Tag: heritage

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…

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…

No braai is complete without a spoonful of sheba. This rich, tomato-and-onion relish – once made with just a few simple ingredients over open flames – has become a favourite braai staple to add depth and flavour to pap, grilled meats and vetkoek.  Wayne Blake, cluster general manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, says sheba…

A new exhibition at the Apartheid Museum titled: Grave Injustice: The Unfinished Business of the TRC, will open to the public on 24 September and highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and reparations since the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2003. Curated by the Apartheid Museum in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights,…

For Spier, change flows from practice to presentation, not the other way around. Quiet renewal is abundant on the Stellenbosch working farm, with many exciting projects on the go. March 2025 will welcome guests to the new Spier Hotel, an extensive transformation where contemporary Cape comfort meets rewilded indigenous gardens. The much-visited Cowshed Shop opened…

Celebrating its 10th year – and the 30th anniversary of the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) – My Body My Space: Public Arts Festival (MBMS) 2025 invites art-loving and day-tripping audiences to experience an extraordinary celebration of public art, featuring a selection of installations, site-specific performances, workshops and training programmes across Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga. From 10…

Step back in time, savour the present and create unforgettable memories at Kruger Station: the ultimate stop for dining, entertainment and family-friendly fun within the Skukuza Rest Camp. More than just a restaurant, Kruger Station is a vibrant, multi-sensory experience, celebrating the park’s rich railway heritage while offering visitors a modern, lively space to relax…

The year is well underway and it’s already time to start preparing for the Easter holidays! There’s no better place to book for a fun-filled family getaway than the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, with its warm weather, budget-friendly venues and great outdoor activities making this a memorable break. “It’s been a great start to the year…

Situated in the heart of the De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve in the Western Cape is arguably one of South Africa’s most perfect destinations for a weekend getaway: the De Hoop Collection. This premier member of Cape Country Routes offers a range of accommodation, a unique outdoor experience like no other – sea, beaches,…

Gondwana Collection Namibia invites travellers to discover a world where heritage meets contemporary elegance. Introducing The Ekipa: a stunning retreat that blends the raw beauty of Namibia’s wilderness with the rich traditions of African culture. Perched atop a hill amid the iconic mopane woodlands, The Ekipa is an exclusive sanctuary designed for two. Located just…

The Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve (WSNR), covering 14 properties (eight landowners) and spanning over 11 607 hectares of critical biodiversity, was officially declared on 17 January 2025. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) drove the formation of the WSNR, and this brand-new reserve in the Soutpansberg encompasses a Centre of Endemism, a recognised Key Biodiversity Area,…

Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, sustainability initiatives and rich heritage, has opened bookings for a new one-day, 13-kilometre guided hike. The first hike takes place on Saturday, 15 March and is thereafter offered twice a month, weather permitting. Hikers will enjoy access to areas of the 3 200-hectare property…

South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities have captivated the world. Yet, it’s the nation’s extraordinary people who truly embody the country’s soul. As global icons like Thebe Magugu and Thuso Mbedu make waves internationally, from revolutionary fashion designs to highly acclaimed acting performances, their hometowns continue to reflect the rich cultural tapestry that nurtured…

People are stepping away from the fast-paced lifestyle and enjoying more meaningful experiences that better connect with nature and local communities. In the travel world, this is being realised through the ‘slow travel’ trend, which encourages more mindful tourism centred on sustainability, culture and personal well-being. On the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – home to Blue…

Escape to the Drostdy Hotel in the heart of Graaff-Reinet, where two centuries of history meet modern luxury. Originally built in 1804, the Drostdy has undergone meticulous refinement over the years to become one of South Africa’s most beloved heritage hotels. This magnificent 48-room boutique 5-star hotel offers opulent accommodation, outstanding Karoo cuisine, an Africology…

Sanctuary Mandela, the private residence of the late former president Nelson Mandela, is more than an intimate boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Houghton Estate: It’s a living monument to the life and times and enduring leadership legacy of one of the world’s most revered leaders. As businesses and organisations look ahead for a…

Vergelegen Wine Estate, long renowned for its commitment to protecting history and heritage, has officially been recognised for its innovation, too. The 324-year-old Somerset West estate scooped the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences award in the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards. Initiated by Great Wine Capitals 26 years ago, the Best…

The Protea was the first of a number of South African-developed production cars over the post-war years, the backgrounds to which have been well-documented elsewhere. There is no real argument that the most famous of these home-brewed motor vehicles was the GSM Dart, but this iconic sports car was not the first. It was just…

The popular Sweet Gang & Friends Farm Stall continues to expand, bringing the finest farm-fresh produce, house-cured meats, locally crafted goods and unique artwork to both residents and visitors of the Serenity Hills estate. Conveniently located within the eco-conscious community, this vibrant addition strengthens Serenity Hills’ commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering a sustainable,…

Kirstenbosch is a name that resonates around the world as the home of a uniquely rich flora in a setting of unsurpassed beauty. Established soon after the unification of South Africa in 1910, the garden continues to draw both tourists and locals to its enchanting spaces and botanical riches. This book tells of how Kirstenbosch…

Recently, Red Bull photographer Tyrone Bradley collaborated with Red Bull athlete Murray Loubser, dubbed the most innovative Red Bull BMX street rider in South Africa. Combining BMX riding and DIY craftsmanship, Bradley built a ramp in an abandoned pool to capture the perfect photo and show off South Africa’s heritage in the Cape Peninsula. The…

It’s Heritage Month, and in celebration of South Africa’s rich diversity of cultures and traditions, First Loyalty PLUS – South Africa’s premier all-round rewards programme – has created a fun quiz designed to help you uncover your perfect South African heritage experience. “South Africa is a multifaceted land with a storied past,” says Samantha Pillay,…

In recognition of three decades of South Africa’s democracy, the Apartheid Museum is partnering with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to present Born Free: Generation of Hope, a photographic exhibition by Dutch photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien, in which she explores the lives of South Africa’s first generation born after apartheid. The exhibition will run up until 31…

The annual Waterblommetjie Festival returns on Saturday, 7 September. Windmeul Kelder and Rhebokskloof Estate outside Paarl will host a fun-filled day of festivities suitable for the whole family. The waterblommetjie (also known as Cape pond weed, water hawthorne, vleikos, Aponogeton distachyos) is an indigenous delicacy that is only found in the Boland area of the…

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), together with South African National Parks (SANParks), celebrated the completion of the Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden at Sendelingsdrif in the Richtersveld National Park, on 20 August 2024. The botanical garden was established through a partnership between SANBI and SANParks, in terms of which a management plan for the…

On 8 September 2024, South African National Parks (SANParks) will host a celebratory event at Marakele National Park (pictured) to kickstart the 19th annual SA National Parks Week, which will be held from 9 to 13 September 2024 and extended to 14 and 15 September at selected national parks. During this period, free access is…

The dates of the biggest cultural event in Eswatini have been announced and a hive of colourful activity will soon descend upon the country in the form of the festival known as Umhlanga, or Reed Dance. The festival is set to start on 27 August, with the main day (day 7) set to take place…

Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch introduces a new Taste of the Cape food and wine pairing menu ahead of Heritage Month. Hazendal’s executive chef Michelle Theron, and winemaker and viticulturist Neil Strydom have partnered to create the new pairing menu that is now available at the estate’s Tasting Lounge. Featuring Hazendal’s flagship Estate Range of…

The eight Northern Cape Routes are specifically packaged to give you, the visitor, an easy do-it-yourself option to explore the province. Incredible year-round experiences coupled with warm hospitality, the peace and tranquillity offered by the off-the-beaten track, small dorpies, villages and townships as well as our vast uninterrupted landscapes allow visitors to recharge and reconnect…