Getaway -julkaisun March 2025 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

If you’re anything like me, you plan a local or international trip in minute detail for maximum bucket list ticking. I take it one step further, making a list of clothing, toiletries and anything else I need to pack - usually, more than I need - because I worry I might forget otherwise. But I've learned first-hand that you can’t control everything, though that’s not necessarily bad because some detours are better than well-travelled roads. Case in point: on holiday in Rome, we decided to walk from the bus station to our hotel at the Spanish Steps. It’s not that far, we had reasoned while planning our trip. We hadn’t accounted for the fact that the international roaming on our cell phones wouldn’t work despite our service provider’s assurance that…

Education City Mosque Doha's Education City Mosque is a magnificent combination of 'modern abstract architecture with religious traditions'. Not only a place of worship, the mosque regularly hosts community events. Five pillars, each representing a pillar of Islam, support the mosque, whose ceilings are embossed with verses from the Quran and dotted with twinkling lights reminiscent of the night sky. Alternatively, walk through the glorious outdoor areas that feature four streams (representing the four rivers of Paradise) that syphon water into the building's central garden.…

I grew up connected to nature and the environment Mom was passionate about horticulture and spent a lot of time in our garden in Joburg, and Dad carried me hiking in the Drakensberg from when I was just a few weeks old. I attended one of South Africa’s first Montessori schools (HeronBridge College is there now), where we played in the veld and built forts in eucalyptus trees. I remember performing a play about the harmful effects of pollution on the river ecosystem. We no longer think about what happens to our waste beyond throwing it in our household bins because education and awareness are lacking in this country. Childhood education about the environment isn’t what it used to be, while adults think that dropping litter creates jobs for the…

Returning to northern KwaZulu-Natal for the first time in forever, we foolishly filled our itinerary to the brim. Though we created lasting memories, we resisted the temptation more than once to hit the snooze button when we received a call from the hotel receptionists. But exploration was hard to resist - on our first day, balmy and autumnal, a cruise on Lake Jozini. All we'd need to do was relax and enjoy nature's beauty. That was what we did in theory: watch adult hippos enter the water from the shore while their curious calves played hide-and-seek with us, emerging from the water, then disappearing before we could photograph them. 'No paparazzi, please,' they seemed to say. The boat was still as our tour guide told us about the area before…

10 Family-friendly Camps and Lodges in Africa (for kids of all ages) KWANDWE ECCA LODGE, KWANDWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, EASTERN CAPE kwandwe.com/ecca-lodge MADIKWE BUSH CAMP, MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, NORTH WEST PROVINCE thelastword.co.za/hotel/madikwe-bush-house MACHABA CAMP, MOREMI GAME RESERVE, BOTSWANA machabasafaris.com/en/camps-lodges/machaba-camp OKAUKUEJO CAMP, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA okaukuejo.net MUSHARA BUSH CAMP, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA mushara-lodge.com/mushara-bush-camp OFFBEAT MARA CAMP, MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY, KENYA offbeatsafaris.com/property/offbeat-mara SOSIAN LODGE, LAIKIPIA NATIONAL PARK, KENYA sosian.com EL KARAMA LODGE, LAIKIPIA NATIONAL PARK, KENYA elkaramalodge.com GIBB’S FARM, NGORONGORD CRATER, TANZANIA gibbsfarm.com MKOMBE’S HOUSE LAMAI, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA expertafrica.com/tanzania/serengeti-migration-area/mkombes-house-lamai…

Martin Meyer THE LOOKOUT (PS2) Childhood visits to Pilanesberg National Park ignited this wildlife photographer’s passion for nature. Martin’s evocative images convey the profound emotions he experiences in the wild, offering viewers a glimpse of nature’s magic. As an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, he combines his artistic talents with a commitment to conservation. martinmeyer_wild Graeme Green FIRST STEPS IN AFRICA (P94) This British journalist, editor and photographer’s work has appeared in international publications, including The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, Condé Nast Traveller and Forbes. He has worked extensively worldwide, covering adventure travel, arts and culture, and global issues, including wildlife, conservation, the environment, human trafficking, conflict and human rights. He founded the international conservation initiative, the New Big 5 project, authored the book The New Big Five, and has been…

Wildlife of Botswana: A Photographic Guide BY NIKOS PETROU AND NEIL MACLEOD Struik Nature, R380 on takealot.com This is a slim little book, and light - at just 342 g it's easy enough to slip into your bag. Which is great if you're self-driving, walking, canoeing or hopping on one of those tiny bush planes. Or helicopters. Which are all the ways of getting around this landlocked country. First, a bit about it: more than 75% of Botswana's surface area is covered by the planet's fifth-largest desert, and just to spin your head, it's also got the world's largest inland river delta, and the world's largest system of salt pans and flats. Intrigued yet? It's also sparsely populated, which means a lot of space for wildlife. This book is all about…

Travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, offering new experiences, cultures and perspectives. But people are more aware than ever of travel’s environmental and cultural impact, which explains why the concept of ‘sustainable’ travel has become more mainstream. According to the World Tourism Organisation, sustainable travel ‘respects the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and provides socio-economic benefits for all’. In other words, local is the keyword. Travelling sustainably means making conscious choices that preserve the destination’s natural make-up and cultural heritage while considering our journey’s environmental impact. Rather than hindering your next holiday, as some might assume, sustainable tourism can enhance your travels, creating a more meaningful experience of a local or international destination. Sustainable travel is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, there’s the environmental aspect. The tourism industry significantly…

It was still dark as the pilot began our descent into Muscat. I pressed my forehead against the window, trying to glimpse Oman’s capital city. The Gulf of Oman’s inky black waters reflected the silvery moon’s light. The city lights twinkled below us, outlining a grid of roads and buildings, the streetlights’ golden glow contrasting sharply with the surrounding darkness of the desert. The shadowy outlines of the sawtoothed Jabal Akhdar Mountains encircled the still-sleeping city, a dramatic frame around a sea of barely visible whitewashed buildings and mosques with minarets. The airport is quiet because our flight is the only one to land now. Quickly done with immigration and bags in hand, we emerge into the arrivals area of the terminal, where a uniformed driver awaits, holding a placard…

ONEPLAN MUDDY PUPPY SUNDOWNERS 2 March ALBERTON, JOHANNESBURG Prepare for a tail-wagging adventure on a 3 km obstacle course with your dog. Run, walk, slip and slide your way through muddy, watery challenges and compete for medals with your four-legged teammate. Part of the proceeds go towards a charity that supports dogs. Tickets: from R100 quicket.co.za CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR 9 March GRAND PARADE, CAPE TOWN The 47th edition of this 109 km cycle race around the Cape Peninsula starts near the historic Castle of Good Hope with Table Mountain as the backdrop and showcases the Mother City's stunning coast and lush landscapes. With over 30 000 participants, including elite cyclists and beginners, this event also offers a shorter 42 km race. Tickets: from R460 capetowncycletour.com DOLPHIN COAST MARATHON 16…

I am borderline obsessed with Japanese food and culture, so when I heard a new ramen bar was opening in Bree Street, I booked without delay. And I wasn't disappointed. Yatai Ramenbar is the lastest addition to Cape Town's popular and ever-growing food scene, and is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine. Inspired by the 'vibrant essence of Japanese steet food', it offers diners a 'refined dining experience' in a cosy space below Nikkei Japanese Peruvian. The illuminating glow of faux cherry blossom trees greeted me as I entered and took the staircase from the entryway into the restaurant. As I rounded the corner, I faced an impressive bar whose design drew inspiration from traditional Japanese food stalls. It hummed with activity as bar staff prepared orders from an…

These French-style beauties are not your ordinary pork chops but boast a unique, irresistible flavour infused with fresh herbs and spices, grilled to perfection and served with roasted vegetables. Prep Time 20 minutes Cooking Time 30 minutes Serves 4 4 bone-in pork chops Salt and black pepper, to taste  2 tbsp olive oil  2 cloves garlic, minced  1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped  1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped  1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped  1 large butternut squash, halved and seeded  2 tbsp butter  2 tbsp pumpkin seeds  1 head of garlic, halved horizontally  1 leek, chopped into large pieces  4 radishes, halved 1. Season the pork chops generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Mix the olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme and parsley in a small bowl. Rub…

Where To Stay THE CHEDI MUSCAT This five-star hotel is in manicured grounds on the Muscat coastline. It’s near most of the city’s top attractions and is a luxurious escape, elegant without being ostentatious. With a pretty beach, tranquil grounds, lovely rooms and villas, fantastic restaurants and not one but three swimming pools, The Chedi is one of the most sought-after hotels in Muscat. ghmhotels.com/en/muscat ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR This luxury resort, perched 2 000 m above sea level on the edge of a dramatic canyon, offers breathtaking views, private pool villas, a world-class spa and Omani-inspired architecture. It’s ideal for relaxation and adventure, with highlights including access to Jabal Akhdar's stunning landscapes and trails. anantara.com/en/jabal-akhdar How To See Muscat Bubbly, friendly and knowledgeable, Hajer Al Muzayni is a…