As the head guide at Gonana South African Travel, I find new stories daily in South Africa, and the story of the proudly South African pinotage grape has fascinated me since I arrived here 20 years ago. I'm not the biggest wine drinker as I'm an avid health and fitness advocate, but I can certainly appreciate a glass of wine! So here's the story of the pinotage grape...
From Rhinos to Rolling Waves: My KwaZulu-Natal Adventure in May 2025
Posted on tis juni 24, 2025.
South Africans have a funny way of describing seasons. When we landed in Northern KwaZulu-Natal in May, everyone kept apologising for “winter.” But as a Swede, let me tell you - 25°C, sunny skies, and just enough humidity to make your sunglasses fog up? That’s what I’d call a very hot Swedish summer. No complaints here!
St Lucia: The Village Inside South Africa's First UNESCO World Heritage Site
I travelled with our wonder woman GM at Gonana South African Travel, Joy Daniels, on an educational visit to explore the magic of the region - so we can share it with you in the most authentic, first-hand way. Our first stop was St Lucia, tucked inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is where hippos cross the street at night (yes, really), and the landscapes swing between lakes, dunes, forests, and beaches like a scene out of a nature documentary. We stayed in a beautifully designed, Bauhaus-inspired guesthouse - sleek lines, geometric charm, and yes, the coffee was strong. The juxtaposition of bold modernism and wild nature? My kind of aesthetic.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi: Where Conservation Walks Beside You
Then it was off to a safari lodge in the legendary Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park - the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa. This is where the fight to save the white rhino began, and today, you can still see these prehistoric-looking animals roaming free.
The real highlight? A guided bush walk - on foot - to track rhinos. There's something incredibly humbling about standing (at a respectful distance) from such a powerful, ancient creature with nothing between you but a shared moment of silence. You don’t forget that.
Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve: A Hidden Gem with Soul
We also had the privilege of visiting another luxury lodge located in the Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve. This lodge surprised me - in the best way. Perched high on a hill with panoramic views over the reserve, it combines luxury with intimacy and offers some of the best wildlife sightings I’ve had in a long time. The reserve itself is a conservation triumph, having transitioned from farmland into a thriving wildlife sanctuary through community and conservation partnerships. It’s private, it’s pristine, and it’s deeply personal - exactly the kind of place we love sharing with YOU, our guests.
From Bush to Beach: Umhlanga and Ballito
To round off the trip, we added a dose of beach to our bush. We headed to Umhlanga and Ballito, the vibrant coastal twins north of Durban and very close to the International Airport. Think popular promenades, buzzing beach cafés, world-class surf, and golden sand that gets everywhere in the best possible way. The value for money here is unbelievable - great food, great accommodation, and more activities than you can shake a sarong at.
Why We Travel
Educational trips like this one are not just a perk of the job, they’re essential. At Gonana South African Travel, we don’t believe in selling places we haven’t experienced ourselves. By walking the same trails, sleeping in the beds, eating the food, and meeting the people behind the properties, we can honestly advise our travellers with insight and care.
It’s how we tailor every trip with genuine understanding - and make sure what we recommend truly suits your style of travel. Whether it's luxury bush escapes, LGBTQ+ friendly gems, or coastal hideaways perfect for families, we’ve walked the walk so you don’t have to guess.
Until the next adventure,
Jonas
Further Reading
The Story of Pinotage: South Africa’s Signature Grape by Jonas Sandström
tis april 15, 2025
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Philani: Transforming Lives in Khayelitsha, One Mother and Child at a Time
tis mars 18, 2025
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In the heart of Khayelitsha, one of South Africa’s largest townships, a quiet revolution has been taking place for over four decades. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of community-led healthcare. At the center of this movement is Philani, an extraordinary initiative founded by a Swedish doctor, Dr. Ingrid Le Roux, whose vision and dedication have changed the lives of thousands of mothers and children in South...
February 2025 Newsletter
tis februari 18, 2025
Read This Article
They say that love makes the world go round – and if that’s true, then South Africa is at the very heart of it. With every golden sunrise, every wave kissing the shoreline, and every warm embrace from those who call this land 'home', there's reason we want you to return sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start planning your trip to South Africa for this coming September through...
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