Hartbeespoort named South Africa's Town of the Year 2026: Why you should visit Harties

Just 45 minutes from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, Hartbeespoort – affectionately known as Harties – has added another reason to visit. One of Gauteng's favourite weekend getaways has been crowned Kwêla's Dorp van die Jaar (Town of the Year) 2026, one of South Africa's best-known community tourism competitions.

Why did Hartbeespoort win Dorp van die Jaar 2026?

Harties saw off finalists Gansbaai, Secunda, Howick, Hopetown, Keimoes, Gobabis (Namibia), Bethlehem and Mokopane, drawing an estimated 120,000 votes in the public voting round — one of the largest turnouts in the competition's history. Support came not only from local residents but also from visitors across Gauteng and North West, reflecting Harties' enduring popularity as a weekend getaway.

An 18-month community campaign led by the volunteer group Proudly Harties and the local tourism association helped clean up, beautify and promote the town ahead of the competition, turning the victory into a genuine community success story.

What the award means for travellers

Visitors can also expect improvements. Winning Dorp van die Jaar brings:

• R1 million worth of national television marketing on kykNET, including a professionally produced destination advertisement.
• R1 million in prize money, which will be invested in community improvement projects.
• A televised celebration showcasing Hartbeespoort to audiences across Southern Africa.

Local plans for the prize money are already taking shape. Priorities include repairing the traffic lights at the Hartbeespoort Dam wall crossing, improving public green spaces and adding more street lighting. The marketing campaign will also help showcase Harties to even more potential visitors.

Where is Hartbeespoort?

Hartbeespoort lies roughly 45–50 km northwest of both Johannesburg and Pretoria, making it an easy day trip or weekend getaway from either city. The town sits at the foot of the Magaliesberg, a UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserve, on the shores of Hartbeespoort Dam.

Completed in 1925, the dam stretches for more than 20 km and is fed by the Crocodile and Magalies rivers. Its distinctive Roman-inspired dam wall is one of South Africa's most recognisable engineering landmarks.

"Hartbeespoort" actually refers to a cluster of settlements around the dam, including Kosmos, Ifafi, Melodie, Meerhof and Schoemansville, which together form the wider Harties community.

Travel tip: Hartbeespoort is busiest on weekends and public holidays. If your schedule allows, visit during the week for quieter attractions and less traffic around the dam.

Top things to do in Harties

Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, Harties offers plenty to see and do:

• Ride the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway for spectacular views over the dam and Magaliesberg.
• Enjoy a boat cruise, watersports, fishing or a meal overlooking Hartbeespoort Dam.
• Meet rescued elephants at The Elephant Sanctuary.
• Walk among free-roaming primates at Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary.
• Learn about cheetah conservation at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre.
• Combine your visit with the nearby Cradle of Humankind or De Wildt Wildlife Reserve.

About the Dorp van die Jaar competition

Organised annually by the Afrikaans television programme Kwêla on kykNET in partnership with Lottoland SA, Dorp van die Jaar is open to towns across South Africa and Namibia with populations below 500,000. The winning town is chosen through a series of public voting rounds, generating national exposure and encouraging domestic travel.

Bottom line

Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, there's never been a better time to explore Harties.

Its combination of mountain scenery, water-based activities, wildlife attractions, cafés, markets and easy accessibility has long made it one of Gauteng's favourite weekend destinations. Now, with fresh national recognition and new investment in local infrastructure, Harties looks set to become even more appealing.

If you're planning a day trip from Johannesburg and Pretoria—or a relaxed weekend break—South Africa's newly crowned Town of the Year 2026 deserves a place on your travel itinerary.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.  

Table Mountain fire update: What Cape Town visitors need to know

Travellers visiting Cape Town should be aware that firefighting operations are continuing on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park after a vegetation fire broke out above Kloof Nek Corner and Tafelberg Road.

The fire, first reported on 02 August 2026, prompted the evacuation of visitors from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway's Lower Station as a precaution while firefighters moved in to contain the blaze.

Firefighting continues on Table Mountain

South African National Parks' (SANParks) Fire Management Team, supported by the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and Volunteer Wildfire Services, worked throughout the night to contain the fire and monitor hotspots.

Although cooler overnight conditions helped slow the fire's spread, SANParks says rising daytime temperatures could cause flare-ups, particularly on steep, rocky slopes that are difficult for ground crews to access.

To strengthen firefighting efforts, two Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) aircraft operated by Kishugu Aviation and AG Aviation have been deployed to target hotspots identified through thermal imaging. Around 43 firefighters and three water tankers remain on the incident, with additional helicopters available if required.

What travellers should know

If you're planning to visit Table Mountain over the coming days:

• The Contour Path between Kloof Nek and the Lower Cableway Station remains closed until further notice.
• Nearby hiking trails around the affected area are also closed.
• Visitors should avoid Tafelberg Road while emergency operations continue.
• Aerial firefighting aircraft are operating over the mountain, so it's important to stay clear of the affected area and follow all instructions from SANParks and emergency personnel.

At the time of writing, SANParks has not announced the cause of the fire.

Before heading to Table Mountain

Wildfires are a regular occurrence on the Cape Peninsula during the dry, windy months, and temporary trail closures are not uncommon while crews work to protect visitors, infrastructure and the unique fynbos vegetation.

If you are planning to hike or use the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (closed until 09 August 2026 for scheduled annual maintenance), it's advisable to check the latest operational updates before setting out, as access restrictions can change at short notice depending on weather conditions and firefighting progress.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Cricket World Cup 2027: Host cities in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia unveiled

Here's what the confirmed venues mean for travellers planning a Southern African cricket adventure. 

The countdown to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 has taken another major step, with the official host cities and stadiums now confirmed across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

For travellers, this is more than just a sporting event. It is an opportunity to combine world-class cricket with some of Southern Africa's most iconic destinations, from the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the beaches of Durban to the wildlife of Victoria Falls and the deserts of Namibia.

The tournament marks the return of the Men's Cricket World Cup to Africa for the first time in 24 years, following the memorable 2003 edition co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The Cricket World Cup 2027 host venues

South Africa

South Africa will host matches at eight venues:

• Wanderers Stadium – Johannesburg
• SuperSport Park – Centurion (Tshwane)
• Newlands Cricket Ground – Cape Town
• Kingsmead Cricket Ground – Durban
• St George's Park – Gqeberha
• Mangaung Oval – Bloemfontein
• Boland Park – Paarl
• Buffalo Park – KuGompo City (formerly East London)

Each destination offers something different for visitors. Cape Town combines cricket with spectacular scenery, Johannesburg provides easy access to the country's largest transport hub, Durban offers subtropical beaches and Indian Ocean cuisine, while Paarl is perfectly placed for exploring the Cape Winelands.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will stage matches at:

• Harare Sports Club – Harare
• Queens Sports Club – Bulawayo
• Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium – Victoria Falls

For international visitors, Victoria Falls is likely to be one of the tournament's biggest drawcards. Watching World Cup cricket before or after visiting one of the world's greatest natural wonders could become one of the standout travel experiences of 2027.

Namibia

Namibia will make history by hosting its first senior ICC tournament, with matches taking place at:

• Namibia Cricket Ground – Windhoek

Windhoek also serves as the gateway to many of Namibia's top attractions, including the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast, making it easy to extend a cricket trip into a memorable self-drive holiday.

A new tournament format

The 2027 Cricket World Cup will feature 14 teams competing across 57 matches.

The competition introduces a new three-stage format designed to keep more matches meaningful throughout the tournament:

• A Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th to 14th, with one side progressing.
• A first round featuring 12 teams divided into two groups of six.
• A Super 7 stage involving the best-performing teams, followed by the semi-finals and final.

The revised structure aims to create more competitive fixtures while maintaining high stakes throughout the tournament.

Why this matters for travellers

With matches spread across 12 venues in three countries, fans will have plenty of opportunities to turn the World Cup into a multi-country Southern African adventure.

Many host cities are connected by direct flights, making it relatively straightforward to combine destinations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, continue to Victoria Falls, or finish with a road trip through Namibia.

Demand for flights, accommodation and car hire is expected to increase significantly once the full match schedule is released. Travellers planning to attend should keep an eye on fixture announcements and consider booking early, particularly for popular destinations such as Cape Town, Durban and Victoria Falls.

Looking ahead

The tournament will be played under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat", highlighting the shared hospitality and diversity of the three host nations.

For cricket supporters, it promises to be one of the biggest sporting events ever staged in Southern Africa. For travellers, it offers an excellent reason to discover—or rediscover—some of the region's most fascinating cities, landscapes and attractions while enjoying world-class international cricket.

As soon as the full match schedule, ticket sales and travel information are announced, we'll publish further updates here on the blog to help you plan your Cricket World Cup 2027 adventure.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Durban beaches update: All swimming beaches remain open (29 July 2026)

If you're planning a beach day in Durban, the latest water quality results bring more good news for visitors. According to the eThekwini Municipality's 29 July 2026 update, all officially designated swimming beaches remain open, with water quality ranging from excellent to acceptable under the municipality's E. coli monitoring programme.

All swimming beaches currently open

There are 23 beaches open for swimming across Durban's coastline, covering the city's central, northern and southern beaches. This means visitors can once again enjoy the full range of popular beaches, including Laguna Beach and Reunion Beach, both of which have remained open in the latest update.

Central Durban beaches

Open beaches include:

• Wedge
• Point
• uShaka
• Addington
• South Beach
• North Beach
• Bay of Plenty
• Battery Beach
• Country Club
• Thekwini Beach
• Laguna Beach

Most central beaches recorded acceptable E. coli levels, while North Beach, Bay of Plenty, Battery Beach, Country Club, Thekwini Beach and Laguna Beach all achieved excellent water quality results.

Northern beaches

All monitored northern beaches remain open:

• Westbrook
• Umdloti Main
• Umhlanga Main
• Bronze Beach

Westbrook and Umdloti Main again recorded excellent water quality, while Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach remain safely within the municipality's acceptable range for swimming.

Southern beaches

The southern coastline also continues to perform well, with all monitored beaches open:

• Toti Main
• Ansteys
• Brighton
• Umgababa
• Doonside Beach
• Winklespruit
• Pipeline
• Reunion

Several beaches, including Toti Main, Ansteys, Brighton, Doonside Beach and Reunion, recorded excellent water quality with very low E. coli counts.

What travellers should know

While the latest results are encouraging, water quality can change after heavy rainfall or stormwater runoff. If you're travelling along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, it's always worth checking the latest municipal update before heading to the beach, especially during the summer rainy season.

For visitors planning a holiday in Durban over the coming weeks, the current outlook is positive. With all official swimming beaches open, you'll have plenty of options whether you're looking for family-friendly beaches, surfing, swimming or simply relaxing on the Golden Mile.

Quick summary

• All 23 official swimming beaches are open.
• Excellent water quality at many beaches, including North Beach, Battery Beach, Laguna Beach, Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Toti Main, Brighton and Reunion.
• Remaining monitored beaches are within the municipality's acceptable recreational water quality standards.
• No swimming beach closures have been announced in this update.

As always, we'll continue monitoring eThekwini's beach water quality updates and post any significant changes that could affect travellers visiting Durban .

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Namaqua National Park's 2026 wildflower season Is underway

Update (30 July 2026): South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the first wildflowers are now blooming in Namaqua National Park. While the displays are still patchy, conditions point to a promising 2026 flower season. For a complete guide on where and when to see South Africa's spring flowers, read our guide: https://umhambi.blogspot.com/2026/07/south-africas-wildflower-season-best.html.

If you're planning a spring road trip through the Northern Cape, now is the time to start watching the flower reports.

Following good early winter rains and cool temperatures, colourful pockets of flowers have begun appearing across Namaqua National Park. Visitors can already spot favourites such as Namaqualand daisies, Cape marigolds, Arctotis, Bergmagriet, Suurrings and several colourful vygie species.

The bloom is still in its early stages, but that's typical for late July. If favourable weather continues, SANParks expects the 2026 wildflower season to peak between mid-August and mid-September, when the park is usually transformed into the spectacular carpets of colour that attract visitors from around the world.

Tips for the best flower viewing

• Visit on sunny days when temperatures reach 18°C or higher.
• Flowers usually open fully from late morning once the sun has warmed them.
• If possible, plan your visit between mid-August and mid-September, when displays are typically at their best.

Gate hours

• Skilpad Rest Camp: 07:30–16:00
• Groenrivier Rest Camp: 08:00–17:00

Conservation fees (until 31 October 2026)

Visitor	Fee
South African Adult (SA ID)	R62
South African Child (2–11 years)	R32
SADC Adult	R130
SADC Child (2–11 years)	R62
International Adult	R130
International Child (2–11 years)	R62

If you're hoping to experience one of South Africa's greatest natural spectacles, it's worth planning your trip now. Accommodation in and around Kamieskroon, Springbok and Garies often fills up quickly once the flowers reach their peak.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

CemAir adds more Bloemfontein flights to Durban and George from August 2026

Travellers flying to or from Bloemfontein will soon have more flexibility, with South African regional airline CemAir adding extra weekly flights to Durban and George.

From 04 August 2026, the airline will introduce two additional weekly return services, making it easier to plan short breaks, business trips and regional itineraries without having to connect through Johannesburg.

The new flights are:

• Bloemfontein – Durban: an extra return flight every Tuesday
• Bloemfontein – George: an extra return flight every Thursday

If you're planning to travel after 04 August 2026, check the latest flight times before booking, as schedules can change.

For travellers, the extra flights offer greater flexibility when planning trips between the Free State, Durban and the Garden Route.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Cape Town confirmed as HSBC SVNS host for the 2026/27 Rugby Sevens Series

Cape Town has once again secured its place on the global rugby calendar after World Rugby confirmed the schedule for the 2026/27 HSBC SVNS Series. The Mother City will host one of the flagship tournaments of the international sevens season, giving travellers another excellent reason to visit South Africa during the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The tournament has become one of Cape Town's biggest annual sporting events, attracting thousands of local and international supporters who combine world-class rugby with a holiday in one of Africa's most spectacular destinations.

When is the Cape Town HSBC SVNS tournament?

According to the newly announced schedule, the Cape Town HSBC SVNS tournament will take place on 05 and 06 December 2026.

The South African leg follows the opening tournament in Dubai and continues the Series before teams travel to destinations including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Los Angeles and Europe.

For visitors, early December is one of the best times to experience Cape Town. Summer has arrived, the days are long and warm, and many outdoor attractions are at their best.

Why travellers should consider visiting during HSBC SVNS

Unlike many sporting events where visitors spend most of their time inside a stadium, the Cape Town leg of the HSBC SVNS is easy to combine with a classic Cape Town holiday.

Many visitors extend their stay to explore attractions such as:

• The iconic Table Mountain
• The V&A Waterfront
• Cape Point and the Cape Peninsula
• The Cape Winelands
• Robben Island
• Boulders Beach and its famous African penguins
• The scenic Atlantic Seaboard and nearby beaches

The tournament atmosphere also spills into restaurants, bars and public spaces around the city, creating a lively weekend for both rugby supporters and casual visitors.

Book accommodation early

Because the HSBC SVNS coincides with the start of South Africa's peak holiday season, accommodation in Cape Town can fill up quickly.

Travellers planning to attend should consider:

• Booking accommodation several months in advance.
• Comparing prices in different neighbourhoods rather than focusing only on the city centre.
• Renting a car if planning to explore beyond Cape Town after the tournament.
• Extending the trip to include the Garden Route, the Cape Winelands or a safari elsewhere in South Africa.

Early bookings often provide the best choice of hotels and self-catering apartments, particularly for groups travelling together.

More than just rugby

Even if you're not a die-hard rugby fan, the HSBC SVNS offers an entertaining day out. Sevens rugby is fast-paced, matches are short, and the event is well known for its festival atmosphere, live entertainment and colourful costumes in the stands.

This makes it an attractive addition to a Cape Town itinerary for families, groups of friends and international visitors looking to experience South African sporting culture.

A boost for Cape Town tourism

Hosting another round of the HSBC SVNS reinforces Cape Town's reputation as one of the world's leading destinations for international sporting events. Alongside events such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Two Oceans Marathon, the Cape Town Marathon, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry matches next month, and major cricket fixtures, the tournament helps attract visitors during the early summer season and supports hotels, restaurants, tour operators and local businesses.

For travellers, it offers the opportunity to combine world-class sport with unforgettable scenery, excellent food and wine, and some of South Africa's best tourism experiences.

Planning a trip? If you're considering visiting Cape Town in December 2026, it's worth securing flights and accommodation early. With summer weather, spectacular scenery and one of the most exciting stops on the HSBC SVNS calendar, the city is expected to be a popular destination once again.

For travellers, it offers the opportunity to combine world-class sport with unforgettable scenery, excellent food and wine, and some of South Africa's best tourism experiences.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.