South Africa’s bush escapes have long been positioned through a lens of exclusivity, often marketed as luxury experiences tailored for international travellers. Over time, this has formed a perception, especially among South Africans, that time in nature is not as accessible and comes at a high financial premium. In reality, the country’s wilderness offerings are…
What’s in a name? As birding grows in popularity, more and more people are beginning to appreciate that birds carry not only ecological significance but represent unique stories, embedded in the names they’ve been given. South African Birds by Name provides insight into the origins and meanings of these ‘scientific’ names, mostly rooted in Greek…
Sometimes the break you need is not another weekend at home, but time spent on the open road, surrounded by phenomenal landscapes and boundless natural beauty. For many travellers, wildflower season on the West Coast offers exactly that, with growing excitement around the annual West Coast superbloom. A superbloom starts with perfectly timed rainfall. Millions…
There’s an ethereal quality to the light of the West Coast: crystalline, fresh and seemingly as wild as the landscapes that connect the vineyards of the Swartland with the empty beaches of the Atlantic. Set within this meeting point of country and coast, De Wildeveldt is a remarkable stretch of land under conservation, just an…
Legend Golf & Safari Resort officially reopened in May 2026, unveiling three distinct, world-class golf experiences set against the breathtaking backdrop of the South African bushveld. From a championship course designed by 18 golf champions and global superstars representing all continents around the globe, to a par-3 tribute journey through golf’s most iconic holes, to…
While many travellers associate safari with hot summer days and lush green landscapes, experienced rangers know winter quietly delivers some of the best wildlife viewing conditions of the year. At Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, the colder months transform the bushveld into a completely different safari experience, one defined by clearer sightings, dramatic scenery,…
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,…
The pandemic gave us Zoom. The post-pandemic hangover is giving us something far more interesting: a corporate exodus from the screen and a full-throated return to physical, immersive, face-to-face strategy sessions. And if the data is anything to go by, this isn’t nostalgia – it’s neuroscience. For a brief, chaotic moment in the early 2020s,…
Going on holiday with parents and grandparents is nothing new to many South Africans. Ours is a culture that has always embraced close family ties, shared spaces and the idea that raising children, celebrating milestones and spending time together is a collective experience rather than an individual one. While multigenerational travel has long been second-nature…
Nestled within the heart of a fynbos biome, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an ecological sanctuary in one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on Earth. Anchored on the hills of Walker Bay, the reserve is also a gateway to the Marine Big Five and internationally significant ancient coastal caves that reveal some of the…
There’s a particular quality to the light right now. The sun sits lower in the sky, casting long golden shadows across open fields and city parks alike. Mornings carry a new crispness, and the skies – those wide, dramatic Highveld skies – are putting on a show before winter draws the curtains. These are the…
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.…
On 24 and 25 April 2026, the Northern Drakensberg will witness a significant milestone in conservation-led tourism as Cape Vulture Nature Reserve hosts the inaugural Manutsa Mountain Festival. This event is the first of its kind at the reserve and is designed to celebrate the area’s breathtaking natural beauty, unique wildlife and vibrant community spirit.…
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…
Scottburgh’s favourite family-friendly destination, Crocworld Conservation Centre, is inviting visitors to an unforgettable Easter celebration on 3 and 4 April, with a host of fun activities planned for the holiday. Families can look forward to action-packed days designed for families and young visitors. This includes: “We’re looking forward to welcoming families for a really special…
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…
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…
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.…
If you love road trips that lead you through wide-open landscapes, friendly little towns and stretches of wild coastline where you can explore at your own pace, then you’ll find everything you’re looking for on South Africa’s West Coast Way. Stretching north, just 20 minutes from Cape Town, the Cape West Coast follows the Atlantic…
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…
