South Africa's diverse offerings make it a dream destination for anyone who can't sit still. From incredible wildlife encounters to vibrant food and wine scenes, not to mention its incredibly rich history and culture, the abundance of activities ensures you'll never be idle for too long.
And while it's hard to resist the allure of big cities like Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg – where there's always a new restaurant to try, a museum to visit, or a sports game to see – where do you go when you want to step off the beaten path and unwind?
Departing from the hustle and bustle of big city life, we've sought insights from three South African experts who'll guide you on how to holiday like a local, exploring the diverse landscapes and rich tapestry of the Rainbow Nation.
Melanie van Zyl was born, bred and is still based in Johannesburg but travels frequently across Southern Africa.
I spent my childhood on road trips. My folks owned a 4WD vehicle rental business, and we traversed South Africa, dropping off cars for clients or fetching supplies and exploring new places. One of our favorite family trips was Route 62, South Africa's equivalent to America's famous Route 66.
Montagu, a charming town, marks the beginning of this route. It is also where my parents have chosen to retire, and I am always happy to visit them there.
The town is mountainous and mellow, offering a range of design-led stays, quieter wine-tasting experiences and excellent farm fare. Unsurprisingly, it's a popular destination for trendy Capetonians who want a reset (it's only a three-hour drive away). Accommodation ranges from sleek country cabins like Suidster and Wolwehoek to minimal art-focused hideaways, such as Stil. The quirky art-deco-inspired Montagu Country Hotel in the middle of town remains a firm favorite with its little spa and tourism center. Opposite the hotel is the Montagu Bookshop, where I regularly browse the shelves.
Kapokbos, located at the Weltevrede Wine Estate, is our family's new favorite foodie treat, but Springfield is our go-to if we're looking for great wine in a sublime outdoor setting on a sunny day. We never leave Montagu without stopping by the Cape Dry Factory Store for padkos (snacks) and cost-price wines from surrounding farms, such as Excelsior and De Wetshof or popping into BluVines Bistro for a cappuccino and panoramic views. The Montagu Museum is an excellent (if small) site to learn about the town's history and better understand South Africa's diverse past. For something more unusual, we join guided history tours by a passionate local, Marchelle van Zyl on her fascinating ghost tour of the streets by bicycle.
Jabulile Ngwenya is a writer and copywriter who lives in Cape Town.
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Trevor Noah has spent a lot of time on the road lately. Since wrapping up his tenure as host of The Daily Show last year, the comedian has been hopping between continents to perform standup in some of the world’s greatest and most fascinating cities, from Berlin and Tokyo to Glasgow and Paris. His travels have also, unsurprisingly, given him more material to work with—much of which he explores in his new Netflix special, Trevor Noah: Where Was I, released on December 19. Condé Nast Traveler recently caught up with Noah—who also has a new Spotify podcast, What Now? with Trevor Noah, in the pipeline and will be returning as host of the 66th annual Grammy Awards in February—to talk national anthems, South African curries, and why travel has the power to shift our perspectives.
The allure of an African safari is unrivalled, offering the opprtunity to spend time in the natural habitat of animals many of us know only from children’s storybooks or television. But it can be hard to feel immersed in the wildness of your surroundings when you’re in a queue with dozens of other vehicles on a game drive.
In the chilly predawn hour of late July, the peak time for a winter safari in Botswana, I sink deeper into the seat of our electric Land Cruiser, bundled in layers of scarves, blankets, and jackets. We’re on the move. A predator, the elusive African leopard, was spotted near our lodge the night before. While tracking this large nocturnal cat will ultimately prove difficult, I have already witnessed a different rare sight on this trip: a crew of all-woman guides known as the Chobe Angels, the first in Africa and the only such team in Botswana, where women still represent less than 5% of all safari guides.
Founded as recently as 1886, Johannesburg went on to become the largest city in South Africa. It was the long-time home of the country’s first Black president and is now a burgeoning student hub with a progressive mindset. Nelson Mandela’s House and the Soweto township along with the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill are vital components of any Jo’burg itinerary before heading to Kruger and beyond.
“Last August, I spent two weeks in Africa with six of my best mates. I was at this point in my life when I didn't want to go chill on another beach or sit at a hotel or even party; I wanted to be out learning things and experiencing cultures. Africa had been on my mind—and I'd been to South Africa before—so we made our way across Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. In Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania, we missed the Great Migration but saw plenty of hippos and elephants. In Kenya, we visited the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary—a community-owned organization that takes in orphaned animals—where we got to feed baby giraffes. Another day, we flew to Mount Kenya in a helicopter. About three quarters of the way up, we hovered over one of its many beautiful volcanic lakes, and I jumped right in...like, straight out of the chopper and into the lake. It was absolutely freezing. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was trekking through Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where we hiked for two days through the jungle to spot gorillas. Along the way, we stumbled across these remote villages, meeting people who told us stories of their lives and kids who welcomed us with smiles and music. It was surreal to realize that my ancestors came from a place like this. But nothing prepared me for the moment when we finally saw the gorillas. We came across this flat piece of land, and suddenly there they were: a group of about 10 mountain gorillas within a meter of us. It was mind-blowing. Seeing them there, so relaxed in their natural habitat, was incredibly moving. I remember thinking, This is where they should be, in their homes—free.”
Home to one of the most-visited archaeological sites in the world, diverse ecosystems and a gastronomic scene that’s been booming for over a decade, it’s not difficult to come across a traveler with Peru on their bucket list — or one who has already crossed it off.
Destinations worldwide are courting Indian travelers, including countries throughout Africa. Authorities in several African nations are ramping up their efforts to attract visitors from the rapidly growing market.
Sunset descends like a dream in Kenya’s Lamu archipelago: Each evening, the channel separating the islands of Manda and Lamu is anointed in a hazy veil of golden light as dhows pirouette in the water, triangle sails billowing overhead. I gazed out over a carousel of boats from my perch on the deck of Taqwa, delighting in the snatches of American hip-hop, Afrobeats, and Bollywood bangers emanating from them as they passed by. At some point, Taqwa sailed in tandem with a smaller vessel boasting the best playlist on the water. As we floated together companionably, a romantic Swahili tune filled the air—and for a moment, the weather, landscape, and music came together in a sublime alchemy that left me breathless.
“Our goal is not to replace our workers, but rather empower them to make them more productive so they can automate certain tasks and focus on providing more value to our customers,” explains Adrian Lopez, who recently stepped into a newly created role as Head of AI for Corporate at Flight Centre Travel Group(FCTG).