Africa Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Africa, Countries, Flying

Olympus above the Serengeti

23rd September 202623rd September 2026 funtime65

As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti we all picture what a safari in Africa might be.

Although perhaps only Eighties American soft rockers Toto would put it like that.

Because Tanzanians and Kilimanjaro or Serengeti veterans will tell you there’s 200 mile distance between them.

With it all being part of rock legend that David Paich famously never set foot foot on the continent.

Toto recall

Flying high: Your British Airways flight awaits

Toto’s Africa though blares out of the lobby of the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa.

To remind us that safari country is on our doorstep.

So Paich’s leap of imagination clearly worked in promoting the joys of African safaris.

Now in Paich’s favour it is less of a trek to get to Kilimanjaro now than in his day.

African skies

And getting easier all the time with British Airways introducing direct flights.

From London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro and on to Zanzibar, starting with three flights a week.

Now our friends at Wild Frontiers have a ten-day safari into Tanzania’s Northern parks.

Of Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire as well as the Rift Valley and Lake Natron.

Plus a chance to climb the Sacred Mountain of the Masai (Ol Doinyo Lengai), and experience real Maasai culture.

Like a Maasai warrior

The safari travels into the best areas of this game-packed region.

Where you can camp among the game with the sounds of the African bush all around.

As well as visiting some off the beaten track areas of Masailand, where few venture.

Now to take in Kilimanjaro then Wild Frontiers will tailor your package.

So we’ll just leave you with the exhortations of David Paich…

Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you.

Africa, Countries

Greenland the oversized prize… and what’s Africa’s beef?

6th September 20266th September 2026 funtime65

You can’t keep them out of the news but is Greenland the oversized prize… and what’s Africa’s beef?

Now unless you have just emerged from under an iceberg you’ll know that Donald Trump has been sizing up Greenland.

On account of it being the biggest island on the lot… although technically continents are just big islands.

Now parking that for now the unexpected reason why Africa have Greenland in their crosshairs is mapping.

And more precisely 16th-century Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator.

Which made him then a subject of the Spanish Netherlands.

And weren’t the Spanish busy conquering the continents of the world and mapping their new territories?

Bigging up the Old World

So we shouldn’t be surprised that they and other colonists bigged up their part in relation to their new subjects.

Which is how we got to where we are now with Africa measured the same size as Greenland.

Even though it’s 14 times the size.

But such creative drawing is now to be consigned to the 16th century after a Togo-led African charge got the UN to step in.

And adapt the ‘Correct the Map’ resolution, based we understand.

On Arno Peters’ map, a German historian, who launched the Peters world map based on the Gall–Peters projection in 1973.

And we’ve oversized perceptions too

New world: And Africa gets its proper place

Now because no man is an island we obviously want to redress other historical and geographical inaccuracies.

And sign up to Online campaign group #CorrectTheMap.

Who correctly point out: ‘You could fit the United States, China, India, Japan, Mexico and much of Europe into Africa and still have land to spare.’

It should come as little surprise then that the Commander in Chief’s people have belittled the resolution which is not binding.

With Yaryna Ferencevych, a US representative at the UN saying; ‘Instead of focusing on genuine problems of international peace, prosperity, or good relations.

‘The UN General Assembly is debating map projects from the 16th Century.

‘And their role in promoting reparations and ‘cognitive justice’.

Africa, Countries, Deals, Europe

Why everyone really wants to go to Ceuta

10th August 202610th August 2026 funtime65

It’s this year’s must-visit destination with 60,000 clambering across the border… but here’s the real reason why everyone wants to go to Ceuta.

If you hadn’t heard of Ceuta before don’t worry, none of us had.

But truth is the Spanish enclave in Morocco has long been a day out for visitors to Fezland.

With a cursory glance at Get Your Guide opening up a host of attractions and activities for the city across the Gibraltar Strait.

Which despite being encircled by Morocco has been under Spanish rule since 1580.

Now you can reach Ceuta by land, by sea, by air and from either neighbouring Morocco or mainland Spain.

Boats and moats

Get Your Guide offers a new full-day Excursion to Cueta from Algeciras from £135pp.

You’ll ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar in the company of a licensed tour guide.

And lunch at a local restaurant, and a cruise tour on Europe’s only navigable moat.

And that will allow you to see the Royal Walls from a privileged perspective.

Visit the Casa de los Dragones which will doubtless appeal to Game of Thrones fans.

Walk through the historic centre, get an selfie with Hercules, and discover the mix of Spanish and Moorish cultures.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant where you can sample Ceuta’s cuisine.

Before free time to stroll through the city center, relax by the sea, or have a drink at the marina.

A Spanish stroll

Now the bonus of being an enclave is the accessibility to Morocco.

And your friendly excursion specialists offers a two-continent African trip with a dip into Morocco. And all for £154pp.

There are pickups available from Malaga and other cities along the Costa del Sol.

You and your guide will travel to Algeciras for the 45-minute ferry ride across the strait of Gibraltar.

You’ll arrive in Ceuta before passing through border control into Tetouan.

You’ll spend five hours in Tetouan with a guide and take in the old Jewish quarter of Mellah and Hassan II Square.

You will also visit the souk of Tetouan and the Medina of Tetouan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site… and shop til you drop.

Before you visit a Moroccan Berber farmhouse.

So, there you have it and now we get it, why everyone really wants to go to Ceuta.

Africa, Countries, Europe, Sport

Bring on the 2030 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco

19th July 202619th July 2026 funtime65

And by the time you read this it will be all over so bring on the 2030 World Cup and Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Which we would suggest, Mexico excepting, is ‘football coming home’ to the Old World.

And closer, and less expensive, for those of us who live in the tip of an island in the North of Europe.

A Nou experience

Barca legends: Messi is still everywhere

Now Spain, Portugal and Morocco are loco about their football as we have discovered first hand.

When we helicoptered over Barcelona (is there any other way?) and gasped at the sight of the Nou Camp.

Only to be told by the pilot that that was the reserve side’s ground.

While Jose, our Special One guide, in Portugal explained.

That under the dictator Salazar he ran the country by the Three Fs… Football, Fado and Fatima.

Portugal’s secular God

All of which became clearer in that Marian site when meeting the niece of one of the Little Shepherds (as you do) in the porch of her house.

And seeing that among the stands of holy relics and statues of Our Lady what stood out was…

A beach towel of Portugal’s secular God, one Cristiano Ronaldo.

Now we’ve flagged up already this year how the AFCON tournament held in Morocco was pitched.

At the kind of prices that would buy you a hot dog and a beer at the WC.

Although once Gianni Infantino gets his claws into that we expect tagines and mint teas to surge in price.

Shirt hits fan in Morocco

While you’ll have to have your wits about you when it comes to bartering.

Again which we found out to our cost when buying the oblig national football team’s shirt in Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech.

Now if you’re reading this in South America, you’ve got the consolation of having single games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

A nod to the centenary of the first competition held in Fray Bentos land back in 1930.

All that’s left now is to pull down the 48 flag bunting from the garden fence.

Who knows who’ll be on it in four years’ time but we do know should Scotland get there then they’ll do it the hard way.

Africa, Sport

Oh, oh, oh, oh Mandela Day

18th July 202618th July 2026 funtime65

And yes it will sound better in his native Xhosa tongue but for the day that’s in it and in the words of my fellow Glaswegian… oh, oh, oh, oh Mandela Day.

The Great Man, and the world hasn’t really had anyone like him since, was born on this day 108 years ago.

And since 2009 has been celebrated, by dint of the UN, as Nelson Mandela International Day.

While in his native South Africa, the Father of the Nation, is celebrated for the whole of the month.

Although, in truth, he is honoured every day of the year.

The name of the game reserve

C’mon the Rangers: With Iain and Hewart in Mount Camdeboo

By all, and certainly by Iain Buchanan, conservationist and founder of Mount Camdeboo Lodge.

In the Great Karoo in the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

Who, after confirming his Scottish roots, led a toast to The Great Man over high tea on the reserve.

Now we wouldn’t be surprised to have seen Iain at the rugby today.

Flying the flags: For South Africa and Scotland

A 12-hour drive is nothing to this rugby nut or in fact any Springboks fan.

Enjoying a braai outside the ground.

Which, of course, is another South African staple, whether in a lodge on a game reserve.

Or in a Gqeberha (or Port Elizabeth when we visited) township.

Because Madeeba turned the perception of the Boks when he donned a rugby shirt at the World Cup final in 1995.

Mandela pray

Of course, taking in a Boks match should be on most people’s sports bucket lists.

As much for sampling the culture of the country (and the braai) as watching the rugby, and Siya Kolisi and his world champion side.

Because you know what I always say, when you go away from home, take in where people play and people pray.

So here on Nelson Mandela International Day, we give up a prayer to Nelson Mandela.

And the poor sides, on this occasion today Wales.

Braai old time: Springbok fan in the township

But it was Scotland and England’s fate before that, who have to play his beloved Springboks.

Now to stay at the Mount Camdeboo Lodge for a week for two in a pod will set you back R 67,088, down from R 83,860.

Which in our British Earth Money is £3,000.

And check out the major airlines because fares will have changed since we last went out.

Africa, Countries

St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON

18th June 202618th June 2026 funtime65

And not because it’s a slow news day but because Guinness have deemed St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON.

Regular visitors to these musings will know that we keep a close eye on Jonathan’s movements, which being a tortoise, are naturally very slow.

Go on then, you see how far you can walk when you get to 194.

There are some superhumans, of course, who will probably be plying their craft then, such as fellow inductee Cristiano Ronaldo.

As well as living legends Usain Bolt and LeBron James, the latter who has been holding court on Scotland’s golf courses and clubhouses these past few days.

And female powerhouses, serial gymnastic gold medallist Simone Biles, Paralympic swimming champion and Strictly dancer Ellie Simmonds and Brazilian legend Marta.

And those who will for ever be immortal such as Don Bradman.

A tortoise for the ages

Great men and women all, but not godlike status on St Helena, like Jonathan.

And what’s more Jonathan is happy to mingle with visitors and will gladly agree to a selfie.

Particularly if you bring along some cabbage, lettuce, apples, bananas, guavas and maybe the secret of eternal life, monkey’s ears herbs.

Outside his home at Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s Governor.

Jonathan has seen it all

Sign of times: Nothing much changes though

Of course, nothing very much fazes Jonathan.

As he has witnessed the evolution of modern society, including the arrival of cars, electricity, television, and digital connectivity.

More broadly, Guinness World Records recognises him as the oldest living land animal.

Now this tiny British outcrop lies 3,329 miles west of South Africa from where you’ll come in which, of course, we were set to do before Covid intervened.

Jonathan, of course, survived that, and seeing he shows no sign of leaving us any time soon, I dare say, and hope he will hang on until we do get there.

Africa, Countries, Sport

A marathon trip to St Helena

31st March 202631st March 2026 funtime65

So when the British decided to send Napoleon to somewhere he couldn’t escape from, they chose a marathon trip to St Helena in the South Atlantic.

After all the drama of his life before Old Boney would have been forgiven for being quite at peace in the remote island south-west of modern-day South Africa.

Life is still peaceful on the British protectorate and slow with Jonathan, with whom readers here will be familiar, its most famous modern-day resident.

On account of his longevity, the 192-year-old tortoise having seen everything that has ever happened on St Helena over the last century and half since coming here from Britain.

Jonathan won’t be worried then about hearing the thuds of humans running past him at Plantation House (the poor oul’ fella can’t see, you see).

All part of the biggest thing which is set to happen on St Helena next year.

With the World’s Most Remote Marathon slated for February 28.

When runners of all distances will be able to run in the footsteps of Old Boney.

Not sure how far he would jog with those petit legs of his, mind.

Run of the island

Runners can choose between a full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21.1 km), 10km or 5km distance, all starting in the grounds of Plantation House.

The route winds through forested trails, mountain paths and coastal cliffs.

Before finishing in Jamestown, the island’s historic capital.

Participants will experience a subtropical paradise with dramatic volcanic landscape.

Lush green highlands and sweeping ocean views.

And at just 47 square miles you’ll get to see most of the island in one good run then!

The marathon forms the centrepiece of St Helena’s Adventure Week.

A programme designed to showcase the island’s natural beauty and unique experiences.

And a host of activities

Visitors can take on the iconic Jacob’s Ladder climb, join guided hikes across diverse and spectacular terrain.

Try open water swimming (if you’ve got any energy left), or explore the island’s rich history and marine life.

Entry is priced at £65 for the full marathon, £38 for the half marathon, £20 for the 10km and £12 for the 5km.

Including race participation, a finisher medal and access to all the Adventure Week activities.

St Helena is accessed through direct flights operated by Airlink from South Africa.

In addition to regular weekly services from Johannesburg, Airlink will offer additional flights from Cape Town to support the event.

With flights scheduled on February 23 and March 2.

Accommodation options on the island include boutique hotels, welcoming guesthouses and self-catering cottages.

Get the vest back on

Jonathan Passaportis, Head of Tourism for St Helena Government, is urging us not to tarry.

He said: ‘Whether you are a seasoned runner or an adventurous traveller, this event offers the chance to achieve something truly special in 2027.

‘With limited capacity on flights and accommodation, we encourage those interested to book early.

‘And start preparing to take on this unique challenge.’

Now having missed out on a planned trip because of Covid, I’ll need to get my shoes back on.

Although I don’t know if the vest in which I won the Scottish Cross-Country Championship still fits.

To register for the marathon visit here.

Africa, Countries, Culture

Cool in the Caftan in Marrakech

23rd March 202623rd March 2026 funtime65

It has long been the costume of choice of hippies returning from Morocco who reckoned they looked Cool in the Caftan in Marrakech.

But stood out like a thumb in the chilly north of our wee island.

There is, of course, a practical reason why North Africans and those in the Middle East wear the long flowing clothes and headgear they do.

And because they have been donning these cool clothes for centuries then they look a good deal cooler than their imitators.

It will come as little surprise to hear that the kaftan, or long robe, originated in the Ottoman Empire and spread across the Arab world.

Although it also shows up in Jewish dress and Russian too.

Flowing robes

For our purposes, of course, we let somebody else do the heavy lifting, and that somebody is the temporary exhibition at Caftan Week.

Of course, the emphasis is on the fairer sex here, and really long flowing robes are really only ever best on a woman.

And a dusky North African or Middle Eastern beauty at that.

Of course if you happen to be in the Rose City now and want to put in the prep before Caftan Week between May 7-10.

Then you should think about heading to Histoire de Caftan by Diamantine.

Which showcases textiles stacked floor to ceiling with every colour of velvet, muslin, cotton and sequin cloth.

Needle & thread walk through the souk

We’re advised to take the needle & thread walk through the ancient souks.

Now anyone who has walked through the souks will know that you’ll need to avoid vendors trying to barter with you and thrust apple teas into your hand.

The well mapped-out trail will take you to several vibrant areas of the ancient medina from tailoring to dyers souks.

Now Diamantine, has been at the forefront of the atelier scene for 15 years.

This year’s Caftan Week is dedicated to the theme ‘Nefes El Atlas’, or ‘Breath of the Atlas’.

And pays tribute to the mountains and their culture, which has acted as a source of inspiration for local designers and fashion houses.

And the exotic Pink City is easily accessible from your local airport and we found an EasyJet return flight covering the dates of Caftan Week from £302pp for three nights.

Africa, Countries, Sport

World-class football in Morocco that’s just the ticket

19th December 202519th December 2025 funtime65

A continent where you won’t have to sell a kidney to afford the cover price… world-class football in Morocco that’s just the ticket.

Hosts Morocco kick off AFCON, the Greatest Show in Africa, on Sunday against Comoros (no us neither) in Rabat.

It turns out that Comoros is an archipelago of three islands north-west of Madagascar (see every day is a schoolday).

The best bit of all for those who have tickets, and the curtain-raiser is sold out, is that you can buy one for MAD150.

Which is, wait for it, just £12 in our British pound money.

Pay it again Casablanca

And is MAD right… and you’ve still got that 150 Dinar burning a hole in your pocket.

Which if you’re around Casablanca on Monday you can pay it again and take in the Mali v Zambia match.

And still have 50 Dinar left for a roadside tagine or a Turkish tea.

Now it might be that you’re not of African heritage yourself but maybe you can pick a team from a favourite club player.

And Liverpool fans who haven’t fallen out with Mo Salah and fear he might never play for your club again.

More Mo, Mo

Well, here’s a Boxing Day special for you.

You could see the King of Egypt play for his nation against South Africa in Agadir, again for just £8.

There does seem to be a £4 premium on host nation Morocco and a higher demand.

Now once we get into the round of 16 the tickets soar to MAD150, or £12.

If your team, or the one you’ve adopted, have managed to get through to the last eight then the price of a ticket will jump again.

To a hardly credit card busting MAD200, or £16.

While the semi-finals come in at MAD300, or £24.

And bear in mind you’d be lucky to get a slice of pizza and a lager in the concourse of any American stadium for that.

Final price is tickety-boo

So your favourites get all the way to the final.

Well, at MAD400, or £32, you’d be mad not to buy a ticket now so you’re not disappointed later.

It’s clear the AFCON organisers know and appreciate football fans, more so than FIFA and next year’s World Cup,

Where Scotland fans, who remember have been waiting for 28 years to see their favourites play in the tourney, will have to fork out.

The Tartan Arny learning at the outset that they would need to pay at least £134 for the opening Haiti game.

And £198 for the glamour final Group game with Brazil.

Until fan pressure has shamed FIFA into relenting with a £45 tier ticket.

Although we’d have to do some more drilling on how availalbe they are and in what numbers.

The Sky’s the limit

Kindly our friends at Sky Sports have done the heavy lifting for us here and worked it out for us.

And even more generously they’ve given us a sample for both Scotland, as well as their favourites England, making the final.

With some tickets there at $450.

Add in too the comparative distances for fans travelling around AFCON and the FIFA World Cup and you see there’s better value there too.

With the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico stretched across 2,800 miles.

As opposed to the either 55 miles from Rabat to Casablanca or 466 miles from Fez to Agadir.

And with Ryanair flying us out from our home airport here in Edinburgh from £39 return then it’s a no-brainer.

And with the money saved you can shoot to Marrakech, the Sahara and Moroccan roll.

Africa, Countries, Deals

Sharm el-Sheikh it up

26th October 202526th October 2025 funtime65

And when the leaders of the world have to combine work with pleasure they Sharm el-Sheikh it up.

The fabled resort on the Egyptian Red Sea was, of course, the setting for the Middle Eastern peace conference.

Fittingly, really, as the great watery pleasure ground fronts on to eight states.

Which you’ll know if you’ve been taken out on the water.

Which, we were, in our case by Zuhair, our Jordanian guide on our G Adventures break.

Alas in this region you are never too far away from reminders of conflicts past and present.

Such as tanks which have been dropped in the sea… to help with the marine life.

And which the snorkelers in our party availed of, swimming down to the great hulks.

While others wimped out on first contact with the water and got back on board to get an early start on lunch.

Now should you wish to alight on Sharm el-Sheikh and it is to my regret that I caved in to the Scary One.

And gave away our invitation there back in the day to a less deserving colleague and friend.

Then here are five 5* options hand-picked by our friends at the welcomingly named Plenty Holidays.

With emojis compliments of Plenty Holidays, symbols we think would meet The Donald’s approval.

Good luck Sharm

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The Phew Lagoon

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Asp and you shall receive

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