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The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
6 Breathtaking escapes to nature
There's a reason glamping in South Africa is on the rise. The blending of glamour and camping offers all the comfort of a luxurious hotel and a sense of closeness to nature. South Africa is often described as a 'world in one country', thanks to the variety of stunning landscapes our country boasts. That's certainly true when it comes to the best glamping spots in the land. Treetop canopy? Coastal gem? Sparse desert landscape? You can take your pick! Last year, glamping generated a whopping $65 million (approximately R1.18 billion) for the South African tourism industry. So, if you're venturing into the bush with all your creature comforts packed, rest assured that you are in very good company. Nestled among ancient trees and fynbos, glamping in South Africa's coastal forests often means raised wooden tents or eco-cabins. The indigenous Knysna and Tsitsikamma Forests are perfect for birdwatching, hikes with plenty of shade, and off-grid relaxation. Glamping spots include: Teniqua Treetops (Sedgefield, Western Cape) or Misty Mountains Reserve (Storms River, Eastern Cape) The Karoo is a beautiful spot for glamping in South Africa. Image via Wikicommons. With vast open plains, endless silence, and almost zero light pollution, the Karoo is one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere for stargazing. This South African glamping destination provides solitude and an intense, surreal connection to nature. Glamping spots include: Mount Camdeboo Pods (Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape) or Tankwa Tented Camp (between Ceres and Calvinia, Northern Cape) Picture waking up in a luxury tent with a 3000-metre mountain outside your door…With excellent hiking and birdwatching, the Drakensberg is full of dramatic scenery. But there's plenty of peace and quiet on offer, too, especially from a cosy tent with a view. Glamping spots include: Mahai Glamping (Royal Natal National Park, KwaZulu-Natal) or AfriCamps Champagne Valley (Cathkin Park, KwaZulu-Natal) The Eastern Cape's Wild Coast is a sometimes overlooked gem. This remote stretch of coastline offers dramatic cliffs, green rolling hills, and untouched beaches. This is also an excellent glamping spot in South Africa for culture-lovers who want to experience Xhosa culture. Glamping spots include: Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve (Chintsa, Eastern Cape) or Mtentu Lodge (Bizana, Eastern Cape) Glamping tents are luxurious on the inside. Image via Hamiltons Tented Camp/Facebook. Before 'glamping' was a trend, luxury tented camps were already all the rage in South Africa's game reserves. They combine the thrill of a wildlife safari with all the comfort of a five-star hotel. If you're in a scenic position, you could enjoy not just the hum of the bush but a few zebra or elephant spottings, too. Glamping spots include: Hamiltons Tented Camp (Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga) or Honeyguide Ranger Camp (Mokopane, Limpopo) The arid beauty of the Cederberg includes red rock formations, ancient San rock art, and a meditative quiet. Glamping setups here often lean toward minimalist luxury. Because all eyes should be on the glowing mountains, after all… Glamping spots include: Cederberg Park (Kromrivier, Western Cape) or AfriCamps at de Pakhuys (Clanwilliam, Western Cape) Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
This travel trend generated over R1 billion for SA tourism in 2024
If you love luxury and the great outdoors, this travel trend is probably on your bucket list. Glamping, a luxurious blend of glamour and camping, is currently having its moment in the spotlight. Glamping allows travellers to experience nature up close. However, unlike regular camping, glamping allows travellers to enjoy modern conveniences and luxury. Many glamping tents even look like luxury homes. South African Tourism reports that the local glamping industry generated an estimated $65.8 million (approximately R1.18 billion) in 2024. That's being highlighted ahead of Africa's first Glamping Expo, which is set to take place later this week. Furthermore, the glamping travel trend will only grow in the coming years. Based on a market report by Grand View Research, South African Tourism expects the industry to be worth $89.5 million by 2030. It's mainly millennials and Gen Zs who love this travel trend. This age group famously appreciates quirky, experience-based travel options. Certainly, glamping provides a unique sense of closeness to the outdoors, with some sites offering nights under starry Karoo skies or the opportunity to see wild animals. In a first for the continent, the Glamping Expo takes place on 20-21 June at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. South African Tourism and Gauteng Tourism Authority are supporting the event as part of efforts to promote rural development and diversify the country's tourism attractions. Delegates will gather under the theme 'Reimagining Innovation & Regenerative Tourism'. This aims to spotlight how the glamping travel trend can support sustainable tourism development. South Africa is a hotspot for glamping innovation in the Global South. This is thanks to the availability of luxury travel experiences and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
FSCA debars financial adviser for five years, fines him R1.1 million
Nobody is allowed to act as a financial service provider and give financial advice without being registered with the FSCA. The FSCA has debarred a financial advisor and fined him R1.18 million for working as a financial services provider without being registered. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) debarred Pierre Erasmus for five years and imposed an administrative penalty that includes the cost of the FSCA's investigation. The FSCA already warned the public in November 2023 to act with caution when conducting financial services business with FX Squad, which was not registered as a company and Petrus Rasmus Erasmus, known as Pierre. In its warning the FSCA said it received information that Erasmus and FX Squad offered to trade in forex on behalf of consumers and that Erasmus and FX Squad may be conducting unregistered financial services and/or the business of a bank by taking deposits from members of the public. 'The investigated parties are not authorised to render any financial advisory and/or intermediary services in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and are also not registered as banks in terms of the Banks Act,' the FSCA said. ALSO READ: FSCA warns consumers about investments with these unregistered entities FSCA investigation showed Erasmus collected funds like a bank The evidence collected during the FSCA's investigation showed that Erasmus offered his services and acted as a financial services provider without authorisation. The FSCA says in a statement that Erasmus collected funds from members of the public (clients) and used it to trade in contracts for difference (CFDs). According to Investopedia, a CFD is an arrangement made in financial derivatives trading where the differences in the settlement between the open and closing trade prices are cash-settled, while there is no delivery of physical goods or securities. The FSCA says he incurred substantial losses during his trading activities. Erasmus also gave financial advice to his clients by providing them with trading signals. A trade signal is a trigger to buy or sell a security and is generated by various analyses, such as technical indicators and mathematical algorithms, according to Investopedia. Many clients incurred losses when they traded in CFDs based on Erasmus' advice. The FSCA found in its investigation that Erasmus contravened section 7(1)(a) of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act in a material way. The practice of providing trading signals amounts to financial advice and that requires a financial services provider licence in terms of the FAIS Act. ALSO READ: FSCA dishes out fines for R2.1 million, R1.6 million and R200 000 How to check if someone is registered and licensed The FSCA says consumers should always check: That an entity or individual is authorised by the FSCA to provide financial products and services, including giving recommendations about how to invest; What category of advice the person is registered to provide, as there are instances where companies or people are registered to provide basic advice for a low-risk product and then offer advice on far more complex and risky products; and That the financial services provider (FSP) number the entity or individual offering financial services uses matches to the name of the FSP on the FSCA database. You can confirm the status and FSP number of a service provider or someone who claims to be an authorised service provider by calling the FSCA on its toll-free number at 0800 110 443. You can also do an online check for an authorised financial institution by licence category at or an online search for a financial institution that is an authorised FSP in terms of the FAIS Act at
