Compass: Africa

“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.”
–Ernest Hemingway
Explore Africa , its not only a colorful continent but also the world’s second largest and second most populace land mass. The continent hosts a broad diversity of 3,000 ethnic groups and cultural heritages that compose 2,000 different languages.
The earliest evidence of homo sapiens is found in Africa and that is why the continent is often referred to as the “cradle of civilization”.There are 54 sovereign countries on the African continent. The borders of some countries shift slightly because of armed conflict between ethnic groups. But most of the borders were drawn during the time of European colonialism.
The 54 countries within the African continent include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Republic of the, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa , South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Explore Africa, everything from its history, cultural heritage to diverse mix of people. The land offers a lot to those who are passionate about traveling.

Discover Kenya and the Caribbean
St. Vincent coast. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick World Footprints will introduce the African country of Kenya–considered to be the Cradle of Civilization because its history can be traced back six million years ago. Kenya is also considered the heart of Africa and the safari epicenter of the world. The country in … Read more Read more
Africa Adventure Family Travel
On Freedom’s Trail in South Africa: A Personal Journey to Places Shaping the Rainbow Nation
By Ian FitzpatrickFrom the new Morgan Freeman film, Invictus, to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games, South Africa has become a lead actor on the world’s stage. What is most striking about this beautiful nation is that the South African natural landscape is as compelling as the journey through the places shaping … Read more Read more
Africa Experiences History
The 5 Most Breathtaking Attractions in Morocco
By Ivanka YurchenkoIt’s hard to imagine a more versatile and exuberant land that is filled with all kinds of experiences than Northern Africa. With piles of treasures, dozens of snake charmers, and endless glasses of flavorful mint tea, there’s no better place to immerse yourself into the vibrant mix of African and … Read more Read more
Africa Architecture History The Arts
From Virginia’s Fort Monroe to Namibia’s Swakopmund and Mondesa districts
A very talented musical group in Mondesa greets us with beautiful sounds. Photo: Ian Fitzpatrick Today, World Footprints will explore elements of American history from small towns and historic hotels to Fort Monroe. We’ll also visit the shanty town of Mondesa which sits just outside of Swakopmund, Namibia. There we … Read more Read more
Africa Experiences History
South Africa beyond safari to student exchanges, conservation and Nelson Mandela’s legacy
As the world remembers Nelson Mandela on the anniversary of his death, Tonya and Ian travel full circle from their law careers to South Africa, a destination they hold close to their hearts. (Hint: they honeymooned there). World Footprints shares the lasting legacy of Mandela as it showcases other sides … Read more Read more
Africa Study or Teach Abroad Conservation
The Glory of Marrakesh
By Jackie JonesFrom breathtaking palaces to ancient tombs, a visit to Marrakesh is a Moroccan dream vacation for any traveler. Located at the crossroads of what were once North African caravan routes in the High Atlas Mountains foothills, this is a city of glorious beauty and significance. As it is a major … Read more Read more
Africa Architecture History
An Artistic Journey through Africa
World Footprints revisits South Africa to explore the country that Nelson Mandela built and we’ll cross the border into Eritrea. Our journey will take us through the world of fine art and will focus on the transformative power of art with Martin Britz, President and Founder of Soweto Fine Art, … Read more Read more
Africa History The Arts
When Travel Goes Bad: Death in Africa
By Richard BangsWhile scouting for the first descent of the Baro River in Ethiopia, a tributary of the White Nile, I heard about a Peace Corps volunteer, Bill Olsen, 25, a recent graduate of Cornell, who decided to take a dip in the river at Gambella, a village near the South Sudan … Read more Read more
Africa Adventure Off the Beaten Path
Youssou N’Dour: Answering a Familiar Call
By Stephen HoukIt’s no secret. Music has always been a passionate harbinger of change and social activism. But perhaps no single musician has had a bigger influence on a bigger audience than the brilliant Senegalese musician/percussionist/activist Youssou N’Dour. Read more
Africa History Literature & Music The Arts
In Step with Fela! Yeah-yeah!
By Tonya FitzpatrickAfter thrilling audiences on three continents, FELA!, a three-time Tony Award winning powerhouse production, has arrived at Washington, DC’s Shakespeare Theatre to kick-off its U.S. tour. Read more
Africa Events & Festivals The Arts
LEGACY SHOW: Sustainability in Africa with Novus International from the US-Africa Summit
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel’n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Tonya and Ian enjoy a conversation with Thad Simons and Ellen Dierenfeld from Novus International to talk about the sustainable practices that they are incorporating in Africa. Thad … Read more Read more
Africa Events & Festivals Sustainability
LEGACY SHOW: Live from the US-Africa Summit – South African Airways
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel’n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Tonya and Ian enjoy a conversation with Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of North America for South African Airways. Marc stopped by to talk to us during our … Read more Read more
Africa Events & FestivalsThe Fitzpatrick’s South African Honeymoom
World Footprints hosts, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick, share their wonderful honeymoon in South Africa. From Robben Island to Nelson Mandela Square they traveled along the historical road to freedom. The still were shot even before the Fitzpatrick's embarked on a new career in travel journalism. Thoughts of storytelling were not … Read more Read more
Africa Experiences