Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations that are Visa-free for Africans: Dominica

2. DOMINICA

Dominica (not the same as Dominican Republic) has been fondly called “Nature’s Island” because of its rich untouched natural features. From the lush rainforests to the mountains, waterfalls and volcanic wonders, Dominica has everything a tourist needs to rejuvenate the mind and body.

If you are tired of all the hustle and bustle of civilization and need to get in touch with nature, Dominica is the place for you.

10 Interesting facts about Dominica

1. Dominica is a mountainous Island of volcanic origin also  known as “Nature’s Island” because of its rich untouched features such as the lush mountain peaks, tropical rain forest, natural warm springs and other beauties of nature. This island is more vertical than horizontal in landscape.

2. Dominica is one of the “youngest” Caribbean islands as it is still evolving due to it’s active geothermal activity. (They say it’s just about 26 million years old!)

3. Dominica has 365 rivers that give you the thrills of river-bathing, canyoning and river tubing in cool and clear water.

4. Dominica’s beaches still have a strong reminder of its volcanic origins as most beaches are stone or whitish grey to black sand.

5. The Kalinago are Dominica’s native people and are resident on the east coast of the Island. Their language is the Kalinago language and originally named the Island “Waitukubuli”.

6. Dominica gained it’s Independence from the British on November 3, 1978. The culture  of Dominica is influenced by a blend of African and European cultures.

7. Dame Eugenia Charles was Dominica’s Prime Minister from 1980 to 1995, making her the first female Prime Minister in the Americas.

8. Dominica is home to the second largest boiling lake in the world. Located in the Valley of Desolation, the boiling lake is actually the place where “volcano meets water”. The lake is a body of bubbling greyish-blue water covered by a cloud of vapour.

9. Dominica is known as the Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean. There is a 90% chance you’ll spot whales and dolphins during a whale watching excursion.

10. Dominica has 167 recorded species of birds including the most famous birds of the Dominica- the Sisserou Parrot and the Jaco (Red Necked) parrot. The Sisserou Parrot is Dominica’s National Bird which is on the country’s flag.

11 Things to do in Dominica

1. Go on a diving trip in the Champagne Reef.

2. Go on a whale watching tour.

3. Visit the Botanical garden.

4. Take a trip to the Cabrits National Park beyond the town of Portsmouth. The park is a preserved area of tropical forests, coral reefs and wetlands.

5. Cool off in the green Emerald Pool whose water comes from a 40foot waterfall in Trois Piton National Park..

6. Explore the Middleham Falls and Titou Gorge in Wotten Waven

7. Take a hike to the Valley of Desolation to experience the terrain influenced by volcanic forces plus the Boiling Lake in Wotten Waven.

8. Go hiking the Waitukubuli National Trail.

9. Go hiking to experience the twin Trafalgar Waterfalls in Wotten Waven.

10. After all that hiking what could be better than a relaxing soak in the Natural warm springs in Wotten Waven. Wotten Waven is home to natural hot sulphur springs and mud pools with therapeutic benefits.

11. Go on a Bird Watching Tour in the Northern part of Dominica. Some of the species on the Island are the Broad-winged Hawk, Humming birds, Magnificent Frigate bird, Siffleur Montagne (Mountain Whistler), Barn Owl and sea birds like Brown Noddy, Laughing Gull, Caribbean Brown Pelican among many others.

Events Calendar in Dominica 

January to March is the best time for whale watching in Dominica.

May : Hike Fest by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association involves weekly hikes ( with varying difficulty) held every Saturday in May.

July: Dive Fest is an annual event organized by Dominica Watersports Association with an aim to educate people about scuba diving. Activities that take place during Dive Fest are Swimming races, Kayaking racing, Pwi Pwi races, the Kubuli Canoe race, Beach Barbeques (Jing Ping Ting), Kids Snorkel Treasure Hunt and Whale Watching.

Note: Confirm the hurricane season (August to September) with your Travel Agent, so you’ll be armed with information. Dominica has an active history of hurricanes.