Madikwe Game Reserve - What you need to know 1.What is Madikwe? Madikwe Game Reserve is currently the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa – and one of my personal favourites. Although it is not as well-known among South Africans as the national parks, it is very popular with international tourists, who are lured […]
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 […]
The best Cape West Coast Towns to visit The Cape West Coast is a beautiful stretch of coastline in the Western Cape province extending from Yzerfontein in the South to Strandfontein in the North. There are so many things to do in the Cape West Coast that boredom is not an option. Comprising a chain […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Durban Botanic Gardens Did you know that the Durban Botanic Gardens are the oldest surviving botanical gardens in Africa – as well as the city’s oldest public institution? and that they are home to: the rarest cycad in the world? a tree that changes colour? the "walking tree" from India? and the plant that […]
8 Things to do in the Northern Cape … and some thoughts about the province The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province making up over 30% of the country’s land. It was also the province we had spent the least time exploring, mainly because it seemed too far from Johannesburg. Besides Kimberley and Colesberg, […]
The Winston Hotel Review Timeless elegance, wistful charm and understated luxury…these are the characteristics that define The Winston Hotel. The five-star boutique hotel is built in the style of Johannesburg's grand historic colonial architecture and is reminiscent of Sir Herbert Baker’s work which can be found in the surrounding neighbourhoods, once home to the city’s […]
The President Hotel Review For over 250 years, the location of the current President Hotel has been a coveted one. In the 18th century, it was the site of the Society House, a recreational retreat in Cape Town where the rich and elite of the day would travel to be seen. After several ownership changes […]
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 […]
Augrabies Falls National Park Instagram made me do it. There, I said it! Although the Augrabies Falls had been on my South African bucket list for a long time, it was the posts of the falls in full force flooding my Instagram feed over the past few months that spurred me into planning a trip […]
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 […]
Walking Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town If there's one place that I must visit every time I go to Cape Town , it's the Bo-Kaap. I'm ever so fascinated by this historic, colourful district, which is always a sight for sore eyes. On my most recent trip to the Mother City, I did a walking […]
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 […]
City Sightseeing Cape Town Review Did you know that the Cape Doctor is actually the local name for the strong south-easterly wind that blows on the South African coast from spring to late summer, and that it is thus named because it is believed to clear Cape Town of smog and pollution, leaving clear blue […]
Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton Review Life in Johannesburg can be so fast-paced and stressful that frequent vacations and staycations are mandatory. For our latest staycation we visited Hyatt House in Sandton which opened in November 2021. Situated in a residential part of Sandton, it is close enough to the key business and shopping hubs in […]
Shelley Point Hotel & Spa Review The Cape West Coast is one of South Africa’s most picturesque and alluring regions. Offering everything from pristine beaches and striking mountain ranges to colourful wildflower carpets in spring, it is no surprise that the area is so popular with holidaymakers. For us, it was also a great stopover […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The best things to do in Qatar Qatar is a small, but fascinating, country located in the Middle East, close to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Often overshadowed by its neighbours, it is a hidden gem that has a lot to offer visitors. Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world […]
The best things to do in the UAE The UAE’s reputation is largely attributed to the fame of its most popular emirates including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But, did you know that this country in the Middle East is more than that? Each of its seven emirates is spectacular and special in its own way. […]
Turkey visa requirements for South Africans In recent years, Turkey has been one of the most popular destinations for South Africans, with good reason. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the country boasts a rich culture and history that is evident in its architecture, cuisine, and arts. Turkey also offers a diverse range […]
Hennops Hiking Trail Travelling is what I missed the most during the extended lockdown period. Yes, I know that it is a first-world problem, but I can’t help it - I’m a dromomaniac. Dromomania is a term used to describe a desire for frequent traveling or wanderlust. So until travel resumed, I had to find other […]
The Best Halaal Restaurants In Johannesburg I am often asked what the best halaal restaurants in Johannesburg are. As a South African food blogger and someone who eats out often, I have compiled the list below based on restaurants that I have personally experienced and enjoyed. The list is updated often as I find new […]
