The coast with the most: Eastern Cape tourism’s wildlife renaissance
Every December, the same migration happens. Johannesburg empties out, the N2 fills up, and South Africa’s coastal towns brace for the annual influx. Families pack
The coast with the most: Eastern Cape tourism’s wildlife renaissance
Every December, the same migration happens. Johannesburg empties out, the N2 fills up, and South Africa’s coastal towns brace for the annual influx. Families pack
The Hidden Art of Tracking and Trailing: Extraordinary strengthens its conservation-led guiding standards through immersive Kruger training
Tracking and trailing is far more than an age-old bushcraft – it remains one of the most valuable conservation tools in Africa’s protected areas today.
LET ROOIBOS BRIGHTEN UP YOUR FESTIVE SUMMER SEASON SPREAD
With the festive season in full swing, Rooibos is finding new life across the summer table – from chilled drinks to flavour-packed starters, mains and
Beauty Meets Artistry at SF Pro Makeup
Situated in Centurion in Pretoria, SF Pro Makeup provides professional makeup services, a friendly atmosphere and incredible results. Owner and founder Samantha Faasen is more than a
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Why Cheetah Conservation Is Really About Saving Entire Landscapes
Every year on 4 December, we recognise two important dates on the global conservation calendar: International Cheetah Day and Wildlife Conservation Day. While one highlights
A First-Time Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring Contractors You Can Trust
Buying your first home is a major milestone — but it also comes with a reality check: there’s no landlord to call anymore. Every repair, upgrade,
Creating Christmas magic in the kitchen
There’s something undeniably enchanting about the festive season, the glow of twinkling lights, the aroma of cooking delicious meals drifting through the air and the
Adventures with Elephants: Meet the Gentle Giants of Bela Bela
Over the last century, the elephant population has decreased by over ninety per cent. With these majestic creatures declining due to poaching and habitat loss, places
Archaeological Treasures Await: Travel Through Time in South Africa
As the festive season arrives and South Africa comes alive with travel, sunshine and celebration, there’s no better time to reconnect with the country’s extraordinary
Why Cheetahs Have Tear Marks and Nine Other Mind-Blowing Facts This International Cheetah Day
As International Cheetah Day approaches on 4 December, the Lion & Safari Park is shining a spotlight on one of Africa’s most extraordinary and misunderstood
Official Opening of Luxury Eco-Resort Yamu and its Beach Club
Just two hours north of Cape Town, on the banks of the Olifants River near Clanwilliam in the Cederberg. The Yamu Lifestyle Resort combines modern comfort with
Lash & Dash — Effortless Beauty Begins in Johannesburg
In April of 2019, Simphiwe Motha took her love for beautiful spaces, music, and sisterhood and started Lash & Dash in her eldest daughter’s room. From that
Mangwanani African Spa: A Luxurious Escape into African Wellness
Tucked away in the serene landscapes of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, Mangwanani African Spa is a sanctuary for the senses. From the gentle flow of
The productivity hack that involves doing absolutely nothing
Let’s be honest: you’re exhausted. The bone-deep, cortisol-soaked fatigue that comes from treating your nervous system like a rental car. As we hurtle toward the
Lion Roars Introduces Big 5 Day Safaris at its Hlosi and Bukela Game Lodges
Family-owned boutique and premium hotel group, Lion Roars Hotels & Lodges has unveiled a safari experience accessible to every traveller. Couples, solo adventurers and multigenerational
Travelling? Health and safety hacks for the holidays
As many South Africans look forward to the summer holidays, emergency departments are preparing for the annual influx of medical issues and trauma injuries that
Zimbali Lodge reimagined: A forest sanctuary for meetings, leisure and celebration
Zimbali Lodge on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast is entering a new phase under Dream Hotels & Resorts. Once known as a four-star heritage property, the lodge
From Pain to Possibility: Panado®’s New Marketing Campaign, Highlights The Joy Of Pain Relief
Panado®, South Africa’s trusted1 name in pain and fever relief, has unveiled a bold new 360° marketing campaign that captures the reality of everyday family life and
Burgundy Sports Club — Elevate your game in Cape Town
Sitting on a beautiful hillside with breathtaking views of Cape Town, the Burgundy Sports Club is an ideal spot to spend quality time with loved ones or to unwind. Visitors to the club are offered
Tintswalo Manor Reopens Following Extensive Upgrades
Tintswalo Manor in Greater Kruger has reopened in time for the summer holiday season after comprehensive renovations that include refurbished rooms, new flooring and a new
2025 travel trend: The rise of multi-generational travel – How families and the hospitality industry are redefining travel
Leave the drama at home. Here’s how to plan a multi-generational escape that everyone – grandparents to grandkids – will love. In a world where
Emirates adds a 3rd daily flight to Cape Town, to serve the consistently strong travel demand
Building on a year of unwaveringly high demand, Emirates has announced a third daily flight on the Dubai-Cape Town route, from 1st July 2026. Operated with
Keeping your passport fit to fly this festive season
As millions of passengers around the world look to reunite with friends and family this festive season, Qatar Airways is issuing its five top tips
Dolphin Adventures — fall in love with the sea in Plettenberg Bay
Nestled within the Garden Route, nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike can embark on an unforgettable adventure with Dolphin Adventures. With their base on Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay, they have
‘Take a Hike day 2025’ invites you to take a hike for a cleaner Table Mountain
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), in partnership with SANParks, invites Capetonians and visitors alike to lace up their hiking boots for the annual Take a Hike day
Finding great accommodation, restaurants, spas adventure and more
Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities. We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.
Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa. Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,
Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation
So what is the right accommodation? Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose.
Expensive is not always better. Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday. They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.
The reason for your travels will also affect your choice. A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday.
Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.
Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance
To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance. Of these, service is the most important.
No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion. However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.
We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review. We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.
However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.
Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid
How do you know when you have had a great spa experience? The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table.
Well that’s our theory anyway. It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good
A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced. However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.
Adventure!
You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience. In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.
Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe. It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.
On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities
If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.
If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.
We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.
See you on the road!
