LUCKYTRIP GOES TO... AFRICA
Africa is perfect beaches and messy history. Days are spent doing Table Mountain hikes, botanical garden strolls, and bargain shopping in algerian markets. Evenings are for soul food and ethio-jazz...
Accra
Accra, Ghana
It might be called ‘the gateway to Africa’ but Accra’s not to be overlooked. Sure, it’s face-melting hot, but the food is first-class and there's stacks of culture and sandy beaches.
What you’ll do:
You can head straight for Makola Market, but if you want to avoid the crowds make for Global Mamas instead. Their Osu store in Accra sells crafts from local women - it’s part of an initiative to help improve the standard of living with dignity. Stock up on floaty rainbow kaftans and beaded jewellery.
What you’ll eat:
Buka feels more like a state-of-the-art treehouse than a restaurant. Come here for okra stew and eba (a Ghanaian dumpling) - stay for the live music and strong cocktails.
What you’ll do:
You can head straight for Makola Market, but if you want to avoid the crowds make for Global Mamas instead. Their Osu store in Accra sells crafts from local women - it’s part of an initiative to help improve the standard of living with dignity. Stock up on floaty rainbow kaftans and beaded jewellery.
What you’ll eat:
Buka feels more like a state-of-the-art treehouse than a restaurant. Come here for okra stew and eba (a Ghanaian dumpling) - stay for the live music and strong cocktails.
Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is African crack for outdoorsy types. Surf your days away or hike up craggy mountains. Not about the leg strain life? Beach bars and wine farms will keep you busy.
What you’ll do:
Hit up the oldest wine estate around and disgrace yourself. Groot Constantia is lush groves and twisting vines. Take the Wine tour and spend the afternoon sipping vino among the vineyards. After, you’ll want to watch the sunset from Lion’s Rump. Head up to Signal Hill with a picnic and grab a front-row seat for mother nature’s melty orange show.
What you’ll eat:
Seafood platters and Malva - Cape Dutch sponge dessert with apricot jam - is the way to go. Swerve the spenny places by the water and stop at The Africa Cafe. You’ll eat your Ethiopian Sik Sik Wat - beef in paprika - surrounded by African murals and artifacts.
What you’ll do:
Hit up the oldest wine estate around and disgrace yourself. Groot Constantia is lush groves and twisting vines. Take the Wine tour and spend the afternoon sipping vino among the vineyards. After, you’ll want to watch the sunset from Lion’s Rump. Head up to Signal Hill with a picnic and grab a front-row seat for mother nature’s melty orange show.
What you’ll eat:
Seafood platters and Malva - Cape Dutch sponge dessert with apricot jam - is the way to go. Swerve the spenny places by the water and stop at The Africa Cafe. You’ll eat your Ethiopian Sik Sik Wat - beef in paprika - surrounded by African murals and artifacts.
Algiers
Algiers, Algeria
“Algiers the dazzling” - with a nickname like that you can forgive this guy for being show-off pretty. This white city legit shines in the sun. Tourists haven’t cottoned on yet so go while it’s still sleepy and secret.
What you’ll do:
Y’know what? Sometimes the guidebook is right, and that’s okay. Notre Dame d’Afrique is one of the heavy-hitter sights in Algiers but totally worth doing. This massive Catholic basilica is Neo-Byzantine eye-food - think stained glass and domed roofs that turn dusty pink at the sunset. It took 14-years to build - and honestly, that doesn’t seem that long when you see how good it is.
What you’ll eat:
Sizzling lamb chops from street sellers, shisha, and spicy cinnamon pastries. Jenina is one of the best place for tradish Algerian eats - try the cous cous spiked with dates.
What you’ll do:
Y’know what? Sometimes the guidebook is right, and that’s okay. Notre Dame d’Afrique is one of the heavy-hitter sights in Algiers but totally worth doing. This massive Catholic basilica is Neo-Byzantine eye-food - think stained glass and domed roofs that turn dusty pink at the sunset. It took 14-years to build - and honestly, that doesn’t seem that long when you see how good it is.
What you’ll eat:
Sizzling lamb chops from street sellers, shisha, and spicy cinnamon pastries. Jenina is one of the best place for tradish Algerian eats - try the cous cous spiked with dates.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is a grower not a shower. Sure, it seems unbelievably chaotic and a bit loveless to begin with but give it time… There are culture-stuffed museum and traditional restaurants plus an ethio-jazz scene you won’t find anywhere else.
What you’ll do:
Make your way to the Kazanchis area, you’ll stumble across a teeny tiny bar called Fendika Azmari Bet. It’s run by a local dancer and has a packed programme of music. Expect Ethiopian jazz nights and traditional dance. You’ll be clapping along with locals, in-the-know tourists, and industry bigwigs. Head out back for the art gallery.
What you’ll eat:
Go to Kategna and order the ‘fasting special.’ You’ll be served a vegan medley. One of the best bits in the suf fitfit - pieces of injera (flatbread) in a sunflower seed sauce. After head to a local buna - coffee stand - you’ll see incense burning and beans being roasted. Your coffee will be taken off the coals and poured fresh. It’s about 15p a cup.
What you’ll do:
Make your way to the Kazanchis area, you’ll stumble across a teeny tiny bar called Fendika Azmari Bet. It’s run by a local dancer and has a packed programme of music. Expect Ethiopian jazz nights and traditional dance. You’ll be clapping along with locals, in-the-know tourists, and industry bigwigs. Head out back for the art gallery.
What you’ll eat:
Go to Kategna and order the ‘fasting special.’ You’ll be served a vegan medley. One of the best bits in the suf fitfit - pieces of injera (flatbread) in a sunflower seed sauce. After head to a local buna - coffee stand - you’ll see incense burning and beans being roasted. Your coffee will be taken off the coals and poured fresh. It’s about 15p a cup.