Must read sun protection tips for South Africans
0Did you know? South Africa has the 2nd highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Up to 1 500 South Africans are diagnosed with melanoma yearly.
Holiday
When buying a car, it’s always important to do your homework. Ask yourself questions like how often are you going to use the car, what are you going to use it for, what will the long-term maintenance be, and can you afford it? When buying an off-road vehicle, it’s even more important to know the answers before you start searching.
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Whether you’re a weekend window shopper or full on shopaholic, there are enough malls in South Africa to keep you busy and get you all excited.
Here’s a look at the top five best malls in South Africa:
Menlyn Park – Pretoria
Menlyn, as it is affectionately known, describes itself as Africa’s most unique shopping experience. And if it’s not completely spot on, it might be very close to the truth. Menlyn is situated in Pretoria and is officially the biggest shopping mall in Africa after its recent R2.5 billion redevelopment. This world-class mall boasts a unique design and is home to a large base of international brands and anchor flagship stores. It’s situated in the popular Menlyn node, known for its wealthy clientele.
Sandton City – Johannesburg
Sandton City is located in what is known as Africa’s richest square mile: Sandton. This affluent Johannesburg suburb is home to one of Africa’s leading and most prestigious malls. This one-of-a-kind fashion and leisure mall offers only the very best in local and international brands located across more than 300 shops. It truly offers international shopping with a South African flair.
Gateway Theatre of Shopping – Umhlanga
If you’re looking for the ultimate in fashion, dining and entertainment on the KZN coast, then the Gateway Theatre of Shopping is the place to be. With over 390 stores and 70 eateries, even the most discerning taste will be satisfied. Gateway offers the best in local and international retailers in Durban. Never mind the beautiful beaches, make sure you stop at Gateway the next time you’re in KZN.
Canal Walk – Cape Town
Cape Town’s got the beaches, the sea, the views and the mountain… but what about the mall? Canal Walk is definitely one of the five best malls in South Africa because it manages to successfully merge the world’s most desirable brands with shopping convenience, entertainment and lifestyle. This mall, located in the Western Cape province’s Century City, has truly become a multi-visit tourist destination. It has over 400 retailers including a Trading Post and Market Lane. If it’s opulence you’re after, get down to Canal Walk.
Mall of Africa – Waterfall City
The largest shopping mall ever built in a single phase in SA is located in Waterfall City – ideally located in the middle of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It consists of over 130 000 m² of retail space and has every reason to pride itself on its vast array of both local and international brands. They say you haven’t experienced shopping in Africa, if you haven’t experienced shopping at the Mall of Africa.
If you need a safe, comfortable and very affordable basis to explore the Gauteng based malls from,
make sure you book a room at Morning Star today.
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Whoever thinks that traveling with young kids is a walk in the park probably isn’t a parent yet. Kids are bundles of energy and they seem to get even more hyperactive when they’re confined to a small space. So, unfortunately, you will have to endure the are-we-there-yets and other typical complaints. But there are ways to make a road-trip with your kids a fun and happy experience. If you’re travelling with kids,
here are a few tips especially for you.
That time of the year is fast approaching! That magical time where you can apply for a few days of leave and get a full-on vacation! Take advantage of Human Rights Day on the 21st March, Good Friday on the 30th March and Family Day on the 2nd April.
Here are 3 ways to take advantage of the public holidays coming up in March and April:
5-day vacation in March (2 days of leave)
- 17th March to 21st March, or
- 21st March to the 25th March.
Human Rights Day falls – smack-bang – in the middle of the week on the 21st March (Wednesday). For a mini-vacation, take leave on either 19th to 20th March or the 22nd to the 23rd March and you will yet a 5-day break.
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When it comes to beautiful hikes, South Africa has a long list of destinations to choose from. If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, you can explore some of the most magnificent hikes our country has to offer. Here’re some awesome places you can explore in South Africa:
Cederberg Mountains
The Wolfberg Cracks are situated in the magnificent Cederberg mountains, which are about 300 km north of Cape Town. Hikers can explore the beautiful rock formations and even spend the night once they’ve reached their destination. Just keep in mind that it is not an easy hike so you should start this hike early in the morning to avoid the mid-afternoon heat and prepare to weave through some of the formations. There are a few easier hikes available in the Cederberg mountains.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
If you’re looking for a hiking destination close to Johannesburg, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is definitely one of the best places to go. You can view a wide variety of birds, animals and indigenous plants and trees and enjoy various hiking trails within the 680-hectare nature reserve.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa. It spans over 1 000 km and has a peak height of 3 482m. The mountain range stretches from the Eastern Cape in the south to Mpumalanga in the north. Choose from light walks to extremely challenging trails, such as the famous Sentinel Peak and the Tugela Falls hiking trails.
Magaliesberg Mountains
The very old Magaliesberg mountains stretch from Bronkhorstspruit Dam east of Pretoria all the way to Rustenburg in the west. The mountains contain deep gullies, quartzite cliffs, beautiful waterfalls and clear rock pools. The mountains offer various destinations for climbers and hikers.
Table Mountain
The Mother City is home to one of the most iconic mountains in South Africa. Table Mountain is one of the most scenic mountains and most visited attraction in Cape Town. It towers 1086 meters over Cape Town and is a popular tourist destination. If you’re in need of an adventure or solitude, you can enjoy a beautiful walk up the mountain. You can stroll through Skeleton Gorge, which is surrounded by indigenous forest. There are also ladders and other obstacles to enjoy while you hike. If you haven’t been to Table Mountain yet, put it on your bucket list!
Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park
The Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park is very renowned for the very popular Otter trail, which is ranked among the world’s best trails. The trail runs along the Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This is, however, not a hike for the faint-hearted. It takes 4 ½ days to complete and is over 42 km long. The trail has a high elevation and follows very rocky shorelines. If you’re keen to tackle this hike, just make sure you secure a booking as early as possible because bookings sell out.
Read more on hiking in South Africa:
https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/tourism-south-africa/guide-south-africas-best-beaches
https://africageographic.com/blog/10-most-beautiful-hikes-in-south-africa/
http://www.getaway.co.za/activities/hiking-activities/hiking-bucketlist-south-africa/
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