BOOK EXCERPT: Paradise found – A full-throttle view of Africa’s island treasures
Exploring more than 50 African islands means chartering flights in wonky planes with laissez-faire pilots and testing the seaworthiness of all manner of vessels, all while taking in the salt, sun and palms.
In this travelogue, author Justin Fox takes readers on a journey of discovery across more than 50 African islands. The adventure begins with visits to Atlantic isles like Madeira, St Helena, and São Tomé, before moving on to southern islands such as Robben, Dassen, and Ilha de Moçambique. The final leg of the journey takes readers to the Indian Ocean gems of Mauritius, Zanzibar, and Seychelles.
One of the key stops on the trip is the Quirimbas Archipelago, where Fox is shown around by Dave LePoidevin – a missionary and mercy pilot from Minnesota. Dave has been flying for the Mission Aviation Fellowship for over a decade and is chartered by Vamizi Lodge to explore the islands. The duo travels to Nampula Airport, where they load their aircraft, a pair of red-and-white Cessna 210s, and receive clearance for take-off.
As they soar above the clouds, Dave shares a brief lesson on flying, assuring Fox that it's easier than it seems. Once in the air, the two navigate around thick clouds, with Dave confidently guiding the plane between the stormy formations. After an hour and a half, they land near Ponta do Diablo, where they spot a small islet called Quipaco – the first of the Quirimbas Archipelago.
The experience is described as a mix of exhilaration and terror, reminiscent of Japanese dive-bomber pilots attacking Pearl Harbor, as the Cessna banks hard and tips into a steep dive to capture the moment.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
