Africa Travel Information

(This is the second of a 2-part series on Africa cultural festivals. Be sure to also read part 1)

5. Cape Town Jazz Festival – South Africa
I have argued here before that Cape Town is Africa’s greatest city. This can be attested to by the many awards and accolades the city keeps getting, the latest being the 2011 travellers choice for the top destination in the world.

Add to this a glamorous cultural event – the Cape Town International Jazz Festival – and the result is fireworks. Entering it’s 13th year in 2012, this event is the biggest of its kind in Africa, and on its way to being the greatest in the world too. Like in the past years, the line up this year is star-thudded, with many great artists from South Africa and the whole world. The 2012 event takes place on 30th and 31st March.

More details are available at the official website here.

6. Timkat 2012 – Lalibela and Gondar – Ethiopia 
This list would not be complete without an event from Ethiopia, a country I consider the cultural capital of Africa. With its rich historical and religious heritage, Ethiopia has several interesting cultural festivities throughout the year. Timkat is the most popular among these. Read the rest of this entry »

(This is the first of a two-part series. Read part two here)

The African culture is as diverse as the hundreds of ethnic groups (or tribes) and religions in the continent. Despite several misconceptions about Africa, no single culture can be identified as “the” true culture of Africa. Like in all other continents, the interaction between these different cultures has also led to the birth of newer cultures that transcend any particular tribe or religious group.

Many cultural festivals take place all over Africa all year round, but a few of them are more colorful and enjoyable than others. Today’s post highlights seven of what I consider the top must-see cultural events and festivities. If you know of a festival that ought to have made this list, please feel free to add your comments at the bottom of this page.

1. Annual Voodoo Festivals in Benin
Voodoo is a religion that many Westerners associate with secret practices and the occult, although its adherents say that this is a misconception. The religion is quite prevalent in West Africa, most notably in Benin. Read the rest of this entry »