John L., Brisbane

Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town – Photo credit

South Africa is a wonderful place for a memorable family holiday. In fact, for culture and natural wonders, UNESCO World Heritage gems and spectacular game reserves, Blue Flag beaches and wildlife, you can hardly improve your lot. Check out a dozen great bets in the country for adults and little ones alike, with top-notch family accommodations to boot.

Kruger National Park

One of the most venerable and vast game reserves on the continent, Kruger is a UNESCO International Man and Biosphere Reserve that teems with every member of the Big Five. Clearly, this is where to get your safari on and at close to 20,000 km², Kruger provides ample opportunity to do just that.

Where to stay: Sabi River Sun Lifestyle Resort Hazyview

Shamwari Game Reserve

The city of Port Elizabeth has a lot of charm, thanks in no small part to points of interest like Shamwari. The small 250 km² game reserve has won numerous “best in the world” accolades over the years and is a popular locale for television and film shoots.

Where to stay: Protea Marine Hotel Port Elizabeth

Bayworld

Another reason to visit Port Elizabeth? Bayworld. The cultural history museum also envelops a Snake and Dinosaur Park on a pristine swath of Nelson Mandela Bay beachfront.

Where to stay: Radisson Hotel Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth City Guide

uShaka Marine World

The skyline of subtropical Durban is one of the most impressive in South Africa, from the Golden Mile to Moses Mabhida Stadium. First stop for the kids in the KwaZulu-Natal city has to be the world class uShaka Marine World theme park.

Where to stay: The Square Boutique Hotel & Spa Umhlanga

Durban City Guide

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The explicit luxury and casino resort of Sun City is two hours from Johannesburg and close to 2010 World Cup host city Rustenburg. Amid the adults-only allure is the terrific Pilanesberg Game Reserve, with all the telltale African fauna kids crave.

Where to stay: Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge Pilanesburg

Rustenberg City Guide

Two Oceans Aquarium

Smack dab in the heart of Cape Town is Two Oceans Aquarium, on the pretty Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The world class facility is miles in front of most marine life zoos and even offers visitors the chance to swim with sharks (with the proper scuba certificates, of course).

Where to stay: Cape Grace Hotel Cape Town

Robben Island

Even your 6-year-old will appreciate the significance of Robben Island. The former penal colony island home of Nelson Mandela and scores of other apartheid-era political prisoners is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where to stay: One&Only Cape Town Hotel

Muizenberg

Muizenberg, a lovely beach suburb of Cape Town, is a superb place to relax, swim and take some surf lessons.

Cape Town City Guide

Where to stay: Protea North Wharf Hotel Cape Town

Plettenberg Bay

Drive the exquisite Western Cape Garden Route and discover the place Portuguese circumnavigators dubbed Bahia Formosa.

Where to stay: Beacon Island Hotel Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay Guide

Winelands

The incomparable Stellenbosch wine region is not just for 18-and-over oenophiles. A Children’s Route winds past attractions like the Green Door Fairy Garden in James Town, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch’s Toy & Miniature Museum and a butterfly sanctuary.

Where to stay: Kleine Zalze Lodge Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Guide

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Yet another UNESCO World Heritate jewel, uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park is the de facto roof of South Africa and covers some of the most dramatic and exceptional landscapes on the continent. The park, from San cave art to wildlife, is a marvel and, happily, quite accessible.

Where to stay: Stonehaven Lodge Drakensberg

Drakensberg Guide

Vredefort Dome

How about a singular asteroid impact site to cap off the list? The Vredefort Dome is just 120 km from Jozi and, yes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kids will love it!

Where to stay: The Peech Hotel Johannesburg

Johannesburg City Guide

Hout Bay a.k.a. Dungeons – Photo credit

7. Elands Bay, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

A scenic three hours up the coast from Cape Town, Elands Bay unfurls a killer left point break in summer. Rustic charm and a good rep for the West Coast.

Where to stay: Protea North Wharf Hotel Cape Town

6. North Beach, Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal

North Beach is home of the big surf in Durban. South African pro surfer Jordy Smith puts on a contest for the groms here every year.

Where to stay: Southern Sun North Beach Hotel

5. The Hoek, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

Strictly for surfers with battle scars and years of experience, the Hoek is a quasi-legend in Cape Town. Set in a clandestine corner below Chapman’s Peak, the spot dishes barrels and gnarly six foot swells at low tide.

Where to stay: Camps Bay Retreat Hotel Cape Town

Cape Town City Guide

4. Shark Rock Pier, Eastern Cape

Built to mitigate erosion on Hobie Beach, Shark Rock Pier is a premier surf spot in Port Elizabeth. Crowds tend to gather at the end of the pier to admire longboarders navigate the massive, hollow tubes that tumble in from south to east.

Where to stay: Protea Marine Hotel Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth City Guide

3. Dungeons, West Coast/Cape Peninsula

The Dungeons, some 18 km south of Cape Town, is the ominous sobriquet for Hout Bay. With swells 30 feet high accessible only by water craft, this is one of the top monster wave hubs on the planet. Definitely not for the novice.

Where to stay: Villa Montebello Guest House Hout Bay

2. New Pier, Wild Coast/KwaZulu-Natal

Jordy Smith is a born and bred New Pier boy. Any questions? Surf the very same waters as the best in the business do in the Mr. Price Pro.

Where to stay: Garden Court Marine Parade Durban

Durban City Guide

1. Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape

Talk about home wave advantage: Mr. Smith won the Billabong Pro final at J-Bay in 2011. Home of epic supertubes, Jeffreys lures hot shots from all over the world. You need skills to surf here.

Where to stay: The Kelway Hotel Port Elizabeth

South Africa Guide

Photo credit

10. Beaches

Cape Town has a plethora of sublime spots all over the South Atlantic coast. Sure, the water is not as warm and the swells not as epic as in Durban but who cares? Camps Bay, Clifton, Muizenberg, Third Beach, Fouth Beach and St James all deliver the goods on hot, sunny afternoons.

Where to stay: Sunstays Lagoon Beach Apartments Cape Town

9. Giovanni’s Deli
Main Road, Green Point

The café scene in Cape Town is bona fide and the best in South Africa, without doubt. With so many to choose from, Giovanni’s is a smart, upmarket bet. Baristas deftly manipulate a sleek espresso machine with skill and the clientele is duly beautiful.

Where to stay: Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge Cape Town

8. District Six Museum
25A Buitenkant Street

Even in the post-apartheid era, the scourge of the township system is rife and alive and well in South Africa. Cape Town is tony in parts but the vast majority of city inhabitants still dwell in more destitute parts. The best townships tours strike a balance between education and empty voyeurism and often include a visit to the remarkable District Six Museum.

Where to stay: Mount Nelson Hotel Cape Town

7. Bukhara
33 Church Street

Cape Town’s food scene is about as eclectic as it comes and reflects the hodgepodge of cultures and social evolution in the city since the time of Vasco da Gama. Bukhara serves rich, fragrant fare from North India with local game like springbok, ostrich and kudu on the menu.

Where to stay: Express By Holiday Inn Cape Town City Centre

6. Iziko Slave Lodge
corner Adderley and Wale Streets

One of the oldest landmarks in Cape Town, the Slave Lodge is now a brilliant cultural history museum.

Where to stay: Winchester Mansions Hotel Cape Town

5. Groot Constantia and the Cape Winelands

No trip to Cape Town is complete, of course, without some exposure to wine country. At minimum, indulge in a bottle or two of local Chardonnay or Shiraz at dinner. If you can manage it, however, do make a trip to Groot Constantia – the most venerable wine estate in South Africa, some 20 km from the CBD – and beyond, to Stellenbosch and the Western Cape.

Where to stay: Protea Hotel Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch

4. Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

For spectacular scenery, the Cape of Good Hope is the best place to take a hearty constitutional.

Where to stay: The Westin Cape Town Hotel

3. Le Quartier Francais
16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek

The only restaurant on the continent of Africa to make Restaurant Magazine’s elite and controversial annual Top 50 is in the small Stellenbosch enclave of Franschhoek, one hour west of Cape Town. Well worth the trip.

Where to stay: Auberge Rozendal Wine Farm

2. Robben Island

Nelson Mandela was Robben Island’s most famous prisoner, of course, but the apartheid-era island penal colony was also home to a host of important activists and future politicians, from Walter Sisulu to Jacob Zuma. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is 6.9 km west off the coast of Bloubergstrand.

Where to stay: Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront

1. Table Mountain National Park

One of the most indelible natural landmarks in all of South Africa, Table Mountain is the foremost symbol of Cape Town. Climb it or take the cable car up.

Where to stay: Taj Cape Town Hotel

Cape Town City Guide

Image by Olivier Lejade

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 as the “Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve”, the national park is thick with mangrove forests and as such, is a primary habitat for lemurs, among other notable mammals and reptiles. Tsingy de Bemaraha, above all else however, is known for its peculiar karstic landscape of limestone peaks and the awesome Manambolo River canyon. The rugged and rocky terrain in the western half of the park intersects with deciduous forests, while the eastern half contains marshlands, savannah grasslands and the Hanambolo River valley.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

The formation of the strange limestone pinnacles began 200 million years ago, as a result of seismic tectonic activity. Monsoon rains subsequently carved the rocks over time, creating caves below the surface and dramatic canyons.

The flora and fauna in Tsingy de Bemaraha is super-biodiverse, as is the case for most of Madagascar, and indeed, scientists have barely scratched the surface. The vegetation is characterized by dense forests and dry anthropogenic savannahs. The inherent wildlife includes 13 species of lemurs, 15 species of bats, 22 species of amphibians and 66 species of reptiles. Among the 90 species of birds in Tsingy de Bemaraha is the rarest bird in the world: the Madagascar Fish Eagle.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

The tropical climate of Tsingy de Bemaraha features a dry season from April to October and a humid, rainy season from November to March. Visiting the park during the latter is next to impossible, due to flooded roads and barren hotels. If you want to make the most of Bemaraha, visit in the middle of the dry season, when tourism is in full swing.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is an excellent adventure for active people, since the park offers myriad trails to navigate on foot and admire the miraculous scenery. A boat ride on the Manambolo River is another great opportunity to explore the unique wildlife. Coupling your visit to Madagascar with one to Tanzania is a great option if you are looking to hit two birds with one stone – hotels in Tanzania have relatively high standards so you will surely not be disappointed.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Army soldiers take cover from a sandstorm in Iraq – Photo credit

The truth is that while some of us connect the rise in the planet’s temperatures with events like the disappearance of polar ice caps, floods and precarious sea levels, another dangerous spin-off is more and worse dust storms in otherwise immune places.

Early sandstorm traces on the way to Lüderitz, Namibia – Photo credit

The desertification of vast new swaths of land across the globe has already wrought disastrous effects. Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, receives millions of tons of sand from the Gobi desert every spring.

Desert dunes stir in Namibia – Photo credit

In turn, clouds of dust from China swoop over the Pacific Coast of the United States. Dust and sandstorms form relatively easily in proper conditions and just like that, can blot out the sun, cover a city and gust across oceans, to other continents.

Sandstorm over Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- Photo credit

The photograph above demonstrates how a sandstorm can cripple a major world capital like Riyadh. The city of 7 million people is the commercial and political heart of Saudi Arabia, but the sand comes of course, nonetheless.

Jet soars through a dust storm in Utah, U.S.A. – Photo credit

The United States of America, home to the Dust Bowl of The Grapes of Wrath, is not immune to sudden, immense dust storms. In the face of mass monoculture, once fertile land has undergone decades of degradation. The phrase “reap what you sow” has a sad irony now when you consider the negative consequences of a cold industrial approach to agriculture.

Dust storm threatens 2007 Burning Man festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada – Photo credit

The potential for a dust storm to originate from once usable, arable land, on a perpetual basis, is now a major threat. While states like Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico have had storms before, global climate experts worry that current conditions may exacerbate dust squalls in new states.

Burning Man dust storm – Photo credit

For a country like Nepal, which wavers between severe monsoons in one season and often, famine and drought in another, dust storms can be a stiff price to pay.

Dust storm in Nepal – Photo credit

The world class city of Sydney was a murky haze of red dust one day in late September 2009, as a mammoth particle cloud fell on the New South Wales capital.

Dust storm covers the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia – Photo credit

The Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, parks and hotels in Sydney – indeed, a generous portion of Australia – came under fire.

Dust storm in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia – Photo credit

Fire is one consequence of climate change Australia has had to grapple with lately, worse than ever in fact, in the form of forest and brush fires. Even Brisbane however, contends with the odd dust storm now and then.

Dust storm off the coast of Oman – Photo credit

This NASA satellite image of a dust storm off the coast of Oman demonstrates what an abject monstrosity it can be. It simply takes over and moves with the winds.

Dust storm approaches Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, border of Utah and Arizona, U.S.A. – Photo credit

So while eerily beautiful with a capable photographer behind the lens, dust and sandstorms are a real menace from time to time. Those of us fortunate enough to live in areas free from both have our own weather nuisances to contend with of course. But again, if climate change experts are correct, more of us may feel the brunt of a dust storm in the foreseeable future.

Dust storm in Ouagadougou, Burkina Fasso – Photo credit

Image by Sara&Joachim

Image by leigh.hoagland

The delta irrigates about 15,000 km² of land. In heavy rain periods, the waters soak over 22,000 km² and greens portions of the Kalahari and contiguous landscape.

Image by Tim Copeland – world

Image by justin

Image by Sara&Joachim

More than 400 types of birds rely on the waters and rich flora, while 65 genera of fish swim in the salty waters. The Okavango Delta is also a perfect example of nature’s harmony and offers the chance to witness big game in person and photograph spectacular wildlife action. Elephants, hippopotami, warthogs, antelopes, hyenas, rhinos, kudus, cheetahs, leopards, zebras and baboons all dwell part-time within the delta wilderness.

Visitors usually experience this splendid show of nature at various safari campsites. The most popular reside within Chobe National Park, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve or the Moremi Game Reserve – all in Botswana and within or on the immediate borders of the delta. Most campsites charge a set price for a comprehensive package that includes accommodation, meals and tours of the area. Light aircraft transport via Kasane Airport in Kasane, Botswana is the primary mode of arrival for the vast majority of Okavango tourists.

Image by geoftheref

Image by geotheref

Chobe National Park is home to 120,000 elephants and has a near record-high concentration of big mammals.Tours of the park often encompass visits to Okavango Delta and UNESCO World Heritage Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Moremi Game Reserve provides a habitat for exotic birds and prominent rock stars of the safari world like cheetahs, lions, water buffalo, giraffes and leopards. The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is wholly distinct from the Okavango Delta and is a must for intrepid travelers.

Image by Gusjer

Image by SPM435

Five ethnic groups live in the vicinity of the Okavango: Hambukushu, Dceriku, Bugakhwe, Wayeyi and ||anikhwe. The tribes fish, hunt, collect wild plants and herd in the delta region. Botswana has made notable efforts in recent years to sustainably incorporate eco-tourism into the Okavango with the involvement, stewardship and participation of tribal leaders.

Image by Greenwich Photography

Image by darkroomillusions

Image by Gusjer

The best time of year to visit the delta is between June and August. At this time, flood waters peak and attract hundreds of thousands of animals. The subsequent concentration of wildlife is one of the most remarkable on the planet.

Image by Sara&Joachim

Visitors to Botswana and the Okavango from North America, Europe or some parts of Asia (Singapore, Japan) will not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months and that you have necessary accommodation details in order. Hotels in Johannesburg provide phenomenal access to Okavango – the premier metropolis of  South Africa is only 1,200 km from Kasane, Botswana by car.

Ellerman House - Cape Town, South Africa

Positioned high atop a hill in Bantry Bay, from a vantage point that presents one of the world’s most charming coastlines, is the Hellerman House — undeniably one of South Africa’s most illustrious boutique hotels.

Built in 1912 as the private home of a British shipping magnate, the hotel boasts seven sumptuously furnished guest quarters, all managing to keep the magnificent views as their primary focus.

Top-notch dining, exquisite settings and plenty of pampering makes this South African travel destination a must-visit for any lover of the ocean and its ever changing landscape.

Imabe by rileymoore

Imabe by rileymoore

Image by rileymoore

Image by rileymoore

Table Mountain – Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

More than 1000 meters above the city of Cape Town, Table Mountain imposes itself upon the surrounding landscape. No matter where you look (you will notice the mountain in various other pictures in this article as well) Table Mountain seems to be there, the centerpiece of one breathtaking panorama after another.

Almost all of the Cape Peninsula’s 2,000 floral species can be found on Table Mountain, which erupts with color sometime around September and through to March. Capetonians, as they are called, quite frequently visit the mountain, picnic basket in one hand and a wine bottle from one of the local vineyards in another.

Also, before ascending Table Mountain, be sure to visit the eastern slope’s Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. The gardens are a truly exceptional display of South Africa’s beautiful indigenous plant species.

Image by geoftheref

Image by warrenski

Image by cdngrlnaomi

Phinda Resource Reserve – KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Established in 1991, Phinda Resource Reserve — its name meaning “return to the wild” — is a private game reserve in northern Zululand. Home to seven different African ecosystems, it is definitely one of the most diverse and unique regions in the world.

Choices in activities include boating and canoeing trips (keep your hands in the boat please!), tracking highly elusive black rhinos on foot, big-game fishing, diving our planet’s southernmost reefs off the coast of Maputaland, game drives, and visiting the highest vegetated sand dunes in the world.

In addition to astounding wildlife and scenery, accommodations are equally impressive. The Mountain Lodge provides splendid views of the Maputaland coastal range and Lebombo Mountains.

Image by Hulivili

Image by jumblejet

Image by Hulivili

The Drakensberg Mountains – Mpumalanga, South Africa

Many believe the Drakensberg Mountains were the inspiration behind the dreamlike setting of Lord of the Rings, written by South African-born J.R.R. Tolkien. While not as phantasmagorical as Middle Earth, the Drakensberg Mountains are rich with panoramic passes, deep valleys, swollen rivers, towering waterfalls, and lush forests. Opportunities for hiking are in abundance, as well as bird watching, horseback riding, golfing, and fishing.

Some sites of note are the impressive Blyde River Canyon, a 15-mile gorge carved from the face of the Transvaal escarpment, and God’s Widow, the canyon’s unrivaled vantage point.

If you are feeling extra adventurous, be sure to take one of the many jet-powered helicopter tours, where you can swoop over dramatic rock formations, fertile and colorful valleys, river rapids, and waterfalls. The helicopter tour’s finale is lunch atop an otherwise unreachable remote mountaintop grass clearing.

Image by seekaltroutes

Image by Frerieke

Image by Frerieke

Sabi Sand Game Reserve – Mpumalanga, South Africai Sand Game

Home to some of South Africa’s best game viewing and what can only be referred to as splendor-in-the-wild accommodations, the Sabi Sand Game Preserve shares a fenceless border with the famous Kruger National Park.

Among the numerous parks that make up 163,000-acre reserve are Londolozi, MalaMala, and Singita. Londolozi’s most cherished camp is the Tree Camp, positioned on the banks of the Sabi River, a striking contrast of untouched bush and regal living quarters. If visiting MalaMala, a favorite choice for those seeking some romance along their safari is the Kirkman’s Camp, a small homestead built in the 1920s. Singita is the most luxurious and private of the three, home to only two lodges, both fitted with spas and private pools.

Image by TheLizardQueen

Image by seekaltroutes

Image by Jeppestown

The Cape Winelands – Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Winelands is the largest wine producing region in South Africa and it is comprised of six main regions: Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington. Its importance and the outstanding and unique universal cultural significance added this region on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, in June 2004. Some wine farms in Cape Winelands are more than 300 years old, being established by the French. The area it is now packed with delicious wine routes.

Image by Blyzz

Image by Lollie-Pop

Image by Mister-E

The Palace of the Lost City – Sun City, Northwestern Province, South Africa

Encompassed by the dry bushveld and the abundant glitz and Las Vegas-like excessiveness of the entertainment resort complex of Sun City, is the Palace of the Lost City, arguably one the most impressive hotel complexes in the world. Just the sheer size of this $190-million African wonderland — home to four hotels, a gambling casino, 136,000 acres of game reserve, and two award-winning 18-hole golf courses — is enough to warrant a visit.

Image by garybembridge

Image by garybembridge

Image by garybembridge

Visiting the Stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

To be fair to all teams involved, the South African World Cup will be hosted at 10 prestigious stadiums throughout South Africa. This creates a competitive atmosphere where no team can have an advantage on any one playing field – and the setup also allows for locals and tourists to see a wider variety of match ups.

Perhaps one of the most well known stadiums on the list is the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. After undergoing a stunning reconstruction, the stadium, which can easily hold almost 95,000 fans, has the honor of hosting both the first and last game of the series.

Ellis Park Stadium is special as well. While the folks at this stadium won’t be hosting a semi-final match, they will be hosting at least one quarter-finals match. No matter what type of sporting even you’re there for, you’ll find the stadium itself to be a unique attraction.  Built in 1928 and then subsequently rebuilt in 1982, the stadium has a seating capacity of about 62,000 and features some incredible perks – like wheelchair accessibility, special VIP areas, and an astounding audio and visual system.

Both the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and the Durban Stadium in Durban will play prestigious roles in the 2010 FIFA World Cup games as well. These are the only two stadiums that will have the honor of hosting semi-final matches during early July.

The Opening & Closing World Cup Matches

If you’d like to catch a glimpse of the opening match, you’ll need to get tickets and reserve a hotel in Johannesburg as quickly as possible. The opening game is a great event and, as is to be expected, huge crowds will form in an attempt to get into the final game of the series. If you want to be amongst the screaming fans at the end of the World Cup, you’ll need to purchase your tickets as far in advance as you can.

Obtaining Tickets to the South African World Cup

There are two types of tickets available for the South African World Cup – match or team specific. Match tickets can be purchased for any of the individual matches throughout the duration of the cup. Individuals are limited to purchasing 4 tickets per match, and may only buy tickets for up to 7 matches.

Team specific tickets are strips that allow visitors to follow their favorite teams. Most team specific tickets are good for anywhere from 3 to 7 matches, depending on the team. If your favorite team is eliminated, you may have the option of following the team that moves forward instead.

The entire South African World Cup series contains a total of 64 games. While the public can certainly purchase tickets, they have been released in limited numbers. The 5^th and final release, which opened on May 15th, included a batch of 90,000 tickets spanning across all of the games and stadiums.

If getting to an opening or closing game isn’t important, you’ll have an easier time finding tickets. If you’d like to see a semi-final match and don’t care who is playing, you’ll want to invest in your tickets as well as either a hotel in Cape Town or a hotel in Durban as soon as possible.

Tickets can only be purchased through select South African ticket vendors, who will take your order and include you in a lottery draw for tickets.

Football fans from around the world will be flocking to South Africa to enjoy the games this month. Will you be amongst them – cheering on your favorite teams?

Photo by Manu25

Built sometime in the 1700s, Ganvie, like pretty much everything else in Africa, has a fascinating history. It was born out of the desperation of the Tofinu people, who had nowhere else to run from the ruthless Dom-Homey slaver tribe. Knowing their archenemies believed a water demon, living in the lake, was the only thing that could destroy them, the weaker tribe built their new home, on the lake, where they could not be reached. Centuries passed, and the animosity between the two tribes is nothing but a distant memory, yet the people of Ganvie have no intention of returning to dry land.

Photo by Dominik Schwarz

There are now over 30,000 people living in Ganvie, almost all of them fishermen, and only a handful of them involved in the tourism business. The culture and traditions of these people are unlike anything you’ve ever encountered, in the civilized world. For example, the family is more like a business than a relationship based on feelings. The husbands sell the fish they catch, to their wives, who, in turn, go ashore and sell it at the market. With the money they earn, wives have the responsibility of feeding their husbands, all year round. Weddings are arranged by parents, and the couple’s children are only the responsibility of the mother, who must find a way of keeping them fed.

Photo by Manu25

Since Ganvie lies several kilometers from the nearest shore of Lake Nokoue, the village is entirely self sustainable. The central market is essentially just a large gathering of pirogues (boats carved from tree trunks), each selling an individual product, mainly fish, fruit and vegetables. Because there are virtually no connections between any of the stilt buildings in the village, its inhabitants are forced to use their pirogues, even if they want to visit their next door neighbor. There are only one and a half pieces of dry land in Ganvie, The full patch of land hosts the village school, while the half will become a cemetery, once the villagers have imported enough dry ground.

Photo by Dominik Schwarz

While a human settlement located in the middle of an African lake may sound fascinating, some tour guides describe Ganvie as a tourist trap. Unfortunately, Venice of Africa wasn’t prepared for the civilized world, and it was easily corrupted. Villagers use the lake as one big trash can, and that was ok, as long as their trash was degradable, but Lake Nokous is now visibly polluted, and not the most alluring sight. Guides have picked up the bad habit of conning and harassing travelers and that is quickly plunging Ganvie right back in to obscurity. It’s a real shame that lack of management and pollution keep the world from discovering such an amazing place.

Photo by Dominik Schwarz

If you do decide Ganvie is worth the trip, you have to find some cheap hotels in Cotonou, as most of the stilt houses of Ganvie shelter extended families, and accommodations can be a problem.