In which I discover that I'm banking with the wrong bank.
Why travellers shouldn’t bank with Nedbank
The Sani Pass: Is this the end of our best bad road?
The Sani Pass between South Africa and Lesotho is an international tourism icon. But if, as many claim, the attraction lies in the poor state of the road, a proposed upgrade could destroy Sani's eco-tourism industry.
Ndumo signals red alert for conservation
Many South Africans have never even heard of Ndumo Game Reserve. Remote and undeveloped, the KwaZulu-Natal reserve attracts relatively few tourists. Yet it is now the focus of a dispute that could make or break the future of conservation in South Africa.
Travel illnesses: Know your enemies
A recent poll found that, while nine out of 10 international travellers took luggage insurance, only one in four got health information or vaccinations. If you’re travelling in Southern Africa, you should know about the most common travel illnesses and how to avoid them.
Carbon offsets: A convenient answer to an inconvenient truth?
Flying and driving are big contributors to climate change. The burgeoning business of carbon offsets claims that, for a small price, you can travel with a clear conscience.
Which anti-malarial?
Of the four types of malaria parasite, the most deadly species, Plasmodium falciparum, accounts for 90 per cent of infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Your choice of anti-malarial – or whether to take one at all – could be the most important decision you make before travelling to a risk area.
Pet-friendly travel: Don’t leave home without them
If you have pets, chances are you miss them when you go away on holiday. The good news is that it’s probably easier than you realise to take your best friends along on your travels around South Africa.
Gas could endanger the Garden Route
A new offshore facility for importing liquefied natural gas on the Garden Route is said to be critical to supplying South Africa’s fuel and electricity needs. But the proposed plan could come at an unacceptable cost to the region’s tourism and environment.
Mining: Mapungubwe’s modern curse
There’s a story that ancient kings placed a curse on Mapungubwe Hill, but Mapungubwe’s real curse may turn out to be the huge deposits of coal that lie under it.
Seven secrets of free travel
You get what you pay for. Well, that’s what they say – but who says you can’t get something for nothing? Alison Westwood went looking for ways to nab travel freebies. They might not all take your fancy, but the price is unbeatable.
Disabled travellers: Tourism’s blind spot
Tourism facilities in South Africa are well-developed for able-bodied travellers, but frequently fail to cater for people with disabilities.
Rock climbing: Laws of the wild
New regulations for South Africa’s protected areas are on the way. Could they spell the end of our freedom to pursue popular activities in parks and reserves?
Alison Westwood 