Even the most driven people in the world sometimes need a break.
Lewis Hamilton has been sharing details about a “life-changing" two-week trip to Africa on social media, talking about how transformative and “humbling” the experience has been.
The Formula One star's journey included stops in Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, and featured interactions with local tribes, wildlife spotting, dune buggy rides in the desert, impromptu singalongs in the bush and warm welcomes at every turn.
“These past two weeks have been some of the best days of my entire life. I’m not the same man I was before this trip, all the beauty, love, and peacefulness I experienced has me feeling fully transformed,” the sporting star wrote on Instagram.
The trip was extremely personal for Hamilton, who said he was “finally tracing my roots through Africa”. Hamilton’s father is British with West Indian ancestry and Hamilton’s interactions with local African tribes such as the Pokot people of Kenya clearly resonated deeply.
“My ancestors and so many others had their beautiful culture interrupted and destroyed when they were stolen from their home and brought to the Caribbean as slaves. I am so grateful to have been able to gain a deeper understanding of where I come free,” he wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of tribespeople performing a traditional dance.
Travellers to Africa often find themselves captivated by the continent’s wide open spaces, incredible natural beauty, unparalleled wildlife and warm, welcoming people.
So here’s how to holiday in Africa like Hamilton.
Hot-air ballooning in Namibia
Infinite stretches of red-hued desert, kilometres of unspoilt coastline, the world’s second-largest canyon, prehistoric fossils, dramatic dolomite rock formations and eerie ghost towns are only some of the attractions that make Namibia so enticing. Solitude and silence abound in one of Africa’s lesser-explored destinations.
Hamilton started his African journey in Namibia, calling it “one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. Words and pictures do not do it justice.” He spent time exploring the Namib desert, which extends for 1,900 kilometres along the Atlantic coast of Africa, from Angola to South Africa.
A smiling Hamilton is pictured driving a buggy across a desert expanse and posing for pictures in front of towering sand dunes. He described a hot-air balloon ride as “surreal” since it involved a rather unusual finale.
“We had to land sideways which is definitely something I’ll never forget,” Hamilton said, alongside an image of three enormous hot air balloons tilted on their sides.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
There are about 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif, a volcanic range spanning Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With limited permits granted each day for gorilla-spotting treks, this is a bucket-list experience for many.
For the second stop in his African odyssey, Hamilton headed to Rwanda, where he went gorilla trekking. He is seen hiking through lush green fields and stopping to engage with a group of young children who are completely unaware of their brush with celebrity, before coming face to face with a troop of gorillas, including a majestic silverback.
“How does one describe such an experience that leaves you so speechless? What a sight it was to see them in their natural habitat relaxed and protected by the community around them. This is where they should be, in their own homes free to live their lives in peace. It was a profound and truly moving experience. I’m in love with this country,” Hamilton said.
Costing about $1,500 per person per day, gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda can last from between 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2,500 metres and 4,000 metres. Ten per cent of the revenue from permits is channelled towards local communities, to build schools and health centres, as well as roads.
Meeting local tribes in Kenya
Interacting with tribespeople from Kenya’s Pokot tribe was clearly an emotional experience for Hamilton.
“I spent time with the Pokot people in Kenya and just to be in their presence was one thing... To be welcomed was something different entirely and a massive honour I don’t take lightly. The way I felt here is how I feel with my family back at home. We are all family, anyway. I’ll carry this experience, and all my other memories from Kenya and from this journey as a whole, in my heart forever.”
The Pokot people live in West Pokot and Baringo counties in Kenya, and are one of the smallest tribes in the country. They remain totally dependent on their livestock, and their survival in the harsh surrounds of Kenya’s northern lands is remarkable. Women adorn themselves in large, colourful beaded neckpieces, while men don beads, ostrich feathers and metal embellishments.
Hamilton, who is known for his daring fashion sense, was clearly taken by the styling he encountered during his trip, making his appreciation for all facets of the culture apparent.
In one Instagram story, he is seen posing with two women wearing vibrant, multicoloured ensembles. “Was so into their clothes that I asked to take a photo with these women. The colours and patterns were so beautiful, even more so up close in person.”
Visits to animal sanctuaries
The opportunity to get up close to wildlife is a primary driver for many visitors to Africa.
From safari experiences that allow encounters with large mammals and big cats in the wild, to more intimate interactions at animal sanctuaries and opportunities to learn about the conservation efforts unfolding across the continent, there are unlimited opportunities to engage with the natural world.
Hamilton embraced them all. Beyond his encounters with the gorillas in Rwanda, there are also pictures of him on game drives, watching elephants from a hide and stroking a baby giraffe at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
Owned by the Samburu community, the sanctuary in northern Kenya predominantly takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves, with the aim of releasing them back into the wild.
Hamilton expressed his enthusiasm for the work they are doing. “Thank you to the wonderful people at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary for not only hosting us, but more importantly, dedicating their time to rescue, research and conservation. They're the first indigenous, community-owned and run sanctuary in Africa and the work they do for these animals should be an inspiration to us all," he said.
“This was a truly centring experience, one that reinforces that we all share this planet. We’re not above animals, we’re with them. More often, we’re guests in their homes. Every day in the motherland is more beautiful than the last. Much love, Kenya.”
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Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
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- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
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The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
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%3Cp%3EDate%20started%3A%20January%202022%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Omar%20Abu%20Innab%2C%20Silvia%20Eldawi%2C%20Walid%20Shihabi%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20PropTech%20%2F%20investment%3Cbr%3EEmployees%3A%2040%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Multiple%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
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Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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Engine: Duel electric motors
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1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
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She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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Director: S Sashikanth
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Star rating: 2/5
