Birdwatching in The Gambia, West Africa

Birdwatching in The Gambia, West Africa

With over 540 species of birds, The Gambia in West Africa, offers superb birdwatching opportunities. With its beautiful beaches, colourful culture, monkeys, markets and more, all just a 6-hour flight away from the UK, it’s a fabulous holiday destination for all.

La Fête du Poisson: Traditional Net Fishing in Rodrigues Island

La Fête du Poisson: Traditional Net Fishing in Rodrigues Island

So remote that it’s often left off the map, Ile Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean has little in common with its glamorous big sister, Mauritius. ‘Sleepy’ and ‘laid-back’ are appropriate adjectives to describe this little island, except for today, that is. It’s the 1st...

What you should know about swimming with dolphins

What you should know about swimming with dolphins

While on holiday in Egypt in 2013, when I heard that you could swim with dolphins in Sharm el Sheikh I leapt at the chance. This was a long-held dream of mine and I was over the moon. It was a spur of the moment decision that I now regret. I've since researched the...

Top 12 things to do in The Gambia on a budget

Top 12 things to do in The Gambia on a budget

This wonderful West African country is a fascinating place to explore with golden sandy beaches, year-round hot weather, colourful culture and friendly English speaking locals. Here’s my guide of the best things to do, plus my tips for how to get around, what to pack and more.

Easy octopus salad recipe from the island of Rodrigues

Easy octopus salad recipe from the island of Rodrigues

In a remote corner of the Indian Ocean, the little island of Rodrigues lies in a shallow lagoon created by the coral reef that completely surrounds it. Seafood is plentiful, including Octopus cyanea, which hides in the nooks of the reef and rocks in the turquoise...

Rodrigues Island: Getting off the beaten track in Mauritius

Rodrigues Island: Getting off the beaten track in Mauritius

As we come in to land I can see white horses crashing against the coral reef encompassing a small cluster of islands. This is Rodrigues, the off the beaten path Mauritius. Don’t be fooled by its small size, there are plenty of things to see and do in Rodrigues, a little-known gem sparkling in the Indian Ocean.

A night on the river in Makasutu Forest

A night on the river in Makasutu Forest

As I lie in bed I can feel a gentle movement in the decking beneath me or is it my imagination? I listen to the creaks and groans of the wood... splashes of water... silence... another splash. Getting out of bed I draw back the muslin curtains and catch my breath. A...

Spicy chicken ‘pepe’ soup recipe from West Africa

Spicy chicken ‘pepe’ soup recipe from West Africa

This traditional spicy chicken soup from The Gambia, is known as a cure-all and, amongst other things, is said to cure the common cold. The Gambians like their food spicy so be warned, pepe soup packs quite a punch!

The Songs of the Baka in the Rainforest of Eden

The Songs of the Baka in the Rainforest of Eden

As I made my way through the lush greenery of giant ferns and towering palm trees I could hear the sweet sound of Baka songs floating through the air. Interlocking, polyphonic rhythms and melodies woven together. Songs that prepared the tribe and the animals of the...

A Traditional West African Wedding

A Traditional West African Wedding

I step out of the taxi onto the dusty lane, in a village much like any other in The Gambia. Today this particular street is unusually busy with a tangible buzz in the air. Today we are celebrating the wedding of my dear friend Okameo and his lovely bride Asanatou.

Baobab smoothie recipe

Baobab smoothie recipe

While on my travels in The Gambia and Senegal I've often heard from the locals of the many uses and benefits of the fruit of the baobab tree, a vitamin, fibre, and antioxidant-rich superfood. Here's my recipe for a delicious and nutritious baobab smoothie. The Baobab...

Spicy coleslaw from Mauritius

Spicy coleslaw from Mauritius

Sunshine on a plate cookbook review plus a deliciously simple spicy coleslaw recipe from Mauritius by former masterChef winner, Shelina Permallo.

A child’s life in Senegal

A child’s life in Senegal

The dust, the smiles and the rhythm of the drums, West Africa, can really get under your skin; I lost count of the number of times I've visited this corner of the globe a long time ago. As I set out on a journey of a different kind, namely sponsoring a child in...