Tourism
Russia Advances Visa-Free Travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini
Russia is actively negotiating visa-free travel agreements with four southern African nations—Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini.
The move is a strategic push to expand tourism, deepen diplomatic and economic ties, and capitalize on evolving global travel dynamics.
The initiative, announced amid ongoing discussions, could make these wildlife-rich and culturally vibrant destinations more accessible to Russian travelers, offering an alternative to traditional European spots.
Sangadzhi Tarbaev, head of Russia Duma’s tourism committee, highlighted the growing interest among Russians in African travel, noting that Africa (beyond popular North African hubs like Egypt) is emerging as an attractive destination.
“Africa, with the exception of Egypt, is not a mass destination, but it does attract tourists,” Tarbaev stated, as quoted in Russian media reports.
Negotiations aim to add these countries to Russia’s existing network of visa-free partners in Africa.
Currently, Russian citizens enjoy reciprocal visa-free entry to 11 African nations, including Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tunisia, and South Africa. Tatyana Dovgalenko, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Partnership with Africa, emphasized that expanding visa-free regimes could significantly develop tourism.
“Introducing visa-free travel with the majority of African countries could help develop tourism,” she said during a State Duma roundtable on tourism and cultural exchanges.
Draft agreements reportedly propose stays of up to 90 days in Zambia and around 30 days in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini, pending finalization.
This move aligns with Russia’s broader efforts to strengthen non-Western partnerships amid restrictions on travel to some European destinations. The southern African region—home to iconic attractions like Victoria Falls (shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe), pristine beaches in Mozambique, and unique wildlife experiences—remains underrepresented among Russian outbound tourists compared to North Africa.
Here are stunning glimpses of the natural wonders that could soon draw more visitors from Russia:

Mozambique’s coastline also promises idyllic escapes:

The initiative comes against a backdrop of tightened U.S. visa policies, including refundable bonds of up to $15,000 for citizens of numerous African countries (including Zambia and Zimbabwe) applying for B1/B2 visas, aimed at reducing overstays.
While the U.S. measures focus on compliance, Russia’s visa-free push is viewed as a way to facilitate easier people-to-people exchanges, business opportunities, and tourism in a region rich in natural and cultural heritage.
For global travelers, particularly from Africa and beyond, these developments signal increasing connectivity with Russia and highlight southern Africa’s untapped potential.
Sights and Sounds
From Wli to Tagbo: Discover the Waterfall Trails That Define Ghana’s Volta Region
In Ghana’s Volta Region, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination. Here, waterfall hopping isn’t simply a day trip—it’s an invitation to experience some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes, where forest trails, mountain scenery, and cascading water come together unforgettably.
Among the region’s many natural treasures, Wli Waterfalls stands apart. Tumbling nearly 1,600 feet from the cliffs of the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, it is the tallest waterfall in West Africa and one of Ghana’s most celebrated attractions.
Reaching the lower falls requires a scenic 40-minute walk through lush vegetation, with butterflies fluttering overhead and birds providing a constant soundtrack.
For more adventurous hikers, the steep two-to-three-hour climb to the upper falls offers dramatic views and a quieter encounter with nature.
But Wli is only one chapter in the Volta Region’s waterfall story. The equally captivating Tsatsadu Falls, tucked within the mountain communities near Liati Wote, rewards visitors with peaceful surroundings and refreshing pools after a moderate trek.
Nearby, Tagbo Falls offers another distinctive experience, where a gentle forest walk leads to a striking cascade framed by dense greenery.
Together, these waterfalls reveal why the Volta Region has become one of Ghana’s leading eco-tourism destinations. Each trail introduces visitors to thriving forests, welcoming rural communities, and landscapes that remain remarkably unspoiled.
For international travellers, waterfall hopping provides a chance to discover a side of Ghana often overshadowed by its bustling cities and historic coastline.
For Ghanaians, it is a reminder that some of the country’s greatest treasures lie hidden among the eastern highlands, waiting to be explored one trail—and one waterfall—at a time.
Taste GH
Rich, Creamy and Unforgettable: The Story Behind Ghana’s Beloved Groundnut Soup
Few dishes capture the warmth of Ghanaian hospitality quite like a steaming bowl of groundnut soup. Rich, velvety, and bursting with the natural flavour of roasted peanuts, it is the kind of meal that brings families together and turns an ordinary lunch into an occasion worth remembering.
Prepared from blended groundnuts—known as peanuts in many parts of the world—the soup develops a creamy texture that balances savoury spices with a subtle nutty sweetness. Tomatoes, onions, ginger and garlic create an aromatic base, while local spices deepen its flavour.
Depending on regional traditions and family recipes, the soup may feature chicken, goat, beef, smoked fish or fresh fish, each adding its own character to the pot.
Groundnut soup is perhaps best known as the perfect companion to fufu, whose smooth, elastic texture effortlessly soaks up every spoonful of the rich broth.
@cheflifestyle_ How do make your groundnut soup? Let’s make my mom’s special groundnut soup whiles I tell you a story I believe if we all wanted to stick to only what we know there wouldn’t be the need to follow food bloggers. I’ve seen so many variations of groundnut soup recipes online and they all look very good! Also can you guys spot my commercial blender from @All Needs It blends everything so well! Let me know if anyone does their groundnut soup like this? I’d not how different is yours? We are all here to learn from each other. Also do you add momone to your groundnut soup? . . . . #groundnutsoup #peanutbuttersoup #ghfoods ♬ Ogechi (feat. Davido) [Remix] – BoyPee & Hyce & Brown Joel
Others enjoy it with rice balls, creating a combination that is equally filling and deeply satisfying. Across Ghana, these pairings are cherished comfort foods, appearing at family gatherings, festive celebrations and Sunday lunches.
Its popularity extends beyond taste alone. Groundnuts are naturally rich in plant-based protein, healthy fats, vitamin E and magnesium, making the soup a nourishing meal that delivers both flavour and nutritional value.
Combined with fresh ingredients and lean protein, it offers a wholesome balance that has earned its place in kitchens across generations.
For visitors discovering Ghanaian cuisine for the first time, groundnut soup is more than a traditional dish—it is an introduction to the country’s culinary heritage.
Every fragrant bowl tells a story of family, culture, and the simple joy of sharing a meal, making it one of Ghana’s most treasured recipes and a favourite that continues to win hearts far beyond its borders.
Sights and Sounds
The Twi-Dubbing Revolution: What Ghana’s Love Affair with Foreign Telenovelas Says About Local Storytelling
One of Ghana’s most remarkable television success stories did not begin in a studio in Accra. It arrived from thousands of kilometres away—complete with elaborate weddings, family feuds and endless cliffhangers.
Yet what transformed these imported dramas into a national obsession was not where they came from, but how they were retold.
For many Ghanaians, the memory is instantly familiar. A dramatic scene appears on screen, but instead of Hindi, the actors speak fluent Twi. Mothers pause their evening chores, taxi drivers debate the latest betrayal, and hair salons turn up the television so everyone can follow the unfolding drama.
Somehow, stories produced for audiences in India suddenly felt as though they belonged in Kumasi, Accra, or Sunyani.
The phenomenon began in the early 2010s when Ghanaian television stations searched for affordable but engaging programming. Indian, Mexican, and Philippine telenovelas offered gripping plots and large episode catalogues.
The real breakthrough, however, came when broadcasters invested in local-language dubbing.
Rather than translating dialogue word for word, Ghanaian voice actors and scriptwriters adapted conversations into expressions that resonated with local audiences. Proverbs replaced literal translations.
Humour reflects everyday Ghanaian life. Arguments sounded like family disputes overheard in neighbourhood compounds. The result was something far more powerful than translation—it became cultural adaptation.
Series such as Kumkum Bhagya gained devoted followings, proving that audiences respond as much to emotional authenticity as they do to familiar settings. Characters became household names, and fictional families were discussed with the same passion reserved for real-life celebrities.
The popularity of Twi-dubbed television also demonstrated the remarkable flexibility of language. It showed that storytelling can cross continents when adapted with care and cultural understanding.
Viewers were not simply consuming foreign entertainment; they were experiencing stories through a distinctly Ghanaian lens.
Yet the success of these productions raises an important question about the country’s creative future.
If Ghana possesses the talent to reinterpret international dramas so effectively, could that same creativity produce original television series capable of captivating audiences both at home and abroad?
The country’s film and television industry already has the ingredients: accomplished actors, skilled voice artists, compelling oral traditions, and generations of storytellers.
The enthusiastic audiences showed for dubbed dramas suggest there is an equally strong appetite for locally produced stories that reflect contemporary Ghanaian life while maintaining the emotional intensity viewers have come to enjoy.
The legacy of the Twi-dubbing era extends beyond entertainment. It proved that language is more than a communication tool—it is a bridge between cultures.
It also reminded broadcasters and filmmakers that audiences value stories that feel emotionally familiar, regardless of where they originate.
Perhaps the next television phenomenon will not begin with an imported script waiting to be translated. It will begin with a Ghanaian story, told in a Ghanaian voice, and shared confidently with the rest of the world.
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