Author: Chukwu Godlove
An Indian and a Romanian climber lost their lives on Nepal’s Mount Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak, officials confirmed on Monday. Their deaths bring the 2025 Himalayan climbing season’s toll in Nepal to at least eight. Picture/ RP Adventures Indian climber collapses during descent Rakesh Kumar, 39, from India, died on Sunday while descending from Lhotse’s 8,516-metre (27,940-foot) summit. He had reached the mountain’s fourth camp, located at around 8,000 metres (26,246 feet), when tragedy struck, as per Reuters reports. “He was coming down from the 8,000m fourth camp when he suddenly collapsed,” said Mohan Lamsal of Makalu Adventure, the…
There’s something magnetic about a place you can’t simply drive to. When a valley lies beyond the reach of tar, crowds and signal bars, it becomes more than a destination — it becomes an invitation to slow down, walk further and stay a little longer. These secret folds of South Africa’s landscape are only accessible on foot or via rough farm tracks, and they offer the kind of silence and scenery you won’t find marked on maps. Better still, all of them fall within public land or community-run reserves, so you can roam without trespassing. Gamkaskloof (aka Die Hel) –…
Johannesburg, often referred to as the City of Gold, is not just a hub for business and culture, but also a paradise for fitness enthusiasts. With its beautiful landscapes and well-maintained paths, the city offers some of the best running and cycling routes. Picture: Sourced Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a casual jogger, here are some scenic routes that will make your workout sessions enjoyable and refreshing. 1. Emmarentia Dam and Johannesburg Botanical Garden Emmarentia Dam is a favourite among locals for both running and cycling. The route around the dam offers a mix of flat paths and gentle slopes,…
Wildlife tourism is one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding experiences. It offers a unique glimpse into the natural world and can be enriching to one’s soul. However, it also comes with a responsibility to protect the very creatures and ecosystems we admire. After all, being a responsible wildlife tourist is essential for the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity. According to SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, a little truly does go a long way when it comes to protecting wildlife and the environment. ‘Small actions can help make a big difference. When you travel with care, you help protect nature for everyone—now…
South Africa’s coastline is home to many celebrated beach destinations — but tucked between the better-known names are lesser-visited spots offering seclusion and scenery, at a slower pace. These five hidden beach towns promise peaceful, natural wonder. 1. Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal Kosi Bay lies near South Africa’s northeastern edge, bordering Mozambique and forming part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is characterised by a system of interconnected lakes, coastal forests, estuaries, and dune-lined beaches. Traditional fish traps used by the local Thonga people have been in place for generations, giving the area both cultural and…
Nicole Liedemann-Telukram is walking from Johannesburg to Cape Town—one step at a time—to shine a light on her husband’s battle with a rare, debilitating illness. ALSO READ: Tania summits Table Mountain 64 times and raises R125,000 for WSAR heroes The 37-year-old mother of seven began her 1,400km trek fifteen days ago, determined to raise awareness and funds for Dercum’s Disease, a condition that has left her husband, Shaun (Sathish), in constant pain and unable to work. Shaun’s struggle began in his teens when harmless-seeming lipomas (fatty lumps) appeared on his arms and legs. Doctors dismissed them as benign, assuring him…
As the world observes Endangered Species Day, South Africa highlights not only the richness of its biodiversity but also the threats it faces — and the determined efforts to protect it. Picture/SANBI/Funananirabambi The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is leading the charge, working alongside national and international partners to safeguard plants and animals teetering on the edge of extinction. South Africa is home to a stunning variety of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. From rare flora hidden in rocky outcrops to gibbons swinging through the trees, each life form contributes to a complex web…
We’re not quite sure if it’s the creamy sweetness of the drink, the bursts of flavours from the popping bubbles, the delightful chewiness of the tapioca pearls, or the aesthetically pleasing vibes it effortlessly emits that make bubble tea (or boba) one of our all-time favourite drinks. Picture: RDNE Stock Project / Pexels Cape Town offers a multitude of places to grab these iconic, thick-strawed drinks in a plethora of flavours and toppings that can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink or a liquid dessert – appropriate at any time of the day. Here are six places in and around…
Silence has become a luxury. In a world wired with notifications, background chatter and city buzz, truly quiet camping is rare — but not impossible. South Africa still has wild places where you can hear yourself think, sleep under star-thick skies, and wake to nothing but the rustle of wind through reeds. Here’s where to find that elusive hush, what to bring and how to stay safe while soaking it all in. Jeffrey Keenan/Unsplash What makes a place truly quiet? It’s not just the absence of people. Remote terrain, low tourism traffic, no roads nearby, and minimal infrastructure all contribute…
Tunis, May 11 — There is the impossibility of continuing with the current model of tourism across the world, said former minister of tourism and Tunisia’s candidate for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General position Habib Ammar. This pattern will cause the tourism industry to collapse in some eighty years. The current model is non-eco-friendly, Ammar further said in an interview with TAP, and will have an adverse impact on the sector’s sustainability that could even result in its collapse. Beach tourism for instance, he highlighted, would most likely disappear in Europe. It is of critical importance to…