Road Trip's Podcast - Travel, Touring and Holidays in South Africa using the Road Trip mobile app

Send us Fan Mail

Nyami Nyami is the God of the Zambezi River, protector of the Tonga people. Legends and stories abound about Nyami Nyami, but there are inexplicable events around the building of the Kariba Dam relating to Nyami Nyami.

Nayami Nyami has the form of a giant serpent, with a head shaped in the form of a Snake / Dragon / Fish. 

Whatever you take from this story - if you ever visit the Victoria Falls, you have to go into the local craft markets and get a Nyami Nyami walking stick - b...

Send us Fan Mail

Beaufort West is a small town in the heart of the Karoo. It is a great overnight stop when tackling the N1, it is right at the entrance to the fantastic Karoo National Park, and it is the birthplace of Prof. Chris Barnard.

At the time of this podcast - the FaceBook post showing the house in which Chris Barnard was born is the post which suddenly reached 170,000 people!

We chat about Chris Barnard, and about the FaceBook page in general.

Support the show

The...

Send us Fan Mail

The Kruger Park is being hit from all sides! The flood damage was being repaired - and it flooded again! And there was a very unfortunate and tragic incident regarding two visitors being the victims of violent crime.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

We reflect on the current fuel crisis, the price of fuel and the impact it will have on South Africa. There is a short little update on the Kruger Park as well.

The PitStops app has been rebuilt - find it at www.pitstops.co.za

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

This episode was sparked by the record reactions to a Facebook post of ours about a new display at the Anglo-Boer War Museum - a replica of a blockhouse.

The museum has world-class exhibits, and is without a doubt a "must visit" destination. 

Alongside the museum is the "Vroue Monument" - and memorial garden - a somber reminder of the women and children who died in the Concentration Camps.

A link to the museum website:  https://wmbr.org.za/

Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.co...

Send us Fan Mail

Can we still visit the Kruger Park? Absolutely!

The Kruger National Park periodically gets affected by catastrophic flooding. The recent 2026 floods, described as the worst in decades, damaged over 15 camps and caused damaged estimated to exceed R500million (US$30million), with total repairs possibly taking up to 5 years.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

We now have over 80 podcasts - 25,000+ downloads - and we thought we would give you a bit of an intro to who we are.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

South Africa has a wonderful and varied history. This episode gives a brief overview of the 17 Republics that at some point were declared on behalf of disgruntled citizens.

Some cool stories! The only State President in world history to have captured a hostage, a Republic of three people...........

Great stories - and we will expand on these in depth in more podcasts - but this is the start of some great history lessons and fascinating stories!

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is...

Send us Fan Mail

Dr Leander Starr Jameson was the leader of what was nominally a mercenary raid into the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek of President Paul Kruger. Funded by Cecil john Rhodes when he was Premier of the Cape Colony, it was his play to annex the Republiek and take over the richest gold-field in the world for the British Empire. Rhodes had convinced himself that the sentiment in the gold-mining town of Johannesburg was such, that should an armed raid manage to get within the city boundaries, there would be a popular uprising in support of...

Send us Fan Mail

A 5 night tour to the Central Region of the Kruger National Park. A repeat client from 16 years ago decided to return and show the Kruger Park to his family. Thank you for trusting me again with your holiday.

This is a typical itinerary for a great Kruger Park experience. 

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

A few days spent in the Kruger National Park - with a visit to Barberton thrown in. Barberton has a few hidden treasures that are definitely worth exploring - and we find two really cool spots on the routes to and from Barberton. 

Kaapschehoop is a spot worth more investigating - and we uncover two really interesting characters buried in Carolina - an ex State President (and bit of a hooligan) - and a South African who was instrumental in the Geneva Convention! You never know who or what you will f...

Send us Fan Mail

The events of 6th February 1838 culminated in an iconic and pivotal moment in South African history. The murder of Piet Retief and his small group of Voortrekkers by Dingaan culminated in an epic showdown on the banks of the Ncome River in Zululand. 

The effects of this are still felt today.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

December 16th is an important day in South Africa. It is a public holiday - it was first "Dingaan's Day", then it was "Day of the Vow", and now it is "Day of Reconciliation".

We start at the Voortrekker Monument - a "must visit" on any South African itinerary - and start the story of why December 16th is such an important day.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch...

Send us Fan Mail

Rhino poaching had reached epidemic levels. The Square-lipped Rhinoceros (White Rhino) - once a huge conservation success story and taken off the "Endangered List" - is now again under very serious threat.

We discuss a few issues around the poaching, markets, and economics fuelling the destruction of our wildlife heritage.

Some links:

https://www.savetherhino.org/africa/south-africa/rhino-poaching-persists-in-south-africa-as-criminals-shift-their-focus/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yega3ZRRrqk

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for...

Send us Fan Mail

An emotive issue - Hunting and Trophy Hunting. As you drive through South Africa - particularly in Northern KZN, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, and now the Eastern Cape as well - you pass kilometres of high electrified fencing.

These are what we call "Game Farms" - aimed at tourism and hunting. We explore the topic and the importance of this industry to South Africa.

Some resources:

https://africageographic.com/stories/botswana-elephant-hunting-under-scientific-review/?utm_source=Africa+Geographic&utm_campaign=426952b838-AGNewsletter_November_04_2025_resend&utm_medium=email...

Send us Fan Mail

In the mid 1900's over 300 boreholes were installed, and 50 dams built in the Kruger National Park to supply water for the wildlife. Many of the wind-pumps are now derelict, and dams have been breached - leaving many visitors confused as to why?

We answer these sometimes controversial questions in this podcast. 

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

The Greater Kruger National Park currently has an elephant population of over 31,000 animals. This is just not sustainable.

There are no easy or "warm & fuzzy" answers to this. This podcast lays out a bit of the history of the "elephant management" issues, where it comes from, some of the main players in the ongoing debate - and the final question: How do we fix it?

======================================

Here are some selected references:

Barnes, R. F. W., Craig, G. C. & Dublin, H. T. (2010). The African Elephant: Status, Ecology...

Send us Fan Mail

Fire is a conservation tool used for the management of grazing area and plant communities. 

Visitors to the Kruger Park - especially in the winter months, and in early spring -  often drive through burned areas - it's dusty, smokey, and smelly - and can sometimes be unpleasant. Controlled burning is however a vital management tool - and we hope that this episode helps you understand some of the science behind it.

Here is the link as mentioned in the podcast

https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cs...

Send us Fan Mail

During peak season the park can seem very crowded - and some "Road Rage" and "Sighting Fighting" can occur.

We explore some of the reasons for this, some takes (from our perspective) on the "crowding" - and how to deal with it.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

The Kruger National Park is a wonderful and special destination. It is a "World Class" wildlife park - but there are a few basic rules and regulations that need to be followed in order to have a great visit. 

We give a few tips on how to enjoy the park without getting into trouble, some basic etiquette on the road, and a short rundown on some "Park Manners".

Have great stay! 

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do...

Send us Fan Mail

Most people go to the Kruger National Park for "Game Drives" - this is obviously the main aim of the visit - but there are variations available - and there a definitely different ways to do it!

There are also a variety of "other activities" available in the park - so press the "reset" button, slow down, relax - and really get to experience the Kruger National Park - there is a lot more to it than just chasing around on the roads!

Support the show

The...

Send us Fan Mail

We chat about what you need to make for an unforgettable visit to the Kruger National Park. 

Basic stuff to take with you: some essentials in the suitcase, some good tips for what to take in the car, how to have a comfortable stay. 

And most essentially - how to plan for and have good days driving in the park!

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Sa...

Send us Fan Mail

In this podcast we answer some questions from a listener in Australia - how to arrive in SA, how to get to Kruger, car hire, some advice on camps and distances, where to spend the most time.......

We help to plan a 10 to 14 day Kruger itinerary.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

Some tips for your visit to the Kruger National Park. 

How to get there, how to get into the park, where to stay, what type of accommodation is available, the different types of camps.

Kruger is a huge park - 19,623 sq km. And another 1,800 sq km of private reserve.

12 main camps, 5 bush veld camps, 2 bush lodges, 4 satellite camps. A plethora of luxury private lodges - it just depends on your budget - and what experience do you want?

We give some insight to help you m...

Send us Fan Mail

Every year in spring there is a cultural event that takes place in eSwatini (Swaziland) that is like no other. 

40,000 young girls pay tribute to the Queen Mother - the Ndlovukazi. It is an 8-day event, and is open to the public for the last two. The event is an incredible spectacle - it is estimated that approximately 40,000 young maidens pay tribute to the Queen Mother, by bringing reeds to the palace - and the culmination is a dance exhibition in the National Stadium. 

Royalty from all over Southern Af...

Send us Fan Mail

Kimberley - a dusty, grown-up mining town. A bit of a derelict veneer, once scratched open reveals a stunning, complex, historical, and fascinating city. The ghost of Cecil John Rhodes permeates the entire town - from the mines, to the relics of the Anglo-Boer War. Really interesting monuments, world-class museums, and the obligatory visit to The Big Hole - all make for a really worthwhile visit.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa...

Send us Fan Mail

This is truly an iconic visit - it rates along with Rorke's Drift, Blood River / Ncome, and Isandlwana. For any student of military history, it is a "must do". To walk the fields where the Highland Brigade advanced - it's goosebump territory.

========================================================================

The Anglo-Boer War battle took place during the Boer siege of Kimberley, a strategic diamond mining town. A British relief column advanced along the Cape railway line and in three earlier clashes, forced the Boer commandos to pull back.

The Boers planned to make a...

Send us Fan Mail

Mokala National Park, proclaimed in June 2007, is South Africa’s newest park, located 80km southwest of Kimberley. Named after the Setswana word for Camelthorn tree (Acacia erioloba), the park features striking, twisted specimens ranging from small shrubs to towering 16m trees.

Red Kalahari sands, towering trees, beautiful sunsets, some tricky roads..... all make for a cool stay.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

The Karoo National Park lies a few short kilometres South of Beaufort West. Spectacular scenery, both easy and challenging 4x4 routes, really nice and well situated accommodation, and we got to see the Lions! A night or two here changes Beaufort West from a flying overnight stop on the N1, to a destination.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

Beaufort West lies astride the N1, the main highway that stretches from Cape Town to Beit Bridge. Travellers on the route often use it as a very convenient overnight stop, and there are many really good accommodation options in the area - Lodges on game farms, B&B's, guest houses etc. The Karoo National Park is right there as well - this park and quite a few interesting spots in the town make it a possible destination, rather than a convenient fly-through when on the highway.

And a small hint...

Send us Fan Mail

The Camdeboo National Park surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet. The iconic "sundowners" spot of The Valley of Desolation is a "must-do". Plan a late afternoon drive to the viewpoint, with an appropriately filled cooler box - and just enjoy the timeless beauty of the vast Karoo plains. Spend a day or two on some challenging roads, or just enjoy some easy game viewing in the park. Some time in this National Park is a perfect complement to a stay in Graaff-Reinet. 

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app i...

Send us Fan Mail

When it comes to history, particularly Afrikaans history, not many towns in South Africa can rival Graaff-Reinet. Founded in 1786 by the Dutch East India Company, it is the fifth-oldest town in South Africa. Today, Graaff-Reinet is home to more national monuments than any other town or city in South Africa.

It is also the gateway to the Camdeboo National Park - famous for "The Valley of Desolation". There are also many accommodation options in town - but in the considered opinion of the podcaster - Graaff-Reinet is also the home to...

Send us Fan Mail

The little village of Nieu-Bethesda - an absolute gem of a visit - Dinosaurs, fossils, San culture, and the famous "Owl House". This is at least a two-day stop.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is about the mountain Zebra National Park - created to preserve "Donkeys in Football Jerseys"! A real hidden gem of our National Parks system - and the accommodation is spectacular.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

Zulus and Voortrekker survivors, influences of the Sikh War, concentration camps and memorials. Blockhouses, a "two-headed" Language Monument - the start of "Black Week", VC's and MC's, "The Story of an African Farm", and resistance to Apartheid - again, so much all in one area!

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

This episode has so  much! Voortrekkers, Basotho and Zulu Wars, Rebellions and Nazi spies and paratroopers, war heroes and Spitfires, Anglo-Boer War and the concentration camps. Truly a mix of our history - and a fun episode tying it all together. 

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris

Send us Fan Mail

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Really beautiful scenery, highlighted by the "Brandwag Buttress" - an incredible sandstone formation. This park also has a wealth of dinosaur fossils, and some great displays.

================================================

This is part 1 of a 16-day round trip from Johannesburg - covering some beautiful and amazing destinations:

These episodes will cover all the various routes, attractions...

Send us Fan Mail

We talk with Dr. Dean Allen - renowned Author, Historian, Lecturer, and Media Presenter. Dean has authored several books, two of which are are titled "Frontier Land - Exploring the Eastern Cape."

So much of our history played out in this area - and it really is a fascinating part of South Africa. We have digitised these two books and all the spots Dean discusses and describes are on the Road Trip RSA app.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.
<...

Send us Fan Mail

We have a chat with Simon Green - "The Blockhouse Guy". Simon has authored two books on the blockhouses of the Anglo-Boer War - a very handy field guide, as well as a more in-depth analysis of the engineering behind these 9000+ structures the British Military left behind in South Africa.

We have digitised the field guide - so if you are looking to visit a Blockhouse - the Road Trip app will get you there.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.<...

Send us Fan Mail

Middelburg, Cradock, Cookhouse and through Slagtersnek - some really evocative and emotional spots on this route. The story of the "Chair Monument", and the site of what is considered to be the first resistance to British rule that ended rather badly at Slagtersnek.

Support the show

The Road Trip SA app is available for download.

Do you want to visit and explore South Africa? Touch Africa Safaris