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Gwahumbe Game Reserve – December 2020

In December 2020, right in the middle of lockdown, we decided to visit the Gwahumbe Game Reserve. Gwahumbe is a private game reserve located in the Mid-Illovo area of KwaZulu-Natal, roughly an hour’s drive from Durban. We had been looking for somewhere close to home where we could get out into nature with the family, and Gwahumbe seemed like the perfect option.

The reserve sits in the greater Gwahumbe Valley at the confluence of the Umsunduze and Umgwahumbe rivers, which is actually where it gets its name. It covers around 700 hectares and the landscape ranges from riverine forest and valley bushveld to plateau grassland and some impressive cliff faces. The whole area was incredibly green when we visited, which you would expect for December in KZN. The summer rains had clearly done their thing.

Wildlife

Gwahumbe is home to mostly herbivore animals, so don’t expect to see any of the big predators here. However, there is still plenty to see. The reserve has giraffe, zebra, nyala, impala, blesbok, wildebeest, kudu, and eland among others. We were fortunate enough to spot a giraffe during our visit, which was a highlight for the kids. The zebras were also out in numbers and made for some great photo opportunities against the rolling green hills.

One of the more unexpected moments was coming across fish swimming upstream in one of the rivers. We managed to capture it on video, which you can see below. It was fascinating to watch them fighting against the current.

Video of fish swimming upstream:

Fish swimming against the current

Practical Tips

Gwahumbe is about an hour from Durban, making it a comfortable day trip or weekend getaway. From the N3 heading towards Pietermaritzburg, take the Camperdown off-ramp and follow the R603 towards Umbumbulu. The roads are manageable, though having a bakkie or 4×4 is always a bonus for the gravel sections within the reserve.

The reserve offers guided game drives in open Land Cruisers if you prefer not to self-drive. Additionally, there are hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and even a spa if you are looking to make a longer stay of it. The accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to a more rustic bush camp, so there is something for different budgets.

It is also worth mentioning that Gwahumbe is a malaria-free area, which is a big plus when travelling with young children. The reserve has over 240 recorded bird species as well, so if you are into birding, bring your binoculars.

Photos

Below are some of the pictures we managed to capture during our visit. Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed reading about our visit to Gwahumbe Game Reserve. It is a beautiful spot right here in KZN and well worth a visit if you are looking for a quick escape from the city. We had a great time and would definitely go back. More posts coming soon!

March 7, 2026

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve – September 2021

In September 2021, we decided to visit the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, located in the Kloof area just west of Durban. This reserve has been on our radar for a while, and we were excited to finally spend some time exploring the trails.

This was actually our second visit to Krantzkloof. Around 15 years ago, we attempted the Molweni Trail but ended up turning back once we reached a rather hectic river crossing. It just wasn’t worth the risk at the time, especially with the water levels being quite high. However, we always said we’d come back and try a different route.

The Forest Trail

This time around, we opted for the Forest Trail. It’s an out-and-back trail that covers about 1.3km with a moderate difficulty rating. The trail climbs approximately 100m in elevation from the Molweni River up to the top of the hill, where it meets Bridle Road. From there, you retrace your steps back down. It took us roughly an hour to complete, which was a comfortable pace for the family.

The trail itself was well maintained and easy enough to follow. The first thing that struck us was just how green everything was. September is towards the end of winter in KZN, but Krantzkloof was lush and full of life. The forest canopy provided great shade throughout most of the hike, and the scenery along the way was stunning.

Wildlife

One of the highlights of the hike was hearing the unmistakable call of Trumpeter Hornbills echoing through the trees. We managed to spot a few of them perched up high, which was a real treat. These birds are fairly common in the coastal forests of KZN, but seeing them in the wild never gets old.

Additionally, the rock formations along the trail were impressive. You can really see how the gorge has been carved out over time, with layers of exposed rock visible along the cliff edges.

Practical Tips

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and there is a small entrance fee. The reserve has several trails of varying difficulty, so there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for something easy, the Forest Trail is a good option. For those wanting more of a challenge, there are longer routes that take you deeper into the gorge.

A few things to keep in mind: wear proper hiking shoes as some sections can be slippery, especially near the river. Bring water and snacks, and don’t forget your camera. The views from the top are well worth it.

Photos

Below are some of the pictures we managed to capture during our visit. Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed reading about our visit to Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. It’s a beautiful spot right on Durban’s doorstep and definitely worth a visit if you enjoy hiking and being out in nature.

We’ll definitely be back to tackle some of the longer trails next time.

March 3, 2026

Namibia Roadtrip – 2025

Around December 2025, we embarked on an exciting 23-day road trip from Durban to Namibia, and back, filled with breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences. As we drove along the scenic routes, we explored diverse environments.

Our itinerary was as follows:

Clarens
Groblershoop
Grünau
Lüderitz
Maltahöhe
Solitaire
Walvis Bay
Swakopmund
Mariental
Kgalagadi
Kimberley
Clarens

I’ll be posting more information about each stop over the coming days. Stay tuned!

February 3, 2026

Visiting the Durban Natural Science Museum

Something all of us at Automattic were encouraged to do this week was visit a museum. While we have some interesting museums, the Durban Natural Science Museum was particularly appealing without having to venture too far.

It probably takes you around an hour or two to view everything. You enter through this entrance in the Durban City Hall:

Each floor has different things. The bottom floor has a library, the second floor has the natural science museum, and the floor above that is the art museum.

Once you climb up the first flight of stairs, you will see the entrance to the Durban Natural Science Museum:

At this point, you can choose to start at either the Birds or Mammals sections of the museum. They are interlinked, so if you enter through birds, you can easily enter into the mammals section, so no big deal what you choose.

We started off with the Birds section. Here are some of the pics taken:

Having seen much of the wildlife displayed at this museum during my recent road trip to Namibia (blog posts coming soon), I found it quite interesting to see it up close.

Here were the mammals on display:

Other interesting information on display:

Hope you enjoyed reading this! If you want to view photos of animals I’ve taken in the past (that aren’t in a museum), you can check them out by clicking here.

January 22, 2026

Tsitsikamma – The Garden Route Experience

As we continued our Garden Route trip, one major attraction was the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve.

The name “Tsitsikamma” comes from the Khoekhoe words meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water,” which perfectly captures the essence of this pristine wilderness where land and sea create a natural masterpiece.

Here you’ll need to be prepared for about an hour long hike.

Suspension Bridge

One of main things you have to try are the suspension bridges during the hike. I managed to record a small snippet of myself walking across it:

Here are also some pictures relating to the suspension bridge, which is quite a lot shakier than I expected. When fewer people go on it at a time and you’re walking in the same direction, it can be less shaky.

After crossing the two suspension bridges, you can take a steep hike back through the mountain instead of using the bridges again for your return:

Storms River (Paul Sauer) Bridge visible from Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve — Storms River (Paul Sauer) Bridge can be viewed in the distance

Some who are adventurous can even consider kayaking in Storms River:

People Kayaking in Storms River within Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve

Scenery

As we journeyed, I also managed to capture these photos of the scenery in the area.

Tsitsikamma Big Tree

The next nearby attraction was the Tsitsikamma Big Tree, an ancient Outeniqua Yellowwood tree, which is said to be around 600-800 years old.

Compared to the hike you would have done at Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, this would be relatively easy and is nicely shaded by all of the trees surrounding you:

Since we paid for entry at Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, we got free access to this separate location as it was included as part of the deal. Here are some photos of the trial and other attractions here:

Overall, this was well worth the money spent – you can view the costs here. Hope you enjoyed! More posts coming soon 😉

January 22, 2025

Plettenberg Bay: The Garden Route Experience

It’s been a while since I got back to posting on my blog, but as promised in my last post, I will share some photos of my trip to Plettenberg Bay. Since I spent a significant amount of time here, I will also post a separate post for Robberg and Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve .

Roads

The roads in Plettenberg Bay were relatively good. We often had to travel between Eastern and Western Cape to visit nearby attractions, like Tsitsikamma which is right at the border.

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation in Plettenberg Bay, we stayed at Piesang Valley Lodge and found the owner to be very knowledgable of the area. It is quite well located, however, we did find it to be a bit dusty, so if you have allergies, you might want to be prepared for that.

What to expect

Plettenberg Bay is full of fun activities and you’ll certainly have much to do when stopping here. We enjoyed the various nature reserves and nearby attractions in the area.

Below are some of the photos which I took:

Our next stop was Oudtshoorn, which I will post about in the coming weeks 🚗

July 25, 2024

East London: The Garden Route Experience

As promised in my first post about the Garden Route trip that we embarked on in December, the first stop on our road trip was East London. It took us approximately 8 hours on the road to get here. We were filled with anticipation as we set off on this adventure, eager to explore the beautiful landscapes and diverse attractions along the way.

Roads

The roads to East London were surprisingly smooth, with hardly any potholes. We had heard about frequent fog that could hinder visibility and make driving challenging in certain areas.

During our trip, Mthatha presented the only significant safety concern. We were wary due to numerous reports of luggage theft from bakkies in the area. Despite Google Maps directing us through a questionable route, we fortunately did not encounter any problems. This smooth experience allowed us to enjoy our travel to East London without major setbacks.

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation in East London, we stayed at The Hillcrest Guesthouse and found it to be very comfortable and welcoming. This accommodation is located in an area known as Beacon Bay.

What to expect

As you drive through East London, you encounter very old buildings that add a sense of history and character to the area. Continuing your journey, you’ll want to visit Nahoon Beach. This beach presents a breathtaking view with its expansive dunes and pristine sandy shorelines. It offers the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t favor us during our visit to this town.

Here are some of the pictures taken from East London, along with Nahoon beach and some rock dassies:

Overall, the weather was quite dull and there weren’t many activities we could do here since it was a short stop on our journey.

Our next stop was Port Elizabeth which didn’t have much attractions. I am going to skip that and jump straight to Plettenberg Bay in my next post 🚗

December 24, 2023

The Garden Route Experience – December 2023

During the month of December, my family and I embarked on a trip through the Garden Route. We travelled from Durban to Cape Town. This was the first time we’ve ever travelled by car to Cape Town and so far, it has been a really exciting roadtrip.

Our route:

Durban
East London
Port Elizabeth
Plettenberg Bay
Oudtshoorn
Robertson
Simon’s town
Paarl
Beaufort West
Bloemfontein
Durban

Along the way we made stops to areas like Jeffrey’s Bay, George, Sedgefield, etc.

I’ll post more detailed galleries of each place in the coming days

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment if you have any ideas or questions!

December 24, 2023

Staying Connected While Traveling Abroad

When you travel abroad, it’s exciting. But staying connected is key. Whether you’re finding your way, working, or talking to family, good internet is a must. From my travels, I’ve learned that just using Wi-Fi can be tricky.

an animated image showing the importance of staying connected while travelling abroad

Why Wi-Fi Can Be Tricky when Abroad

Wi-Fi in destinations like cafes, hotels, and tourist spots can be hit or miss. Sometimes it’s slow, other times it cuts out fast, or isn’t safe. Moreover, when you’re moving, like on a bus or train, Wi-Fi is often nowhere to be found. Consequently, this can make things tough.

For instance, once in Germany, I struggled to find which train to take because there was no Wi-Fi. Searching for Wi-Fi can waste time and be a real headache.

Staying connected while traveling abroad is more important than you might think and is often overlooked. Think about being on a train and needing to send an important email, or on a bus and wanting to video call your family. Without good internet, this can be really hard. Therefore, having a reliable connection is crucial.

Airalo: A Great Fix to stay connected while traveling abroad

This is where Airalo comes in handy when trying to stay connected while traveling abroad. This means you get steady and fast internet without the fuss of buying local SIM cards or dealing with bad Wi-Fi.

Want good internet while traveling? Use my code: JOASH5802 for $3 free in Airalo. Steps to redeem can be found here.

Airalo gives you internet in over 200 places around the world.

With Airalo, you don’t have to search for SIM card shops or worry about opening your Sim tray. Just set up before you fly, and you’re good to go as soon as you land. Additionally, I’ve used it a lot in Europe and it’s a game-changer.

Travelling Abroad but not sure about Airalo? Here are some other things to consider:

First, check if your phone works with E-sims. Most new Android and iPhone phones do. If yours doesn’t, don’t worry.

It’s usually easy to get a regular sim in most countries. However, just look up the rules for where you’re going, pick a good sim company, and have your passport ready. Most places ask for it.

It is also worth noting that while Airalo is convenient and allows you to easily top-up, it is more costly than what it would cost to get a local sim. Make sure to do your research before hand, and if you are going to need a lot of data but are on a budget, it would be a good idea to rather register a physical sim locally or look into a portable WiFi Router.

Citymapper: Best for Public Transport

I also suggest using Citymapper. Google Maps is good, but sometimes it doesn’t get public transport right. On the other hand, Citymapper is better for this. It allows you to download the data for the region you need, and then works offline and gives you clear routes and up-to-date info. Before you go, see if your place is on Citymapper. It’s a big help if your internet goes down.

October 18, 2023

Tala Collection Game Reserve – September 2019

In 2019, I had the pleasure of visiting the captivating Tala Collection Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal twice. This game park might sound familiar to some. After all, it was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Uncharted’ TV show.

Unlike many game reserves, Tala doesn’t showcase the usual big cats or elephants. However, it’s rich in diverse wildlife. Zebras, Giraffes, Rhinos, Ostriches, and Wildebeest are just a few examples. Additionally, you’ll find Kudu, and even a handful of hippos. During our trips, we spotted unique birds like the secretary bird and an eagle. Plus, there were many other smaller creatures to be seen.

One memorable experience at Tala involved a giraffe. As I approached this majestic creature, I took a photo. In the background, a Toyota Hilux showcased the incredible size contrast between the two.

Considering a trip to Tala Collection Game Reserve?

You’ve got two great choices at Tala. You can either drive yourself or take a guided tour. If you’re new to Tala, go for the guided tour. It’s packed with fun facts about animals and more.

If you prefer driving yourself, Tala is great for that too. The main roads are good and will work for all cars. If you have a 4×4, you can get even closer to the animals. When you’re done, there’s a picnic spot to relax. Plus, they have spots for having a braai, which makes for a perfect end to your day.

For those who love a thrill, there’s a special 4×4 path. It’s exciting, especially at the park’s edge. Just a heads up: we saw some thick bushes last time. Maybe bring a bush knife. But, if your 4×4 is strong, you should be fine.