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Dates for your diary, hotel openings, African interior design and news on the new single tourist visa
NEW OPENINGS
Where to stay next… check out two of the newest hotels
Radisson SAS Hotel
Avenue de la Corniche Ouest, Fann, Dakar, Senegal, tel. +221 33 869 3333, www.radissonsas.com
Heralding a new level of style and luxury compared to the current crop of hotels in the Senegalese capital, the Radisson SAS Hotel is set to open in early 2009. Tucked away in the Fann Corniche, the hotel will be part of a larger development that includes designer retail stores, apartments and a state-of-the-art spa. Any discerning fashionista will feel right at home in one of the hotel’s 180 spacious guest rooms, which feature free high- speed internet access and LCD TVs. And when the hard work is over, soak up the searing African sun by the idyllic, ocean-front outdoor pool, or wind down from the day with a nightcap in the stylish lounge or poolside bar.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Laikipia, Ol Pejeta, Kenya, tel. +254 20 890358, www.kicheche.com
Opened at the end of 2008, the Kicheche Laikipia Camp’s pared-back brand of luxury is sure to find favour with those who want to experience the splendid isolation of the African wilderness without foregoing their creature comforts. Located right at the heart of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the site has just six tents, each one kitted out with dark-wood furniture, huge, low-slung beds and a veranda that looks out over the plains. And if you fancy getting a closer look at the conservancy’s residents, there’s a choice of game drives, night-time safaris, game walks and lion tracking.
READ ON
Inspirational dwellings come to life in this remarkable and insightful guide to African living
Leaf through the pages of African Interiors (€35, taschen.com) and you can’t fail to be wowed by the photographs showing the homes and lifestyles of peoples across Africa. Whether it’s a sneaky peek inside a funky artist’s studio, an elegant lodge, a mud hut or an ornate traditional home, the colourful pictures by Deidi von Schaewen provide a fascinating insight into life across the continent. We particularly loved getting a glimpse inside the Kitengala glass factory in Nairobi, as well as the Obu dwellings in Cameroon and the A.S.A.O guesthouse and gallery on Gorée Island. Never mind the cafetière, this book is what coffee tables were made for.
DON’T MISS
Exciting dates to make a note of in your diary
Africa Race, Senegal
11 January
While the Dakar Rally 2009 is confusingly taking place in South America this year, sporting enthusiasts should fear not – a new international rally, called Africa Race, will see amateur and professional drivers motoring across Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal before crossing the finishing line in Dakar on 11 January.
Timkat, Ethiopia
18-20 January
From Addis Ababa to Lalibela, the whole of Ethiopia erupts in three days of celebrations during Timkat, the Feast of the Ephiphany. Join the locals in the festivities and experience a taste of traditional singing and dancing during this magical celebration.
Kijani Festival, Kenya
26 February – 8 March
Venues throughout the Kenyan capital, such as the Nairobi Arboretum, are humming with energy as musicians and dancers put on performances for the annual Kijani Festival. The money raised goes towards the various charitable projects of the Kijani Kenya Trust.
OUT OF AFRICA
Check out these three European- based companies whose designs have been inspired by Africa’s people and places
Porcupine’s design
Self-confessed Africa-holics Jarmo Pikkujamsa and Staffan Martikainen (both men are originally from Finland, but currently live in Brussels) run Porcupine (www.porcupine.be), which sells design objects from Africa. Check out their animal-hide furniture, bags made from discarded billboard vinyl and jewellery made out of shark spines.
Vlisco’s fabrics
Well known throughout African markets, where stalls are draped in wax-printed textiles, Vlisco (www.vlisco.com) is actually a dutch-based company. As well as printing textiles inspired by the colours and bold prints of African designs the company has its own ready-to-wear collection of clothing, accessories and shoes.
Africa’s art products
The Swiss-based company, African Art Products (www.africanartproducts.com), specialises in arts and crafts from the African continent. Think beautiful beaded coasters from Senegal, butterfly wing collages from the Ivory Coast and hand-weaved placemats from Kenya.
WATCH THIS SPACE
East Africa gets ready to launch a single tourist visa
With world-class attractions ranging from some of the finest beaches anywhere to unique wildlife reserves, the East African countries of Burundi, Kenya (left), Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda (right) have decided to get together and market themselves as a single tourist destination. They have now called for a common tourist visa that will apply to all five countries. By marketing and promoting the five destinations under one umbrella group, they hope to diversify and accelerate tourism across the East African Community (EAC). Visitors will be able to travel freely between the member countries and combining activities, such as a safari in Kenya with gorilla viewing in Rwanda or a trip to Lake Tanganyika in Burundi, will be much easier. The single tourist visa could be rolled out as early as winter 2009, so stay tuned.