Only five African cities feature in the top 100 rankings in regards to quality of living, according to Mercer’s 19th Quality of Living ranking… and three of those are in South Africa! Five Africa cities managed to remain in the top 100 rankings in regards to quality of living, with Port Louis in Mauritius topping the […]

The Joburg skyline (or at least hints of it) can be viewed from hundreds of places around the city. In this wonderful photo essay, JAMES BALL of the Heritage Portal highlights some of the spots that provide such an exceptional view and experience that they must be shared. City enthusiasts will be aware of these and […]

For the many South African expats who fly to or from Dubai, or SA business and holiday travellers who fly through Dubai International Airport on their way to or from South Africa… please note that the Airport has introduced a new baggage rule – no more round bags! The rule comes into effect on Wednesday […]

CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape tourism sector has experienced one of its best summer seasons, with international visitor arrivals up 29.8 percent! Briefing the Western Cape standing committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture on seasonal tourism statistics for the province, Wesgro, the province’s official tourism and investment promotion agency, said the December period was a bumper season […]

If you’ve never been lucky enough to visit iconic Table Mountain in South Africa’s Mother City – Cape Town – this is what you’re missing, and why you may wish to put the official New 7 Wonder of Nature at the top of your Bucket List… Get ready to take your place on the Table Mountain Aerial […]

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, or during your next holiday to Cape Town, South Africa… feast on this video which has endless fabulous ideas of shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques to visit, all along one strip – Long Street. “Cape Town is one of most dangerous cities in the world, and this […]

The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations has appointed South African tourist guide Alushca Ritchie as its new President. Alushca, a registered tourist guide for the Western Cape, was appointed to head the internationally recognised body at the 17th biennial World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Convention, which took place in Tehran, Iran, recently. Alushca has […]

The South African High Commission (SAHC) in New Zealand has announced the launch of two South African Visa Application Centres in New Zealand – in Auckland and Wellington – which will be run by VFS Global. This follows the outrage since the introduction of the visa last month, with New Zealand passport holders having to travel to […]

Several South Africans have rejoiced at news that United States President, Donald Trump, has signed a visa-free travel policy for South Africans wishing to enter the USA. However, it is FAKE news, and identical articles were published on the same fake news site, making identical claims for the Caribbean and Asia. The article, entitled “Donald […]

A Dutch cinematographer, Jeroen Schrage, has captured breathtaking scenes of majestic South African landscapes from the Western Cape to Free State, Mpumalanga to Eastern Cape. Watch his video below. Jeroen spent three weeks in SA last year to capture the mainly aerial shots… using drones and helicopter trips. In December he published the video on […]

The Kruger National Park has listened to its customers and done a u-turn on its sudden announcement yesterday to close the Lower Sabie tented camp on 13 February… after it caused outrage for visitors who had already booked their holidays, and could not get hold of the Park as advised to change their plans. The Park […]

A 34-year-old New Zealand citizen discovered – while applying for the newly required visa to visit South Africa on holiday – that she has been South African all along without realising it! Her South African expat mother, Cheryl Jury, has shared her story with SAPeople in the hope it can enlighten other South African families who may […]

It seems, for some of us, that the older we get the more inclined we are to be reckless. Who but the very bravest of long-distance drinkers, big-bike riders and hardened shoppers would take on the awesome pubs and padstalle of Route 62 in the Western Cape? Who but the youngest and silliest of us […]

Here’s a little eye candy to start the day… along with some soothing sounds of the ocean. Michelle Mengel filmed this video yesterday morning from Gordon’s Bay rock pools in the Western Cape, South Africa… before climbing aboard the MSC Sinfonia to set sail for Durban. The harbour town – also known as Gordonsbaai – […]

There has been chaos and confusion for many South Africans living in New Zealand who have booked trips home this year… but now need a visa for their Kiwi spouse or children (or even for themselves where they’ve become a New Zealand citizen). As of last week (starting Monday 16 January 2017) New Zealand passport holders […]

PRETORIA – Over 5.5 million people (5,504,022 to be exact) travelled across South Africa’s borders between 9 December 2016 and 14 January 2017, says Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba. This marks an increase of 200,467 movements, or 3.78 percent, at the ports of entry nationally when compared to the 5,303,555 recorded during the same period […]

South Africans are the proud holders of the third most powerful passport in Africa… which gives them visa-free access to 90 countries around the globe, according to the 2017 global ranking report by Passport Index. Only the Seychelles with 125 visa-free countries, and Mauritius with 118 were positioned higher. Meanwhile citizens of Somalia have the worst passport […]

Standing on a rock on the slopes of Sir Lowry’s Pass in the Western Cape of South Africa, overlooking the ocean and Somerset West’s skyline, surrounded by untamed landscape – this is where Dutch entrepreneur Henk Maris stood 12 years ago and had a vision for this place, Bezweni Lodge – “If this is heaven…” Maris is […]

Yes, I am inherently a racist… I’ve been travelling outside of South Africa since 2011 and since then I’ve learnt a lot about the topic, not just from my point of view but from others too, writes REZEEN DANIELS. Let’s start with the term ‘coloured’. I’ve come to hate this term and have openly shared […]

We were having a late lunch at Montego Resort in Xai-Xai, Mozambique, when the manager turned to us and asked: “Have you been to the haunted hotel?” I could see the mix of excitement and hesitation in the eyes of every person on our team. Who doesn’t like a good ghost story… and to have the […]

The number of tourists to South Africa has increased in the past year, and Germany has knocked the UK off the number one spot of the country whose tourists visit SA the most, according to the latest Tourism and Migration report by Statistics SA (Stats SA). The Big 5 are: Germany, UK, USA, France and The […]

Bloemfontein, situated in the middle of the bucolic countryside of the Free State in South Africa, was originally a British outpost in an area of turbulent warfare. The history of Bloemfontein is inexorably linked to the complex history of the now-named Free State province of Africa. And the history of the Free State in the […]

LONDON – British Airways (BA) has announced that trade union Unite intends to hold industrial action involving one of BA’s five cabin crew fleets on Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26). BA said: “We are appalled that Unite proposes to disrupt customers’ travel plans on such special days when so many families […]

PRETORIA – Tourism remains key to South Africa’s economic development strategy and the substantial growth in tourist arrivals is testament to how dedication to marketing ‘Destination SA’ is paying off. Tourist arrival figures have gone up by 14.8% this year compared to the same period in 2015, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Tuesday. The […]

PRETORIA – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Tuesday announced that South Africa has decided to reciprocate by withdrawing the visa exemption which New Zealand passport holders enjoy. This reciprocation – or retaliation? – is in response to New Zealand’s withdrawal of visa free travel arrangements for South African passport holders. And while New Zealand […]