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The world might have come to a standstill gripped by the pain of the Coronavirus pandemic. However, every new sunrise is a hope and promise for a better tomorrow. Remember that traveling has no boundaries as we encourage you to virtually visit astonishing Africa from the comforts of your couch. Stay positive, stay home, stay safe as you prepare to travel to Africa from home with this story.
How to Visit Africa From Home
What to Read?
Out Of Africa by Karen Blixen
An outstanding novel that will keep you engaged as you fall in love with the experience of African exploration and nature. The author in her poetical style portrays the deep attachment she has with Africa and the many untamed places. That’s why, this excerpt on Maasai Mara will keep you spellbound.
The State of Africa by Martin Meredith
The book covers the various challenges the continent faces and effectively narrates details of African politics right from the birth of African Nations. The author portrays insights about African poverty, political working, and shares a lot of in-depth experiences with educated locals. This great read takes you to modern-day Africa from your couch.
Number One Ladies` Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
A fun and light-hearted book series of woman’s detective agency based in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. Interesting to dive into the smartness of the character Mma Precious Ramotswe who brings girl power to the African continent with her adventures as a detective. The book is an exciting read especially when women are still considered second class citizens in Africa.
What To Eat & Drink?
Droe Wors
An easy-to-make recipe where you can cut up the meat into cubes and place in a large bowl. Add to it dry spices, brown vinegar, brandy and mix slightly to blend the flavors. Marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator and cook with salt, coriander, ground cloves, nutmeg powder. Delight your family with a traditional African dish that pairs well with a glass of Ginger beer.
Pap
This delicious South Africa’s national dish is made from a cup of maize flour. The flour is put in a saucepan to simmer for about three to five minutes to avoid lumps. You could make Mielie cookies, creamy cheese sweetcorn pap, maize pizzas, deep-fried pap balls, pap chips and more from the batter. Enjoy snacky delights accompanied by Lemongrass drink or Orange Ade.
Cape Malay dish
This traditional Easter treat is easy to make with ingredients that can be delivered to your door. Entice your taste bud with delicious Hot Cross buns stuffed with pickled fish. Spread with your favorite homemade jam. Cooked over a slow flame, bake it or fry it to make this delicious braaied snoek with apricot jam and sweet potatoes in olive oil, butter, and lemon.
What To Listen?
Johnny by Yemi Alade
The single from the album ‘King of Queens’ is a popular African musical track with over 31 million views on YouTube. Enjoy the voice of the melodious female artist Yemi as she has been praised for her work by the Afrimmas music award in 2015. Dance to the tune of the song that was one of the top records of 2013.
Zipo by Rayvanny
This hit song by the Tanzanian superstar is a kwaito and g-qom mashup, a 2020 musical track. With a number of Pan African collaborations, the album features the South African sensation Busiswa and Baba Levo. Groove to the dance-friendly African beats and have a house party of sorts.
The Way You Are by Otile Brown
The song is dedicated to women of all shapes, colors, and sizes that encourage women to love themselves for whom they are. The Kenyan bongo star Otile started the year 2020 with the title, love you just ‘The Way You Are’ that you can enjoy streaming live on YouTube. The music video showcases the beauty of womanhood in this lovely rendition of best African music to liven up lockdown hours.
What to Watch?
Out Of Africa
This emotional romantic tragedy movie stars Meryl Streep at her best. The story, costumes, music scenery bring Kenya to your doorsteps. Enjoy some brilliant acting based in the 20th-century colonial settings of Kenya in a story where a Danish baroness falls passionately in love with a big game hunter. Most of the film is shot near the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi.
The Gods Must Be Crazy
This is a totally entertaining and amusing movie portrayed in the simplest manner that you can enjoy with your family. This slapstick comedy is about the tribal Bushmen. The happiness of people in a remote African Kalahari desert is torn apart when a Coca-Cola bottle falls from a plane. The villagers who are part of Xi and his tribe set in Botswana in South Africa, fight over this strange foreign object.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
This historical drama is an inspirational watch that traces the journey of Nelson Mandela from being a common man to the President of South Africa. This Golden Horn Award movie is based on the 1995 autobiographical book by the anti-apartheid revolutionary, Mandela. A good watch to stay inspired in trying times and keep the cheer. Mandela spent 27 years in exile to make his journey a long walk to freedom.
Go On Virtual Tours to Africa’s Top Attractions
Virtual Safari of Asilia
Explore the wonders of the African Safari from the camps of Asilia across Kenya and Tanzania. Drag your mouse across the screen to get a fantastic 360-degree experience and watch high-resolution pictures of the big five experience. Relax, enjoy and explore the area from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti.
The Magic Kingdom of Kenya
Experience a wonderful field trip to Africa that shows you the efforts of the locals to restore forestland and protect wildlife. You could accompany the guide, a field scientist Charles Oluchina to Kenya on this fascinating trip just with a click of a button. View the majestic wildlife of Africa and be part of the ecotourism and nature’s conservation.
South African Safari
Explore Kruger National Park in South Africa, view the endless landscape, chance upon elephants grazing or leopards hunting. Get inspired by Africa’s large game reserve and the enormous imagery of the World Heritage destination. Climb the summit of Table Mountain. Visit the Sandy Bay. Enjoy sunset views at Sunset Beach or wander down the Durban Golden Mile.
Popular Swahili Phrases to Learn & Adapt
Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ salama
How are you?: habari gani
Fine (response): nzuri
Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one person)
See you later: tutaonana
Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona
Goodnight: lala salama
Yes: ndiyo
No: hapana
Thank you: asante
Thank you very much: asante sana
Please: tafadhali
OK: sawa
Excuse me: samahani
You’re welcome: starehe
Can you help me?: tafadhali, naomba msaada
What is your name?: jina lako nani?
Recommended Read: How to Travel to the UK Without Leaving Home?
