Some roads serve merely as means of transport, while others become the main destination of the journey. For photographers, the most memorable trips in South Africa are not necessarily the fastest or the most famous.
Some roads serve merely as means of transport, while others become the main destination of the journey. For photographers, the most memorable trips in South Africa are not necessarily the fastest or the most famous.
These routes are places where golden light bathes mountain passes, where fog swirls among local forests, where wildlife appears around the next bend, and where every viewpoint prompts a stop 'for just one more photo.' Whether you shoot with a professional camera or just your phone, these roads always reward those willing to move slowly, stop safely, and watch the light.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, Western Cape
This nine-kilometer coastal road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek has a reason for its appearance on postcards, in advertising campaigns, and in photo reels worldwide. It dramatically clings to high cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Over a hundred bends reveal new perspectives of crashing waves, rugged mountains, and endless blue horizons.
For photographers, dawn often brings softer light over Hout Bay, while sunset transforms the western cliffs into warm shades of orange and gold. Numerous viewpoints allow for easy and safe stops for landscape photography. If winter storms are approaching, it is even better; gloomy skies often create the most dramatic shots.
Swartberg Pass, Western Cape
This serpentine road, built by the renowned road engineer Thomas Bain in the 1880s, remains one of South Africa's greatest mountain roads. The gravel pass winds through impressive sandstone formations, deep valleys, and high cliffs between Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn. Every turn reveals a new composition, especially during the 'golden hours,' when the mountains glow in hues of ochre and rust.
Unlike many modern highways, the slower pace here encourages frequent stops, making it ideal for landscape photographers. Flowering fynbos appears in spring, and the upper parts are sometimes covered in snow in winter.
Panorama Route, Mpumalanga
Few drives offer so many iconic viewpoints over such a short distance. Traversing the Mpumalanga escarpment, the Panorama Route connects attractions such as God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Three Rondavels, offering views of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest green canyons.
Morning mist often blankets the valleys, lending an atmosphere to wide landscape frames. Waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and dense forests provide endless opportunities throughout the day. Photographers should allocate much more time than GPS suggests.
Seven Passes Road, Garden Route
Although the N2 highway might be faster, photographers should always choose the old Seven Passes Road. This historic route between George and Knysna winds through local forests, rivers, old stone bridges, and quiet countryside. Much of the road is gravel, adding a sense of adventure without requiring special transport under normal conditions.
Morning mist filtering through the tall forest trees creates particularly beautiful conditions, and the changing landscape makes every kilometer feel different from the last. This drive rewards patience, not speed.
Clarence Drive (R44), Western Cape
If your idea of landscape photography includes mountains meeting the sea, Clarence Drive rarely disappoints. Stretching between Gordon's Bay and Roe Valley, this route embraces the rugged coastline of False Bay, running beneath steep mountain slopes. During migration season, roughly from June to November, whales can often be seen in the open sea, adding another subject to the already impressive scenery.
Stops along the route allow photographers to frame dramatic coastal views without rushing.
Route 62 through Klein Karoo
The famous Route 62 in South Africa is related less to one spectacular viewpoint and more to the changing landscapes. Traveling between Cape Town and the Garden Route through towns like Montagu, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, and Oudtshoorn, the route passes by vineyards, mountain ranges, semi-arid plains, and charming small towns.
Golden hour is particularly favorable when long shadows stretch across the Little Karoo, and the mountain ranges catch the last rays of light. Roadside farm stalls, old petrol stations, and quiet villages also serve as excellent subjects for documentary photography.
Garden Route (N2)
Recently named the best travel route in the world by Autotrader, the Garden Route combines forests, beaches, lagoons, and mountains in a relatively short trip. From Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma, photographers can capture everything: from crashing waves and ancient indigenous forests to estuaries, rivers, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
The constantly changing landscape makes it ideal for travelers who love photographing diverse landscapes without covering vast distances. You must keep your camera handy; one of the best photos might appear at an unexpected roadside stop.
Klipspringer Pass National Park Karoo
Although technically located inside a national park rather than on a public highway, this route deserves a place in every photographer's list. Klipspringer Pass ascends through the harsh heart of the Great Karoo, offering panoramic views of vast plains dotted with rocky outcrops. Wildlife often appears against dramatic mountain backdrops, making it perfect for combining landscape and wildlife photography. Crisp winter air often provides exceptional visibility.
Drive during sunrise and sunset to capture softer, warmer light. Stop only in designated areas or safe zones. Bring microfiber cloth to remove dust from lenses, especially on gravel roads. Stock up on spare batteries and memory cards, especially on remote routes. Before heading into the mountains, check the weather forecast, as fog, snow, or storms can completely change the landscape.
The best road trips are rarely measured in kilometers. They are measured in moments that make you want to take out your camera. South Africa's most photogenic roads invite travelers to slow down, notice the changing light, and appreciate the landscapes between destinations. Sometimes the brightest memory is not the famous viewpoint everyone photographs, but a quiet bend in the road where you stopped by chance at the perfect moment.
In the UAE lottery draw held on Wednesday evening, two participants received 100,000 dirhams each. This was due to matching five main numbers and the Lucky Number in the latest Lucky Day Draw.
The winning numbers for Lucky Day Draw 260729, which took place on July 29, were 4, 10, 11, 13, 18, and 31, and the lucky number for the month was 7. According to data published by the UAE lottery, no winners were registered in the Grand Prize category of 30 million dirhams or the second prize of 5 million dirhams.
Nevertheless, two players won the third prize of 100,000 dirhams by matching five numbers and the Lucky Number. Additionally, 59 participants won 1,000 dirhams each in the fourth category, and 7,368 players received 100 dirhams in the fifth category. Furthermore, three Lucky Chance participants won 50,000 dirhams each, and their winning IDs were BO3985092, BQ4199067, and DU9779036.
Lucky Day draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 PM, giving participants the chance to win a Grand Prize of 30 million dirhams, a second prize of 5 million dirhams, and three guaranteed Lucky Chance prizes worth 50,000 dirhams each.
The 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' electric train embodies the aspiration for modernity and speed. This train connects Tashkent and Khorezm over a distance of more than one hundred kilometers, reflecting the ancient magic and vastness of the Khorezm region.
Previously, traveling by conventional passenger train from Khiva took an average of 14 hours. However, today the high-speed 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' train covers this distance in just 7 hours and 30 minutes.
In recent years, large-scale reforms have been implemented in the country's railway transport system to connect the nation's territories. A key element in this is the President's decree of October 10, 2023, 'On Measures for the Fundamental Reform of the Railway Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.'
As part of the implementation of this decision, the Joint Stock Company 'Uzbek Railways' is paying special attention to introducing modern technologies into the system to further develop passenger transport routes and create convenient conditions for the population.
On July 29, a press tour was organized for media representatives at the high-speed electric train service center. During the tour, journalists were able to get a detailed look at the process of preparing the modern 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' passenger trains for trips, as well as the technical inspections being carried out by highly qualified specialists.
In the first half of this year, the Joint Stock Company 'TemiryulExpress' received modern high-speed 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' electric trains from 'Hyundai Rotem' of the Republic of Korea and put them into operation. This event is considered an important historical moment in the history of the country's railway industry. The train began regularly running on the 'Tashkent – Khiva' route in Uzbekistan for the first time, elevating the quality of service and passenger convenience to a new level.
An agreement was signed under the project for the supply of a total of six high-speed trains; to date, three of them have been delivered to Uzbekistan and are gradually being commissioned. Specifically, the first train started operating on the 'Tashkent – Khiva – Tashkent' route in May 2026. By that time, the first train had transported about 30 thousand passengers. Subsequently, the second 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' train also began operating on the 'Tashkent – Khiva – Tashkent' route. The third train brought to the country is currently undergoing technical testing.
As noted during the press tour, the 'Jaloliddin Manguberdi' trains are capable of traveling at speeds of up to 250 km/h. These sets are designed taking into account the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan. Special attention has been paid to modern engineering solutions to ensure reliable operation in the desert regions, strong dust, and high temperatures encountered on the 'Bukhara – Khiva' route. This guarantees the safety, reliability of the trains, and a high level of comfort for passengers.
The train runs from Tashkent, stopping at the railway stations 'Samarkand', 'Navoi', 'Bukhara', and 'Urganch' before arriving in Khiva.
The commissioning of new high-speed trains is a significant step in the development of the country's railway sector, improving the quality of transport services for the population, and modernizing the national transport infrastructure. The new generation of trains reflects the results of industry reforms, contributing not only to creating convenience for residents but also to increasing tourism potential.
During the event, specialists from the Joint Stock Company 'TemiryulExpress' provided journalists with detailed information about the technical capabilities and comfort of the modern trains, as well as about the work being done in the field of industry digitalization.
Chicken and mushroom pie is a dish suitable for both a hectic Tuesday evening and a Sunday lunch. This recipe is included in the list of family dinners for weekdays because it is hearty, uses common ingredients, and allows you to prepare dinner with minimal effort if you have leftover roasted chicken in the fridge.
Using ready-made puff pastry significantly simplifies the cooking process. Instead of spending time making dough from scratch, you can focus on preparing a rich filling of chicken and mushrooms, which is then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and crispy golden layers.
This recipe is designed for one large pie, which is perfect for a Sunday lunch, a quick weekday dinner, or for meal prepping for the next day.
To make this, you will need 1 roll of puff pastry, 1 beaten egg, sesame seeds (optional), and poppy seeds (optional).
You need to take 4 chicken fillets, cut into cubes, season them with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Then, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 10 minutes covered, stirring occasionally.
After that, add the mushrooms, oregano, basil, and grated nutmeg. Stir everything thoroughly and cook for another 10 minutes until the mushrooms are soft and excess liquid has evaporated. Then, remove the mixture from the heat.
To make the béchamel sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, and sauté the mixture for about a minute while stirring constantly. Then, gradually pour in milk or cream until a smooth consistency is achieved. Continue cooking until thickened, then stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season lightly with salt.
Gently mix the white sauce into the prepared chicken and mushroom mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the filling to a pie dish or baking pan. Top with the puff pastry, trimming any excess dough around the edges. Brush the surface with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, if available.
Bake the pie for 35–40 minutes, or until the pastry is crispy, puffed, and deep golden brown. Let the pie rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
It is entirely possible to use leftover chicken. Leftovers of roasted or stewed chicken work well for this recipe and help save cooking time. You simply need to mince or cut the cooked chicken into cubes and add it after the mushrooms have softened. Since the chicken is already cooked, it only needs to be heated through before mixing with the white sauce. This is an easy way to turn leftovers into a completely new dish while reducing food waste.
To prevent the filling from making the pastry soggy, it is important that it is dense; therefore, any excess moisture from the mushrooms must evaporate completely before adding the white sauce. It is also recommended to let the filling cool slightly before topping it with puff pastry, which helps keep the pastry light and flaky. Brushing the pastry with beaten egg ensures a rich golden crust, and sesame or poppy seeds add extra texture.
If individual portions are preferred, the filling can be divided among ramekins and topped with a square of puff pastry before baking. Furthermore, this chicken pie can be frozen. It is important to allow it to cool completely before freezing, and then reheat it in the oven until fully cooked.
