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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.

EDITOR’S LETTER

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Just imagine • Even though Anelia Heese now lives in Germany, she’ll never forget the landscape of her youth. It’s in her blood.

THE KAROO

Railway to nowhere • It has been a long time since a train ran along the line between Hutchinson and Calvinia. We went looking for whispers of that era blowing across the high Karoo plains.

The poet of Zoar • Born next to Seweweekspoort, in the shadow of the Swartberg, 85-year-old Hendrik Januarie has lived many lives, all over the country, and is now back home to tell the stories of his people.

Thunder on Black Mountain • The Swartberg is a realm of soaring peaks and well-watered valleys graced with historic fruit and wine farms. We went exploring the range’s southern slopes in the autumn of storms.

Willowmore for the win! • This Eastern Cape town is a place where many of the attractions are strung out along the main road, so you can cover them on foot. Pull in, park the Fortuner and let Willowmore work its magic.

THINGS TO DO

Make friends in Matjies • In the mood for a dose of history and fresh Karoo air? Then head on over to the quirky outpost of Matjiesfontein, just off the N1 between nothing and nowhere.

Lightning in a bottle • Witblits is the embodiment of the rebel spirit of the people of the Little Karoo. Come meet the old “stokers” of Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.

Tony’s Karoo feast • Journalist, playwright and foodie, Tony Jackman, shares five recipes from his new book, Retro Karoo Food - 80 Nostalgic South African Recipes. Get your friends together and make it a celebration!

PLAN YOUR 2027! • Heuningland and go! present three tours in 2027 - all under the leadership of experienced 4×4 guide Douwe Vlok.

Stay here • SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION SECTION

The Upper Karoo, by decree • The Karoo has many different regions, and some of them don’t get much attention - like the Upper Karoo in the Northern Cape, around Britstown, Hopetown, Strydenburg and De Aar. But you’d be missing out if you didn’t stay over at one of these quiet escapes.

Farm life, Prince Albert style • There are plenty of good accommodation options in Prince Albert, but if you want to trade the sound of cars for the call of jackals, and the glow of streetlights for the sparkle of stars, then book a stay at one of the district’s excellent guest farms.

Where the silence sings • The wide plains of the Tankwa are tonic for tired city souls. If you’re passing through or looking to spend more time in the region, these four guest farms are well worth visiting.

A balanced beast • The Mahindra Scorpio-N looks good on paper - and pretty good in the flesh, too. But can it handle the infamous gravel roads of the Tankwa?

LETTER FROM Theefontein • Herbalist Antoinette Pienaar lives on a farm in the triangle between Beaufort West, Murraysburg and Aberdeen. Sophia van Taak went for a visit.

Winter of plenty • The Beervlei Dam between Willowmore and Aberdeen is usually dry, but in July this year, Deon Meyer from Vanderbijlpark lucked out and saw it full to the brim.