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South Africa’s number one travel and outdoor lifestyle magazine. We pay our own way and tell it like it is. We drive back roads and speak to real people, giving you practical information about affordable destinations in southern Africa. Each issue is crammed with excellent photography, honest gear reviews and delicious recipes to make at home or in the bundu. Whether you’re looking to escape for a weekend or a month, your journey starts here.

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Max out your Green Mamba! • Your South African passport, or “Green Mamba”, won't get you very far in places like Europe and North America, but there are still countries where our rand holds its own and where you can visit visa-free. Here are our top five:

BY THE NUMBERS

LEOPARD LOUNGE

NIGHT WATCH

All aboard for the Andes! • Hiking the ancient Inca highway along the spine of the Peruvian Andes was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but Nick Dall first had to find his way to the trailhead…

BOOKS AND MUSIC

A place to heal • The Northern Cape makes you feel good. That's what Genevieve Maasdorp, regional communications manager for SANParks, wants people to know. Her biggest wish is for visitors to come to the province and experience its bounty for themselves.

Three countries, one heart • The Lebombo Mountains form the spine of an enormous transfrontier conservation area that runs from South Africa through eSwatini to the Mozambican coast. The forests, waterfalls, mountains, wetlands and ocean are home to plenty of animals, birds and fish. It has almost everything in abundance, except tourists…

JUST THE TICKET • When was the last time you took a train in South Africa? Cape Town's Southern Line has recently been upgraded and it's back in (mostly) working order. Roll back the clock and experience False Bay the old-fashioned way – here's your guide to the stops.

Under the radar • Several radar stations were built along the South African coastline during World War II – remote structures in rugged terrain that were mostly operated by women. Photojournalist Jac Kritzinger takes a look at this nearly-forgotten fragment of history.

WINNING PHOTO • Don't um and ah – send your best photos to takeyourpic@gomag.co.za and Toast Coetzer might choose one to feature!

Silent alarm

Prepare a feast on the bire fire • This menu is easy to put together and perfect for an unforgettable kuier around the coals.

The terrain tamer • The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is an old-school diehard: a tough 4x4 that has survived for four decades to become one of South Africa's most beloved vehicles. It uses a winning manual V8 recipe that nobody has bothered to mess with… Until now.

Focus on the good stuff • A decent pair of binoculars will improve your experience of being in nature, whether you're searching for a lion in the grass, finding a sugarbird in your garden or spotting a whale in the waves.

TAKE A HIKE • Climb Oorlogskloof's “iron path”

STAY HERE • KHOISAN KAROO CONSERVANCY, HANOVER

Love abounds in the Little Karoo • Ladismith anchors Route 62 at the base of the Klein-Swartberg range. There's something special about the Little Karoo here, where the farmers greet you by name and fill your car with watermelons.

5 things to do

Game-rich northern Botswana! • This tour into Botswana introduces a few new destinations while keeping some firm favourites. Explore the country with Bhejane 4x4 Adventures on the journey of a lifetime and discover some of Africa's wildest places.

So ugly, it's cute! • Movies like The Lion King have taught us that hyenas are cowardly chancers that steal prey from other predators. But that's not true – they're nature's clean-up crew...