An historic moment occurred last month when a Johannesburg City Heritage blue plaque, in honour of the legendary boxing trainer and promotor Theo Mthembu, was unveiled on the wall outside his home in Dube, Johannesburg. He moved into the house in 1955 and lived there for over 50 years. This is the first ever Heritage […]

If you’re not an early riser, here’s a chance to enjoy the spectacular Lion’s Head sunrise on an early morning hike up Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. (And maybe after watching this you may be tempted to get out of bed early in the morning, at least once, to enjoy this phenomenal experience.) […]

It’s official. Again! For the fifth year in a row, the greatest city in the world has been named as Cape Town! And that’s according to over 90,000 people so you can’t argue with that! The 2017 Telegraph Travel Awards are selected according to votes cast by 90,000 readers of the UK newspaper. The paper describes […]

Just over a month since winning the award for being Africa’s leading airport, Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) is greeting its tourists with the remnants of a month-old gang-related shooting scene. (17/11/17 – Please see update below.) The award was presented at the 2017 World Travel Africa Awards gala ceremony in Rwanda on 10 October […]

Pro paragliding pilot, editor and cinematagropher Jean-Baptiste Chandelier – together with collaborators – has created a beautiful video, Weightless, which features stunning scenes of Camp’s Bay in the Western Cape, South Africa. The footage was filmed above Sao Miguel & Corvo / Azores / Portugal; Briançon & Serre Chevalier / France; Canoa Quebrada / Brazil […]

BBC Travel has posted a video of South Africa’s legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive (aka Chappies), saying: “We were unaware that we were about to embark on the most scenic drive of our lives.” Unfortunately – as pointed out by many South Africans viewing the video – the footage of the 9km route doesn’t actually include […]

Volunteer tourism, or voluntourism, is an emerging trend of travel linked to “doing good”. Yet these efforts to help people and the environment have come under heavy criticism – I believe for good reason. Voluntourists’ ability to change systems, alleviate poverty or provide support for vulnerable children is limited. They simply don’t have the skills. […]

If you are visiting Johannesburg, then Soweto Township is a place to visit before leaving the city, to experience the vibrant street life and witness some historical sites offering a unique kasi sightseeing experience. As South Africa’s most famous township, Soweto has a rich history with significant historical sites, different lifestyles, cultures and fashion which […]

A team – including 200 South African volunteers – has mapped the best of the country’s wild landscapes – including its most prolific parks and the botanical wonders it offers – as part of an exciting launch with Google Street View called South Africa 360. (See awesome videos below.) The team of passionate South Africans […]

For those not already lucky enough to be living in South Africa, Lonely Planet has selected SA as one of the Top 10 countries travellers NEED to visit in 2018. Apart from South Africa’s beautiful beaches… majestic mountains, delicious wine, and wildly wild wildlife… Lonely Planet also gives a shout out to the country’s vibrant […]

Locals and visitors to South Africa, in search of delicious local produce and sun-ripened flavours, served in a glorious heritage environment, can enjoy a summer picnic at 317-year-old Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West. Available from early November to end-April, the famous picnics are enjoyed in fine style. They are set up in a lush […]

South Africa’s streets may not be paved with gold… but the streets in Pretoria are currently paved with beautiful purple petals. As Ria Viljoen – who photographed the stunning pictures on this page – says, “I am again overwhelmed with the beauty of the purple display of blossoms and blessings in the streets of the […]

Well known South African radio personality Kate Turkington was one of the lucky few to be on the inaugural flight of Airlink to one of the most remote islands on earth – St Helena, famous for the Boer prisoners-of-war and for being the place of Napolean’s exile and death. Here Kate shares her photos and […]

Tourists visiting South Africa have been told to rest assured that they can safely enjoy their holidays, thanks to a new R52.7 million tourism monitor campaign… which will also give jobs to unemployed youth. Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa launched the pilot Tourism Safety Monitors Programme in Gauteng on Tuesday. The programme places youth aged 18-35 in […]

It’s that time of year when Joburg and Pretoria turn purple. There is a saying amongst students that if you haven’t started revising for your exams by the time the streets turn purple it’s too late. The Jacaranda’s don’t last all that long; the best time is usually the second or third weekend in October, […]

Not even the rain could dampen the festivity at Seaforth Beach, Cape Town, yesterday as a group of penguins was released by SANCCOB. Photos by Nigel Riley. SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) released 13 African penguins – 4 adults and 9 blues – in front of an enthusiastic crowd […]

If you’re wondering where to holiday this Christmas – head to a South African beach! A whopping 44 have obtained the prestigious Blue Flag status (actually that’s one less than last year, but it’s still a LOT). The Blue Flag programme is the best known eco-label and nod of approval a beach can get, according […]

On World Teachers Day (5 October 2017), meet an inspiring South African teacher living abroad – Rodwell Chigome. You may have seen the video where he not only taught his class in Vietnam the SA National Anthem, but taught them to sing it with PASSION! And now Rodwell’s in the United Arab Emirates teaching for […]

President Jacob Zuma today officially opened the Groot Marico Heritage Site and the Liberation Heritage Route of Bokone Bophirima… where activists once crossed as they went into exile in countries like Zambia and Tanzania to continue the struggle against apartheid and colonialism. In pictures and inscriptions, the Heritage Site – near Zeerust in the North […]

Watch this dramatic footage of 80 ton whales in Hermanus, South Africa… Video and text by Luke Bell. Every year large numbers of Southern Right Whales travel from the Antarctic to the warmer Walker Bay off the coast of South Africa to calve and mate. Located about an hour and a half out of Cape […]

We met traveling. We knew it was in our blood and we knew it would be the thread that wove us together. We spent 6 months exploring Europe: hiking mountains in Italy, catching ferries in Greece and sleeping on deserted beaches in Spain. When funds ran low, we headed back home to South Africa, but […]

The annual family vacation is a time that we all look forward to, but deciding where to go and planning it can be a real challenge! With large families that have a diverse range of likes and members of various age groups, it can become tricky to plan a holiday that offers something for everyone. […]

JOHANNESBURG – A group of Dutch tourists has cut short their holiday in South Africa to return home to the Netherlands, after being robbed in a frightening incident soon after arriving in SA. The 36 tourists were robbed by a group of six men which included one masquerading as a policeman, wearing a South African […]

September is not only the month when we celebrate South Africa’s heritage, it also includes Arbor Week, when South Africans appreciate our trees and nature. Here are 16 reasons why exploring the exquisite gardens of 317-year-old Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West is the fun, relaxing way for the whole family to find out more about […]

The South African Tourism office in the UK has posted beautiful photos of Jacaranda trees in SA that are sure to tempt a visitor or two! See below. The pics were taken by @unclescrooge and posted on Instagram. SA Tourism announced: “It’s jacaranda season! ? Each year late September to mid-November, jacaranda trees bloom, turning […]