One of the highlights of our visit to the Livingstone Museum was learning about the remarkable Czech explorer and ethnographer Dr Emil Holub, whose pioneering work helped document much of Southern Africa during the 19th century. Inspired by the journals of Scottish missionary David...
We visited the fascinating Railway Museum in Livingstone (🎟️ USD 15), which preserves the rich heritage of the former Rhodesia Railways. Housed in the historic workshops of the former Zambezi Sawmills Railway, the museum features an impressive collection of colonial-era passenger coaches...
Established in 1902 by the Missionaries of Africa, better known as the White Fathers, Mua Mission is Malawi’s oldest Roman Catholic mission and one of the country’s most celebrated cultural heritage sites. Nestled amid the rolling landscapes of central Malawi, the mission is renowned for...
The Toliara (Tuléar) region of southwestern Madagascar has long been shaped by salt. Thanks to its arid climate and endless sunshine — nearly 3,600 hours each year — the area has become one of the country’s most important centres of traditional salt production. It is no coincidence that...
Traditional Antaimoro paper production in Ambalavao is a centuries-old artisanal craft that transforms the bark of the avoha plant into beautifully handcrafted paper. Known for its durability and distinctive papyrus-like texture, this decorative paper is often adorned with pressed flowers...
Wild-silk weaving in Ambalavao is a remarkable, sustainable tradition, largely led by women, that draws on the natural resources of the region’s Tapia forests. By harvesting wild silkworm cocoons after the moths have naturally emerged, artisans produce durable, richly textured textiles...
In the afternoon, we drove about 30 minutes from Ranomafana National Park to visit Kelilalina, a traditional village offering an authentic glimpse into rural Malagasy life. Nestled within Madagascar’s lush highland landscapes, villages like Kelilalina are home to close-knit communities...
We also had the chance to experience one of the most remarkable traditions of Betsileo heritage: Savika, the region’s traditional bullfighting ritual. The event took place in a remote area several kilometres outside Ambositra, deep in the countryside. Reaching it by car was impossible, so...
We got a tip from our local guide about two places where traditional “combat de coq” takes place every Sunday. Cockfighting in Ambositra, and throughout Madagascar, is a deeply rooted and widely practised cultural tradition, influenced by Asian migration. It remains a legal, high-stakes...