Travel

Safari Guide of the Year 2026 launches, marking 15 years of raising the bar as South Africa's top field guides go head-to-head 18–24 June 2026, Amani Safari Camp, Klaserie Drift Collection, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Limpopo Five of South Africa's most accomplished field guides are in the Greater Kruger, competing for the title of Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) 2026, a competition now in its 15th year of testing and celebrating the standards that define professional guiding in South Africa. Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) endorsed SGOTY in 2011 to address a gap the tourism industry had largely ignored: there was no formal, independently judged benchmark for what separates a good safari guide from an exceptional one. Fifteen years on, the competition has become the industry's most credible measure of guiding standards, built on FGASA's own qualification framework rather than popularity or guest reviews. This year's competition is hosted at Amani Safari Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, part of the Klaserie Drift Safari Camps collection in the Greater Kruger. SGOTY was founded in 2011 by Lowveld-based private guide Mike Karantonis in partnership with the FGASA. What began as a niche industry initiative has grown into the most rigorous public assessment of guiding talent in the region, evaluating finalists on tracking, birding, storytelling, hospitality, bush walk, FGASA advanced rifle handling, environmental interpretation and overall safari delivery, the full spread of skills a guest experiences on a safari. According to FGASA Managing Director Michelle du Plessis, the competition exists to set a benchmark rather than simply crown a winner. "Safari Guide of the Year is about more than recognising an individual. It reflects the standards we expect across the guiding profession and highlights the dedication, professionalism and excellence required to operate at the highest level." The finalists Patrick Kepe …

The groundbreaking South African travelogue series, Breaking Down Borders Africa, has been awarded a silver international Telly Award in the Best Travel and Tourism Television Series category. The announcement was made last week as the Telly Awards celebrated their 47th year. “It is a tremendous honour for the team to receive this stellar recognition,” said Paul Modjadji, the show’s host and producer, from New York. “The Telly Awards are the world’s largest honour recognizing video and television across all screens. The fact that a modest production shot on a shoestring budget could earn international acclaim is a testament to the power of African stories and the capabilities of our continent. Breaking Down Borders Season 1 was a celebration of Africa and its dance and youth culture.” Breaking Down Borders Africa Season 1 is currently airing on SABC 1, with Season 2 set to begin production in Spring 2026, featuring a new host, Botlhale Boikanyo. The series was also nominated for a National Arts and Culture Award (NACA) in the Best TV Documentary Series category at the 2025 Department of Arts and Culture awards and was selected as one of the Top 6 international travel shows for the 2025 BET and Black Travel Summit's pitch competition in Brazil. The Telly Awards is the premier award honouring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, nearly 14,000 entries from 55 countries were submitted for the 47th Telly Awards in 2026. “Video has never been more contested, more creative, or more consequential than it is right now,” said Amanda Needham, Managing Director of the Telly Awards. “The Telly Awards have had a front-row seat to this industry for 47 years, and today’s entertainment is happening in multiple formats, across every screen, and at every budget level.” “Africa’s time is now. From our films, TV, music, fashion, dance, and art, the world is captivated by the talent emerging from Africa. It is wonderful to be part of this cultural …

With the long weekend approaching and the June school holidays following closely, many South African households are already doing the same calculation: how far can we actually go - and how many tanks of fuel will it take to get there? Every kilometre needs to be planned and accounted for, but one of the most effective ways to stretch a holiday fuel budget doesn’t start at the pump or with driving habits. It starts with something far simpler: tyre condition. While most motorists focus on fuel stops, accommodation, and route planning, tyres play a direct role in how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel - and how safely it handles long winter journeys. “Fuel efficiency is influenced by much more than engine performance,” said Keith Phelps, technical tyre expert at Dunlop Tyres SA. “Tyres that are not correctly inflated or properly maintained increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder and consume more fuel over distance.” The hidden cost of under-inflation One of the most common issues ahead of long trips is incorrect tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres not only reduce handling and braking performance but also increase rolling resistance - a key factor that can quietly push up fuel consumption during highway driving. They are also one of the leading contributors to tyre failure and can increase the risk of aquaplaning on wet winter roads, where grip is already reduced by changing weather conditions. In short, the impact is twofold: more fuel used, and less control on the road. Alignment and balance affect more than comfort Wheel balancing and alignment are often treated as maintenance issues linked to comfort — but on long holiday drives, their impact becomes far more significant. Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tyre wear, unstable steering, and increased resistance on the road surface. Over extended distances, this doesn’t just affect driving comfort — it can also reduce efficiency and increase fuel consumption without …

A successful beach day takes more than just showing up. The difference between a memorable day at the shore and one cut short by sunburn, sand in everything, or being unprepared for changing conditions comes down to the gear you bring. Smart beach-goers know that a few well-chosen items transform the experience from miserable to wonderful. This article walks through the gear that makes beach days work well and how to think about putting together a setup that fits your specific needs. Sun protection comes first The biggest mistake most beach visitors make is underestimating sun exposure. The combination of direct sun, reflection off sand and water, and several hours outside adds up to serious UV exposure that affects skin health and ruins the day if it becomes uncomfortable. A quality beach tent solves this problem properly. Unlike umbrellas that constantly need adjusting as the sun moves, a beach tent provides reliable shade for the whole family throughout the day. The fabric blocks the direct sun while allowing air to circulate, creating a cool refuge from the heat. Modern beach tents come in various sizes from compact two-person designs to larger family-sized models. The smaller models pack down to a manageable carry size. The larger versions provide enough room for an entire group to escape the sun together. For families with young children or babies, the tent approach matters even more. Kids burn faster than adults. Babies should not be in direct sun at all. The reliable shade from a tent protects the most vulnerable members of the group throughout the day. Beach canopy options Some beach-goers prefer canopy-style shade over tent designs. A beach canopy provides overhead coverage without enclosing the space. The open sides allow easy entry and exit, view of the ocean, and air movement through the area. The choice between tent and canopy styles depends on preferences and conditions. Tents work better in windy conditions and provide more …