Mira’s Insider Guide to McGregor

Mira Weiner, founder of Hot Oven Marketing, lives as a passionate foodie, wine lover and travel enthusiast.  She loves people and their stories; for her it’s these stories that are the heart and soul of a travel destination and it’s these stories behind a destination that really allow you to connect, discover and explore a place. She grew up in a small town called McGregor in the Western Cape and loves exploring the hidden gems of her country, especially those off the beaten track.  She aims to inspire South Africans to be a tourist in their own country by supporting local is lekker.  Job employment and skills development are key factors that are created through the tourism industry and can be an incredible tool used for transformational growth.

5 things I love most about McGregor

  1. The peace and quiet,
  2. The magic of the dusty roads,
  3. The only traffic being cows roaming free and that people and dogs have right of way over cars,
  4. The close community,
  5. Knowing your neighbours – sometimes a good thing and sometimes a bad thing haha!

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about

You’re not supposed to swim in the lei water dam but all the locals have for years. Each week night a different restaurant is open and sometimes it is just a local making soup and fresh bread rolls in the main road. There is a local Facebook page for notices and also used for errands/lifts. So if you have forgotten to buy something at the shops you can see if anyone is going through. Every afternoon in McGregor has an activity including swimming, bridge club, Scottish dancing, tennis, yoga classes and the list goes on!

The least touristy thing to do in McGregor

Fetch eggs from a local farmer, go buy olive oil on tap, have homemade meals delivered to your door, swim in the dam or walk your dog around the dam, swap plants with your neighbour, go to Quiz night at Tebaldi’s and get your hair done at a ridiculous small town fee!

Best place in Hilton to enjoy…

The water: the local lei water dam

The mountains/countryside: Take your feet, mountain bike, motorbike or car for a drive on the Road to Nowhere, you can even stop off for some wine tasting at the award winning family owned farm, Lord’s Wines.

The outdoors: Take a stroll in the Krans Nature Reserve, ride your bike around the village streets or on the outskirts through olive orchards and vineyards, walk through the labyrinth at Temenos Gardens.

The food: On Mondays experience a trip around the world for dinner at 51 (each Monday has a different theme from a different country). On Tuesdays  pop down to the local ice cream shop for a bowl of soup and freshly baked rolls by local chef, Robert Sibitz. On Wednesdays catch up with friends at Open Kitchen with a weekly special. Every last Thursday of the month is Quiz night at Tebaldi’s Restaurant with R10 entrance fee going to a local charity.

On Fridays enjoy a R100 one pot wonder including a glass of wine at Green Gables Dining Room. On Saturdays stock up with fresh produce, home-made pastries, olive oil, cheese, prepared meals, plants, second hand books and even dog treats at the Saturday Morning Market by the church.  It lasts about an hour, so blink and you miss it! Then head down to 51 or How Bazaar for a great cup of coffee and a treat. On Sundays head up to Lady Grey Restaurant at Lord’s Guest Lodge for incredible mountain views and a great Sunday lunch spot!

 

The general vibe or nightlife: Pop into Grape de Vine for pre-dinner drinks and a good selection of local wines, ciders and craft beers

Good coffee/tea/wine: 51, How Bazaar and Tebaldi’s have great coffee and yummy treats. For something different try fresh mint from the garden with a dash of grated ginger at Tebaldi’s Restaurant. The best wine tasting spots are at the local garagiste, Bemind Wyne where you can meet the winemaker and owner, Ilse Schutte for a tasting or a grappa and eau de vie tasting with distiller and owner Robert Rosenbach at Tanagra Boutique Distillery.

Meet locals: the best spots for meeting locals are either on an early evening stroll around the village, at the local wine bar Grape de Vine, the vibey Saturday Morning Market or at a local theatre production show (live music concerts, poetry readings, films, etc) at Wahnfried.

What makes a city/town special for me

Personally, it is all about the people, their food and their stories!

My favourite small town in South Africa and why

My soul lives in McGregor and it will always be my favourite small town. I have yet to discover anything like it!

If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:

I would start with the West Coast for 3 days and then head out onto Route62 for 4 days and end off with 3 days on the Garden Route!Three of my favourite regions in SA…

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA

I haven’t done many but have heard great things about De Hoop, Grootbos, Gondwana and Thula Thula

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)

I have never been to another Africa country and it is definitely on my bucket list but being well connected to an incredible industry of travel writers I would definitely ask Dawn Jorgensen from the Incidental Tourist, Di Brown from Roaming Giraffe, Lauren and Vaughan McShane from The Travel Manuel and Allison Foat from Cape Town Diva for advice.

My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

I spent most of my school holidays in Plettenberg Bay so I love the beaches at Nature’s Valley, Keurboom and Robberg as well as the surrounding areas of Knysna, Wilderness and Sedgefield.

The most magical place in South Africa and why

The most magical place in South Africa for me is in the mountains where I live – the Langeberg Mountains surround the special towns of McGregor, Robertson, Bonnievale and Montagu.  An incredible place to reconnect with your soul!

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travellers: I personally love going on retreats and workshops, I often find that they are geared for solo travelers and you get to be on your own but also meet like-minded people and have company sometimes too. I recently attended a brilliant cheese making course by talented food consultant and cookbook author, Annelien Pienaar at the African Relish cooking school in Prince Albert.
  2. Couples: small town romantic getaways on the West Coast, Stanford, Greyton, Prince Albert, Montagu and McGregor.
  3. Families: Even though I am classified as a “Millennial” I feel like an old soul and I remember growing up in a time without technology so I am of the firm belief that kids should disconnect with their tech and reconnect with nature. Great family vacations should be spent in the outdoors (farms, nature reserves, small towns) or near the sea and even better without signal.  The West Coast, Route62 and Garden Route are all lovely regions for family trips.
  4. Luxury travellers: The tourism industry and offerings in South Africa are so diverse and offer a wide variety of accommodation establishments to suit all traveler budgets. Many small towns even have backpackers to 5 star boutique hotels. For travelers looking for high-end luxury packages I would highly recommend getting in touch with travel designers who can curate amazing travel experiences.
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots: On the outskirts of most small towns are incredible gems like Faraway Cottage at Tanagra Guest Farm just outside McGregor or the mountain cottages on the Road to Nowhere at Boesmanskloof die Galg and Onverwacht. I like to read local travel blogs to see where the best spots are, always best to chat to people who have experienced these establishments themselves and you can get first hand advice from them.

Mira, founder of Hot Oven Marketing, feels very blessed to love what she does. Working with the wide and diverse media landscape in South Africa has been a wonderful opportunity and she has met incredible people in the industry that continue to inspire her on a daily basis.  When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family and friends, exploring markets and cooking up a storm! You can find more travel inspiration from her Facebook page.

 

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Safari Plains in the Waterberg joins the Extraordinary Collection

Extraordinary is delighted to announce the addition of Safari Plains in the Waterberg region to the already impressive Extraordinary Collection. Set in a Malaria free area against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province, this 5 star Tented Lodge will proudly welcome guests from December, 2018.

Safari Plains will not only offer guests an extraordinary safari experience on 12 000 ha, an extension of the Greater Mabula Game Reserve, but one that is strongly focused on ensuring guests are astounded with the best the bush can offer.

Set along the winding sand pathways, each of the 20 breath-taking tented suites commands a stunning space within the natural, indigenous bushveld. These safari-style tents offer utmost comfort and an opulent ambience with private timber wrap–around decks. The six luxury tents offer a larger main area and come complete with a private sala, which is perfect for lounging on a lazy afternoon. All tented suites are tastefully appointed with sunken baths, separate showers and private facilities. The hospitality armoire offers a fully–stocked mini bar fridge, with tea and coffee facilities. Air conditioning throughout the space ensures that guests can enjoy year-round temperature controlled tented accommodation. Proudly family-friendly, the ‘family style’ luxury tents offer a second bedroom with two twin beds. You never have to leave the opulent comfort of your tent, but we suggest you do.

Furnished with simplicity yet elegance, the main lodge area provides an aura of romance through plush furnishings symbolic of African ‘chic’. The Safari Plains team is there to attend to your every whim, from delectable a la carte menus to a bountiful wine cellar – this is the perfect accompaniment to a romantic candlelit bush dinner.

Weddings can be hosted in the heart of the reserve with every attention to detail taken care of, from fairy lights softly twinkling in the night sky to vibrant African entertainment. Our wedding packages are completely personalised and tailored to suit your every need. The lodge can accommodate up to 60 guests and weather permitting, the ceremony can be held in the untamed bush or on the large wooden deck of the main lodge that boasts magnificent vistas; followed by a luxurious reception in the sumptuous dining room.

Enjoy genuine hospitality as well as guided bush walks, horse trails, eco adventure trails (quad bikes), morning and afternoon safaris on expertly-guided safaris. Guests will be able to view a range of wildlife including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, brown hyena, cheetah and more. There are also a host of additional activities nearby including hot air balloon safaris and golf.

 

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Meet & Greet Zayaan

Welcome back to our XO series ‘Meet & Greet’ where you get to know the staff member you’ve chatted to or the one who’s been at end five month long email conversation. This episode we meet our amazing Finance expert, Zayaan Khan.

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Lion Population Re-established at the Samara Private Game Reserve

Samara Private Game Reserve is now home to the Big Five, as their founder pride of lions arrived on the reserve on the 29th of November 2018. They are thrilled to be re-establishing a lion population which had been locally extinct for 180 years.The Award-winning Samara Private Game Reserve is a luxury malaria-free safari destination with a passionate conservation mission set on 70,000 acres of breathtaking wilderness in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Located just north of the famous Garden Route and 40 minutes from South Africa’s 4th oldest town of Graaff-Reinet, Samara offers a rejuvenating and pampering safari experience with a greater conservation purpose, delivering a safari for the soul.

Photo credit: Samara 

The lion population declined in numbers by 43% over the past 24 years. The current population is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000 individuals. Lions face a number of threats, all thanks to humans. Humans orchestrate indiscriminate killing in areas like the Maasai Mara, whilst the bushmeat trade and habitat loss deplete the lions’ prey base. Further pressure on the species stems from the trade in lion bones shipped to the Far East, where lion body parts are sold under the guise of being tiger bones in traditional medicine. This illegal trade has fuelled South Africa’s ‘canned lion’ industry.

Photo credit: Samara 

The ‘canned hunting’ industry refers to the act of shooting captive bred and/or tame animals in confined areas. The term canned hunting came into popular use in 1998 after the Cook Report, a British current affairs television programme, featured footage of a lioness being shot several times within a small enclosed area. The term soon became synonymous with any form of trophy hunting where hunters shot animals within confined areas, ensuring they had no or little chance of escape. Today, canned hunting is widespread in South Africa. Large numbers of wild animals are being bred in captivity specifically to be shot. This is truly terrible, and is the reason why sanctuaries like the Samara Private Game Reserve need to exist and thrive.

Photo credit: Samara 

Samara’s founder lion pride will consist of several unrelated males and females to ensure genetic diversity. The lions’ movement, feeding and breeding patterns will be monitored through satellite technology and by researchers on the ground. The Samara experience will always be about more than just ticking boxes and chasing the world’s most famous megafauna (large mammals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period), but re-introducing contributing meaningfully to conservation and responsible tourism, as well as adding an exciting new dimension to their safaris. Samara is already home to elephant, black (and white) rhino, buffalo and the occasional leopard. We are excited about their new lion pride and if you’d like to visit the game reserve, get in contact with us today.

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Asha’s Insider Guide Series to South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal

Asha Singh, founder of Life By Asha Singh, is a South African lifestyle blogger from South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, who writes about women empowerment, travel, product reviews and cool events. Her writing tends to often be feminist themed, although you’ll also find some more personal posts as well as write ups on everything that’s a part of her life.

5 things I love most about South Coast

  1. The Beach
  2. The tropical climate
  3. Instagram-worthiness
  4. Outdoor activities
  5. The small town vibe

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about

Mpenjati nature reserve is lesser known, and the Umtentweni and Ramsgate whale watching deck. For some lovely food with a view you can go to Fish On The River in Port Shepstone.

The least touristy thing to do in South Coast

The towns on the south coast are all very touristy since it’s a holiday destination, but I guess fishing.

Best place in South Coast to enjoy…

The water: There are tons of beach front places all along the south coast, you just have to pick the town… perhaps Southbroom or Port Edward.

The mountains/countryside: The Oribi Gorge.

The outdoors: Pretty much anywhere since it’s always green and lush, any of the beaches or for a more daring outdoor vibe then Oribi Gorge.

The food: You have to go to Waffle House in Ramsgate.

The general vibe or nightlife: Margate or The Wild Coast Sun.

Good coffee/tea/wine: We don’t have much of a coffee or wine culture here however I highly recommend Beaver Creek for coffee.

Meet locals: Jaxx Restaurant in Umtentweni is a local hangout spot with good food.

What makes a city/town special for me

The natural beauty. The south coast won the nature lottery – beautiful beaches, lush greenery and the perfect weather all year.

My favourite small town in South Africa and why

Clarens and Stellenbosch. I’m a very artsy and wine person and both these towns cater for that!

If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:

I did a Durban to Cape Town trip in 2015 with my family and that was absolutely amazing but since I already did it it doesn’t count. I would like to do a trip to the Kruger. This is what the itinerary looked like: Graaff Reinet – Beaufort West – Winelands – Cape Town (For a few days) – Garden Route – Port Elizabeth – East London. Midlands – Drakensberg – Clarens – Johannesburg – Hartbeespoort – Pretoria – Blyde River Canyon – Kruger.

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA

My ultimate was Addo in Port Elizabeth

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)

I haven’t travelled Southern Africa extensively yet, but I would love to experience Namibia.

My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

Port Elizabeth – the beaches are stunning, sand is white, and sea is not nearly as cold as Cape Town.

The most magical place in South Africa and why

Drakensberg.

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travellers: Suncity
  2. Couples: Winelands
  3. Families: Drakensberg
  4. Luxury travelers: Cape Town or Umhlanga
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots: Clarens

Asha, founder of Life By Asha Singh  is a 21 year old wine-a-holic. She’s passionate about women empowerment, politics, and social media. She enjoys travelling and sharing snippets of her life on social media. For more of her, check out her Facebook page.

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Stephanie’s Insider Guide to Cape Town

Meet our insider from Cape Town, Stephanie Marthinus-Hans, who is a local South African travel and lifestyle blogger from Cape Town passionate about showcasing small towns, accommodations, local eateries and wineries in the Western Cape and surrounding Provinces. Her blog, Stephanie Marthinus Blog, showcases small towns, accommodations, local activities and travel tips.

5 things I love most about Cape Town

  1. The four seasons in one weather
  2. How passionate people are on the daily
  3. Our unique local products
  4. The many scenic road trip routes
  5. Our world class wineries

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about Cape Town

Cool runnings; the tobogganing track in Bellville is such a cool activity for both the family and couples to enjoy. It’s different, fun and definitely an adrenaline rush.

Best place here to enjoy the…

The water – Kleinmond Beach or Struisbaai

The mountains/countryside – Stanford

The outdoors – Chapmans Peak Drive or a trip along Route 62

The food – There is so many to choose from but the Lourensford market in Paarl has such a wide variety on cuisines, you can’t go wrong.

The general vibe or nightlife – The vibe is surely in Bird and Victoria Streets in Stellenbosch.

Good coffee/tea/wine – Knead bakery and Truth knows how to make a great cup of coffee. When it comes to wines, there’s an array to pick from. I recommend Simonsig in Stellenbosch for their Kaapse Vonkel Rosé as well as Val du Charron in Wellington.

Meet locals – Festivals, food markets and park runs.

What makes a city/town special for you?

The willingness to also support one another’s causes or projects and our constant love to share knowledge and information without a fuss.

What is your favorite small town in South Africa and why?

Seeing that small towns is what I live for, I have many on my list. One in particular is Porterville. It’s relatively unknown and many people I spoke with had no idea where it was or even know what to do there. It’s such an underrated town with plenty of family and couple activities like the Porterville Farm Market, visiting the Mosaic House and taking an interest in the many creative artists that reside there.

If you could do a 10 day road trip through south africa, which stops would you make?

That’s a tricky question because there’s many trips on my list. I’d start off in the Great Karoo of Graaff-Reinet and Nieu-Bethesda, drive through Queenstown and into East London to make a trip in Coffee Bay. I would love to explore Morgans Bay and Port Alfred because the Sunshine coast is just impeccable.

What is the ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA?

South Africa is blessed with many exquisite game farms but start off with checking out South African National Parks for various accommodation options. I highly recommend exploring Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. There’s an unlimited amount of activities such as a self-drive, game drives, horse riding, hiking trails and even picnic sites for the whole family to enjoy.

Your best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

I would love to visit Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It’s honestly blessed with picturesque beaches and anyone who is a beach lover will enjoy the beach experience.

The most magical place in South Africa and why

Prince Albert takes my breath away every time I visit the small, arid town. It’s in the middle of dry barrens yet runs like a big city with vineyards, olive farms and mountain views for days.

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travellers: Definitely the CBD where there’s tons of fun-filled activities to do and cool places to visit.
  2. Couples: Depending what type of couple you are, stay at Ke Nako Lodges in Wilderness; tacked away on the mountain slopes or De Wilge in Nuy Valley.
  3. Families: Mossel Bay as many activities to keep the family entertained with charming beaches, quirky restaurants and putt-putt. Montagu is also another place to visit with Saturday markets, bike trails and river cruises.
  4. Luxury travellers: Stellenbosch and Paarl come to mind with luxurious accommodations nestled among the vineyards.
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots: Die Hel in the Swartberg Nature Reserve and Pampoenfein Farm in Cederberg is spots to truly be off-the-grid

You can find more of Stephanie’s musings about small towns at Stephanie Marthinus Blog. You will always find her with a strong cup of coffee in hand whilst she tackles her full-time job in the Marketing and Communications industry along with her part-time employment at a bespoke textile store. Aside from her blog get more insider tips on small towns in the Western Cape and beyond on Facebook.

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Nath’s Insider Guide to Riebeek West

Nath Diez’s blog, Foin & Escarpins, is a concentrate of what she likes: cooking, travelling, sport and healthy food, beauty products, books and series reviews and good or bad mood posts. She is a 43 year old Belgian mum who has been living in South Africa for 17 months. She is a 4 star guesthouse owner and loves to cook for her guests. She also likes to do sports with her family.

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about Riebeek West

Locals can have their olives pressed and made into olive oil. We have the most beautiful night sky which you have to stay here to have seen. There is a local cricket match between Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel which happens once a year on the 26th December and has been played annually since 20 years ago.

The least touristy thing to do in Riebeek West

Using the public toilets in Riebeek Kasteel.

Best place in Riebeek West to enjoy…

The water: this is quite difficult for now…

The mountains/countryside: climbing or biking around the Kastelberg mountains

The outdoors: walking or biking around

The food: Mama Cucina, the best Italian in town…and only one 😉

The general vibe or nightlife: Mama Cucina

Good coffee/tea/wine: The excellent bakery Panera or Beans about coffee at Riebeek Kasteel

Meet locals: Mama Cucina again….or under the stoep of the Royal Hotel with a gin tonic in your hand!

What makes a city/town special for me

The people and the general ambiance..We loved it so much that we decided to move there from Belgium 16 months ago…

My favourite small town in South Africa and why

I like Paternoster and specially the restaurant Gaaitje on the beach

If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:

Cape Town, Riebeek West/Riebeek Kasteel,  Franschoek, Graff Reinet, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Kruger…

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA

Kruger Park and specially the reserve OYO OYO where we get married with my husband.

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)

Botswana Okavango Delta

My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

We love Clifton Beach next to Cape Town

The most magical place in South Africa and why

Merindol Manor in Riebeek West to enjoy a glass of wine around the pool or in front of the manicured garden 😉

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travelers: Cape town
  2. Couples: Riebeek Valley
  3. Families: Game reserves/ Cape Town aquarium
  4. Luxury travellers: Game reserves and wine farm such as Babylonstoren next to Paarl

Nath Diez is the founder of Foin & Escarpins, a blog where she writes about the adventures of a Belgian girl in South Africa! The blog covers fashion, cooking, beauty, deco and travel. You can get more insider tips from her Facebook Page. Check out her Instagram as well!

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Rose’s Insider Guide to Hoekwil

Rose Bilbrough, from Hoekwil, is the founder of Gotravelbug, a blog dedicated to the roads less travelled, the off the beaten track wanderer and the paths less come by explorer. She discovers places forgotten, the secrets of  Southern Africa on foot, horseback, Bicycle or a small Opel Corsa that pretends to be a 4 x 4. Armed with a camera, a backpack and an inquisitive mind she uncovers culture, history,  food, and other interesting facts of this extremely diverse country.

5 things I love most about Hoekwil

  1. Long stretch of Beaches
  2. Fresh Rivers that run off the Mountains
  3. Natural Indigenous forest
  4. Farm grown food
  5. Adventure Paradise, especially being a paragliding pilot

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about

My favourite hidden swimming spot near rivers and creeks…I’ll never tell. Bonfire beach spots, ok I might say. Train Tracking the old railway tracks for photos. Flying my coastal cliff inn my paraglider. Eating breakfast at the Sedgefield Market with friends. A good old fashioned Braai on the lagoon’s edge and, finally, “Beer Slip”. You’ll have to ask me about that one.

The least touristy thing to do in Hoekwil

Shop

Best place in Hoekwil to enjoy…

The water: Kaaimans River, Touw River, Beach

The mountains/countryside: Wilderness National Park –  ie, Hikes, Big Trees the Seven Passes road, country Restaurants

The outdoors: Map of Africa, Paradise Ridge, Gericke’s Point, Sedgefield Mouth

The food: Wild Oats Farmers Markets, Harkerville Market, Outeniqua Market , Ile De Pain, Totties Farm Kitchen

The general vibe or nightlife: Red Bridge Brewery, Knysna, Wilderness Village Local vibe.

Good coffee/tea/wine: For coffee: Green Shed, Pause Coffee roastery Timber lake village, Slow Roast Sedgefield. For beer: Sedgefield Breweries, Redbridge Brewery Knysna, Blind Pig. For wine and/or bubbly:  Bramon. For wines:  Plet, Herolds, Herolt, Packwood, Knysna/Plet.

Meet locals: Fairy Knowe &  Beach House Back Packers

What makes a city/town special for me

It is an adventure paradise, it is easy living with fresh air and clean water, completely natural!

My favourite small town in South Africa and why

Mine, Wilderness. I want to be in nature and live a simple, clean adventurous life.

If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:

Graaff Reinet & Nieu Bethesda, Bethulie, Clarens, Wakkerstroom, Jozini- Hluhluwe, Howick, Underberg, Port Shepstone, Coffee Bay, St Francis Bay.

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA

Sleeping in a Bird Hide in the Kruger and watching the wild animals at close range.

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)

Loved the Chobe River with the Elephants in the River!

My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

Mozambique  – Tofo

The most magical place in South Africa and why

I love the Kruger and the Southern Park of it is my favourite. I love watching and photographing wildlife and birds. The quiet of the bush, the smell of the rain on the red sand and the sitting around a bushfire is my happy place.

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travellers: Garden Route  – Cape Town
  2. Couples: The Bushveld and Garden Route
  3. Families: Definitely the Garden Route
  4. Luxury travellers: Kruger, Cape Town, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots: Klein Karoo

Rose, founder of Gotravelbug, is a Garden Route based Blogger, Influencer and Social Media Networker entrenched in the Marketing of the area that she lives in and completely in love with her beautiful backyard ,described best as “Inspired by Nature and Driven by Adventure” as she says to many. You can see more of her on her Facebook page.

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Dhanusha’s Insider Guide to Cape Town

Dhanusha Dhoorgalu is a full time Computer Science student who freelances and writes for other publications. She is a passionate, free-spirited, ambivert obsessed with make up, music, travel and wine! She writes about all of her obsessions and more on her blog, Miss Dhanusha.

5 things I love most about Cape Town

  1. Warm beach
  2. Good food
  3. Friendly people
  4. Scenic driving routes
  5. Nature

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about Cape Town

Cape Town has the most amazing wine estates which I often visit. We love hiking and being in nature and checking out the quirky coffee spots.

The least touristy thing to do in Cape Town

Getting a Gatsby at Cosy Corner in Wynberg.

Best place in Cape Town to enjoy…

The water – Gordon’s bay, Strand

The mountains/countryside – Franschoek/Stellenbosch

The outdoors – Constania Nek

The food – Route 44 market

The general vibe or nightlife – CBD

Good coffee/tea/wine – Seattle Coffee

Meet locals – CBD

What makes a city/town special for you?

The scenery, the vibes, the attractions and the people.

What is your favourite small town in South Africa and why?

Knysna

If you could do a 10 day road trip through south africa, which stops would you make?

Cape Town CBD, Langebaan, Piketburg, Lambert’s Bay, Noup, Komaggas, Springbok, Loeriesfontein, Sutherland, Laingsburg, Still Bay, Hermanus.

What is the ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA?

Kruger National Park

What is the ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)?

Okavango Delta in Botswana

The most magical place in South Africa and why

De Hoop Nature Reserve

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travellers – Cape town, backpackers lodge, Yours Truly
  2. Couples – Robertson, Stellenbosch, Franschoek
  3. Families – Hermanus, Port Elizabeth
  4. Luxury travelers – Knysna
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots – Breede River

Dhanusha loves trance music and music festivals. She is also a self-proclaimed foodie. Her favourite foods are tacos, noodles, pizzas, and pasta. These all fall under her curries of course! To learn more about her obsessions with with make up, music, travel and wine, visit her blog,  Miss Dhanusha, as well as her Facebook page. 

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Carmen’s Insider Guide to Hilton and the Midlands

Carmen Barends lives in Hilton and is a researcher and Social media marketer by day and a blogger by night, fighting ill-conceived ideas of boredom by providing updates on local adventures. Her blog, Meanderings, is a quirky look at travel and lifestyle topics. Here’s a few of her tips to Hilton and the Midlands.

5 things I love most about Hilton

  1. Community
  2. Misty nights
  3. Lush green trees and fields
  4. Outdoors orientated people
  5. Fireplaces and red wine

A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about Hilton

We are spoilt for choice on artisanal coffee, mountain bike trails in the forests that would make most green with envy, plenty of festival spirit.

The least touristy thing to do in Hilton

Go for a cappuccino on your bike with your mates after a session in the planties (forest plantations).

Best place in Hilton to enjoy…

The water: Midmar dam

The mountains/countryside: Take a drive on the Midlands Meander route.

The outdoors: Get out in the forests in Hilton on your mountain bike with a group.

The food: Jaxx for dinner, Uncle Bucks for Pub lunches with a twist, Artisan Cafe for pizza (Hilton).

The general vibe or nightlife: Crossways and Uncle Bucks( Hilton) & St Ives Boma ( Midlands).

Good coffee/tea/wine: Coffee – Ground Coffee House, The Upper Millstone ( Hilton), Steampunk. Wine – Menu at Highgate, Abingdon Wine Estate ( Midlands).

Meet locals: Uncle Bucks or Pot and Barrell ( Hilton).

What makes a city/town special for me

A sense of community spirit and purpose to make the place as good as it can be. A good sense of self, no matter how quirky.

My favourite small town in South Africa and why

Clarens.

If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:

Pilansberg, Kruger, Drakensberg zipline, Coffee on the Midlands Meander, The Golden Mile in Durban, Hole in the Wall – EC, A sunset in the Karoo, Table Mountain in the Cape, Paternoster on the West Coast, Richtersveld up North, Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg.

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA

Spending a week at Mavela Game Lodge in KZN.

 

The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)

Touch the Earth experience in Pilanesberg

My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa

Mapelane Nature Reserve

The most magical place in South Africa and why

Shayamanzi houseboats – friendly service, good food, lovely game watching from the water and Tiger Fishing.

The best places to visit in South Africa for…

  1. Solo travelers: Uncle Bucks in Hilton 🙂
  2. Couples: Granny Mouse Country House
  3. Families: Brahman Hills
  4. Luxury travellers: Nambiti Reserve
  5. Those seeking off-the-grid spots: Antbear Lodge

Carmen Barends is the founder of Meanderings, a blog where she revisits some of the amazing places and spaces she gets to frequent. So in her meanderings and musings, you may find some treasures to visit and places to see and perhaps happy memories to last a long time. You can find more travel inspiration from her on Facebook.

Photography Credit: Kirsten Rae Hughes

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