Category: Nature

Bulbous plants produce some of the most striking natural floral displays and are among the crowning glories of Cape fynbos. With over 1 200 naturally occurring bulb species, the Cape Floristic Region is the undisputed bulb capital of the world and the source of many species now found growing in other parts of the world,…

Twenty-seven mature plane trees have found a new home at Brahman Hills, where they now form part of what is set to become one of South Africa’s most ambitious garden developments. At over 20 hectares, The Serenity Garden development in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is being designed on a scale rarely seen in private garden projects.…

Table Mountain has once again been nominated as Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards, with South Africans now being called on to help secure the title. Widely regarded as the travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the World Travel Awards recognise excellence across global tourism and hospitality. Table Mountain, recognised as…

Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, renowned for its stark beauty and abundant wildlife. Spanning more than 22 000 square kilometres in the semi-arid reaches of northern Namibia, it shelters a dazzling variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and other life forms, co-existing in a fragile ecosystem shaped by seasonal changes and…

Photographers, both professional and amateur, can start planning their shots: Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West will launch the fourth edition of its popular annual photography contest on 1 April. A provincial heritage site in Somerset West, Vergelegen offers immense potential for photographers. The estate’s dramatic mountain backdrop and tree-lined avenues provide endless opportunities for…

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…

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…

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…

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, as local and international visitors flock to Cape Town for the festive season. Based on tourist arrival stats released by the Department of Tourism in November, this will be a particularly busy season for all tourism operators.…

In the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, something extraordinary is taking root. Brahman Hills has officially broken ground on what is set to become the world’s largest labyrinth: a 22-hectare masterpiece that will anchor the venue’s new Serenity Garden and redefine South African ecotourism. But this isn’t the beginning of a garden story. It’s the…

At Shamwari, every arrival is special – but one guest was just a tiny bit more so… On 19 November, Shamwari Private Game Reserve welcomed a very unusual traveller: Mia, a spirited little meerkat who boarded her first-ever flight from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape. Her destination? Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC), where a…

Sky Guide Southern Africa is a practical resource for all stargazers, whether novice, amateur or professional. This annual guide highlights the cosmic events for each month of the upcoming year, including planetary movements, predicted eclipses and meteor showers. Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. Highlights…

Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has introduced a novel way to experience its rich heritage and award-winning wines: a guided walk through its historic core, with curated wine tastings that reflect the estate’s 325-year-old history at each stop. Guests start their journey in the Sundial Garden, guided by Arnoux Tredoux, manager of the Vergelegen…

As summer unfolds across the Constantia Valley, Steenberg Spa invites guests to reconnect with nature, with stillness and with themselves. The spa’s new summer menu, inspired by the rhythms of the season, celebrates the restorative power of simplicity and the healing energy of the natural world. Recognising its exceptional offering, the Michelin Guide, which has…

The popular WildED Holiday Camp is returning to Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh from 15 to 19 December. Hosted at the WILDED Learning Hub @ Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh, the WildED Holiday Camp gives children aged 8 to 13 years an unforgettable week of fun. Children are welcome to come for one day, a few days…

Southern Africa is a region rife in reward for the adventurous spirit. From the thunder of Victoria Falls and the stillness of Lake Malawi to the lively rhythms of Gaborone and the mist rolling off Lesotho’s Maluti Mountains. Home to some of the world’s most diverse landscapes and cultures, southern Africa is quietly becoming a…

One of South Africa’s most captivating garden lifestyle celebrations, Garden Town Stellenbosch, is running until 9 November 2025 – promising to dazzle garden lovers, green-fingered enthusiasts and families alike. Organised by Visit Stellenbosch, this flagship event features the expanded Stellenbosch Garden Show & Market: a vibrant, must-see highlight of the botanical celebration. Set against the…

Brahman Hills: The Making of a World-Class Garden, a richly layered, visually striking coffee table book, is now available in bookstores or can be purchased online. It tells the story of one of South Africa’s most remarkable gardens. From a forgotten Midlands motel to a Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden, the transformation is captured through…

Despite the winter chill settling in, a new symbol of peace is unfolding in Cape Town. A brand-new Rotary Peace Garden was officially launched on the final day of the Rotary Intercountry Committee (ICC) Africa Peace Forum, held from 25 to 27 April 2025. Tucked within the Long March to Freedom Bronze Statue Park in…

How this generation is rediscovering the beauty of art in nature Are art and sculptures relics of a bygone era, or does this generation simply engage them in a different way? Research suggests that millennials and Gen Z value participatory and engaging museum experiences, often seeking out art that fosters social interaction and personal connection.[1] It’s…

While much of the safari industry races from sighting to sighting, Stones Safaris is quietly redefining the game-drive experience with its immersive, small-group safaris in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Rooted in connection and authenticity, these game drives offer visitors a deeply personal way to explore the Greater Kruger wilderness – one quiet moment at a time.…

The African SAP User Group (AFSUG) is proud to announce a new partnership with ERP (Elephants, Rhinos & People), the non-profit organisation within the global Group Elephant collective of boutique services firms and software businesses. This collaboration aims to make a meaningful conservation impact beyond the SAP ecosystem and will be officially unveiled at AFSUG’s premier SAP user conference…