Image: iStock
As the year winds to a close, the month of December provides an opportunity for relaxation and relief from all the daily engagements that many have become accustomed to. It is a month when travel hits its peak season with families, couples, and individuals looking for that perfect getaway spot.
With the scramble for available bookings to places like Barcelona, London, Rome, and other famous cities, prices of airfares are certain to go through the roof, with limited bookings available for tourists and those looking to travel. While these options dominate travel lists, other lesser-known options quietly offer authentic, scenic, and beautiful holiday experiences.
In Africa and the Caribbean, several vibrant cities and destinations offer tourists an opportunity to experience a wide range of activities that are sure to spice up their December plans and ensure their holiday activities are both memorable and worth every penny spent.
Here are a couple of African and Caribbean cities to explore this December.
Kamalame Cay, the Bahamas
Located in the Bahamas, off the northeast coast of Andros, Kamalame Cay is a beautiful island that offers breathtaking oceanic adventure while attracting visitors with its stunning natural beauty, which includes lush green palms, resplendent sunsets, clear blue skies, and turquoise water filled with every exotic sea creature to behold. A privately secured island, Kamalame Cay, can be accessed by private ferry or seaplane.
Source: Kamalame Cay
Guests are introduced to the best of Bahamian cuisine along with wines and spirits to tickle the taste buds and ensure a wholesome dining experience. For visitors eager to explore the beauty of its ocean depths, the island provides special programs for diving, fishing, snorkelling, and beach rides.
Bird watching is another exciting activity visitors can hope to enjoy. The wide variety of birdlife, which includes pelicans, herons, cranes, among many others is ever-present to add beauty to the experience.
Bluefields, Jamaica
Kingston, Montego Bay, and Negril come to mind when looking to visit the beautiful nation of Jamaica. But among these recognized cities, Bluefield over on the south coast, also offers visitors an exciting experience of the Caribbean.
Source: BLUEFIELDS BAY VILLAS & SUITES – Hotel Reviews & Photos – Tripadvisor
From deep-sea fishing to diving tours as well as boat cruises, the city offers visitors a fun-filled activity that ensures an unforgettable experience. Visitors can also take a tour through Bluefields organic fruit farm to have a first-hand experience of Jamaica’s agricultural journey while also enjoying the very best of coconuts, raspberries, star apples, pineapples, as well as other organic products, which you can enjoy wherever.
Nevis, St Kitts and Nevis
Famous for its mist-filled inactive volcanoes and mountains, Nevis is a great destination for those looking to spend their December hiking through beautiful mountain terrains or exploring the allure of inactive volcanoes.
Source: All About St Kitts And Nevis | St Kitts | Official Site
The Island also boasts some beautiful beaches, which remain uncrowded, offering a measure of privacy and quiet for those looking to escape the noise of city life. The beach is also a turtle nesting ground. Beach rides and snorkelling are also available for those interested in doing a bit of exploration. One is also welcome to explore the numerous hiking trails and catch a view of the animal life, like wild donkeys, green vervet monkeys, and spectacular waterfalls.
Bazaruto, Mozambique
An Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, Bazaruto provides tourists with a sense of feeling that they are in the Caribbean with its clear turquoise waters and beautiful white sands. The island’s beauty and ecological life are worth exploring. Home to several aquatic wildlife species, its coral reef is bustling with dolphins, turtles, whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, and the rare Dugong (sea cow) species.
Source: Mozambique | Bazaruto Archipelago | New island resorts | CN Traveller
Tourists can engage in a variety of fun-filled water activities like scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, dhow boating as well and snorkelling. Arriving in early December provides a great opportunity to go snorkelling with whale sharks.
Santo Antao, Cape Verde
This beautiful island city is home to several rugged canyons, gorges, and valleys, which is a great place for hiking this December, as the northeast part of the island is filled with a forest of pine trees, tropical plants, as well as a welcoming village ready to provide you with an experience of their culture.
Source: Santo Antão travel – Lonely Planet | Cabo Verde, Africa
With no known airport, Santo Antao can only be accessed by ferry, and once there, tourists can either visit the many businesses offering hiking service or seek the less adventurous approach and hire a vehicle to explore the beautiful, lush vegetation or drive through the coastal roads that provide access to the gorges and ravines. With landscapes regularly changing with every turn, tourists are sure to enjoy the peaceful yet stunning beauty of nature at Santo Antao.
Saly, Senegal
For that ideal holiday in December, Saly in Senegal provides an experience that is different from the regular beach holiday destination. Originally a Portuguese trading port, this seaside resort town became a favourite amongst French and Belgian vacationers. With its warm sunny skies and cool evenings in December, the exquisite palm-backed and sand beaches are perfect for water sports and horseback rides.
Source: Saly | The Senegal Guide
Tourists can also take advantage of playing golf, enjoying the various cuisines, or shopping at the various hotels, restaurants, and shops around the town, all at affordable rates. Visitors can also take a trip to the nearby Bandia Reserve, where they can catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, such as giraffes and zebras.
Read also: FunTimes Magazine | Teranga: Unraveling Senegal’s Unique Essence of Hospitality
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
