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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.

Raise the roof

BEHIND THE SCENES • When Marchelle van Zyl is not writing and taking photos, she runs a tour company in Montagu called Flying Feet. She loves unlocking the history of small towns for visitors, so she was the perfect person to write about the Dwarsrivier Valley near Stellenbosch (p 44).

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PIT STOP

NIGHT WATCH

LEOPARD LOUNGE • Social media for spotted cats

Giving back to birding • Duncan McKenzie is one of the top bird experts in the country. We sat down with him at home in Mbombela and talked about citizen scientists, narina trogons and why he feels so lucky to be able to give back to the activity that has defined his life.

BOOKS AND MUSIC

Beetle breakdown in the Baviaans • When your Volksie starts acting up in the Baviaanskloof, you have no choice but to make a plan, says Deon Strydom.

Where the road meets the sky • Fun fact: You don't need a 4x4 to explore Lesotho – not even in winter. Stick to the tar roads and you can see all the country's highlights in a week. Here's what you need to know.

Discover the other Stellenbosch • The R310 between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek runs through the Dwarsrivier Valley. Visitors often speed past on their way to wine estates, not knowing that people have lived here for generations and have a rich history to share. Next time, turn off and explore the villages of Kylemore, Johannesdal and Pniël. ESMA MARNEWI

5 Things to do

DWARSRIVIER VALLEY

Ride the secret Baviaans • The greater Baviaanskloof region is much more than just the famous gorge. In the north, between the imposing Grootrivier, Groot Winterhoek and Baviaanskloof mountains lies a network of excellent gravel roads and great farm stays that have long begged to be explored… especially on two wheels.

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The people have spoken

Zest for life • Inject some freshness into your winter dishes with a squeeze of juice, a sprinkling of grated peel, or a slice of bright citrus. Here'show to make use of those oranges, lemons and limes in your kitchen.

The Clone Wars • When Suzuki, an ambitious upstart on a stellar trajectory, and Toyota, the long-reigning heavyweight champion of the South African automotive industry, launch the same car in the same week, it makes for an interesting bunfight…

Go green! • By now we all know that plastic stuff – and having too much stuff – is bad for the planet. But don't despair, there are plenty of innovative and (mostly) local eco-friendly options when it comes to outdoor gear.

Travel better

TAKE A HIKE • Look for leopards in Komati Gorge

STAY HERE • LAPAMANTI GUEST COTTAGES, NEAR LYDENBURG

Pondoland paradise • Experience the untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape coastline with go! and Bhejane 4x4 Adventures.

art and rugby • Porterville is a no-frills Swartland town where artists create, farmers congregate and paragliders ride the thermals above a pristine mountain wilderness. Here's your guide.

4things to do in the mountains

BIRDS

The Cape parrot • It's the BirdLife SA 2023 Bird...