East Africa

Ethiopia was going to be unlike anywhere else I’d seen in Africa — and I hadn’t seen anything yet.

One writer took on the Machame Route in Tanzania. Here’s what she learned, plus some vital advice, for climbing Kilimanjaro.

After living in Kenya for three months, it’s fair to say that I found the country’s rural regions to be particularly captivating. Getting out of the sprawling cities lets you discover the country’s beauty and diverse cultures.

‘She is my preferred roommate (partly because I can sleep through her loud snores). I am her go-to travel buddy.’

Zanzibar’s beaches are right up there with the best I have seen, but I found so much more than sand and sunsets, and ended up staying for weeks and weeks.

You’ll probably want to pack your bags as soon as you start imaging the African safari of your dreams, but a little planning ahead of time can make your trip that much more magical.

The problems caused by plastic bags in Kenya can’t be solved simply by banning them, but by long-term changing the behavior of travelers and locals alike. Even so, this is one admirable move.

From the windy lookout point, Ngorongoro Crater isn’t quite what I expected. Under the gloomy sky the crater floor looks bleached and barren, smeared with mineral lakes and mapped with the shadows of clouds…

If you’re looking for Kili inspiration, this is it: the chance to climb Africa’s highest peak with a group of local women to raise awareness about inequality, land rights and climate change.