Author: Chukwu Godlove
Across the Western Cape, the end of peak travel season brings a noticeable shift, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Jean-Baptiste D./Unsplash When peak tourist seasons end, prime destinations across the Western Cape continue to operate under different conditions. Visitor numbers drop, bookings become easier to secure and the overall pace of travel slows. For locals, this period offers practical opportunities to explore well known places with fewer constraints while supporting businesses that rely on year round activity. What changes after peak season in Cape Town In Cape Town, popular areas remain active once peak season passes. The difference is felt in crowd…
Not every holiday needs to be a leap of faith, writes Zoë Erasmus. Sometimes you just want somewhere that works. Lester Reetley / Unsplash Where the food is good, the scenery delivers, the accommodation options are varied, and there’s enough to do without overplanning. South Africa has a handful of destinations that consistently tick those boxes, whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, as a couple or with family. These are the places locals return to again and again, confident that a good holiday is pretty much guaranteed. Cape Town Best for: First-timers, food lovers, scenery chasers Cape Town is the…
Adventure does not always need to look like a bucket-list safari or a beach resort booked months in advance. Africa is full of lesser-known places where the landscape feels raw, the pace slows, and shared experiences take centre stage. These are destinations that invite effort, curiosity and a bit of courage, creating the kind of trips where memories are made through doing things together, not ticking boxes, writes Lee-Ann Steyn. Attakwaskloof Pass, Western Cape, South Africa Attakwaskloof Pass/Vdiest (talk) (Uploads), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons A historic mountain route that turns the journey into the adventure Hidden within the Outeniqua…
A day does not need to be long to feel full. Given the right setting and the space to slow down, a single experience can open up connection, curiosity, and a sense of belonging that stays with you. Image used for illustrative purposes/Jasmin Schreiber/Unsplash These are the days shaped by presence rather than plans. Landmarks matter less than conversations; movement softens and time bends just enough for you to feel immersed rather than in transit. Walk the stories of a place Listen to landscapes through local voices Immersive travel begins when a place is explained by someone who belongs to…
Craft is often spoken about as heritage, but in many parts of the world it is also a living system which we all partake in, writes Miriam Kimvangu. In cities and regions where making has never fully disappeared, craft continues to influence how people dress, build, decorate, trade and even travel. These destinations have become recognised as international craft capitals. They are places where skills are deeply embedded in daily life and increasingly reinterpreted by contemporary designers. Kyoto, Japan: The discipline of refinement Kyoto/Sorasak/Unsplash Kyoto is one of the world’s most influential craft centres, shaped by centuries of imperial patronage…
Cape Town has a way of rewarding spontaneity, writes Zoë Erasmus. Pixabay / Pexels It’s a city where the weather changes its mind, plans fall through, and suddenly you’re left with a free afternoon and no idea what to do next. Luckily, some of the city’s most satisfying experiences don’t need advance bookings, timed entries, or carefully curated itineraries. They just ask that you show up. Whether you’re a local with a rare free day or a visitor keen to explore without overplanning, these Cape Town activities prove that sometimes the best plans are the ones you don’t make at…
Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town will be closed to all traffic on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 16:00 between 4 February and 25 March 2026. Chapman’s Peak Drive/Tim Johnson/Unsplash According to travelnews.africa, authorities have confirmed that Chapman’s Peak Drive, the nine-kilometre coastal route linking Hout Bay and Noordhoek, will be closed weekly during the specified period to facilitate environmental management work. The closures will take place every Wednesday between 10:00 and 16:00. The work is being conducted to remove invasive alien plant species that pose a threat to indigenous fynbos, water resources and slope stability along the route. The clearing…
Cape Town summer is loud in the best possible way, writes Zoë Erasmus. It hums, buzzes, crashes, clinks and sings, often all at once. Andrew Harvard / Pexels Whether you’re in the suburbs, the city centre or by the sea, each part of the day brings its own familiar soundtrack. Consider this a curated listen: the everyday sounds that define summer in Cape Town, from early morning to late night. 1. Early morning: kettles, birds and the first light Summer in Cape Town starts quietly. Sprinklers click on in suburban gardens, pigeons coo from rooftops, and kettles whistle from open…
February travel does not have to revolve around Valentine’s crowds, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Vilanculos, Mozambique/Nathalie Lays/Unsplash Mid February sits outside South Africa’s peak holiday season, yet many destinations still carry good weather and full services. By choosing locations that are structurally quieter and prioritising experiences that do not depend on having to be in a pair, you can plan a calm and rewarding solo trip. It is an opportunity to redefine what the day offers and with the 14th falling on a Saturday this year, you do not have to stay home in fear of the crowds. Stanford, Western Cape…
Couples today are seeking experiences that slow down time and allow connection. The most memorable trips are those that let two people be present with each other without rushing from activity to activity. Image used for illustrative purposes/Kaspars Eglitis/Unsplash Places that evoke emotion through scenery, ambience, and shared moments often become the backdrop for lasting memories. In this guide, Lee-Ann Steyn highlights destinations that naturally create intimacy and let couples focus on each other. What makes a tone-setting destination Before exploring specific destinations, it helps to know what makes a location perfect for couples: Sensory ambience Sunsets, ocean sounds, mountain…