Keep Travelling | Travel Stories & Cultural Experiences

Latest Episodes:

Climbing Kilimanjaro: What It Really Takes to Reach Africa’s Highest Summit Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 79

Property / Guest Name:
Climbing Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
Brian Raffio – Senior Account Manager

Episode Summary:
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Africa’s great adventure travel experiences. It is not a technical climb, yet it asks something real from every traveller who takes it on.

In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve speaks with Brian Raffio, Senior Account Manager at Climbing Kilimanjaro. Brian shares the story of a company that began with a porter on the mountain, grew through guiding, and has now become one of the larger operators helping travellers reach the summit each year.

This is a practical and motivating conversation for anyone who has ever wondered whether they could climb Kilimanjaro. Brian explains how to get there, how fit travellers need to be, what training helps, what the different climb lengths mean, and why altitude acclimatisation is so important.

He also gives a clear look at life on the mountain, from food and camps to porters, toilets, summit night, emergency support, oxygen, helicopter rescue, weather, wildlife, and the feeling of standing above the clouds at around 19,000 feet.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How Climbing Kilimanjaro started and grew from humble beginnings
• The best travel routes into Kilimanjaro International Airport or via Nairobi
• How much training is needed before attempting the climb
• Why 6-day and 9-day routes offer very different acclimatisation experiences
• What food, camp life, porters, toilets, and summit night are really like
• How altitude sickness, emergency oxygen, and rescue support are managed

Guest Information:
Brian Raffio is the Senior Account Manager at Climbing Kilimanjaro. In this conversation, he shares practical advice from inside one of the mountain’s established operators, covering routes, costs, preparation, group dynamics, summit conditions, porter support, safety, and what travellers should know before taking on Africa’s highest mountain.

Key Takeaways:
• Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, but travellers should train properly and prepare for long hiking days at altitude.
• Longer routes can improve acclimatisation, which may give travellers a better chance of feeling strong near the summit.
• Summit night is tough, emotional, and unforgettable, with many climbers reaching the top as the sun rises above the clouds.

Contact Information:
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post:

https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/climbing-kilimanjaro/

Morocco Travel Organizer: A Luxury Morocco Journey Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 78

Property / Guest Name:
Morocco Travel Organizer – Morocco
Siham Lahmin – Owner and Curator

Episode Summary:
Morocco is often spoken about as if it is one simple destination. Yet, as Siham Lahmin explains in this episode, it is much more layered than that.

In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve speaks with Siham Lahmin, owner and curator of Morocco Travel Organizer. Together, they explore the real rhythm of Morocco, from ancient cities and mountain communities to the Sahara Desert, coastal life, food traditions, local safety tips, and the value of planning the country properly.

Siham explains why travellers should not try to rush Morocco. Instead, she describes the country as a journey best experienced chapter by chapter, with time for land, mountains, desert, beach, culture, and food. She also shares why local knowledge is so important when navigating medinas, understanding traditions, and avoiding missed experiences.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• The main international entry points into Morocco, including Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, and Rabat
• Why the Sahara Desert, High Atlas Mountains, and Fez are three powerful places to include
• How the Amazigh roots of Morocco shape the mountain experience
• Why Fez is one of Morocco’s great cultural, spiritual, food, and craft centres
• What dishes travellers should try, including tangia, medfouna, and pastilla
• Practical advice on safety, women’s travel, local help, language, timing, and trip length

Guest Information:
Siham Lahmin is the owner and curator of Morocco Travel Organizer. Born in Fez and deeply connected to Moroccan culture, food, and local travel planning, Siham helps travellers experience Morocco with more depth and less stress. In this conversation, she shares honest advice on how to plan a meaningful Morocco journey, why local expertise matters, and how visitors can better understand the country through its cities, mountains, desert, coastline, cuisine, and people.

Key Takeaways:
• Morocco is best explored slowly, with around 15 days giving travellers time to experience cities, mountains, desert, beach, culture, and food.
• Local guidance can make a major difference, especially in medinas, remote regions, and cultural spaces where travellers may miss important details alone.
• Siham recommends experiencing the Sahara Desert, High Atlas Mountains, and Fez, while also tasting local dishes in the places where they truly belong.

Contact Information:
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post:
https://www.keeptravelling.africa/blog/morocco_insights

Royal Mara Safari Lodge Kenya May 27, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 77

Property / Guest Name:
Royal Mara Safari Lodge – Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
Martin Ndamwe – Marketing Manager

Episode Summary:
There are some safari lodges where the experience begins on the game drive. Then there are places where the wild feeling starts before you have even left your room.

In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve speaks with Martin Ndamwe, Marketing Manager at Royal Mara Safari Lodge in Kenya’s Mara North Conservancy. Martin shares what makes this intimate riverfront lodge so special, from its peaceful setting beside the river to its small lodge feel, strong wildlife access, and close connection to the surrounding landscape.

Royal Mara Safari Lodge offers just eight rooms and a family cottage, making it a quieter and more personal safari option in the Masai Mara region. Guests can enjoy river-facing views, hippos, crocodiles, birds, antelope, zebra, game drives, walking safaris, nature walks, bush meals, and the chance to experience the Big Five in a carefully managed conservancy setting.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How guests can reach Royal Mara Safari Lodge by road or air from Nairobi
• What arrival, check-in, butler service, and lodge safety look like
• Why the lodge’s riverfront rooms make the safari feel close from the start
• How the food, bush meals, picnic breakfasts, and all-inclusive options work
• Why Mara North Conservancy offers a quieter safari experience than busier areas
• Why Martin believes the low season may be one of the best times to visit

Guest Information:
Martin Ndamwe is the Marketing Manager at Royal Mara Safari Lodge in Kenya. In this conversation, he shares a clear and practical look at the guest experience, from getting to the lodge and settling into the rooms, to enjoying meals, wildlife, walking safaris, and the peaceful rhythm of Mara North Conservancy. He also explains why the lodge’s small size, riverfront position, solar-powered systems, organic garden, and private conservancy location help create a more personal Kenya safari experience.

Key Takeaways:
• Royal Mara Safari Lodge is an intimate riverfront lodge in Mara North Conservancy, with eight rooms and a family cottage.
• The lodge offers game drives, walking safaris, nature walks, bush meals, strong wildlife viewing, and a quieter conservancy setting.
• Royal Mara Safari Lodge is giving one lucky listener a two-night stay to experience the lodge for themselves.

Contact Information:
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post:
https://www.keeptravelling.africa/blog/royal_mara

A Luxury Safari won at Dulini Leadwood: Johan’s Sabi Sands Story May 20, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 76

Property / Guest Name:
Dulini Leadwood – Sabi Sands, South Africa
Johan Adriaanse – Keep Travelling Prize Giveaway Winner

Episode Summary:
Every now and then, a travel story feels different. Not because it is louder or more dramatic, but because it comes from someone who has actually lived the experience.

In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve sits down with Johan Adriaanse, the recent winner of the Keep Travelling prize giveaway to Dulini Leadwood. Together with his wife, Nicola, Johan travelled to the Sabi Sands for a stay that became far more than just a luxury safari escape. It was a birthday break, a wildlife experience, a chance to slow down, and a reminder of why Africa stays with people long after they return home.

From the moment they entered the reserve, the experience began. A rhino sighting just minutes after arrival set the tone, followed by warm hospitality, beautiful river-facing accommodation, exceptional food, and game drives filled with leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and those smaller, quieter safari moments that often become the most memorable.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it felt like to win and enjoy a Keep Travelling prize giveaway
• How easy the journey to Dulini Leadwood was from Tzaneen
• Why Johan and Nicola found the lodge setting, room, food, and staff so impressive
• The special leopard and lion sightings that made the safari unforgettable
• Why Sabi Sands felt quiet, well-managed, and deeply personal
• How guides, trackers, and lodge teams help protect the true spirit of African tourism

Guest Information:
Johan Adriaanse joins the podcast as a recent Keep Travelling prize giveaway winner. After travelling with his wife, Nicola, to Dulini Leadwood in the Sabi Sands, Johan shares an honest guest perspective on the lodge, the wildlife, the food, the service, and the feeling of being properly looked after in one of South Africa’s most iconic safari regions. He also gives special mention to Nathan, their guide, whose respect for nature and knowledge of the area stood out during their stay.

Key Takeaways:
• The Keep Travelling prize giveaway gave Johan and Nicola the chance to experience Dulini Leadwood for themselves, not just dream about it.
• Dulini Leadwood delivered a powerful mix of luxury, warm service, excellent food, and quiet, unhurried safari moments.
• The wildlife experience was exceptional, with rhino on arrival, memorable leopard encounters, lions with cubs, elephants, antelope, birds, and even a chameleon sighting.

Contact Information:
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post:
https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/dulini-prize-winner/

Tripoli Libya Travel Guide: A Refreshing Look At Africa’s Most Misunderstood City May 13, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 75

Guest Name:
Diana Yu, Publisher of Just Wanderlust
https://justwanderlustblog.com/

Episode Summary:
Some destinations arrive with a story already written for them. Libya is one of those places. For many travellers, the country is still linked to old headlines, uncertainty, and questions about whether it belongs on a serious travel wish list.

But in this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, host Rael Zieve speaks with travel blogger and publisher Diana Yu about a very different side of Libya. Her journey through Tripoli reveals a city shaped by Mediterranean light, ancient history, generous people, fresh seafood, and a travel experience that feels far more personal than polished.

This is not the usual African travel story. There are no luxury safari lodges or Big Five game drives here. Instead, there is the old medina, the Red Castle, Roman ruins, palm-lined streets, local markets, and the quiet surprise of discovering a city that is not performing for tourists.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why Tripoli, Libya surprised Diana Yu as a travel destination
What guided tourism and safety support looks like for visitors in Libya
How local culture shapes the experience, especially for female travellers
Why Tripoli’s medina feels raw, real, and untouched by mass tourism
The Roman history of Leptis Magna and Sabratha
Why Libyan seafood, especially the shrimp, left such a lasting memory

Guest Information:
Diana Yu is the publisher of the Just Wanderlust blog and a widely travelled storyteller who has visited more than 100 countries. In this conversation, she brings a calm, honest, and curious view of Tripoli, Libya, sharing what she experienced first-hand rather than what many travellers may assume from the outside. Her story opens up a lesser-known corner of North Africa through culture, food, history, and human connection.

Key Takeaways:
Tripoli offers a very different kind of African travel experience, built around history, culture, food, and everyday local life rather than traditional safari travel.
Diana explains that travel in Libya is structured through guides, tourist support, and controlled tourism, which helped shape her experience on the ground.
The episode challenges common perceptions of Libya by highlighting hospitality, Mediterranean beauty, Roman ruins, and a city that still feels refreshingly authentic.

Contact Information:
rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog:
https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/tripoli-libya/

5* Polana Serena Hotel - Mozambique May 06, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 74

Property / Guest Name:
Polana Serena Hotel – Maputo, Mozambique
Osvaldo Inguane – Sales Manager
Instagram: @SerenaPolana
Instagram: @Ozzy_Ingwe

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve speaks with Osvaldo Inguane, Sales Manager at Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique. Set in one of the capital city’s most established diplomatic and business areas, Polana Serena offers guests a refined city stay with sea views, warm Mozambican hospitality, and easy access from Maputo International Airport.

This is a conversation about more than just a hotel. It opens up the feeling of Maputo itself. The food, the people, the history, the city tours, the coastline, and the warmth that so often gets missed when Africa is spoken about from the outside.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Where Polana Serena Hotel is located and why its position in Maputo works so well for international travellers
The different room options, from studio rooms and sea-view deluxe rooms to executive suites, villas, and the presidential suite
Why the hotel’s spa, indoor heated pool, outdoor pool, gym, and sea views make it stand out in Maputo
What guests can expect from Mozambican cuisine, especially seafood, grilled chicken, and peri-peri tiger prawns
How visitors can explore Maputo through city tours, museums, live music, local restaurants, island trips, and nearby safari options
Why Osvaldo believes Mozambique and Africa have a powerful future in tourism when quality service and smoother logistics come together

Guest Information:
Osvaldo Inguane is the Sales Manager at Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique. In this episode, he shares the story of the hotel, the character of Maputo, and the welcoming spirit of Mozambican people. He also gives practical guidance for first-time visitors, from airport transfers and city safety to beaches, island excursions, food, culture, and nearby wildlife experiences.

Key Takeaways:

Polana Serena Hotel offers a polished city base in Maputo, just around 10 minutes from Maputo International Airport, with sea views, strong service, and easy guest support.
Maputo is full of culture, history, local food, music, island access, and warm people who want visitors to feel welcome and safe.
Keep Travelling features weekly prize giveaways from African lodges, camps, and travel partners, with details available through the podcast page.

Contact Information:
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog:
https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/luxury-hotel-in-maputo-polana-serena-hotel-mozambique/

Hiking in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 73

Property / Guest Name:

Mambo Viewpoint – Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
Herman Erdtiek – Co-Owner

Episode Summary:

Some places are built for speed. Others are built for stillness. High above the plains of northeastern Tanzania, Mambo Viewpoint offers something many travellers never realise they are missing — silence, space, culture and perspective.

Set on the edge of the spectacular Usambara Mountains, this is a stay where sunrise views stretch towards Mount Kilimanjaro, rainforest trails begin at your doorstep, and village life remains warm, welcoming and deeply connected to the land.

In this episode, host Rael Zieve speaks with Herman Erdtiek about how Mambo Viewpoint has grown tourism in the region while staying rooted in community, authenticity and nature.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Where Mambo Viewpoint sits between Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and the coast
• Why the Usambara Mountains offer one of East Africa’s most overlooked escapes
• Accommodation options from camping to honeymoon cottages and family houses
• Rare wildlife including chameleons, falcons, monkeys and nearby safari access
• Community tourism that supports local guides, farmers and families
• Why this region shows travellers the “real Tanzania” beyond classic routes

Guest Information:

Herman Erdtiek is the co-owner of Mambo Viewpoint, a mountain retreat in Tanzania focused on nature, culture and meaningful tourism development. Together with the local community, the property has helped create jobs, support guiding, farming and transport opportunities, while introducing travellers to a lesser-known side of Tanzania.

Key Takeaways:

• Tanzania has far more to offer than the classic safari-and-beach route
• Mambo Viewpoint blends mountain scenery, village culture and rainforest adventure
• Prize Giveaway: Two-night stay for two people in a Standard Cottage at Mambo Viewpoint

Contact Information:

Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog Post:

https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/mambo-viewpoint-tanzania-discover-the-usambara-mountains/

Botswana Safari Tips, Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 72

Property / Guest Name:
Cary Costello – Director of Sales, Off the Beaten Path

Episode Summary:
Botswana has a way of changing how people think about safari. In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve sits down with Cary Costello from Off the Beaten Path to unpack a first-hand journey through one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why Botswana stood out as a lower-impact, higher-touch safari destination for Off the Beaten Path.
How starting with a walking safari near Maun created an immediate connection to the landscape.
What made the mix of camps, landscapes and activities so important to the overall safari experience.
Why the Okavango Delta delivered some of the trip’s strongest big cat and birding moments.
How Cary came to see safari luxury as something shaped more by location, guiding and hospitality than by traditional hotel standards.
Why Victoria Falls worked so well as a natural extension to the Botswana itinerary.

Guest Information:
Cary Costello is the Director of Sales at Off the Beaten Path, a US-based travel company that operates around the world and is growing its safari offering in Africa. In this conversation, he shares what surprised him most about Botswana, from walking safaris and birdlife to camp pacing, landscape diversity and the warmth of the people he met along the way.

Key Takeaways:

A great Botswana safari is not only about game drives — walking safaris, mokoro outings and time on the water can add a completely different layer to the experience.
Staying longer in fewer places can help travellers settle into the rhythm of safari and experience each area more deeply.
Keep Travelling’s weekly prize giveaways are still part of the show, giving listeners the chance to win unforgettable African travel experiences.

Contact Information:
rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog:
https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/botswana-safari-travel-tips-okavango-delta-victoria-falls/

Beach, Land and Marine Safari Holiday - Mozambique Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 71

Property / Guest Name:
Sky Island Resort & Ponta Membene Lodge – Mozambique
Sean Wookey – Owner

Episode Summary:
Some parts of Africa still feel wonderfully under the radar. Southern Mozambique is one of them.

In this episode of Keep Travelling: Your African Story, Rael Zieve sits down with Sean Wookey, owner of Sky Island Resort and Ponta Membene Lodge, to explore a part of Mozambique where beach, safari, marine life and adventure all come together in one journey. Sean shares how accessible the region is from Maputo and nearby borders, what guests can expect at both properties, and why this area offers something very different from the usual safari or beach holiday alone.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• Why southern Mozambique is easier to reach than many travellers think
• What makes Sky Island Resort unique, from ocean views to paragliding experiences
• How Ponta Membene Lodge blends safari, marine life and national park living
• The wildlife, turtle nesting, snorkelling and fishing experiences available
• How sustainability and local staff development shape both properties
• Details of the generous prize giveaway across both lodges

Guest Information:
Sean Wookey – Owner, Sky Island Resort & Ponta Membene Lodge

Key Takeaways:
• A rare Mozambique holiday where safari, ocean and adventure all meet
• Two contrasting properties offering coastal adventure and national park immersion
• This week’s giveaway: a two-night stay across both lodges with meals and transfers included

Contact Information:
rael@keeptravelling.africa

Blog:
https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/Beach, Land and Marine Safari Holiday - Mozambique

Nigeria Beyond the Headlines: The Africa You’ve Never Seen Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode Number: 70

Property / Guest Name:

Rory Okoli – Founder & CEO, Trip Zap (Nigeria)

Episode Summary:

There are destinations that remain misunderstood, not because they lack experiences, but because their stories have never been properly told. Nigeria is one of those places — a country rich in culture, landscapes and energy, yet still largely absent from the global tourism conversation.

What emerges in this conversation is a completely different perspective. One that moves beyond headlines and into lived experience — from vibrant coastlines and cultural festivals to evolving tourism infrastructure and local entrepreneurship.

In the latest episode of Keep Travelling – Your African Story, host Rael Zieve sits down with Rory Okoli, Founder and CEO of Trip Zap, to explore Nigeria as a travel destination, unpack the realities around safety and perception, and understand how local operators are working to reshape the country’s tourism future.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most overlooked tourism destinations
• How perception and media narratives have shaped global views of the country
• The diversity of experiences across Nigeria’s regions, from beaches to mountains
• What travellers can expect when visiting Lagos and other major areas
• The role of guided travel in creating safe and seamless experiences
• How festivals, culture and heritage play a central role in Nigerian tourism

Guest Information:

Rory Okoli is the Founder and CEO of Trip Zap, a Nigerian-based travel platform focused on unlocking local experiences and connecting travellers with authentic journeys across the country. With a background in hospitality and tourism, she has worked extensively to promote Nigeria as a viable and exciting destination, creating curated experiences that highlight the country’s culture, landscapes and people.

Key Takeaways:

• Nigeria offers a diverse mix of cultural, coastal and inland travel experiences
• Perception remains one of the biggest barriers to tourism growth in the country
• Travelling with trusted local guides is key to navigating and enjoying Nigeria

Contact Information:

rael@keeptravelling.africa

“A few years from now, you will not remember how much it cost you, but you will always remember the memories you made.”

Keep Travelling!

Blog:

https://keeptravelling.africa/blog/nigeria-travel-experience-beyond-the-headlines/