The best things to do in Vienna Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city that effortlessly combines history, art, and a modern European flair. It seamlessly blends its illustrious past with a vibrant present, offering an enriching experience at every turn. In fact, Vienna was named the most liveable city in the world 8 […]
Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere Review Visiting Vienna, the capital of Austria, is akin to taking a step back in time and entering a realm where art, culture, and history meld seamlessly into every corner. Amid this setting, the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere by Hyatt isn’t just another luxurious place to rest your head; it's a […]
The Best Family-Friendly Things to do in Budapest for First-Time Visitors Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is an enchanting city located on the banks of the Danube River. With its captivating history, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere, it is a destination brimming with must-visit spots. If this is your first time in Budapest, here's a […]
The Best things to do in the Eastern Cape The second largest province in South Africa by area, and the third largest by population, the Eastern Cape is an unsung treasure with an abundance of things to do, as well as a great destination for a road trip. We especially love the nature, wildlife and […]
The Best Things to Do in South Africa with Kids South Africa, with its rich culture and heritage, unparalleled natural beauty, and amazing adventure opportunities is not just an adult’s playground. It's also a wonderland for children of all ages. From exciting wildlife safaris to enchanting beaches and exhilarating adventures, South Africa boasts a multitude […]
How to apply for a Schengen visa for Hungary and some general Schengen visa tips A Schengen visa is required to travel to Hungary. It is one of the most onerous visas to apply for, along with USA and UK visas. General points about Schengen visas The Schengen Visa is a short stay visa that […]
Tintswalo Family Camp Review It had been an eventful morning in the bush. Although it was cold, we sat in the game vehicle, doubly cocooned in blankets and ponchos, with hot water bottles in our laps. Our fellow companions were a South African couple with their three energetic, young grandsons, aged between 6 and 10, […]
Why you should visit Seychelles Regarded as one of the world’s ultimate tropical island paradises, Seychelles is a culturally diverse destination set against the perfect backdrop for those looking for an idyllic escape from everyday life. It is no wonder that this archipelago in the Indian Ocean is such a popular travel destination. Here are […]
Hyatt Regency Cape Town Review The historic, colourful district of Bo-Kaap has always fascinated me. It’s the one place in Cape Town that I must visit every time I go there. Originally established in 1760 under darker conditions, it is now one of South Africa’s most colourful neighbourhoods as well as one of the most […]
Things to do at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Just 30km west of Johannesburg's city centre lies an oasis for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Johannesburg, it is also one of my personal favourites, and I’ve been there a few times. […]
Letamo Lodge Review Time spent in the wilderness offers a soul-stirring escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, providing a much-needed respite that reconnects you with the natural world. As you traverse the sun-kissed savannas, you are transported into a world that throbs with life, with every sight, sound, and scent painting a […]
Molori Safari Review The word “molori’ means "to dream" in the seTswana language, and Molori Safari truly is a dream in the African wilderness. Situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, it was originally built as a private family retreat. After a complete makeover, it was opened to the public in 2007, now boasting a […]
Exploring South African National Parks South Africa enjoys an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna, from the arid deserts of the north to the lush forests of the south. The country's national parks are some of the best places to experience this diversity, offering visitors the chance to see everything from lions and elephants […]
Hiking Essentials - Fitbit Review 10 reasons to get a Fitbit Inspire 3 If there’s one device I cannot live without, it’s a fitness tracker. I’ve been using them for over a decade now and my preferred brand has always been Fitbit. My last one – a Fitbit Charge 2 - gave up after 5 […]
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 […]
The best things to do in Limpopo province Limpopo is South Africa’s fifth-largest and northernmost province, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. A place of beautiful and contrasting landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and an abundance of wildlife, it has become a favourite destination for many leisure and adventure travellers. The province is named after the Limpopo […]
An easy guide on how to apply for a South African passport online Scroll down for information on how to apply for an ID online 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 […]
Tau Game Lodge Review Herds of elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and antelopes streamed past constantly to quench their thirst while crocodiles basked in the sun, often snapping at them. Ostrich, warthogs and giraffe came too, often simultaneously, while water birds babbled noisily. It was like watching a wildlife documentary live from the comfort of my bed […]
Fascinating Facts about South Africa South Africa is a strong and resilient country, with a rich history and culture that inspires the world. Here are some fascinating facts about South Africa that will make you see this beautiful Rainbow Nation in a new light. General South Africa is the 25th largest country in the world […]
Win a 5-star stay for 2 at the Taj Cape Town This giveaway is now closed. A random winner was chosen by Rafflepress. Congratulations to Marc Shaw on winning this amazing prize! One lucky winner will enjoy a two-night stay for two people with breakfast, at the 5-star Taj Cape Town hotel, valued at R7 […]
2022 Travel Year in Review I can’t believe that I am already writing about my 2022 year in travel. It seems like just yesterday, that I was writing about 2021. This post has become an annual tradition for me and I love doing it as a personal record of my travels for the year. Thankfully, […]
Things to do in Hartbeespoort In this age of social media, the Instagrammability of a place 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 Hartebeest” (a […]
Things to do in West Coast National Park Situated in the Western Cape, on a stretch of coastline that is renowned for its rugged beauty, the West Coast National Park is a scenic South African national park and nature reserve with a diverse range of plant, bird, and animal life. The park was established in […]
10 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. If you live in Gauteng and are looking for nearby getaways for this weekend or the next, then you've come to the right place. These weekend getaways near Johannesburg […]
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 Lodge 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 […]
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, umpteen opportunities for adventure, world-class shopping, delicious food, and captivating history. There are so many places to visit […]
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, […]
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 […]
Weekend getaways near Gauteng I recently wrote a post about weekend getaways in Gauteng, which has been quite popular. This is the second post in the series and it covers weekend getaways near Gauteng. These are family-friendly places that I’ve personally stayed at and enjoyed with my family. However, they are also great places for […]
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 to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Heritage Day in South Africa "When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation." Former President Nelson Mandela Heritage Day in South Africa is celebrated annually […]
EL&N London opens up in Johannesburg The latest international eatery to open up in South Africa, EL&N Cafe (pronounced e-lan) is a popular café chain that originated in London, United Kingdom and has since expanded to other locations around the globe. EL&N stands for Eat, Live & Nourish. The cafe is touted as the "most Instagrammable […]
Fordsburg Johannesburg Tucked away in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa's bustling metropolis, lies Fordsburg – a district with a rich history, cultural tapestry, and delectable culinary offerings that stand as a testament to the city’s vibrant diversity. A Brief History of Fordsburg Fordsburg has a rich and multifaceted history. It was founded in 1888, […]
Constance Lemuria Review Our arrival at Constance Lemuria consisted of a short ride by golf cart through a stretch of rain forest dubbed “Jurassic Park” where we were welcomed by Leonardo, one of the resident giant Aldabra tortoises. As we arrived at the reception area, a ceremonious gong was struck and huge imposing doors opened […]
Garangani 360 Review Imagine a private villa, surrounded by bushveld, with no other houses or people in sight; an opulent sanctuary where full-length glass windows throughout the house paint a changing canvas of the surrounding bushveld throughout the day; a place where the soothing soundtrack of the bush is occasionally interrupted by the roar of […]