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More from the journal

Kigali, Rwanda - the cleanest country in Africa

Guides

Why Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa

A plastic-bag ban from 2008. A mandatory community work morning on the last Saturday of every month. The system behind Rwanda's cleanliness, explained.

Vikki Jackson

Table Mountain

Family Safari

A family vacation in Cape Town that works for all ages

Cape Town suits kids and grown-ups equally well: beaches, penguins, aquariums, and a city that's easy to move around.

Sian Loehrer

Modern luxury safari lodge lounge looking out across the Botswana bushveld

Guides

What's actually changing in safari travel in 2026

We do not love the trend pieces either. But after twenty years of designing safaris, the real shifts in 2026 are worth naming. Here are the four we are seeing in our own bookings, and the two we think are oversold.

Vikki Jackson

Two women meditating on their wellness safari

Wellness

How a wellness safari itinerary actually works

A wellness safari isn't just yoga with a view. Here's what a real day looks like.

Sian Loehrer

A colourful vegan spread on a wooden table at a Cape Town café, morning light coming through the window

Dietary

Eating vegan in South Africa: a practical guide

Plant-based travel in South Africa is easier than most people expect. Here's the real picture.

Vikki Jackson

Singita Lebombo lodge in the Kruger National Park

Planning

Is a South Africa safari worth it?

A South Africa safari is worth it. Here's what you actually get for the money, and what to watch for when planning.

Vikki Jackson

Ximuwu Lodge review

Field Notes

Ximuwu Lodge review

Ximuwu Lodge in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is the most thoughtfully accessible safari lodge we know. Here's our honest review.

Vikki Jackson

Young rider on a pony walking through open Waterberg bushveld at golden hour

Family Safari

A family horseback safari in South Africa

Riding through the Waterberg on horseback, with kids in the saddle and giraffes in the distance.

Sian Loehrer

The walled garden and pool at AtholPlace Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, shot in the early evening

Lodge Review

AtholPlace Hotel and Villa in Sandton, Johannesburg: our review

We spent a night at AtholPlace Hotel and Villa in Sandton, and it turned out to be a far better start to a safari trip than we expected.

Sian Loehrer

An African wild dog running through shallow water, ears up, focused on the chase

Conservation

The plight of the African wild dog

Around 6,600 painted dogs are left in the wild, and they are among the most endangered carnivores on the continent. Here is what is actually happening to them, and what we do about it

Vikki Jackson

Guests at a bush drinks stop in the Kapama Private Game Reserve at golden hour, drinks in hand with open savannah behind them

Lodge Review

Kapama Karula: our review of the Greater Kruger's flagship lodge

Kapama Karula is the flagship lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, positioned on the Klaserie River with its own airstrip, 12 villas, and serious Big Five game viewing.

Sian Loehrer

Two women on a Cape Winelands estate terrace at golden hour, Drakenstein mountains behind, white wine, fresh figs and cheese on a weathered oak table

LGBTQ+ Travel

Choosing a gay-friendly travel agent in South Africa

We plan LGBTQ+-friendly trips across South Africa, from Cape Town to the Winelands and beyond.

Sian Loehrer

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Prefer to write to us directly? sian@marulahill.com · WhatsApp +27 82 459 0648