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BUSINESS NEWS - South African viewers have been treated to a smorgasbord of some of our most unique and beautiful destinations during the run of Hidden Gems: South Africa on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174).
The interactive travel and lifestyle series follows six South African travel influencers as they uncover exclusive, under-the-radar luxury escapes across the country.
At the end of each episode, viewers vote for their favourite destination, with one ultimately crowned South Africa's winning Hidden Gem.
More importantly, the series has reminded us all – from armchair travellers to seasoned road-trippers – just how privileged we are to call South Africa home.
Our country's real magic lies in its contrasts: from jagged mountain peaks to the sun-baked Karoo and the dramatic meeting point of forest and ocean.
Watching the series has been a timely reminder that some of the world's most remarkable travel experiences are right on our doorstep.
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In Episode 1, Pretoria-based Linda Munnik visited Drakenzicht House, nestled within the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zulu people call this place uKhahlamba, meaning "Barrier of Spears" – a fitting description for this spectacular landscape.
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Watching Linda experience the Drakensberg brought back vivid memories of growing up in KwaZulu-Natal and visiting this awe-inspiring fortress of peaks and deep green valleys. I recalled waking on crisp winter mornings to amphitheatres of rock rising more than 3,000 metres into the sky, often shrouded in rolling alpine mist or dusted with snow.
For my adventurous friends, it was a playground for rock climbing and paragliding, while for others it offers unforgettable hiking trails, horse riding, golf and the simple joy of escaping everyday life.
The episode reminded me just how easily we forget these extraordinary places until something inspires us to look at them again.
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Having relocated to the Garden Route, I was especially excited to see two local destinations featured in the series.
In Episode 2, travel influencers Rhett and Claire experienced the renowned hospitality of the Klein Karoo during their stay at Rosenhof Country House in Oudtshoorn.
The episode perfectly captured the quiet charm and vast beauty of the region. Like the Drakensberg, the Klein Karoo has become a destination for rock climbers from around the world.
While the Drakensberg offers bold alpine climbing, Oudtshoorn's limestone crags present highly technical routes that are among the country's finest.
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Beneath those ridges lie the world-famous Cango Caves, a subterranean masterpiece of towering stalactites and echoing chambers that feels like stepping into another world.
The town itself tells the fascinating story of the ostrich feather boom of the 1800's, while a drive over the magnificent Swartberg Pass rewards visitors with sweeping views across the Karoo towards the Outeniqua Mountains and the ocean beyond.
Hidden Gems: South Africa reminded me why this part of the country continues to draw visitors from across the globe. I remember accompanying a group of Spanish adventure motorcyclists over Swartberg Pass.
At the summit, one rider – an Iberia Airlines pilot – removed his helmet, looked across the landscape and simply said it had been one of the most spectacular days he had ever experienced on a motorcycle, anywhere in the world.
Photo: SuppliedFittingly, after taking viewers from the towering Drakensberg to the rugged Karoo, Episode 3 introduced Tebogo Pin-Pin's stay at the exclusive Misty Mountain Reserve in Tsitsikamma. Travelling east from George, the Garden Route transforms into deep gorges, ancient indigenous forests and dramatic coastline.
After the dry Karoo, Storms River is a complete sensory shift – a place defined by wild beauty and raw coastal energy.
Watching Tebogo explore Tsitsikamma transported me back to some of my own most rewarding days in the area. I've spent countless hours running, hiking and working in these forests, following trails where tannin-stained rivers meet the Indian Ocean.
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I have been fortunate enough to photograph athletes tackling the famed Otter Trail, and some of my favourite memories are walking through rain-soaked indigenous forest surrounded by ancient yellowwoods, coastal fynbos and the unforgettable chorus of bush cicadas after rainfall.
Tsitsikamma means "place of much water", and when the rain falls, the forest comes alive with sound and movement. Hiking through that dense canopy, with its remarkable birdlife and occasional sightings of blue duiker or bushbuck, is an experience that no written words can fully capture.
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Watching it featured on Hidden Gems: South Africa reminded me why it remains one of the country's truly special places, and perhaps the next destination I need to revisit.
One of the things I have enjoyed most about Hidden Gems: South Africa is how it doesn't simply showcase beautiful places; it rekindles memories, sparks curiosity and inspires future adventures.
Every episode has reminded me that there are still corners of South Africa waiting to be explored, whether for the first time or all over again.
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Like every destination uncovered throughout this remarkable series, these hidden gems deserve to be experienced firsthand.
They stir something deep within you and leave you with a renewed appreciation for this extraordinary country we call home.
As the series reaches its conclusion, the final vote will determine South Africa's ultimate Hidden Gem. Tune in to the grand finale of Hidden Gems: South Africa on Tuesday, 8 July at 21:00 on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) to discover which destination takes the crown – and perhaps find inspiration for your own next adventure.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
