Travel - enjoy South Africa from your armchair

Travel is restricted at the moment but that does not mean we cannot explore other destinations.

One day we will be able to get on an aeroplane or cruise ship again.

So, there is no harm in armchair exploration.

From food and drink to culture and safari, Your Time takes a look at South Africa.

CinemaInvictus (2009)Invictus tells the story of the South African rugby union team, the Springboks, and the their return to the World Stage in the 1995 Rugby World Cup following the end of apartheid in South Africa.Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film features Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman and some key tourism locations such as Robben Island and Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium. A great one for those who are missing the usual sporting fixtures.Available: Amazon Prime

BooksA Long Walk toFreedom (1994)Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Mandela and South Africa’s complex history.The memoir follows the journey of an epic life, resilience and ultimate triumph through adversity.Read it: Amazon.co.uk

DrinkAmarulaSouth Africa boasts some of the best wines in the world with fabulous variations to be enjoyed from the likes of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Constantia. Aside from the incredible wines, for a taste of local liquor, try iconic Amarula. This rich and creamy liquor is a favourite amongst locals, and its texture and fruity flavour comes from the sun ripened fruit of the Marula tree.The drink is often likened to an Irish liqueur and is best enjoyed over ice.Buy it: Amazon.co.uk

FoodBiltongSouth Africa is home to many types of cuisine including Dutch, French, British, Malaysian and Indian.Biltong is one of South African’s most loved snacks and consists of dried, cured spiced beef.Buy it: Thesavannah.co.uk

South Africa’s Sofa Safaris

See Elephants at Tembe Elephant Park with Explore’s live stream.Tembe Elephant Park is renowned for having the largest elephants in Africa – and the planet, and Brits can now experience these gentle giants from the comfort of their own home.

The wildlife park is home to an abundance of animals including more than 340 bird species as well as the Big Five.

Elephants at TembeElephants at Tembe
Elephants at Tembe

Explore has a live feed in place, with the camera situated on the hide at one of the waterholes in the area, providing a perfect opportunity to spot the elephants. Look out for lions, rhinos and buffalo joining the elephants for a drink.https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/tembe-elephant-park

Shamwari Game ReserveWhile many people across the world are on lockdowns, Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape are bringing safaris into homes with their Shamwari Lockdown Series published on their YouTube channel. Head Ranger, Andrew Kearney, is delivering informative and educational videos around the wildlife such as identifying footprints, spotting the ‘Big Five’ and showing the incredible flora and fauna species found on the reserve.www.youtube.com/channel/UCet9hIjowls59nATSoE5V7Q

Take a live game drive through Singita Sabi SandsSingita has started taking people out of their living rooms on live safari drives at least twice a day.Lions, large rhino bulls and tiny baby elephants are just some of the wildlife resident photographer and safari guide Ross Cooper encounters on his live drives through the Singita Sabi Sand in South Africa.To go on a live game drive with Singita just follow @Singita_.https://singita.com/

Sabi Sands EleFun - Escapes in the WildSabi Sabi is offering educational videos to inspire families: if they can’t go on safari, Sabi Sabi will bring safari to them.Over the coming weeks Sabi Sabi will take this experience into homes with a range of short videos sharing fun and engaging facts about the fauna and flora of the African Bush, in a series called “EleFun Escapes in the Wild”.The education of future generations is key to Sabi Sabi - it aims to create young conservationists for our future and do this through “wonder filled” learning about the natural world.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J6ESL5rOzE

24-hour live camera at Tau Game Lodge in Madikwe Game ReserveOn the Northern border of South Africa and Botswana lies the Tau Game Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve.The lodge overlooks Tau Waterhole, an oasis for elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras and cheetahs.The 24-hour Tau live camera gives viewers a secret window into this sanctuary and its co-system as elephants bathe, lions roar and crocodiles prey.www.taugamelodge.co.za/main-lodge/live-webcam/

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