As demand for African safaris continues to rise, and peak-season availability tightens across southern and East Africa, travel experts are encouraging guests to consider booking during one of the continent’s most overlooked windows: shoulder and green seasons. “Many travellers look first at weather charts and migration calendars when they’re booking an African safari, but this…
Little Switzerland Resort, an affordable family-friendly resort nestled at the foot of the Northern Drakensberg, has transitioned to a fully all-inclusive resort model – marking a strategic repositioning as it seeks to strengthen its appeal within South Africa’s domestic and regional tourism market. What was once a tea garden in the early 1900s, Little Switzerland…
Nostalgia is a very powerful travel driver, with younger travellers heading back to the places where the familiar streets, routines and the smell of coconut suntan lotion beckon. Globally, the trend is booming. A recent United Kingdom study found that 82% of Gen Z and 75% of millennials are returning to destinations from childhood holidays.…
It usually begins with optimism. Someone drops a message into the group chat: “We should all go to (insert dream destination) away this year.” Within minutes, the chat lights up. There are destination suggestions, screenshots of flight deals, links to boutique hotels and the occasional overly ambitious shared document outlining a potential itinerary. Then the…
Following its initial introduction last year, Steenberg Hotel & Spa reintroduces its Rest & Reset Wellness Retreat for 2026 with a refined and more intimate approach designed for deeper impact and genuine restoration. Set against the vineyards and mountain slopes of the Constantia Valley, this four-day, three-night immersive retreat invites a small and intimate group…
Sitting side by side in one luxe sustainably appointed space, East City Grill, an elevated contemporary South African steakhouse with Asian sensibility and umami, and Yakiniku – an intimate, interactive and meat-centric Japanese-style grill house – are Cape Town’s East City Precinct’s two new sister restaurants. They bring fire, flavour and the best of South…
The year has barely begun, yet many people already feel like they need a holiday. The emails are back. The pace is relentless. The pressure to ‘hit the ground running’ sets in before there has been any real chance to recover from the year before. It is a familiar feeling, and one that research increasingly…
In a crowded endurance cycling calendar, Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race has chosen a different path: smaller, curated and deliberately immersive. Now in its sixth year, the Tankwa Karoo gravel event returns in May 2026 with just 100 rider slots available, maintaining the intentionally capped format that has helped establish it as one of South Africa’s…
The Living Journey Collection, a portfolio of eight boutique hotels located at some of South Africa’s most desirable addresses across Cape Town, the Winelands and Hermanus, has introduced a new guest experience offering in collaboration with ARTROUTE, a Cape Town–based specialist art and design private guide agency. Designed for culturally curious travellers, art aficionados and…
A juvenile male meerkat is set to begin his journey back to the wild at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, marking another meaningful ‘flight to freedom’ for the reserve’s wildlife rehabilitation programme. The young meerkat was originally discovered alone on a farm in the Northern Cape, found next to the roadside with no mother or family…
As thousands of cyclists prepare for the Cape Town Cycle Tour taking place on 8 March, many are figuring out how to get themselves and their bicycles safely to Cape Town. FlySafair, South Africa’s most on-time airline, has put together a simple, practical guide to help riders transport their bikes with confidence. Whether you’re a…
For many, the concept of wellness travel immediately conjures up images of relaxation and spa beds in natural settings. Considering the digital-led lives people lead today, however; wellness travel is evolving to address digital overload and the need to step away from an always-on world. As such, mindful travel is becoming more about disconnecting from…
Situated within the stunning Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind, the Bothongo WonderCave invites visitors to descend into one of South Africa’s most breathtaking underground wonders. This vast, single-chamber cave offers an unforgettable experience with no crawling required – just awe-inspiring natural…
La Motte celebrates bread in all its traditional and original beauty and invites you to join in for a very special and intimate Milling & Baking Experience. Join us in the La Motte Bakery for coffee and croissants before exploring the estate’s gardens and charming historic water mill with head baker Ricardo, introducing the importance…
A layover at OR Tambo International doesn’t have to mean hours of waiting around. Just a short shuttle ride from the airport, Radisson Hotel Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport offers travellers a convenient base to rest, refresh and explore Johannesburg before their next flight, with access to both a peaceful retreat and some nearby attractions. “Travellers…
Most women have been planning their wedding for years. Long before the man. Long before the ring. Long before the venue. Colours chosen, décor imagined, favours decided. It all felt certain then. But time changes things. Styles evolve. Tastes mature. And what felt right a decade ago doesn’t always reflect who you are now. Add…
RIU Hotels & Resorts has opened its new jewel in the Indian Ocean: Hotel Riu Palace Swahili. Located in the premier area of Nungwi, in the north of Zanzibar, this 5-star hotel becomes the chain’s third hotel in Tanzania. The adults-only hotel marks two significant milestones for the company in this region, taking standards of…
The long wait is finally over. Vergelegen Wine Estate’s vast, one-hectare sunflower field is a blaze of golden yellow, signalling the start of the Somerset West estate’s annual sunflower season. The sunflowers should dazzle visitors until the end of February, weather permitting. Fans of these large, vibrant blooms ‒ which traditionally symbolise warmth, positivity and…
More travellers are choosing African safaris for their next holiday – and while AI tools and online sites can assist travellers in planning a trip, there are many overlooked details that can drastically impact the overall experience. Sam Wenger, founder of the modern Africa guide and travel agency RefinedRoutes, says the best journeys are designed…
The Kingdom of Eswatini has launched a beautifully crafted new Destination Brochure, marking its first major print showcase of the country in five years and signalling a renewed push to elevate Eswatini’s presence on the international tourism stage. A brand-new Accommodation & Tourism Directory has also been developed, with annual updates planned. Rich in inspiration…
South Africa is redefining romance clichés. Wild landscapes, ultra-luxe hideaways and heart-pounding adventures set the stage for love stories that demand a headline, not just a hashtag. Whether it is a clandestine stroll on a windswept beach, a moonlit safari under a thousand stars, or a night in a historic retreat, South Africa’s most captivating…
Tucked away on the banks of the Okavango River in northeastern Namibia, Ngepi Camp is one of southern Africa’s most delightfully unconventional safari destinations. Situated near Divundu and just a short drive from the renowned Bwabwata National Park, Ngepi offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional lodge experience: trading marble foyers for river reeds, and…
A bestseller for over 30 years, Lundy’s Best Walks in the Cape Peninsula was last revised in 2012. For this new edition, all routes have been re-walked and updated, and defunct routes have been replaced with new hikes. Full-colour maps and new colour photographs accompany each of the 30 walks. Walks range from challenging climbs…
Proposing in February – the culturally romanticised month of love and often centred around Valentine’s Day – has become almost predictable, with many engagements taking place on 14 February. The moment often follows a similar routine, too – one reinforced by films, advertisements and social media: red roses, candlelit dinners and a ring appearing somewhere…
The winners of the inaugural Defender Awards have been announced, with conservation and humanitarian projects around the world receiving a tough and capable Defender 4×4, a £100 000 bursary and mentoring support from a community of experts. The original British adventure brand launched the Defender Awards to recognise heroes across four categories: land, wild, humanity…
Immerse yourself – your senses, your thoughts, your curiosity – in a landscape transformed by light… Returning for the eight edition, Spier Light Art once again illuminates the farm with works that glow, glimmer, shift and surprise. From 6 March to 6 April 2026, form takes centre stage: light that bends, morphs and dances across…
Construction of the 22-hectare Serenity Gardens, which includes a world-record labyrinth and a series of immersive garden experiences, is well underway and set to redefine the Midlands landscape. Alongside this landmark project, Brahman Hills is also launching the next phase in its journey of refinement and elevation: the introduction of 5-star Premium Signature Villas. Four…
Enduata Camps has unveiled its Wild Wakati Camp: a laid-back, immersive, tented safari experience in the heart of the Serengeti. Surrounded by a wealth of iconic African wildlife, it sits at the heart of a key stage of the Great Migration. Wild Wakati is now open and will operate year-round, offering an intimate camp with…
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa introduces a new way to arrive in Zanzibar, where the journey becomes part of the experience. Guests are invited to discover the island from the air with a 20-minute helicopter flight from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to Zanzibar’s southeast coast. For those wishing to linger in the…
The newly released 9th edition of the Bradt Malawi Guide marks an important milestone for Malawi’s tourism sector, reaffirming the country’s position as one of Africa’s most rewarding and authentic travel destinations. Published by Bradt Travel Guides, the new edition continues a longstanding tradition as the only standalone practical travel guidebook dedicated to Malawi produced…
