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South Africa’s number one travel and outdoor lifestyle magazine. We pay our own way and tell it like it is. We drive back roads and speak to real people, giving you practical information about affordable destinations in southern Africa. Each issue is crammed with excellent photography, honest gear reviews and delicious recipes to make at home or in the bundu. Whether you’re looking to escape for a weekend or a month, your journey starts here.

Eyes on the horizon

BEHIND THE SCENES • If you're a regular reader, you might recognise the name Helen Fraser. The retired communications specialist returns this issue with a wonderful tale about a small-town misunderstanding and the dark side of “freedom” – p 32.

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LETTERS • Where have you been? What have you seen? Write to editor@gomag.co.za

Q&A • Every month our experts answer your questions about birds, bugs and beasts. Send your photos and queries to editor@gomag.co.za

CHECK THIS • A young martial eagle with its prey (a water monitor, or leguan) on the banks of the Chobe River near Kasane, Botswana. This picture was taken on a trip with Pangolin Photo Safaris. pangolinphoto.com

IN BRIEF

Want to see a partial solar eclipse?

HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS!

New reserve in the Little Karoo

REPTILES • The dazzling dwarf chameleon

PIT STOP • Mashi Crafts, Kongola, Namibia

Quirky Joburg • Writer and photographer Heather Mason lives in Brixton, Johannesburg. Originally from the US, she moved to South Africa in 2010 and started a blog called 2Summers, because she experienced two consecutive summers that year. She enjoys finding unusual things to do in her new home city – a cosmopolitan place that'soften overlooked as a tourist destination. Here are her favourites.

BOOKS AND MUSIC

Peter Slingsby • The beloved cartographer's most recent publication is Cederberg - The Book, a comprehensive guide to the region he's been visiting for 70 years. History, wildlife, conservation issues – they're all here, interspersed with experiences, funny stories and colour photos.

Missing in action • A free-spirited Karoo bicycle ride on a road to nowhere takes an unexpected turn for Helen Fraser – and a brush with some small-town policemen investigating a missing person case…

The awful, astonishing Amatola • The six-day Amatola Trail near Hogsback in the Eastern Cape has a reputation as one of the hardest multi-day hikes in the country. Take up the challenge and you'll soon remember what it feels like to be alive.

Find bliss in ‘Boven • The Mpumalanga town of Emgwenya – previously Waterval Boven – may be past its prime, but the surrounding escarpment, dropping into deep valleys, remains as pristine as ever. Here are six stayovers for all tastes and budgets.

The Karoo's unknown artery • Have you heard of the Orange-Fish River Tunnel? This feat of engineering stretches 85km from the Gariep Dam to its outflow, and it forever changed the landscape of the Eastern Cape. We went underground to find out more.

TAKE YOUR PIC • Share your most magical photographic moments with us! Toast Coetzer reviews a batch of our best reader photos in every issue.

SEND US YOUR BEST TRAVEL AND NATURE PHOTOS!

The power of persistence

Raise the steaks • Over the coals, in the pan or even in the air fryer – these steak recipes are quick to make, but full of flavour.

Where form meets function • Sweden is a “cool” place. Climatically, but also in a design sense: renowned for groundbreaking architecture, the world's safest cars and even lethal fighter jets. It's also home to Thule – the outdoor gear company. Every two years, they throw a big bash called THEX. We went along to see what they've planned for the future.

The last hurrah...