Africa Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

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

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 5* Sheraton Sharm Hotel & Spa
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
🌊 Free Upgrade to Sea View Limited availability !
💰 Just £379 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Jan 2026.

The Phew Lagoon

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £349 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Jan 2026.

The lucky Pickalbatross

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £449 pp with Return Flights Included!
🌊 Free Upgrade to Superior with Balcony/Terrace Limited availability !
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Dec 2025.

Asp and you shall receive

📍 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 Resort

🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £459 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Dec 2025.

Africa, Countries

Under African skies

16th October 2025 funtime65

And, of course, at Victoria Falls it’s spray under African skies.

Which is the best way to wake up in the morning.

And where visitors to Ilala Lodge Hotel can catch views of the actual water from Mosi-oa-Tunyi.

And if you’re really lucky some drops from The Smoke That Thunders might blow your way.

Or maybe the warthogs and impala bring them in to the hotel’s lush gardens.

But leave the warthogs there to do what they do.

Under the stars

While you dine at the Cassia Restaurant, which has al fresco dining under the stars and African sky.

While Ilala Lodge Hotel is located just eight minutes from the entrance to the Falls.

The newer Palm River Hotel is set peacefully on the banks of the Zambezi.

Fun on the water

Now our Zimbabwean friends know the banks and the game like the back of their hands.

And they will help us explore the lush wilderness surrounding the town on a game drive.

Or surf the rapids on a Zambezi River white-water rafting expedition.

While for the ultimate, then really get your heart racing as you bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge.

While for those who want to keep their hearts in their bodies stay on terra firma.

And view the Falls from the exhilarating angle of Devil’s Pools on the edge of the plunging water.

And, of course, for the best sunsets take it all in from the comfort of the elegant Ra-Ikane river cruisers.

Check out Ilala first hand for your bespoke package.

Africa, Countries

Get me out to Kruger wonderland

4th September 20254th September 2025 funtime65

David Haye, Gemma Collins and Harry Redknapp can be heroes if they like, but get me out to Kruger wonderland, and we’ll do it our way.

As the I’m a Celebrity all-stars ready themselves to decamp to South Africa we, of course, aim our sights higher.

No slumming for us as we check out the Untamed At Satara offer, in the exclusive Satara Plains Camp.

Now we know money is no object to the likes of The GC but we save hard to go on holiday.

So we need to make every rand of the 4,950pps (£206) per night until the end of the season in 30 September, count.

Too tense, this is suite

Fourmidable: Mark, Randanaman, Issy and Iain

Our campers will be housed in tented suites, with no comfort spared.

All meals are created by on camp chefs, no amateurs here.

And all house beverages, including selected South African wines (remember to put your ice in your white wine.

And there are two safari activities per day.

Ignoring, of course, the evidence of this picture of this South African game reserve Gang of Four.

You’re the celebrity

You are treated like a real celebrity on safari.

With the best rangers who use high-tech equipment, and even better, their wits to track the Big Five.

Although we can’t promise that you’ll be as lucky and find a new cheetah mum Thandie and her cubs.

Nestling under a bush.

You’d need intrepid Zimbabwean tracker Hewart, for that.

And we can’t see our old Scots-Springbok pal and host Iain at Mount Camdeboo letting him go.

Carry on camping

Now our pals at Satara will be packing up camp to return it solely to the animals before pitching again in May.

So whether you do watch the antics of the C-listers on I’m A Celeb or SA has always been a bucket list.

You’ll probably be thinking like me and saying get me out to Kruger wonderland.

Africa, Countries

Ethiopia is so much more than Live Aid

13th July 202513th July 2025 funtime65

The eyes of the world are on east Africa again today just as they were 40 years ago but as I have discovered for myself, Ethiopia is so much more than Live Aid.

It would be safe to say that Ethiopia was on the radar of very few of us before the famine of 1984.

When, of course, that catastrophe was but a moment in time, albeit tragic.

Made worse by the rich heritage of a region with a very real claim to be the Cradle of Humanity, the Cradle of Civilisation.

Ethiopia’s women from history

The First Woman, Lucy, originated here 3.2million years ago and was discovered in Hadar ten years before the famine.

So unknowingly we have more insight into Ethiopia beyond the famine than we thought.

And any time we heard growing up a grannie or grandpa (it was usually them) call a flashy woman a Queen of Sheba.

They were really referencing an Ethiopian monarch, Makeda.

Who showered King Solomon with lavish gifts, considered huge even by the standards of the day, on her visit to his court.

And her modern marvels

Regular readers, my loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will be familiar.

With how one particular Ethiopian powerhouse and an Irish Ethiopiaphile crossed my path.

The magnificent Meseret Tesalign Berkeley, who championed her country in Ireland and Caroline Smith who promoted Ethiopian Airlines.

Who invited us out to Addis Ababa on an all-female crew to mark International Woman’s Day.

And left it to me to decide to go myself, well I do rock a Scottish kilt, or send a female colleague.

And I chose the latter to avoid a mutiny in the office.

Breaking injera bread and coffee beans

Mesalign, Caroline and I broke injera (a type of sourdough flatbread).

Scooping up the doro wat spicy chicken stew for the Enkutatash New Year.

And coming away seven years younger and check it out and it is a thing because of the difference in our calendars.

Although we’d maintain it is the magical qualities of the food, dancing and the coffee with Ethiopia its birthplace.

When a goat herder Kaldi saw his goats energised from eating coffee cherries.

Out of Africa

Of course Ethiopia is so much more than Live Aid

Boasting the most UNESCO sites of any country in Africa.

Take in the splendours of the Simeon Mountains, where someone tell Midge Ure there is regular snowfall.

And Simeon wolves and Gelada monkeys.

While the Denakil Depression (don’t be put off by the name, it’s a geological feature) boasts the Dallol hot springs and the Erta Ale volcano.

And the Blue Nile is a stunning waterfall and the largest lake in Ethiopia, offering boat trips and scenic views.

Yes, Ethiopia is so much more than Live Aid.

And the best we can do for this vibrant country and its people is to invest in its present and future and visit for ourselves.

Africa, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

A real-life Kenyan souvenir

10th June 202510th June 2025 funtime65

I’ll soon need to move on from fridge magnets but I don’t know if even I have the ambition to bring home a real-life Kenyan souvenir.

For keepsakes of a destination nobody I’ve met comes close to Siobhan Byrne Learat.

Who fell in love with Kenya and a Kenyan, Maasai Mara warrior Kasao Learat, and took him home as a memento.

Now Siobhan, the caring, sharing woman that she is is a living testament to work at something you love.

Spread the faith

And she and Kasao spread the faith for Kenya and Africa through their high-end travel company Adams and Butler.

Now nights spent with Siobhan and Kasao and Ethiopian powerhouse Meserut in Dublin came flooding back.

After the Kenyan Tourist Board reconnected to update us on their delights.

They remind us, of course, what Kenya is best known for, its animals and safaris, while at the same time focusing on its people.

Through the Kenya Social Good Experience.

Which immerses travellers into the communities through traditional activities curated by the resident Maasai community.

Warrior people

The Saruni Mara lodge is nestled under the tutelage of the Moran (warrior).

And you will get to know, enjoy and understand the tribespeople.

Saruni Mara lodge, nestled in the heart of the exclusive, is a private Mara North conservancy.

So you will get all the rest you need after a day’s activities in the Bush.

Now if you want to explore further then there’s an Avatar on the site, Leo (naturally) there to help.

A real-life Maasai Mara

Of course, we prefer having a real-life Maasai Mara Moran to call on.

And in Kasao we are fortunate enough to be able to access the real thing.

And he and Siobhan have curated this sample 13-day Kenya experience which they will discuss with you, including.

Explore the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Spend a day with the Maasai Community Trust who are working to preserve wildlife and culture in Southern Kenya
Gain insights into the conservation model at Lewa Downs Conservancy
Spend time with the Africa Foundation representative in Maasai Communities, understanding the needs and successes in sustainable development.

Siobhan, of course, has her Maasai Mara man for keeps.

For the rest of us we have to get out there and find a real-life Kenyan souvenir for ourselves.

Africa, Countries, Cruising, Deals

Slave ships to rave ships off West Africa

3rd April 20253rd April 2025 funtime65

They’re pleasure cruises on the horizon now and we’re invited to track the voyage from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.

Our friends at cultural expedition cruise pioneers Swan Hellenic have plotted routes north to the south of Africa for us.

From Cape Town to Casablanca and on to Lisbon, or south from Lisbon to Luanda.

And all at a generous 15 per cent saving thousands compared with the individual fares.

The first departs Cape Town on 25 March 2026, combining five northbound cruises.

To create a 51-night Grand Voyage, sailing the entire West Coast of Africa to Casablanca and on to Lisbon.

The second is a 35-night Grand Voyage sailing south from Lisbon to Luanda from 7 September 2026.

The passage of history

Swan Hellenic doesn’t skirt the fact that for hundreds of years the ships sailing out of West Africa carried slaves around the world.

But rather they introduce passengers to the forts of the transatlantic slave trade.

While at the same time getting up close and personal with the coastal elephants.

The lakeside dwellings of Benin and the pristine Bijagos Archipelago.

And from exploring the twisting cobbled streets of ancient medinas to falling in love with Lisbon.

Each Grand Voyage is on the purpose-built boutique ship SH Diana.

Which, of course, we know all about after spending time with her.

When she came up to see us in Leith last summer.

And saw how she can host 192 guests in 96 staterooms and suites, the majority with large balconies.

Oh Diana

SH Diana features a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room, swimming pool with poolside grill.

And three dining venues: the Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, and Pool Bar & Grill.

The five northbound cruises in the first half of 2026 range from seven to 13 nights long.

And are all still available separately or daisy chained as desired.

With an 11-night Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast offer, departing Cape Town on 25 March 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 5 April 2026.

The 13-night Southwest Africa Cruise, departing Luanda on 5 April 2026and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 18 April 2026.

The 13-night Cruise West Africa: The Slavery Coast, departing Tema (Accra) on 18 April and arriving in Dakar on 1 May.

The 7-night Cruise from Senegal to Morocco, departing Dakar on 1 May 2026 and arriving in Casablanca on 8 May 2026.

The 7-night Morocco to Portugal Cruise, departing Casablanca on 8 May 2026 and arriving in Lisbon on 15 May 2026.

The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £42,999 pp in a balcony stateroom based on two sharing.

Beautiful south

The three southbound cruises in the second half of 2026 are:

The 9-night Atlantic Cruise from Portugal to Senegal, departing Lisbon on 7 September 2026 and arriving in Dakar on 16 September.

The 13-night The Slavery Coast: from Senegal to Ghana, departing Dakar on 16 September 2026 and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026.

The 13-night West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola, departing Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 12 October 2026.

The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £23,664 pp in an Ocean-view stateroom based on two sharing.

And though we all live these days in what they call ‘uncharted waters’ with Swan Hellenic they remind us.

How much better off we are as we have progressed from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.

Africa, Countries, Cruising, Culture, Ships

Travel Department Egypt bargain we Sphinx

8th February 20258th February 2025 funtime65

And with Daddy’s Little Girl en route already our eyes lit up at a Travel Department Egypt bargain we Sphinx will suit you too.

You’ll see the pyramids along the Nile of course on this 12-day special with seven cruising.

On the luxurious 4* Star MS Radamis II.

And enjoy a twin city/resort visit by taking in bustling Cairo and Hurghada on the Red Sea.

Giza look

Your holiday begins in the Egyptian capital.

And be treated to a full day city tour with a Travel Department guide, a visit to the Egyptian Museum and a trip to the Khan El Khalili bazaar.

And this being Egypt where cats are worshipped then we imagine that they’ll have the run of the stalls just like in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx is next on you itinerary.

Before you embark on a relaxing river cruise down the Nile.

With a range of excursions along the way.

Including the Temple of Horus, the Valley of Kings, the High Dam and the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.

And wrap it all up with a three-night stay in Hurghada.

All 40km of it stretching along the Red Sea coast.

And a word to the wise to all you men, shave your top lip before you snorkel or your nostrils will get blocked.

Nile high club

Now with our old TD friends from Dublin kindly extending their New Year you’ll want to get on this.

With flights from €2,829pps.

And full board basis on cruise and B&B/half board in hotels.

Now we’ll hear all about it when DLG gets back… she’ll toot and come in.

And maybe give ourselves a New Year sale treat.

After all this is a Travel Department Egypt bargain we Sphinx.