Author: Desiree Haakonsen

Sport teaches us many life lessons. Being a team player, rising above challenges, learning how to win and lose with dignity. After spending a day watching the Proteas battle it out against the Aussies at Newlands, I realise there’s a lot that cricket can teach us about travel. 1. Anything can happen. How many times […]

It was a sunny, windless, bikini-cladding day when I confirmed my first surf lesson at Muizenberg, Cape Town. Lifestyle Surf Shop’s Facebook page even bragged about “golden hours all day”. But when I woke the next morning to the wind punching trees at 40km/hour, I knew Murphy was sniggering behind the scenes. Driving out to […]

Can you feel that blazing heat? It’s autumn riding hot on your heels! Enjoy the last summer scorchers around one of these beautiful accommodation pools in South Africa. Rosendal Winery and Wellness Retreat, Robertson JBay Zebra Lodge, Jeffrey’s Bay Angala Boutique Hotel and Guest House, Franschhoek Aquavit Guest House, Plettenberg Bay Boabab Ridge – Greater […]

While many see museums as a snore fest, these 7 Johannesburg museums have intriguing stories to tell. Stories of turbulent racial struggles, legendary heroes, the brutal side of gold mining, the art of medicine, and the mysterious origins of humankind. Venture in and discover something new… Museum Africa Museum Africa is Johannesburg’s social and cultural […]

It’s harvest time in the Winelands! As the chugging of heavy-laden tractors echoes through the Winelands, many a toe is feeling the itch to squelch its way through a barrel of ripened grapes. Here are 10 fabulous harvest festivals worth raising a glass or 3 to this season… Robertson Wine Valley’s Hands-on Harvest Festival Get […]

One of the first questions people ask when planning a safari to South Africa is if the game park is malaria-free – especially when there are small children involved. While game reserves are often believed to be breeding grounds for malaria, only 2 of the SANParks national parks lie in malaria risk areas, namely Kruger […]

Having spent the odd weekend in spots like Hermanus, Onrus, Kleinmond, and Elgin, I thought I had a fair idea of what the Overberg had to offer. That was until I joined the #discoverOverberg chat on Twitter (every Wednesday at 12pm SAST) and realised that I knew as little about this Western Cape treasure as […]

With a string of international accolades to its name – including the Travel+Leisure 2013 Best Hotel Spa in Africa & Middle East – we are proud to welcome One&Only Cape Town to the TravelGround family. We are so in love with this 5-star urban chic resort and couldn’t think of a better time to associate […]