Author: Chukwu Godlove

Cape Town does exceptional fine dining. But sometimes you do not want the tasting menu, the wine pairing, or the ceremony of it all, writes Zoë Erasmus. Engin Akyurt / Pexels Sometimes you just want a bowl of pasta that tastes like someone’s nonna has been simmering sauce all afternoon. Luckily, the city delivers. From neighbourhood stalwarts to buzzy urban spots, there are plenty of places serving genuinely good pasta without the white tablecloths and hushed tones. These are the restaurants to book when you want comfort, flavour and atmosphere, but none of the fuss. Nonna Lina Tucked into Gardens,…

Somewhere between the dust and the dawn chill, the vehicle points its compass towards the water. On game drives, waterholes become the unofficial meeting points – sunrise checks, late-afternoon loops, sundowners with the sun melting behind the trees. Honestly, if the phrase “drinking hole” came from anywhere, it’s probably here. Sure, it won’t always be as busy as your local pub on a Friday night, but water has a way of pulling life in. And the best safari lodges in Africa are clever about it: they’re built so you can linger nearby and let the story come to you. And…

Sometimes the most satisfying getaways are not about ticking off landmarks or chasing someone else’s itinerary, writes Zoë Erasmus. Magda Ehlers / Pexels They are about how you want to feel. Rested. Reconnected. Inspired. Slightly undone in the best way. South Africa makes this kind of travel easy. Within a few hours’ drive in almost any direction, the scenery shifts, the pace softens, and your mood follows. Here are a few short trips built not around bucket lists, but around states of mind. For when you need to switch off completely: The Cederberg Sean Brookes / Unsplash If your brain…

Addis Abeba — Ethiopia recorded a 15% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2025, emerging as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations globally, according to a report by the BBC citing the latest global tourism data and the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer. The BBC attributed Ethiopia’s tourism rebound partly to improved stability following years of reduced travel linked to the conflict in the Tigray region. The resumption of flights to northern destinations beginning in 2023 and renewed travel interest in 2024 helped lay the groundwork for recovery. Ethiopia’s growth contributed to Africa’s overall 8% increase in international arrivals, making…

When exploring South Africa, wildlife doesn’t always wait for you to book a safari. Often, these encounters appear in the background of everyday adventures, rewarding hikers, paddlers, swimmers, drivers, and picnickers with fleeting but unforgettable moments. From whales breaching near a coastal trail to sunbirds hovering over a picnic blanket, here are some of the best places to experience wildlife while doing something else. Hike with whales at De Hoop Nature Reserve Southern right whale at De Hoop Nature Reserve/Winfried Bruenken (Amrum)/Wikimedia Commons Along the rugged coastline of De Hoop Nature Reserve, hikers can follow trails that weave through fynbos…

Nairobi — The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) says efforts are ongoing to restore normal flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), assuring passengers that backlogs caused by the ongoing aviation workers’ go-slow are being cleared in a structured and prioritized manner. In a statement issued Monday, KCAA said recovery efforts are actively underway, with operations progressively stabilizing and normal schedules expected to resume as soon as possible. “Recovery efforts are actively underway, and passenger backlogs are being cleared in a structured and prioritized manner. Operations are progressively stabilizing, with normal schedules expected to resume as soon as possible,”…

These small towns have grown around a single defining industry, writes Miriam Kimvangu. They built their identity around one industry and do it well, regardless of whether it was planned or not. The result is a focused travel experience shaped by history and local expertise. You arrive knowing exactly what the town is about. These are the five towns worth visiting. Sutherland: SA’s astrotourism capital Sutherland Observatory/South African Tourism/Wikimedia Commons Sutherland is all about the sky. Its high altitude, dry air, and almost nonexistent light pollution create excellent conditions for stargazing. The town’s reputation is closely tied to the South…

Rainfall plays a central role in shaping wildlife activity across the Southern Africa region, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Image used for illustrative purposes/Ben Michel/Unsplash Seasonal rains influence breeding cycles, migration routes, and feeding behaviour in many ecosystems. These environmental changes trigger predictable wildlife responses that offer valuable viewing opportunities for travellers. From amphibian breeding in coastal wetlands to the arrival of newborn animals in major game reserves, rainfall creates conditions that support heightened biodiversity. These three destinations provide reliable opportunities to observe wildlife activity that occurs specifically during or after the rainy season. iSimangaliso Wetland Park iSimangaliso Wetland Park/Martie Bloem/Unsplash iSimangaliso…

A slow Sunday morning offers the kind of reset that no rushed Saturday errand ever can. Fresh air, open space, and the rhythm of your own footsteps have a way of clearing the week from your head. In the Western Cape, you are never far from a park, estuary, forest path, or cliffside trail that can be explored in two to three hours, making it easy to fit nature into even the busiest schedule, writes Lee-Ann Steyn. Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town Sea Point Promenade/David Stanley/Wikimedia Commons A sunrise stroll along the Atlantic Sea Point Promenade remains one of Cape…

Some trips blur together. Others lodge themselves somewhere deeper, surfacing months later in the middle of a weekday meeting or while you are making tea at home. Israel Luvhimbi / Pexels South Africa has a particular way of delivering those kinds of moments. They are not always the most expensive or the most photographed. Often, they arrive quietly: a shift in light, a conversation with a stranger, a stretch of silence that feels bigger than you. Here are some South African travel moments that tend to linger long after the suitcase is unpacked. Watching the sun rise from Lion’s Head…