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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.

A spark to light the fire

BEHIND THE SCENES • Aliwal Shoal is one of South Africa's best diving destinations. On page 92, freelance photographer and conservationist Callum Evans explains why any keen scuba diver or free diver should plan a trip.

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LETTERS • Where have you been? What have you seen? Write to editor@gomag.co.za

Q&A • Every month our experts answer your questions about birds, bugs and beasts. Send your photos and queries to editor@gomag.co.za

IN BRIEF

NIGHT WATCH

LEOPARD LOUNGE

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, BOTSWANA

MEET THE AUTHOR • Photographer, writer and field guide Scott Ramsay chats to us about his new coffee table book, Spirit of Africa, and why Nature should be spelled with a capital “N”.

GIFT GUIDE • Our editorial team shares the books they'll be wrapping to put under the Christmas tree this year.

When things go wrong • You go on holiday to escape your worries, but sometimes a holiday brings its own ordeals. Zigi Ekron recalls the weekend of the milkshake…

Alive with wonder • De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Southern Cape can seem understated, but there's life and beauty in abundance if you take the time to look. Here's your guide to one of South Africa's most biodiverse destinations.

A twitcher's guide to the Garden Route • You want to plan a family holiday, but there's one problem: You have a serious birder in your ranks while the rest of you couldn't care less about scanning bushes with binoculars. What do you do? Well, you go to a place that has a bit of everything to make everyone happy: beaches, forests, mountains – and birding spots galore…

Long live the Karoo • The English explorer William Burchell travelled beyond the borders of the Cape Colony in 1812, through a wild Karoo full of danger and wonder. In an age of unstoppable development, how much of what Burchell experienced has survived?

TAKE YOUR PIC • Show off your photos! Send your best wildlife and travel shots to Toast Coetzer and you might see them on these pages. E-mail your entries to takeyourpic@gomag.co.za

SEND US YOUR BEST TRAVEL AND NATURE PHOTOS!

Capture the Karoo • Improve your landscape and travel photography on this six-day tour with photojournalist Toast Coetzer and Douwe Vlok from Heuningland Tours.

Don't blink

Take five! • The year is almost over and it's time to relax. These short recipes each only have five ingredients and will save you time and energy.

Great gifts for outdoorsy types • We polled the team – these are the gifts we'd buy for family and friends, and some we wouldn't mind receiving!

Once upon a time in China • In 2024, the trickle of Chinese brands setting up shop in South Africa turned into a flood. These are the models that caught our eye.

TAKE A HIKE • DAMARA TRAIL, SOUTHERN CAPE

DO THIS • Take a dive at Aliwal Shoal

The return of the vlei • For many years, Verlorenvlei near Elands Bay on the West Coast lay parched and dry. Finally, during the winter of 2023 – and again in 2024 – it rained enough to fill up and push through to the sea, rejuvenating the entire area. Meet some of the people who have called Elands Bay their home through tough times and times of joy.

WITH MY OWN EYES

WIN! • A THULE SUBTERRA POWERSHUTTLE BAG WORTH R1...