The rural areas of South Africa are places of startling beauty and uplifting stories. Just take the budding connection between a family-owned hotel and an underfunded school north of Mossel Bay…

Ages ago, on the back of a shark-diving boat, I met an Englishman who came out to South Africa every year to spend his hard-earned pounds on sending his adrenalin levels into overdrive.

Paternoster, to the naked eye, is an idyllic seaside village. Set on the seafood-rich West Coast, it boasts pretty little white-washed houses with dark thatch and crayon-bright shutters.

Ever been to a music or other kind of festival the day after it’s happened? Chances are it will look like a war zone. Not at AfrikaBurn, however.

If you have an interest in marine biology or simply enjoy the idea of going out to sea on a yacht for a cruise, you should take a tour on the Ocean Adventurer in Cape Town.

I was poking about Motswari’s website recently, impressed by the fact that this game lodge is accredited by 2 organisations – Green Globe and Fair Trade in Tourism.

You enjoy travel, you want to come to South Africa, and you want to make a positive impact. How do you start?

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is among South Africa’s best initiatives. Started in 2002, it certifies those destinations that really make a positive difference.

Once, while exploring an old strandloper midden, I made a serious error in judgment. I sort of knew it was a mistake at the time, but I really didn’t expect to regret it as much as I did.