Author: Chukwu Godlove
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Hanspeter Baumeler There’s something about the desert that draws you in. Maybe it’s the silence, or the way the sky seems bigger. Maybe it’s the sheer scale of it all — the cracked earth, the endless dunes, the feeling that you’ve left the world you know behind. Southern Africa is home to some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the world, and tucked between the dunes and dry riverbeds are places to stay that offer real escape, without giving up too much comfort. ALSO READ: SA’s coolest old hotels you’ve (likely) never heard of Here…
When thinking of South Africa’s most iconic hotels, grand names like the Mount Nelson in Cape Town or the Oyster Box in Umhlanga usually take the spotlight. But beyond the big names lie lesser-known gems—charming old hotels scattered across the country. Some are slightly faded, others lovingly restored, but all are steeped in character. Here’s a selection of SA’s coolest old hotels you’ve (likely) never heard of—and might just want to check into. Lord Milner Hotel – Matjiesfontein (Western Cape) Source: Facebook / @The Lord Milner, Matjiesfontein Frozen in time since the late 1800s, the Lord Milner Hotel is the…
Nature is a master of disguise. Some places around the world don’t just change colour or mood with the seasons—they undergo complete transformations, becoming almost unrecognisable from one part of the year to the next. For travellers who time it right, these dramatic shifts offer unforgettable experiences. Here’s where to go—and when—to witness nature’s most theatrical performances. Namaqualand – South Africa Ansie Potgieter/Unsplash In the dry months, Namaqualand’s dusty landscapes seem lifeless. But come late winter to early spring (August–September), this arid region bursts into bloom. A kaleidoscope of wildflowers—orange daisies, purple vygies, and delicate white blooms — carpet the…
Africa’s coastlines and inland lakes are home to a scattering of spectacular islands—some volcanic, others coral-ringed, some full of colonial echoes, others pulsing with Swahili culture. While Seychelles and Zanzibar get most of the glory, there’s a host of overlooked alternatives still under the radar. Best of all? If you’re a South African passport holder, these island escapes come with no visa requirements. Here’s where to set your compass. Ibo Island – Mozambique Picture/Les deux pieds dehors Part of the Quirimbas Archipelago off northern Mozambique, Ibo Island feels like a place suspended in time. Once a trading hub along East…
The Chinese Visa Application Centre has launched an online system to streamline and expedite the visa application process. Arthur Wang/Unsplash As of June 23, travellers can now complete and submit their visa application forms, along with all supporting documents, through an online portal, according to Travel News reports. Once the application has been reviewed and approved, applicants will need to print out a visa application certificate and take it to the visa centre in person to submit their passport, provide biometric data, and make payment. ALSO READ: Update: Qatar reopens airspace, but delays persist This update replaces the previous requirement…
In the hills above the Turkish city of Aydın, the ruins of Tralleis are preparing for their first public unveiling. After years of archaeological excavation and meticulous restoration, this Roman-era settlement will finally open to tourists in August. Picture/Ahmet KAYNARPUNAR/Creative Commons via Outdoor Active Often overshadowed by Ephesus to the north, Tralleis offers a quieter but equally fascinating glimpse into Anatolia’s classical past, as reported by Travel News. Believed by some scholars to be the birthplace of notated music, the site features remarkably preserved architecture, including a grand gymnasium—known as the Triumphal Arch—Roman baths, temples, marketplaces, early Christian churches, a…
As cities grow, so does the value of preserved green spaces. Urban nature reserves are more than just patches of trees—they’re biodiversity hotspots, carbon sinks, and sanctuaries for both humans and wildlife. For travellers, they provide refreshing pauses between museum visits and market strolls. Whether you’re after a silent trail or a selfie with a giraffe, these reserves prove nature and city life can coexist beautifully. Global urban escapes Picture/Joburg.co.za The Wilds – Johannesburg Once abandoned and overgrown, The Wilds has been transformed into a lush, safe sanctuary for city dwellers. Meandering trails connect water features, indigenous gardens, and colourful…
The U.S. Embassy near Monrovia has issued a stern reminder to all visa applicants that full disclosure of social media activity is now a mandatory requirement for obtaining a U.S. visa. The move is part of a broader effort by the United States government to tighten its visa vetting procedures and enhance national security. According to the Embassy, applicants must list all social media usernames or handles used on any platform over the past five years as part of the DS-160 visa application process. The requirement applies to both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants. “Visa applicants are required to list…
South Africa has a way of hiding magic in plain sight, especially just outside its bustling urban centres. These five destinations feel worlds apart from their nearby cities, offering scenery, serenity, and soul-refreshing calm without the long-haul drive. Magoebaskloof – Limpopo Picture/Magoebaskloof Tourism Association Drive time from Polokwane: ±1.5 hours High up in the northern Drakensberg, Magoebaskloof is a pocket of misty forest magic that feels more like a remote European countryside than part of Limpopo. The winding roads are flanked by pines, waterfalls, and wildflower-dotted fields, making the drive itself part of the experience. There’s a sense of stillness…
The day before Easter Sunday, our campsite was faced with a very serious decision. Do we hike Wolfberg Arch and stay the night, or do we make it a day outing and get one more evening among the Bushwaka trailers and ten-man tents that had made Jamaka campsite into a little village for the weekend? Image: Oliver Keohane “I just don’t want to be hiking in the heat of the afternoon, so let’s try to leave early,” said my girlfriend. The Wolfberg Arch is magnificent at sunrise and sunset, and many of the permits are booked out for the overnight…