Tag Archives: Africa

Things You Should Know Before Visiting Angola

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: Africa, travel

Africa is a continent made up of many countries with beautiful destinations you can pick for your holidays. All the African regions which consist of East Africa, South Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, and North Africa have beautiful sites or places you can visit. One country you should visit is Angola.

This Southern African nation has so many beautiful things to see, including waterfalls and beaches. The Cathedral of the Holy Savior is one place you can visit. It is a historic church built in the year 1628 and is situated in the country’s capital of Luanda.

You can also visit Kissama National Park situated in the Northwest region of the country and have a look at the different animal species. Another historic site one can visit in Angola is the Fortress of São Miguel which was built by the Portuguese in 1576. To tour the country, you must have the right documentation to certify your type of stay.

One document you should have is the Angolan tourist visa. You can get it from the country’s immigration agency or seek the services of different visa agents who will help you acquire one. There are several things you should know before visiting this beautiful African nation. They include:

Hospitality

Angolans are a very hospitable people. They will make you feel at home immediately when you touch down at the airport. You will find people who are ready to host you for as long as you want. They will also keep you entertained with their beautiful traditional dances while donning their traditional wear.

The Candongueiros

There are several things you are likely to come across while in Angola, especially in the capital of Luanda. The candogueiro is one of them. They are shared taxis which are usually in the form of a van with specific colors. The candogueiros are meant to transport people from different spots in the city or the country. You can take a ride in one of them and enjoy the experience.

Giant Sable Antelope

Angola is the only place in the world where you can find the giant sable antelope. This animal species was declared extinct but it resurfaced some years back. They are found in Luanda and the Cuango Rivers in Angola. You can visit the country and have a look at this beautiful animal.

Official Language

Angola is a Portuguese-speaking nation, and it is also their official language. The country is a former Portuguese colony which tells you why it is their official language. There are other local languages spoken in the country which include Tchokwe, Kikongo, Kimbundu, and Umbundu.

Mãe Grande

It is a Portuguese term that refers to an elderly woman. The elderly people there are given the kind of respect they deserve, and that is why they have such respectful titles. This shows how well they relate to the elderly. You can use such a term if you come across an older woman to display some respect.

14 Jan 2019

Best Luxury Honeymoon Destinations in 2015

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries, Mauritius | Tags: Africa, Asia, Borneo, honeymoons, luxury, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, North America, Southeast Asia

With the Big Day approaching later this year, only your honeymoon remains to be planned, and despite the massive undertaking that your blowout wedding will be, you want your trip afterward to be just as epic. If you’re looking for nothing but the best for your spouse to be after your wedding this year, the following luxury honeymoons will have you both over the moon with the value that you will receive for your hard-earned cash…

1) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

With expansive frontages on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, Mexico has no shortage of hidden secret getaways that will grant you the post-nuptial relaxation that you so richly deserve. Those seeking the best in luxury will be pleased by what they’ll find in Puerto Vallarta though, as it has a long history of serving visitors from the chillier parts of North America, yet they are not as overrun by the tourist hordes as Cancun has experienced in recent years.

With many resorts just outside of town being nestled within their own private coves, you needn’t worry about unwelcome interlopers as you bake in the sun or play in the waves, and with an assortment of divine infinity pools on these properties, you’ll have an alluring plan B if you’d rather not swim in the ocean.

2) Mauritius

In the Indian Ocean, most attention these days is focused on the prettiest belles at the ball (the Maldives and the Seychelles), leaving unassuming Mauritius open for you to enjoy without the crowds that flood into the prior two locations during the high/honeymoon season.

This isn’t to say that Mauritius pales in comparison in the tropical beauty department, as its beaches and its peaks coated with lush rainforest will make you wonder why only vacationing South Africans seem to know about this place.

Many resorts can be found along the west coast and on Grand Baie, but make time to take a day trip to Ile Aux Cerfs, where some of the most crystalline waters in the country can be found.

3) Malaysian Borneo

Many folks seeking out luxury honeymoon destinations in 2015 automatically default to Thailand, which is understandable considering the very high quality of its beaches, food and its people. These qualities aren’t confined to this celebrated nation, as you will find destinations with similar advantages in places in Malaysian Borneo.

While it does have beaches that are world class, a cuisine that combines the best elements of its Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage, and locals that are just as accommodating, Malaysian Borneo has a fraction of the crowds that the Land of Smiles gets, while having marine and rainforests that have some of the highest concentrations of biodiversity in the world.

Tours to see orangutans and other rare species should be on your agenda here, as this will make for an action-packed day that will make your lower-key ones all the more satisfying.

16 Apr 2015

Top Reasons To Visit Mauritius

Author: Jeremy | Category: Mauritius, Travel Deals | Tags: Africa, holidays, Mauritius

Great weather and some of the best beaches in the world are some of the top reasons to visit Mauritius. Located off the southeastern coast of Africa, this island nation lies in the Indian Ocean, where warm waters and rich and exotic marine flora and fauna make it one of the best honeymoon and vacation destinations in Africa.

But there is more to holidays in Mauritius than pristine beaches with powder-fine white sand and turquoise waters. Here are some of the top reasons to visit Mauritius.

Cultural diversity.The country’s populace is made up of several ethnicities: Indian, African, Chinese and European descent. This cultural diversity results in an interesting fusion of cultures which is evident in their cuisines and infrastructures.

Dodo bird. Mauritius is known to be the home of the now-extinct dodo bird. Discovered in 1505 by Portugese explorers, the dodo bird became their fresh source of meat when Mauritius was established as their stopover point for the spice trade. Later on, the introduction of other domesticated animals such as monkeys and pigs, along with rats that escaped from the ships significantly reduced the numbers of dodo birds in the island as they ate their eggs. In more or less a hundred years after is discovery, the dodo bird became a rare species. The last of its kind was killed in 1681.

Today, you can see the reconstruction of the dodo bird from its skeleton in the Natural History Museum in Port Luis.

Se’ga demonstrations. If you enjoy dancing and world music, the Se’ga demonstration is a must watch spectacle. It’s part opera and part group dance and may even require audience involvement. Se’ga dance is performed without the feet leaving the ground. Instead, the whole body should move.

The performance is vibrant, colourful and a sight to watch.

Ile aux Aigrettes. One of the top reasons to visit Mauritius is its majestic green landscapes, lush with flora and fauna. The recently restored Ile aux Aigrettes has once again become home to the Kestrel and Pink Pigeon when the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation has turned back the hands of time in the island and restored it to its original state. Non-native plants and animals were removed from the island.

06 Nov 2013