Kapama River Lodge Review We were about to embark on our first game drive at Kapama Private Game Reserve, when our ranger Rassie asked us what we’d like to see – as rangers normally do. Having seen all of the Big Five, wild dogs and cheetahs multiple times, I half-jokingly said that I wanted to […]
Jock Safari Lodge Review Africa has an ethereal quality…its breath whispers on plains of grass, its sound whistles in the bushveld trees, its heart sits in the souls of wild animals and its dust remains on one’s feet…forever”. J.C. Smuts We fell asleep to the sound of lions roaring on our first night at Jock […]
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge Review Our welcome at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park was very African and rather unique. Shortly after our arrival, as we sat and completed the mandatory paperwork in the brightly coloured communal lounge, a herd of elephants paraded past the lodge deck, their trunks moving up and […]
The Big 5 of Africa How well do you know your wildlife? If bush jargon confuses you, then this guide to African wildlife will give you the basic information you need to know before your safari, and answer some commonly asked wildlife questions. Although I discuss the Big 5 of Africa , I will also […]
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 […]
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. […]
8 Great weekend getaways in Gauteng A weekend escape from the city always sounds tempting but a long drive to get there usually isn’t as appealing. These weekend getaways near Johannesburg are in countryside surroundings, and they’re all in Gauteng – in case we Gautengers are put into lockdown again! Kids are welcome at most […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Cullinan Diamond Mine Tour “The diamond, known for a long time only to kings and then to very few of them, has greater value than any other human possession and not merely than any other gemstone.” Pliny the Elder Did you know that the largest diamond ever found was The Cullinan Diamond? It was […]
How to apply for a South African passport online How to apply for an ID online (Scroll down) 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Exploring Johannesburg attractions with Joburg Tourism I was recently invited to explore some lesser-known things to do in Johannesburg with Joburg Tourism and a few other bloggers. It had been a while since I had last done a Joburg tour and I was even more eager to do it, because apart from the Walter Sisulu […]
A tour of Alexandra Township “Life in Alexandra was exhilarating and precarious. Its atmosphere was alive, its spirit adventurous, its people resourceful.” Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom A short drive away from Sandton - Africa’s richest square mile – but otherwise galaxies apart, lies Alexandra Township, otherwise known as Alex. Johannesburg’s oldest township, it […]
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, […]
17 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 […]
Adventure Zone Cullinan and Voortrekker Monument "The mountains whisper for me to wander; my soul hikes to the call. I escape into the great outdoors; where freedom’s soul forever roars." Angie Weiland-Crosby We began hiking during Lockdown Level 3 as a way to release the pent-up frustration of being cooped up indoors for months, during […]
Must-read books for safari lovers Leopards in your tent, cobras in your toilet, elephants overturning vehicles … if stories of close encounters with wildlife excite you, then these books for safari lovers are must-reads. Read these safari-themed books to get you into the safari mindset before you go on one, or between game drives while […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 do the Whale Trail in De Hoop Nature Reserve , one of the best […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
10 Things to do in Africa besides safaris To those that live outside the continent, Africa is synonymous with safaris. But there is much more to the world’s second largest continent than just safaris. For those that are willing to step out of that Landrover, Africa is rich in history, culture, adventure, and amazing natural […]
If you are travelling with children, it can be challenging to say the least. Constant moaning, bickering siblings, and motion sickness are just some of the problems parents have to contend with. I've been travelling with mine from the time they were babies. It's easier now that they're older but it wasn't always easy. And we’ve learnt […]
