Monthly Archives: September 2016

WHY GO? Unlike many of its neighbours, this part of equatorial Africa enjoys both peace and stability, while its superb wildlife makes it an increasingly popular place to safari away from the crowds of East Africa. With its seemingly endless … Continue reading →

DIVORCE in NIGERIA Official statistics vastly understate Nigeria’s divorce rate Jul 9th 2016 Economist Official statistics suggest that divorce is exceedingly uncommon in Nigeria. Just 0.2% of men and 0.3% of women have legally untied the knot, according to the … Continue reading →

Petrol subsidies Currency controls lifted Smuggling Electricity The States NIGERIAN PETROL SUBSIDIES Petrol prices are now a bit more realistic. Will the naira be next? May 21st 2016 Economist Nigeria’s previous attempt to reduce the vast sums it squanders on … Continue reading →

Fighting on all fronts. Bad governance has bred uprisings from Boko Haram to Biafra Apr 2nd 2016 Economist THE prayers of Gyang Dahoro take on a decidedly political note. A dozen local chiefs, resplendent in traditional Nigerian dress, nod approvingly … Continue reading →

2011 THE STRANGE and EVIL WORLD of EQUATORIAL GUINEA It is hard not to be impressed when you arrive in the newly rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, especially when you are invited as a guest of the president. There is just … Continue reading →

WHY GO? Failed coups, danger money, bushmeat and buckets of oil – you could say Equatorial Guinea has something of a reputation. It has beautiful black-and-white shores, primates with painted faces, clouds of butterflies and colourful insects. Though the country … Continue reading →

WHY GO? Nigeria is a pulsating powerhouse: as the most populous nation on the continent, it dominates the region economically and culturally. Lagos is bursting at the seams: with burgeoning technology and telecommunications industries, posh restaurants and clubs, and an … Continue reading →

WHY GO? The birthplace of voodoo and a pivotal platform of the slave trade for nearly three centuries, Benin is steeped in a rich and complex history still very much in evidence across the country. A visit to this small, … Continue reading →

WHY GO? For those fond of travelling off the beaten track, Togo will prove a rewarding destination. It offers a great diversity of landscapes, from the lakes and palm-fringed beaches along the Atlantic coastline to the rolling forested hills in … Continue reading →

AFRICA – MOROCCO to CAPE TOWN Nov 13-April 22, 2017. For my 2016/2017 travel season, I am traveling overland from Morocco to Cape Town, South Africa. This is a trip I first heard about from a young English fellow in … Continue reading →