Table of contents for October/November 2025 in Getaway

Spring has officially sprung in all its glory. This means wildflowers lining one of the roads I drive the most as I go about my days — the ocean's crashing waves forming a backdrop to the carpet of colourful blooms. Watching the spectacle unfold each year never gets old. How can it when nature's ebbs and tides are so astounding? Seeing it makes you want to immerse yourself in it as often as possible, via a simple walk on the beach — wind permitting in Cape Town — a hike in the mountains or a stroll in the forest. We must go outside regularly for our physical and mental well-being. Simply put, nature clears the mind and replenishes the soul in a similar way that travelling, locally or internationally, can. Both…

1. Al AS YOUR CONCIERGE Technology, especially AI, has transformed how people travel, and is a trusted adviser and companion. Al-powered apps can now design entire itineraries in minutes, rebook disrupted flights automatically and even suggest personalised activities based on your preferences. Apps such as Citymapper allow travellers to enter their start and end points and instantly see which options are best for them. Airports and hotels are embracing this shift, cutting queues with mobile check-in, biometric boarding and real-time luggage tracking. The result? Less stress, more efficiency. However, over-automation can risk removing spontaneity and the human touch, and travellers increasingly want both tech convenience and authentic human interaction. 2. HYPER-PERSONALISATION Room service menus that adapt to dietary preferences and Al-curated city guides that know whether you're a foodie or…

Icy Desert The word desert conjures imaginings of searing heat and sandy landscapes. It might surprise you to learn that Antarctica is a desert. Technically speaking, it's a polar desert, the world's largest, in fact. But how can that be? It's due to low rainfall in the area, which makes it exceptionally difficult for plants and wildlife to thrive. Interestingly, that hasn't always been the case, as evidenced by fossil discoveries there. IN THE WALL If you're keen on ancient art, particularly statues and carvings of Buddha, make your way to the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring over 2 300 caves and niches carved into the cliffs along the Yi River. Here, you will find over 100 000 Buddhist statues dating back 1 500 years, ranging in…

Family travel in the South African bush is undergoing a thoughtful renaissance. The hushed, adult-focused safari is giving way to something more inclusive - a style of intergenerational travel that celebrates shared wonder, quiet curiosity and conservation-minded exploration. From pre-teens to grandparents, this evolution invites families to connect through the rhythms of nature, where education, engagement and empathy converge. Across the country, a fresh narrative is emerging: the bush not merely as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing classroom. On game drives, guided walks and around fireside storytelling sessions, families now share nature on terms that resonate with every age; a narrative rooted in belonging, discovery and intention. It's a shift from simply seeing wildlife to truly engaging with it, learning not just the names of animals but their…

Despite my best efforts to pry open my eyes against the sting of the early morning air, I'd fallen asleep in the back of the game vehicle. Vaguely aware of the icy draft cutting through the game viewer and camera box balanced precariously in my lap, I bounced along, semi-lucid, for about an hour. Those of our expedition team who hadn't joined us on this bumpy ride might've had an extra two hours’ rest before we set off to trace the perimeter of the legendary Gorongosa National Park and its greater surrounds in central Mozambique, but they'd missed out. We'd woken up early and had the privilege of meeting a curious, prehistoric character. For an hour, as the sun crept into the day, we watched vets accompanying rehabilitated pangolins on…

There's something special about a road trip, especially when shared with the people you love. It's the promise of playlists, yummy snacks and those unexpected heart-to-hearts that only seem to happen on long drives. But those who have taken on the responsibility of packing know that the real journey starts long before you pull out of the driveway. It's not just about getting behind the wheel; it's the subtle art of seating diplomacy (tallest or most prone to motion sickness up front?), negotiating how many bags are too many and managing the emotional chaos of small humans who insist their imaginary friend has a seat. Whether you're travelling with kids, your partner, your friends or going solo, one thing's for sure: you've mastered the art of the road trip. And…

ŞANLIURFA: A CITY WHERE HISTORY LIVES AND BREATHES Şanliurfa, or simply Urfa, is the kind of place that makes you rethink what you thought you knew about civilisation. Four times the landmass of Istanbul and not far from the Syrian border, it has a distinctly Middle Eastern flavour - bazaars alive with spice-scented air, honeyed light falling across ancient stones, and a people fiercely proud of their heritage. It's no surprise, then, that locals claim Urfa as the birthplace of the Abrahamic religions. That sense of profound history is impossible to ignore. Our guide, Dr. Emine Yeşim Bedlek, carried us through the layers of this city's story with knowledge and warmth, enriching every step we took. We based ourselves in the city centre, venturing out each day to uncover Urfa's…

South Africa is littered with ‘pockets’ of tourist gems, and seldom are these found as frequently as the Western Cape's Garden Route. Place names that immediately come to mind include Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley. Scratch a little deeper around Knysna and you will find smaller jewels that might not have the glamour of the town but add immensely to its tourism lustre. Sedgefield, Buffelsbaai, Rheenendal and Brenton-on-Sea all fall within the Knysna Local Municipality. Each has its unique identity, and the first three are tourist attractions in their own right. Despite its isolation - you can only access it via a single road - Brenton is regarded as an outlying suburb of the town. Being so close to Knysna, their histories are inextricably linked, historically and commercially,…

Hake roe parfait is Terrarium Restaurant's seafood twist on a classic parfait. Panfried, it tastes similar to French toast. A humble ingredient anyone who grew up in our coastal communities remembers from their childhood braais, elevated to a fine-dining delicacy. High-end restaurants are trendsetters. What chefs cook today, diners will demand tomorrow. One thing we consumers are challenging eateries to adopt is sustainability. We want to know what we're eating and where it comes from. With South Africa's high unemployment rate, we need reassurance that the money we spend on dining out has socio-economic benefits for local communities. The younger generation, in particular, isn't happy with how we've treated the planet. Sustainability needs to be part of a restaurant's ethos, so they feel okay eating there. But it's more than…

SPAR WOMEN'S CHALLENGE 5 October MARKS PARK SPORTS CLUB, JUDITH ROAD, EMMARENTIA, RANDBURG, JOHANNESBURG The Spar Women's Challenge is one of South Africa's most popular running events, drawing thousands of participants each year. Runners and walkers can choose between a 10 km run, 10 km walk, or 5 km fun run/walk, making it a great day out for all fitness levels. Expect a festive atmosphere with over 16 000 participants, plus a Grand Prix Series where elite athletes compete. Every entry includes a race T-shirt, cap, magazine and goodie bag, with medals awarded to the first 14 000 finishers. It's fitness, fun and community spirit rolled into one. sparwomenschallenge.co.za BOXER SUPER RUN 12 October BLUE LAGOON PARK, LAGOON DRIVE, STAMFORD HILL, DURBAN Durban is set to come alive this spring…

Iwas starting to get antsy as I waited for our flight to take off from Nairobi to Joburg, where I'd catch a connecting flight to Cape Town. If I missed it, I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Travelling to and from Kenya had felt like one big whirlwind - being in a constant state of rushing around airports, particularly O.R. Tambo. I'd squeezed my stuff into a carry-on for the trip because my friend messaged me, ‘Megs, I wouldn't advise checking in luggage, as you may not have enough time to transfer it onto your connecting flight when you get to Joburg’. As an overpacker, you can imagine this suggestion was my worst nightmare. ‘No problem at all,’ I lied calmly, surprising even myself. ‘As long as…

TIP Remember to sear the fat by standing the steaks upright over the coals or in the pan with the flavoured butter, ensuring it's nicely browned and crisp. Prep Time 25 minutes, plus 1 hour refrigeration Cooking Time about 10 minutes Serves 4 You'll Need For the dry rub 4 large pork T-bone steaks, rind removed A splash of olive oil For the dry rub 5 ml coriander seeds 3 ml fennel seeds 3 ml whole peppercorns A sprig each of thyme and rosemary, leaves stripped 1 bay leaf, broken into pieces 3 ml smoked paprika 5 ml light-brown sugar 30 ml sea salt For the flavoured butter 125 ml salted butter, softened 60 ml flat-leaf parsley (combine with soft herbs fennel fronds, basil and coriander are delicious), roughly chopped Zest of 1 lemon 1 generous dollop of sriracha or…

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned bush lover, camping in Kruger National Park offers a way to be in the wild that no lodge can replicate. But how do you choose to do it? From guided adventures to pop-up camps and motorhome road trips, Kruger has a camping style to suit every kind of adventurer. GUIDED CAMPING WITH WILD PLANET SAFARI Drawn to the idea of camping in Kruger but not the thought of setting up tents or cooking over a skottel or fire? Then guided camping may be your sweet spot, and Wild Planet Safari delivers this perfectly, especially for groups. ‘What kind of owl is that?’ joked Ryan Ker of Wild Planet Safari as we lifted our binoculars to a branch in a giant jackalberry tree near…

GETTING THERE Airlink, Southern Africa's premier regional airline, serves more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, as well as Madagascar and St Helena Island, plus worldwide connections with 35 airline partners. A business class service is offered on select routes, with access to SLOW lounges and Bidvest Lounges. Airlink operates direct return flights between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, Madagascar, on Sundays. An additional Wednesday return service will be offered from 17 December to 7 January 2026. After a seasonal break, Sunday flights resume from 22 March to 30 April 2026. From 5 May, flights will operate on Tuesdays instead of Sundays. Direct return flights between Johannesburg and Antananarivo operate four times weekly. flyairlink.com LOGISTICS Organising a trip to Madagascar can be complicated, as it is a big country without…