South Africa is our home country, and in our opinion, the most beautiful country in the world. It is also the most misunderstood country from a travel point of view. Many people feel that the country is unsafe or disease ridden – well we’re hoping we can change that perception and get people travelling our beautiful country and enjoying it for what it is – the most unforgettable destination in the world!
The Wild Coast of South Africa is a 300km stretch between East London in the Eastern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal border. Previously known as the Transkei, the Wild Coast is one of the most remote and difficult places to access in the country. As such, the region has remained virtually untouched by modernity and is…
My most vivid memory of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is standing with both of my feet inside a giant footprint thinking, “A hippo walked in this exact spot just a few moments ago…” It’s from the first time I ever saw Lake St Lucia. I was in my first year of high school and had…
The West Coast, as the name suggests is the stretch of coastline on the western side of South Africa and north of the city of Cape Town. It is characterised by small coastal towns, bustling fishing industries and miles and miles of empty beaches. The West Coast Peninsula is a prominent feature along this stretch…
The Garden Route is a 300 km long coastal route in the Western Cape that stretches from Mossel Bay to Storms River in the Eastern Cape province, and includes popular towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. As the name suggests, this area is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty. Its ecology is diverse and includes…
The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is so named for its unbelievable views at just about every turn. The route traverses the Great Escarpment all the way down to the Kruger Lowveld via a number of mountain passes, including the famous Long Tom Pass. In the past, a section of the Panorama Route was used as a…
Ndumo Game Reserve is a small, green dot on the map between the uSuthu and Pongola rivers that is home to some incredible surprises. At only 10,117 ha, the Ndumo Game Reserve is one of the smallest of the game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa. However, this is by no means an indication of…
Long Tom Pass is a high-altitude pass through the Drakensberg Mountains that marks the start of the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. There couldn’t be a better gateway to one of the most picturesque regions of South Africa. The elevated position of Long Tom Pass provides a perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the natural…
Barberton, a small unassuming town in Mpumalanga’s Kruger Lowveld region, is world-famous for two different reasons. The first is for Golden Quarry, the world’s richest gold mine, where as the joke goes the rock had to be removed from the gold! The second, and more significant, is for the treasures of the Barberton Geotrail. The…
Sodwana Bay, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, forms the southern extent of many tropical coral reef species. It is the best place in South Africa to enjoy the beauty of this underwater ecosystem, not forgetting the ancient coelacanth population hiding in its offshore canyons. Sodwana Bay has become a mecca for SCUBA divers in South…
Kosi Bay and the Elephant Coast are among the most unique and beautiful jewels in KwaZulu-Natal’s illustrious quiver of natural attractions. One of the best ways to experience this area (as with so many areas in KwaZulu-Natal) is on foot, which is why we’re about to recommend that you do everything you can to get…
South Africa is a big country with a huge range of attractions. Whether you are looking to combine a visit to KwaZulu-Natal with other destinations in South Africa, or simply have limited time on your trip, we know it’s hard to fit it all in – and let’s face it, you simply can’t. While there is…
![The perfect KwaZulu-Natal road trip [A first-timer’s guide]](https://www.strayalongtheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Valley-of-a-thousand-hills-768x514.jpg)
Planning your first KwaZulu-Natal road trip? Then you’ve just landed on the perfect page to help you with that! KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa is highly undervalued as a tourist destination, and often overlooked in favor of destinations like the Kruger National Park and Cape Town. Having grown up in this amazing…
The Umlalazi Nature Reserve in Mtunzini is a pristine stretch of coastline known for its rich biodiversity, history and natural beauty. It’s situated at the mouth of the Mlalazi River which bends its way through the reserve and creates a beautiful centrepiece for this stunning region. The thickly vegetated dunes, mangrove forests, and Raffia palms make…
Much can be said for the waterfalls in Mpumalanga, each unique in its shape and size but every one enchanting and well worth a visit! Mpumalanga Mpumalanga is a destination synonymous with incredible wildlife, breathtaking natural vistas, and a plethora of outdoors activities. The Kruger Lowveld region in particular, home to gold rush towns like…
Ithala Game Reserve is one of the only big-game national parks that allows visitors the unique opportunity to do self-guided hiking trails. This was something we took full advantage of during our Ultimate South African Road Trip, and something you should too. Highlights Ithala Game Reserve Ithala Game Reserve is a lesser-known national park just outside…
The famous Sani Pass that links South Africa with Lesotho is one of the few vehicle access routes onto the great uKhahlamba escarpment. The spectacular “Barrier of Spears” has always proved to be a challenge to negotiate. Despite recent improvements in the road condition, Sani Pass still remains one of the region’s most arduous and…
![Hiking the Storms River Mouth [Guide]](https://www.strayalongtheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/tsitsikamma-view-site-768x514.jpg)
Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park is best known to hikers as the start of the famous Otter Trail; the strenuous, multi-day trail which follows the craggy coastline all the way to Nature’s Valley. The park is also well-known for its spectacular coastal scenery, and is home to…
The Knysna Forest is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream location and offers some of the best hiking and birding opportunities in the region. It is also a place of deep mystery and intrigue as ancient trees shroud and protect one of South Africa’s most elusive creatures… Knysna Forest highlights The Garden Route and Knysna Forest Few…
Nature’s Valley is a small coastal town surrounded by a big beach, big mountains, a big forest and a big river (the Grootrivier). It’s also the finish line for one of South Africa’s biggest hiking trails: the Otter Trail. With so much bigness around, it’s possible that one just might miss a few of this…
Aquarium Reef at Kosi Bay is one of the most unique and exhilarating places to explore KwaZulu-Natal’s underwater world. A wide variety of marine life, tucked into a small corner of the beautiful Kosi Lakes system, is an obvious attraction. We’ve spent many hours drifting up and down this aquatic centerpiece during our Ultimate South African…
When last did you come across a living organism that is over 900-years old? We were amazed to discover that Africa’s last ancient, indigenous fig forest can be found in Mkhuze Game Reserve right on Durban’s doorstep. Highlights The Sycamore Fig forest in Mkhuze Game Reserve Hiking in the Mkhuze Fig Forest was one of…
![Hike to Bat Cave in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park [Guide]](https://www.strayalongtheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bevan-hiking-bat-cave-isimangaliso-768x514.jpg)
Bat Cave is a little-known secret spot within the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park that can be accessed from Mission Rocks – a section of coastline characterised by a rocky platform that is full of rock pools at low tide. This flat and easy hike along the beach gives hikers a unique perspective of an enchanted…
Nestled on the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has a lot to boast about. For starters, with Table Mountain as its backdrop and incorporating spectacular views of the mountains it is arguably one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. It is also the only botanical gardens in…
![The Sentinel Peak (chain ladders) hike [Guide]](https://www.strayalongtheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Tugela-falls-at-the-top-of-the-amphitheatre-768x514.jpg)
The Sentinel Peak is one of the icons of the northern section of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg. Standing at 3166 m, it stands guard at the western end of the famous Amphitheatre. It is also home to the Tugela Falls, the second-highest waterfall in the world! Hiking the Sentinel Peak The Sentinel Peak forms part of a…
The Lisbon Falls is one of the most amazing waterfalls along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route. At 94m, it is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. There is a reason why visitors flock to see this natural wonder – the Lisbon Falls are beautiful! Visiting the Lisbon Falls The Lisbon Falls is barely a few minutes’ drive from the…
‘How to make the most of your time in the Kruger National Park’ is sponsored by the great people at Africa Odyssey, who offer tailor-made safari and beach holidays to Africa. The Kruger National Park bridges the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces in north-eastern South Africa. Being the country’s largest unbroken wilderness area, this game reserve offers…
![12 things to do in St Lucia [2023 update]](https://www.strayalongtheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Jill-hiking-bat-cave-isimangaliso-768x514.jpg)
St Lucia is a small town on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal almost completely surrounded by wilderness. There are dozens of things to do in St Lucia! Visitors to this incredible destination will find themselves immersed in a natural setting that few other destinations can offer. There is good reason why this area was South…
Natural wildlife experiences are things you will remember forever. South Africa, and its coastal oceans, is home to an incredible array of wildlife. The wild animals are a major draw card for tourists, and a national treasure for those lucky enough to call South Africa home. Anyone can look at bored lions in a zoo,…
The breathtaking vistas from God’s Window in Mpumalanga are one of the highlights for visitors to the Panorama Route. What is the Panorama Route? The Panorama Route is a roughly 160 km route in Mpumalanga, that runs between Lydenburg and the border of Mpumalanga and Limpopo near the Echo Caves. It includes the Long Tom Pass,…
If there’s one place that combines incredible coastal scenery and unparalleled hiking in an unspoiled setting, it’s the Tsitsikamma National Park on South Africa’s south-eastern coastline. This unique park boasts the oldest and largest marine protected area in Africa, the iconic suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth, a plethora of coastal day-hikes and of course, the…
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