Getaway

If you picked up this magazine, youʼre likely to be an adventurer. A few decades ago such a person was typically involved in dangerous expeditions to inhospitable places. Today, the number of previously inaccessible places that can now be experienced

Usually Getawayʼs ʻKruger correspondentʼ, Lauren rarely ventures into the countryʼs interior but recently found herself whizzing through the Great Karoo on an e-bike, flocks of sheep fleeing before her. She is a non-cyclist who, after being cajoled i

The growing range of crafted mountain-bike trails in SA, like this one at Summerplace Farm Stay in the Waterberg, means there will always be new challenges on two wheels. ■

Date: 20–21 Feb 2021 Start: Calvinia Primary School Finish: Kaleo Guest Farm, Ceres Cost: R2 700–R4 900 Total distance: 242km In teams of two or four, riders battle it out along South Africa’s longest straight gravel road between Calvinia and Ceres.

I was in Arniston in mid-November last year, enjoying a spell of warm weather, and decided to walk over the Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) and down to the beacon. On my way back, I noticed some snake spoor crossing the jeep track and cautiously fo

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As the warmer months descended late last year, and lost liberties returned, I felt that a midweek break from the burgeoning busyness of urban life into the bush would be the perfect treat. Pilanesberg Game Reserve was my choice. An easy two-hour driv

The sound of my tyres crunching over coarse sand filled my ears as I set out on one of Papkuilsfontein Farmʼs new trails on an unusually misty morning. The first set of mountain-bike trails on this farm, lying 20km outside Nieuwoudtville in the North

Since the Cape Floristic Kingdom is the most diverse flowering region in the world, our tour of three South African botanical experiences rightfully starts at the foothills of Table Mountain. Thanks to the fynbos, the region in which it grows has bee

The road to the Tasman Peninsula was lined with warning signs bearing marsupial silhouettes. Evidently worthless, since the tarmac was littered with the corpses of countless cute creatures. Wombats. Wallabies. Tasmanian devils. Hapless victims of log

Up ahead, the gravel road to the Cederberg meanders into the afternoon haze, like an adder slithering lazily out of sight. This route option, entering the pristine wilderness area from the south, is by far my favourite, especially at dawn or dusk. Wa

Husband and wife team Jan and Jay Roode have spent years in the African skies, photographing our continent from above. ʻWe had no idea what was out there but we embraced its unknown secrets with the enthusiasm of children on a treasure hunt,ʼ says Ja

R1 700 capecycles.co.za Camelbak will repair or replace your gear when it fails – all bags, reservoirs and accessories – for the lifetime of the product. This ‘Got Your Bak’ lifetime warranty covers the product when it fails due to a manufacturer d

The last time I tried to take an award-winning ornithological photograph, I was 10. A large and incredible bird landed on our roof. My dad whispered, ʻquick, get a cameraʼ. I knew little about birds then. Except that it was not a hadeda, nor a pigeon

On a walk in the dunes of Namibia, our guide found this sidewinder (bitis peringueyi). It was amazing to see how well adapted this species is to the harsh environment. Unlike other snakes, sidewinders have eyes on top of their heads to enable them to

• An extraordinary wildlife experience at Pafuri Luxury Tented Camp situated in the Makuleke Contract Park (northern Kruger National Park), located alongside the Luvuvhu River. The prize includes accommodation for two in one of Pafuri Camp’s luxury t

‘This is big sky country,' my dad pronounced as we skirted the Gariep Dam, heading south towards Steynsburg. Our destination was Mount Melsetter, the Southey family's farm in the north-eastern Groot Karoo. To be more specific, our destination was the

Great Karoo Cycling offers five trails, varying in length, duration and difficulty. Autumn trails start in mid March and run until early June. Spring trails resume in mid September until the first week in December. Book well in advance to ensure avai

‘The Kamoeties? I happen to know the family personally. In fact, they own a property just around the corner.' My boyfriend Matt and I had been sipping lukewarm coffee and weak tea, overlooking the Keurbooms River at Angieʼs G-spot (ʻgreat spotʼ) in D

Louvain Guest Farm has several activities on offer including bushmen painting and birdwatching tours, aromatherapy sessions and horse riding. Explore the Ox Wagon 4x4 Route on slick Silverback mountain bikes (hire at reception), hike up the hill behi

You tend to remember the exact moment when the impossible becomes possible. One such moment happened for me on 25 September, 2009 when – during the Southern Storm Adventure Race – the iconic five-day Otter Trail hiking route was first attempted as a

Head to the rugged Northern Cape escarpment beyond the Cederberg and get ready for a true get-high tramp in Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve. This little-known wilderness area near Nieuwoudtville encompasses 52km of craggy hiking trails, making for mind-s

Nothing epitomises a tropical island run quite like Mauritius’ annual Dodo Trail. This one-day ultra-event makes for an exceptional experience, with varying distances on offer. Technical terrain, unforgiving climbs and gnarly descents are sure to tes

The Otter run alternates direction every year; the event hub is based at De Vasselot Campsite in Nature’s Valley. The Challenge Run has a cutoff of 9hrs, while the Race Run allows only 8hrs on the trail. A Prologue is run on the day before each event

November 2017 in the drought-ravaged north of Namibia, the hides of dead animals were draped over bones like macabre tents. Sharp rocks crackled as we rolled, driving between the remains of two giraffe and about a dozen mountain zebra. It became clea

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa in the big five Welgevonden Game Reserve is now ready to welcome guests to their newly revamped luxury suites. This five-star, family-friendly lodge sleeps 24 and is less than a three-hour drive from Johannesburg. Mhondo

LIFE BEYOND HERMANUS A short stretch beyond the buzzing holiday town, Walker Bay and Grootbos Nature Reserve are a refreshing reprieve of relaxation or adventure in pristine nature (top). JOZINI DAM Tigers are reputed to be the ‘fightiest’ fish of a