There’s a special magic in the red sands of the Kalahari that you miss if you fixate exclusively on its superstars – lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Yes, these big cats are fascinating to watch, especially when they interact with each other or with prey. But if you’re screeching from one big cat sighting to another, you’ll miss some of the deeper satisfaction that comes from slowing down and tuning into a quieter world – the realm of small animals, tracks, plants, or a flash of butterfly wings.
|
By Roxanne Reid
There’s a special magic in the red sands of the Kalahari that you miss if you fixate exclusively on its superstars – lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Yes, these big cats are fascinating to watch, especially when they interact with each other or with prey. But if you’re screeching from one big cat sighting to another, you’ll miss some of the deeper satisfaction that comes from slowing down and tuning into a quieter world – the realm of small animals, tracks, plants, or a flash of butterfly wings.
16 Comments
By Roxanne Reid Tucked away off the N12, about 75km southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Mokala is a malaria-free protected area that makes an ideal stopover on a road trip between Cape Town and Joburg. But don’t rush your visit; stay at least two or three nights to surrender to its magic and explore some of these things to do in Mokala National Park. By Roxanne Reid I’ll bet you’ve seen more than one news report about humans behaving badly around wild animals, especially elephants. Unfortunately for the humans, their transgressions are often captured on video for the rest of us to shake our heads at in disbelief. Here are some practical tips on how to stay safe while watching elephants in the wild. By Roxanne Reid
Stellenbosch, known as the City of Oaks for trees planted hundreds of years ago, is an essential stop on any visit to the Western Cape. It also makes an ideal weekend escape from Cape Town. Think Cape Dutch architecture, wine estates, mountain scenery, hiking and biking, art galleries and restaurants. Here’s my pick of things to do in Stellenbosch. By Roxanne Reid
We’re sitting on our stoep in the middle of a wildlife area, watching mountain zebras and red hartebeest shuffle through the dust to drink at our own private waterhole. A black-backed jackal is calling in the distance as the sun sinks below the horizon and sets the clouds on fire. Read on to discover why you’ll love Afsaal Cottage in the Karoo National Park. By Roxanne Reid
Dreaming of sandy beaches and watersports? Or is birding along a river, exploring nature reserves, and whale watching more your thing? You can find all this and more at Still Bay / Stilbaai in the southern Cape. History buffs will enjoy historical buildings and the archaeological museum, while foodies will love its fynbos-inspired gin, olives, cheese, and seafood restaurants. Here’s my pick of things to do in Still Bay. By Roxanne Reid
A turquoise-blue ocean and white sand dunes, whitewashed cottages and brightly painted fishing boats, a coastline scattered with shipwrecks, and a sleepy little village with two names. If all this sounds intriguing, hop in your car and drive 2.5-hours from Cape Town to find Arniston/Waenhuiskrans – perfect for whale-spotting, cave exploring, fishing, snorkelling, hiking, and gorging on seafood. By Roxanne Reid
Hermanus, just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, was once a sleepy little fishing village. Now it buzzes with life. Whether you’re after budget stays or something a bit fancy, there’s a spot for you. There’s loads to keep you busy too. We’re talking wine tasting, great food, art galleries, top-class whale-watching, scenic hikes, and long white beaches. Here are my top 17 things to do in Hermanus on South Africa’s Whale Coast. By Roxanne Reid
Riebeek Kasteel and the Riebeek Valley have some serious history – stone-age tools and ancient KhoiSan rock art kind of old. But these days, it’s more about lazy weekends and good vibes, especially for Capetonians looking to escape the city for a few days. Here are some of my favourite things to do, from heritage, art and culture to food, wine and olives, with some outdoor adventure thrown in too. By Roxanne Reid
Craggy mountains, knobbly old oak trees, curving Cape Dutch gables, endless rows of vineyards and orchards, and maybe a peaceful little farm dam. These are the things you’ll be daydreaming about after a trip to Tulbagh. Just an easy 90-minute drive from Cape Town, this charming little town in the Cape Winelands is all about rich history and stunning views, with loads to explore. |
Get email links to the latest postsBuy my books
AboutI'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel. Categories
All
Archives
July 2026
|

