I love to travel to Comoros, a volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar. It's the clearest seawater I've seen in Africa. I also love the island state for its breathtaking landscapes, which have been hardly touched by tourism. The climate here is tropical year-round, making it perfect for a vacation away from the crowds.

Those who love luxurious tourism offerings should visit Mauritius. The island country in the Indian Ocean has many upscale hotels with private beaches and spacious facilities. It's not only an exciting mix of Africa and Asia in the cultural sense, but the scenery is very diverse too, with rainforests, mountains, stunning beaches and impressive waterfalls.

Although it's now very popular with tourists, the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar is still one of my favorite destinations. Apart from the beautiful beaches, you have to visit Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. Here you can get a feel for the island's culture while walking through walk through its narrow alleys — every evening there is delicious street food at the Forodhani Food Market.

The last islands on my list, this time in the West African Gulf of Guinea, are Sao Tome and Principe, home to just over 200,000 people. Surprisingly, the islands are largely undiscovered by tourists — it's also not easy to get there, as few flights are offered.

It's not difficult to find flights from abroad to the popular tourist destination of Cape Town. The port city on the southwest coast of South Africa is located on a peninsula dominated by the impressive Table Mountain. Although it's not exactly a hidden gem, I live here and love it: Where else can you surf in the morning, go climbing in the afternoon and visit a vineyard in the evening?

"The smiling coast of Africa" lives up to its name. In The Gambia, it's easy to meet friendly people and relax on great beaches — there is also good tourism infrastructure. The nickname "smiling coast" also has a geographical meaning: When you look at Africa's smallest non-island country from above, its shape reminds you of a smile.

The people of Sudan are incredibly kind. A Sudanese friend of mine jokingly calls it "aggressive friendliness," as one is constantly invited for tea. Few tourists travel here, however, as many governments do not recommend it due to armed conflicts in parts of the country. If you do come to Sudan, don’t miss the Meroe Nubian pyramids, which are smaller than those in Egypt but no less impressive.

The vast and sparsely populated country in southwest Africa is home to the impressive Namib Desert with its high sand dunes. A trip through the country is great, but be prepared for the long drives. Namibia is also popular with safari tourists, as it is home to a variety of animal species.

If you are looking for adventure rather than peace and quiet, you should visit the city of Lagos in Nigeria, home to around 20 million people. It is loud, hectic and stressful, but the cultural scene is vibrant, with lots of galleries, fashion and music. I recommend the New Afrika Shrine music venue, where Fela Kuti's son Femi often plays with his band.

Maputo, the capital of Mozambique in southeast Africa, has a very special charm. Mozambican culture, Eastern Bloc architecture and well-preserved buildings from the Portuguese colonial period can all be found in this fascinating place. Those who find it too stressful can head to one of the beautiful beaches nearby.

The homes near Kenya's Lake Naivasha are as colorful as the millions of flowers grown there each year. Known as the "flower bed of Africa," the area north of the country's capital, Nairobi, exports cut roses, carnations and other blooms around the world. The industry is central to the country's economy. But it has a dark side too.

Kenya is the world's fourth largest exporter of cut flowers. Fertile soil, plentiful sunshine and abundant water make Lake Naivasha the perfect spot for cultivating blossoms. Over 50 companies have set up on its shores. Chemicals and pesticides have polluted the water but the cut flower businesses say they're not to blame.

Still, in 2009, the lake nearly dried out and the fish population plummeted, thanks to flower farms on the shore, which were constantly diverting lake water to their greenhouses, according to locals. It took over a year for fish stocks to begin regenerating.

Although stringent regulations were introduced for companies after 2009, local fishing communities remain suspicious of the flower businesses that have sprouted on the lake's shores. They believe that chemicals are still seeping into the water. The companies deny this, but most won't allow DW access to their greenhouses.

DW was allowed to visit the Oserian Flower Farm. Germany's international development agency, GIZ, advises the business on how it can make its operations greener. Oserian says it doesn't drain waste water into the lake, but reuses it in its greenhouses. It also has a "Fairtrade" label.

The flower farm, which employs around 6,000 people, also says it uses half the industry standard amount of insecticides. They use beetles instead, like in this picture, showing an Oserian employee deploying the critters to eat any pests they may find on the roses.

Speaking of roses, Kenyan grown ones are especially popular in the European Union where a third are bought. Most of the flowers are purchased in Germany and the United Kingdom. Although, outside of the EU, Kenyan flowers are also a favorite in the US and Russia.

Morgan Freeman (far right) launched his career in acting with the 1970s educational series "The Electric Company." The humorous show also featured Bill Cosby (second from left) and was directed at an audience of school children learning key language skills. It is said, however, that Freeman does not look back kindly on those early years of light entertainment and sketch comedy.

Morgan Freeman had his silver screen debut playing opposite Robert Redford in "Brubaker." The movie was loosely based on a prison scandal from 1967, detailing forced labor, corruption, rape and extrajudicial killings at Arkansas penitentiaries at the time. Freeman's performance as a deranged inmate showcased his refined acting skills at this early point in his career.

One of the roles that Freeman is best remembered for is "Driving Miss Daisy," which went on to score numerous awards. Freeman himself was nominated for an Oscar for best actor and won a Golden Globe award in the same category. The film explores shades of racism in the Deep South, spanning from the years immediately after World War II to the height of the civil rights movement.

Freeman considers his role in "Street Smart" the pivotal moment of his career. He was nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe for playing a pimp trying to strike a deal with a reporter, portrayed by the late Christopher Reeve. Critics lauded the movie as one of the most immersive film experiences of the 1980s — thanks in no small part to Freeman's performance.

Freeman could not escape typecasting when it came to his supporting role in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." He plays Azeem, sidekick to the famed altruist of Sherwood Forest, portrayed by Kevin Costner. Despite receiving praise for Freeman's performance, the film got mixed reviews at the time of its release. In the end, however, the film became a vehicle to propel both actors' careers.

Considered one of the best movies of the 1990s, "The Shawshank Redemption" brought together two of the tallest actors in Hollywood: Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. The film is as much of a feel-good movie as a prison story can be, with an elaborate plot that takes the audience on a 142-minute journey through the realities of incarceration in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Starring opposite Brad Pitt in "Seven," Morgan Freeman played the role of a near-retirement-age cop investigating a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins from the Old Testament. Part psycho-thriller and part neo-noir, the genre-bending film was a big success at the box office and with critics alike. Freeman proved how he had matured as an actor over the previous 15 years.

Having paid his dues in supporting roles, Morgan Freeman displayed the full scope of authority and poise only he can demand with his stunning performance as US President Tom Beck in "Deep Impact." The movie chronicles the approach of a comet threatening to extinguish all life on Earth. Freeman's performance makes for gripping storytelling, complementing the movie's outstanding special effects.

Freeman played God in "Bruce Almighty" in a role that brilliantly combined his famous gravitas with his more light-hearted nature. The film tells the story of Bruce Nolan (played by Jim Carrey) trying to gain back control of his life using God's powers — awarded to him by the Almighty himself. Freeman reprised the same role four years later in "Evan Almighty," which follows a similar pattern.

Older and wiser, Freeman started embracing the kinds of roles that would have him playing mentor figures. In "Million Dollar Baby" he coaches a female boxer (played by Hillary Swank), who eventually reaches the top of her game — only to come to a tragic end. The movie performed remarkably well and reaped numerous accolades, with Freeman winning an Oscar as best supporting actor.

Getting Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman to star alongside each other is a real treat for any bonafide movie enthusiast. But to see them take on such difficult subjects as terminal illness and unfulfilled desires with humor and spirit makes "The Bucket List" one of the best movies of its time.

Another career highlight for Morgan Freeman: In 2010, he got to play South African President Nelson Mandela in "Invictus," earning another Oscar nomination. The movie is set right after the end of apartheid, as Mandela tries to get the nation to back the traditionally white-dominated sport of rugby for the World Cup.

Freeman's supporting role as Sheik Ilderim in the epic international remake of "Ben Hur" shows his versatility and experience. He exudes a distinct notion of power as the mentor of Judah Ben-Hur (played by Jack Huston). The movie unfortunately bombed at the box office, in part due to it being Hollywood's fifth attempt at adapting Lew Wallace's 1880 novel.

Morgan Freeman seems to get even better with age. In the heist comedy "Going in Style," Freeman robs a bank after his pension is canceled. Hilarious and gripping at the same time, Freeman demonstrates his prowess as a multifaceted performer once more.

As he turns 85, Freeman's distinctive deep voice remains a highlight in various productions. He's shown here in a still from the 2021 Amazon sci-fi TV series "Solos," where he plays the role of a patient in an Alzheimer's facility, who turns out to be a memory thief.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first elected woman leader of an African state. As president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, she worked to fight unemployment, national debt, and Ebola. Johnson Sirleaf won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to security and the rights of women. Today she chairs a UN High-Level Panel on Migration in Africa.

Sahle-Work Zewde is the president of Ethiopia since October 2018. The role is considered largely ceremonial as power lies with the prime minister and the Council of Ministers. Zewde's election is considered a great step forward in Ethiopia, where men dominate politics and business. Half of the Ethiopian cabinet is made up of women.

Louise Mushikiwabo, the former foreign minister of Rwanda, becomes Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie in 2019. Mushikiwabo was elected despite the fact that Rwanda replaced French with English as the main language for administration, business and education a decade ago. Her appointment is seen as a diplomatic triumph, supported by the French president.

Nigerian Amina Mohammed has been deputy secretary general of the United Nations since January 2017. She had worked with the UN on the Millennium Development Goals from 2002 to 2005, Mohammed later served as special advisor to the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and worked for a year as Nigeria's environment minister under President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Namibia, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has led the government since March 2015, when she became the first woman to do so. She previously served as finance minister, pursuing the ambitious goal of reducing the national debt. The economist has been a member of Namibia's National Assembly since 1995.

Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's ex-president Jose dos Santos, is Africa's wealthiest woman. She amassed some of her wealth after her father made her director of the state-owned oil company in 2016. The new president of Angola dismissed her in one of his first official acts and initiated a corruption probe.

Jaynet Kabila, the twin sister of the Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and daughter of the former president Laurent Kabila, is known for her secrecy and diligence. She is a lawmaker who owns a television, Internet and radio company. In 2015, the French magazine Jeune Afrique declared her to be the most influential person in government.

Kamissa Camara, the youngest and first female foreign minister in the history of Mali, is a newcomer to foreign policy. The 35-year-old was appointed to cabinet by re-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and is now one of 11 women in a government comprised of 32 cabinet ministers.

Nigerian Folorunsho Alakija is worth $1.6 billion (€1.4 billion). The oil production in Nigeria country makes the owner of Famfa Oil the third richest person in the country. Forbes Magazine lists her among the richest people worldwide. The 67-year-old has a foundation that supports widows and orphans.

A Beninese military armored personnel carrier patrols the streets of Porga, a town on the border with Burkina Faso. The northern regions of Benin are now militarized due to numerous incursions by jihadist fighters. The latest attack took place on 26 June, 2022, when a police station in Dassari, in the Atacora department, was attacked by armed men who killed two police officers.

At checkpoints around of Porga, all vehicles are screened to prevent jihadist infiltration. Most of the attacks that hit Benin were claimed by the the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) jihadist alliance which is trying to expand its influence into the Gulf of Guinea countries.

The insecurity has directly threatened Father Igor Armand Kassah, a Catholic priest serving in the parish of Christ-Roi in Porga, who can no longer carry out his religious duties. Since December 2021, the area around Porga has suffered four attacks by extremists.

Dozens of seized motorbikes are parked outside the Beninese gendarmerie headquarters in Porga. Most belong to suspected jihadists. According to authorities, there have been hundreds of arrests of presumed militants since June 2021. Today, experts claim that extremist microcells may be recruiting among the local population.

Mounou Y'Moussa is the imam of Porga's central mosque and has already faced several threats from alleged extremists. According to him, the Islamic community has started suffering intimidation and some have been urged to fight. "Now everyone is afraid, and those who know something about jihadists do not have the bravery to come out and denounce them."

"Religion is exploited by criminal extremist groups who play on the resentment of marginalized and poor communities to extend their networks and further their illegal trafficking," explains Professor Oswald Padonou of the Beninese Association of Strategic and Security Studies (ABESS)

Porga is located within the buffer zone of the Pendjari National Park. It's an inaccessible area where jihadists have found a strategic shelter. The armed rangers of the South Africa-based organization African Parks, which manages the reserves, have been victims of attacks in recent months and are now engaged in military operations.

Benin's northern regions are the most affected by the climate crisis. Temperatures could rise by 2 degrees Celsius by 2060. Rainfall has decreased dramatically, soil erosion has increased and droughts are more frequent. Desertification is now a reality, as well as severe deforestation.

Tanguieta, a town in the Atacora department, is among the main urban agglomerations in northern Benin with a steadily increasing population, as evidenced by the average growth of 3% across the country. At the same time, water resources and fertile land are diminishing — increasing friction among communities.

Workers load a huge truckload of cotton just outside a village in Atacora. In recent years, Benin has become one of Africa's largest cotton producers. In 2021, production broke all previous records. This crop is driving deforestation, creating environmental damage and increasing social resentment.

A young Peul man leads his herd of zebu to graze in the Tounkountuna district. Transhumance for the semi-nomadic Peul has been getting harder. With land in short supply and water resources scarce, disputes with sedentary ethnic groups are escalating.

Simplice Mangopa is an experienced Wama ethnic farmer from the village of Boribansifa, south of Pendjari Park. In January 2022, he was directly involved in clashes with Peul community members. In recent years, an escalation of intercommunal violence has been recorded in north-central Benin. Since 2017, violent events in Benin have increased by 30%.

Simplice Mangopa examines a wound on his son, who was hit by a bullet during a clash in his village last January. "The Peul problem is a very urgent one. There is no longer enough land or water for everyone. The authorities assured us that they would find another place for the Peul, but I know it is not possible." Mangopa says.

In the Bona village of Tanguieta, a group of villagers settle a dispute under a large mango tree. Lack of resources and internal migration are changing ancient social relations. It is in this context that extremism seeks to expand, taking advantage of the absence of institutions in order to penetrate deeper into the region.