand entrance on the South African circuit. Find out how up-and-coming cider brands like SXOLLIE are getting crafty and flying the South African flag around the Motherland and beyond.

02
May
2018
THE DAWN OF ‘A CYRIL SPRING’: WHAT THE RISE OF RAMAPHOSA MEANS FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM INDUSTRY

Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment as President of South Africa has been met with much relief and hopefulness for the future. The big question on all of our lips? Will he be good for South African tourism? Melissa Twigg investigates.

Holly Budge
30
Apr
2018
LIGHTING A FUSE: MEET HOLLY BUDGE, ARTIST, ADVENTURER AND CONSERVATIONIST

In the second of our series spotlighting this year’s FUSE un-conference speakers, artist and adventurer Holly Budge explains how her passion for conservation led her to the top of Mount Everest, and how luxury travel can play a vital role.

Photographic safari in Botswana – courtesy of andBeyond
30
Apr
2018
SHOOTING ANIMALS: THE RISE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

From Botswana to Zimbabwe, travellers are flocking to Africa to fire a few frames, paving way for a flashy new niche in Africa’s safari industry – one that could provide a replacement for the controversial practice of consumptive hunting safaris, too…

30
Apr
2018
JOZI’S FINE-DINING SCENE IS HEATING UP

Watch out, Cape Town: Johannesburg fine-dining scene is hot on your F&B heels. Richard Holmes gives us the low-down on Jozi’s fine-dining hotspots that are becoming attractions in their own right.

Chéri Samba, Place de la victoire à Kinshasa/Matonge, 1991, 80 x 100 cm oil on canvas – courtesy of Pascal Polar Gallery, Brussels
30
Apr
2018
HOW DRC’S ARTISTS COULD CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF THE HEART OF DARKNESS

The DRC has been associated with war as long as we can remember. But its budding artists – and tourist attractions – are adding colour and life to the country’s sombre caricature. James Davidson investigates.

Africa on Tour II
20
Apr
2018
WELCOME TO THE TRIBE: 3 TOUR OPERATORS FINDING A NEW PATH

From urban safaris and artisan experiences to gorilla treks and luxury casinos, discover three new exhibitors who are are blazing an experiential trail across the continent.

19
Apr
2018
WELCOME TO THE TRIBE: 3 WELLNESS DESTINATIONS TAKING TRAVELLERS OFF THE SAFARI-BEATEN TRACK

This week’s game-changers know a thing or two about how to incorporate peace and harmony into travellers’ adventures around the Motherland – meet the tribe recruits who’re bringing wellness offerings to Africa’s tourism scene.

Tshekedi Khama
18
Apr
2018
A KEYNOTE LIKE NO OTHER: TSHEKEDI KHAMA, BOTSWANA GOVERNMENT MINISTER AND PASSIONATE CONSERVATIONIST

Introducing our keynote speaker for FUSE 2018: Tshekedi Khama, dedicated conservationist and Botswana Government Minister. Read how his pioneering work has helped light the fuse for high-end ecotourism.

13
Apr
2018
LIGHTING A FUSE: MEET GILAN GORK, MENTALIST AND FOUNDER OF THE INFLUENCE INSTITUTE

In the first of our series spotlighting this year’s FUSE un-conference speakers, we caught up with mentalist and visionary Gilan Gork to discover the secret to influencing people (and winning friends) and why credibility is everything in luxury travel.

Seliot, a waiter at Wilderness Safaris' Little Makalolo, practises his wine recommendations with Allister – via Wildnerness Safaris
13
Apr
2018
WHY WINE BUFFS AND THE BUSH ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Wine lovers in Africa? Send them to the Cape, many will say. But what about the bush? Melissa talks to Allister Kreft, CEO of Under the Influence – a management and wine-based company out of Cape Town. Find out more about his work, and why he thinks that wine buffs and the bush are made for each other.

10
Apr
2018
EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS

Education: it’s what the future of conservation depends on. Melissa Twigg investigates how African hotels and lodge owners have taken it upon themselves to educate children about protecting our planet – and by extension, their communities – in order to bring in the next generation of conservationists.

Chebera Churchura Park in Ethiopia – via Chebera Churchura Park
05
Apr
2018
WHY PARKS IN ETHIOPIA WILL MAKE TOURISTS COME FLOCKING

Find out why the parks in Ethiopia have the offerings that should be pushing the country on to the front of travellers’ bucklet lists and the fronts of our glossy mag covers.

05
Apr
2018
LODGE DESIGN: WHERE FORM MEETS FUNCTION

One for your #designgoals: documenting the move from traditional safari clutter to a wanderlust-worthy, guest-centric aesthetic, Richard Holmes delves deeper into the reasons behind the shift in the design of Africa’s most prestigious safari lodges.

03
Apr
2018
BUCKLE UP: AFRICAN AIR TRAVEL COULD BE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF

Africa, fasten your seatbelts: tourism prospects may well be on the up. The Single African Air Travel Market has arrived, and could well be the game-changer that puts the continent on the global air map. Hold tight as Melissa Twigg gives us the low-down before African air travel takes off.

Garbage City by Flickr user: stttijn
02
Apr
2018
THE GARBAGE MEN, THE GIRL, AND THE GOAL

From Coptic Christians in the Greater Cairo Area collecting garbage came the muse for upcycling guru and Egyptian artist dina Amin – and from them both comes the inspiration the hotel industry needs to combat throwaway culture.

29
Mar
2018
TAPPING INTO THE POWER OF VIRTUAL REALITY

The real-life key to Africa’s rise is in the virtual: Richard Holmes gets the low-down on the benefits of VR from African safari brands who’re donning new headsets and opening their eyes and businesses to a whole new world right in front of them.

25
Mar
2018
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AFRICA’S THRIVING ART MUSEUMS?

Since Zeitz MOCAA made its entrance to Cape Town’s Waterfront in September 2017, Africa’s contemporary art scene has blossomed. But as an attraction that’s now arguably as alluring as the Motherland’s great landscapes, what’s next for the African art world? Melissa Twigg investigates.

CemAir – via Facebook
22
Mar
2018
WELCOME TO THE TRIBE: 3 HIGH-FLYERS TAKING AFRICA BY AIR

Who could be better to show travellers how to live the high life than the tribe’s high-flyers? Let’s welcome the air extraordinaires who know how to take travellers to dizzying heights.

Dunia women – courtesy of Dunia Camp
19
Mar
2018
MEET THE WOMEN MAKING WAVES IN AFRICA

As the world marks International Women’s Day, we asked three trend-setting members of the tribe for their insights on the impact of women in the African tourism industry.

19
Mar
2018
WELCOME TO THE TRIBE: 3 HOTELS PROVING THAT EXPERIENCE IS THE NEW LUXURY

From treetop retreats to a secluded Namibian lodge, meet three of the tribes newest recruits proving that experiential offerings are the new luxury in travel.

Bird Nest – courtesy of Wilderness Safaris/by Jimmy Nelson
19
Mar
2018
THESE 5 ‘FLOATING’ HOTELS ARE WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

Introducing Africa’s five ‘floating’ hotels whose dreamlike allure will leave travellers bewitched and beguiled as they discover yet another unforgettable corner of Africa.

Toka Leya – courtesy of Toka Leya
19
Mar
2018
ZAMBIA OR ZIMBABWE?: HOW TO PICK A SIDE OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

Melissa Twigg contemplates the wonders and woes of a hotelier’s choice between setting up shop in Zambia and Zimbabwe on the edge of the Zambezi River.

18
Mar
2018
THE TOP 5 PLACES IN AFRICA TO CAST A LINE

Deep-sea game fishing is the pinnacle of the piscatorial world – and Africa boasts some of the richest waters on the planet. Here’s where to cast a line…

13
Mar
2018
DARK SKIES IN AFRICA

Richard Holmes explores the stargazing opportunities in the remote corner of southwestern Namibia, the home to one of just 11 internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserves.

Baby pangolin – via Rainforest Rescue
07
Mar
2018
PROTECTING PANGOLINS, SCALES N ALL

As the world’s most trafficked mammal, the unassuming pangolin might not fit the title ‘endangered – but valid concern for this mammal’s survival has hit now the fan. Heather Richardson fills us in on how tourism and the travel community can protect our scaly friend.

Business has never felt so good
07
Mar
2018
HUMAN CONNECTIONS: WHY BLEISURE TRIPS CAN TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS

‘Holidays’ are no longer a tick-box affair. Travellers are looking for human connections on their adventures for the full, transformative experience. Richard Holmes shows us how bleisure trips can allow us to practise what the industry preaches, and transform your business by making connections and getting your intel first hand.

06
Mar
2018
AWARD-WINNING AFRICA: TIME + TIDE & THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

For one tiny community in Zambia, disabilities were a source of shame and confusion; until the Time + Tide foundation broke down barriers, winning hearts, minds – and the ENGAGE Africa Award 2017. We caught up with them one year on.

06
Mar
2018
SAVING LIKE A LOCAL: TAKEAWAYS FROM CAPE TOWN’S WATER SHORTAGE

It’s been a little drier over in Cape Town recently – too dry. Thankfully, the water shortage is looking up, thanks to everyone’s efforts to save, save, save! Heather Richardson reflects on the crisis to conjure up some takeaways for Cape Town and the world at large.

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