Ruby Rose Country House Giveaway The prize The lucky winner and a partner will enjoy a two night stay at Ruby Rose Country House with breakfast. Scroll down to enter... About Ruby Rose Country House Ruby Rose Country House is a lush oasis in Riebeek West, one of the oldest towns in South Africa, just one hour […]
Tintswalo at Boulders Boutique Villa Review Did you know that penguins mate for life? Once they have identified The One, they "propose" by giving their potential mate a smooth pebble. Isn’t that sweet? The iconic Boulders Penguin Colony along the False Bay Coast is one of the best places in South Africa to get up […]
The Marine Hotel Hermanus - Review It began as a summer grazing area for livestock then eventually progressed to become a small fishing village. Today, Hermanus is known as the whale watching capital of South Africa, even recognized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. From […]
Morukuru Beach Lodge Review I’d never seen a starfish in its natural environment before. Nor a sea anemone, sea urchin or abalone. Even though I’d been on many land-based wildlife-viewing safaris, this was my first time witnessing the aquarium under the sea and I was mesmerised. As you may have guessed, I am not a […]
This giveaway is now closed. A random winner was chosen by Rafflepress. Congratulations to Zahieda Ryklief on winning this amazing prize! Win a 5-star safari for two at Safari Plains One lucky winner will enjoy a Safari Tent stay for two nights for two people at the luxury tented camp Safari Plains. The prize includes […]
How to apply for a South African passport online South Africans can apply for a passport online , and renew their expired passports online too. Here is my detailed guide on how to do an online passport application. For updates on the How to apply for a passport online process, be sure to enter your […]
Review: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Camouflaged by the tall grass, the young lioness crouched, her lithe body taut. She was surrounded by zebras, warthogs, and white rhinos, and her eyes darted between all of them. They were close enough to observe but not to ambush – yet. We watched with bated breath […]
Where to go for the best hikes in Johannesburg and Pretoria Hike: a long walk especially for pleasure or exercise. (Merriam-Webster) I never really bothered much with hiking in Johannesburg until we were locked down in our own province. We started looking for parks and nature reserves in Johannesburg and were thrilled to discover that […]
Thanda Safari Review It was a sunny morning in the African bush, and we were tracking a pair of cheetahs – a hungry mother and a daughter on a hunt. The mother seemed totally oblivious of us but the cheeky little one turned around and snarled at us, barely a metre away from our vehicle. […]
Kosi Forest Lodge Review “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” John Muir 2021 is all about wide, open spaces - something you’ll find in abundance at Kosi Forest Lodge. Located within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, in Northern KwaZulu Natal - near the Mozambique border - the Kosi Bay area […]
Where to stay in St Lucia South Africa Isimangaliso must be the only place on the globe where the oldest land mammal (rhinoceros) and the world biggest terrestrial mammal (elephant) share an ecosystem with the world's oldest fish (coelacanth) and the world's biggest marine mammal (whale) . Nelson Mandela Miracle and wonder…this is what iSimangaliso translates […]
12 things to do in KwaZulu Natal (besides visit Durban) KwaZulu Natal is one of South Africa’s most beautiful provinces and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It is a spectacular, multi-cultural, subtropical region flanked by the warm Indian Ocean and the striking Drakensberg mountain range. The province stretches from Port Edward in the south […]
My 2020 year in review To borrow the words of Queen Elizabeth II, 2020 was an annus horribilis for the world. The kind of year we don't ever want to see again. The year began innocently enough. After a busy year in 2019, we spent the first few days of January 2020 “recovering” from the high […]
The Houghton Hotel Review It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for luxury accommodation and our latest staycation at The Houghton Hotel ticked all the right five-star boxes. One of Johannesburg's newest and most luxurious hotels, the hotel has already scooped up the award for Africa's Leading New Hotel 2020 in the prestigious […]
Things to do in Hartbeespoort and surrounds In this age of social media, the Instagrammability of a destination is a key factor in deciding on a getaway destination for many people. The Hartbeespoort area boasts Instagram opportunities galore, and it’s proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria make it an ideal weekend destination. Meaning “Gateway of the […]
Black Brick Sandton Review Corporate trimming and remote offices have led to many abandoned buildings and office blocks in cities around the world. Fortunately, there are innovative entrepreneurs out there who are repurposing these unused spaces into funky, functional ones. Once the headquarters of a global corporate, 25 Fredman Drive in Sandton found a new […]
Zebra Country Lodge Review South Africa is a country of unexpected surprises. One moment you’re in the chaotic city, and the next in the peaceful countryside. Just 30 kilometres away from Pretoria, in a lush 400 hectare nature reserve where grazing wildlife roam free, you will find Zebra Country Lodge, a charming countryside getaway. Zebra […]
Interested in Travellers' Tales From Around The World ? Read on.... I started the “Travellers’ Tales ” section in 2016 and I have now published over 120 interviews. Over hundred travellers from around the world have shared their fascinating travels on my blog thus far. Find the links to their interviews below. Are you looking for travel […]
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Abu-Bakr Nadat on winning this amazing prize! Win an amazing 5-star safari for 2 nights for 2 people sharing at Tau Game Lodge worth R25,740. About Tau Game Lodge Tau Game Lodge is a family-friendly, five-star safari lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s […]
The Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway Experience There is a childlike excitement about cable car rides that is hard to beat. Perhaps it is because it is akin to flying, as you soar through the air at altitudes where you can still see the ground below you. We enjoy riding on cable cars, whenever they’re available, even […]
Safari Plains Review “If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again. Karen Blixen (Danish Author of "Out of Africa") Returning from an afternoon game drive, we stopped on a bridge over the river to admire the golden sunlight bathing the river below. A pod of […]
Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge "Africa remains in the realms of the magical. It is a place of spectacular beauty and unpredictable passion". Sean Frazer We trudged up the winding mountain paths surrounded by lush thickets. In the bushes ahead, a herd of impalas sprinted past us like a mirage. We rounded a bend […]
Things to do in Pretoria Before inter-provincial travel re-opened, lockdown had been restricting us to outings in our own province. It was challenging finding things to do in Gauteng that we hadn't done before, and we found ourselves spending more time in Pretoria, exploring its attractions, and thereby prompting this post. Also known by its […]
South Africa is a beautiful country with so much to see and so many places to explore. Here are 30 Photos of South Africa that will fuel your wanderlust Get lost in nature… 1. Go hiking in the Garden Route 2. Or cool off on the river banks in Drakensberg... 3. Admire the spectacular Blyde River Canyon […]
Victoria Falls - What you need to know 9 days, 4 countries, and umpteen experiences - many outside my comfort zone. I was enchanted by the Victoria Falls , canoed in hippo and crocodile infested waters, rode a horse in a game reserve and was almost attacked by a massive baboon. Africa is wild .. and […]
15 Nelson Mandela sites in South Africa “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela No other person has had such a powerful impact on modern […]
Looking for things to do in Johannesburg ? Read on... Johannesburg – South Africa’s biggest city and commercial epicentre. Also known as Jozi, Joburg, or Egoli (City of Gold in Zulu), it began as a gold-mining settlement in the 19th century. There is more to this cosmopolitan city than shopping. If you are visiting Johannesburg, […]
Royal Chundu Review “You cannot leave Africa,” Africa said. “It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents, in the swirl of your thumbprints; Our drumbeats, counting out your pulse, Our coastline, the silhouette of your soul.” Bridget Dore The best African destinations are rich with fascinating experiences. Experiences that […]
In keeping with the Africa theme on this blog, here are 10 Books about Africa that you must read, “There are as many Africas as there are books about Africa — and as many books about it as you could read in a leisurely lifetime. Whoever writes a new one can afford a certain complacency […]
39 signs that you are a travel addict My earliest travel memory, apart from a safari in Kruger National Park, was when I was seven years old. I travelled with my family from South Africa to India, on my first international trip. That trip instilled a love of travel within me, which has never left […]
Looking for things to do in Cape Town ? Read on... Cape Town, also known as South Africa’s Mother City, is consistently listed amongst the best cities in the world. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty, many opportunities for adventure, world-class shopping and food, and captivating history. I often get asked about things to […]
How to plan an international trip These days, booking a trip yourself has become infinitely easier with the Internet. However, people often say that they prefer to use travel agents because they are afraid to plan a trip themselves – afraid of doing something wrong, afraid of booking the wrong flights, afraid of booking accommodation […]
Armchair travel - 5 ways you can travel when you can't actually travel "It’s important to remember that travel is also a state of mind, and that you don’t necessarily have to go far away to feel far away. And no matter what you do right now, don’t forget to dream about that next big […]
Mhondoro Game Lodge Review It had been an eventful final game drive on our last morning in Welgevonden Game Reserve, even though we had encountered intermittent rain. Elated, we returned to our home away from home, the exclusive Mhondoro Game Lodge , only to find that the safari experience was far from over. Three huge elephants […]
Today, 23 April, is Day 29 of the lockdown in South Africa, where I am based. Some of the strictest lockdown rules in the world are in place here, with outdoor exercise, dog-walking, and fast food all banned. We are only allowed to go out to buy essentials or for medical reasons. This is probably […]
21 Beautiful mosques around the world Prayer clears the mist and brings back peace to the soul…Rumi When travelling, religious sanctuaries become more than a place to pray. They provide one with a tranquil escape from the city, and an opportunity to meet locals and witness their culture. I decided to compile a list of […]
Going into lockdown in South Africa When President Ramaphosa announced the impending lockdown in South Africa, I was in Cape Town. We had been staying with family for the past few days, and the following day we were leaving on a road trip where we would be doing media reviews at four amazing hotels and […]
13 Delicious South African foods you must try When travelling, we love to sample the local cuisine wherever we are. It gives us insight into the local traditions, customs and tastes, and exposes our palates to new dishes. Similarly, visitors to South Africa might wonder what South African foods they should be aware of when […]
“I love books. I love that moment when you open one and sink into it, you can escape from the world, into a story that's way more interesting than yours will ever be.” ― Elisabet Scott . ...And when you can't travel, then reading books is one form of travelling from your armchair. I've written a […]
Spain had been on my bucket list for a long while, but planning a trip to Spain and Portugal was not easy - because as usual, we tried to do too much in a short space of time. We decided to add Portugal to our itinerary because it was a country we wanted to visit […]
Looking for things to do in Mauritius ? Read on... “Welcome to Paradise” said the Captain as the plane touched down in Mauritius. One did not have to look far to discover the motivation for such a bold claim. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is synonymous with postcard-like turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, palm […]
Dubai is one of the most visited cities on earth, famous for its man-made islands, huge skyscrapers and shopping malls. According to the latest Euromonitor rankings, more tourists now go to Dubai than Paris, New York or Tokyo. There are so many things to do in Dubai . It is a constantly expanding destination. New […]
Flying during Covid times – A local flight experience It had been a year since we were last on a plane . We had flown to Cape Town in March 2020 but our trip had ended abruptly when the president announced the very first lockdown and we had to rush home by car because flights […]
Top 10 Things to do in India’s Golden Triangle India is a huge country with many diverse attractions and planning your first trip there can be a daunting task. The Golden Triangle of India is a good place to start, since it is home to some of the country's most iconic sights. Consisting of Delhi, […]
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden "A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.” Luis Barragan The Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden is not something one would expect to see in the greater Johannesburg area. Situated below the dramatic, 200-metre-high cliffs of the Roodekrans Ridge in the West Rand, the beautiful […]
