Travel Africa

One day in mid-1997 there was a knock on the door of my aunt and uncle's house in Oxfordshire. Responding to a promotional flyer, a retired doctor had driven 20 miles to subscribe to our as-yet-unpublished magazine. It was an early indication of the ardor for Africa that has been shared by readers since. Mike (the doctor) and his wife came to see us regularly at various travel shows over the following years, where we also met many more of our readers, a lot of whom we remain in regular contact with. A deep passion for the continent binds us. We all know what dawn in the bush smells like and what it means to miss the smell of the rain; we appreciate that deep sense of quiet contentment you…

In 1997 the internet was in its infancy and people still gathered most of their travel ideas and advice from newspapers and magazines. On the newsstand in the UK at the time, there were four travel magazines (all still going today) and thirteen on model railways! The only real coverage Africa garnered was on the news, and that was almost exclusively negative. So we decided to launch Travel Africa in an attempt to reassure people that the continent was safer than they might think, and to showcase its diverse natural and cultural heritage. The Africa being portrayed in the media in the UK at that time was not the Africa we knew and loved. With a concept shaped over many family chats, we rustled up the courage and enough money to put…

ISSUE 1 ⋆ SUMMER 1997 Opened with Brian Jackman’s ‘The attraction of Africa’ — a masterpiece that stands the test of time. Parting Shot was created on print day because a story didn’t come in on time; it has stayed ever since. ISSUE 4 ⋆ SUMMER 1998 “Is that the image of Africa you should be portraying?” The question, asked by a student at a travel show, sparked a discussion about cultural tourism and reminds us to this day of our responsibility: the decisions we make on content influences how people view Africa. ISSUE 10 ⋆ WINTER 1999 Around this time, we started receiving digital images and we learned that one of the pictures used in this issue was a wellPhotoshopped merger of two photos. We have been particularly careful about the authenticity of the…

Tony Proud UK Times visited: 22 Country count: 12 Next up? Kenya and Tanzania in September. I keep returning to: Kenya. Place I'd most like to go? Rwanda. 'Big Five' or 'Little Five? Definitely 'Big Five'. Guided or self-drive? Guided; but have done both. Direct or through an operator? Flights direct, but camps through a trusted operator. I miss… The smell, the sounds, the landscape, the warmth of the sun, the people and the incredible wildlife. I go back because… Africa is in my blood. I am lost without my safari; I live for it. It is my passion. Best thing a guide ever said to me: "Keep perfectly still." Biggest mistake? Taking the road from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara — it's a bumpy, rough ride. My advice for first-timers: Kenya is best for a first-time safari — the animal density is unrivalled and it is…

In southern Africa, an ‘indaba’ is a get-together or meeting, usually to discuss an important issue of the day. In the pages that follow, we are gathering you all around the campfire to share your reflections on what Africa means to you, your safari adventures and your favourite places. You’re an interesting group. It makes for a fun conversation. Wild dogs in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, photographed by Fiona Seward: “Late one afternoon we were watching these dogs resting. After a short while, they started their prehunt ritual, dancing, playing and sneezing before heading off. A wonderful 20 minutes which will stay with me for life. My love for Mana Pools knows no bounds.”…

IN THE WEE HOURS In 1994, there were just five of us in a Unimog (an extreme off-road truck) on an adventurous camping trip from Johannesburg into Botswana and Zimbabwe. After the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Okavango Delta and Moremi, we came to Savuti Campsite in Chobe National Park, which was renowned for elephants stealing water from the showers and for having lots and lots of hyenas. The smell of cooking attracted several hyenas, who wandered uncomfortably close to us sitting around the fire. Our guides made it very clear that under no circumstances were we to go to the ablutions block after dark; empty bottles and bowls were suggested for emergencies. We all survived the night — although a washing-up bowl didn't, and the braai grid was found in the river 30…