As the head guide at Gonana South African Travel, I find new stories daily in South Africa, and the story of the proudly South African pinotage grape has fascinated me since I arrived here 20 years ago. I'm not the biggest wine drinker as I'm an avid health and fitness advocate, but I can certainly appreciate a glass of wine! So here's the story of the pinotage grape...
Experience Southern Africa Like Never Before with Our Expert Travel Agency.
Gonana means “embrace" in Zulu, and embrace is something we know you'd love to do when visiting Southern Africa. You're looking for an immersive and authentic journey where 20 years of expertise has gone into creating holidays that are rich in culture, filled with stunning landscapes, and vibrant cuisine of this magical place we call "home." We serve both corporate partners seeking exceptional team-building experiences and private clients, including families and couples, looking for personalised adventures.
Types of Travel We Specialise In
Why Travel With Us?
ACCREDITED
Our founder, Jonas Sandström is a qualified National Guide and accredited by the South African Tourism Board.
OWNER-RUN
We’re a small team of niche professionals with the owner, Jonas, actively involved from guiding to planning.
EXPERIENCED
We have 20 years of experience in hosting European guests, with a particular focus on bringing Scandinavians to Southern Africa.
RESPONSIBLE
We’re Fair Trade accredited and work within that network, and we support sustainability and women-run establishments.
LOCALS
We live and work from Cape Town allowing us to stay up-to-date with life on the ground and test all the new places.
TRIED-AND-TESTED
All of our destinations, and activities are places that we have personally experienced and taken a liking to.
Travel Stories
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Highly recommended for anyone seeking an extraordinary travel experience!
Jonas & Joy went above & beyond to make our trip unforgettable. The guides & drivers they arranged were knowledgeable, friendly, & passionate about sharing the beauty of their country. One of the most delightful aspects of our trip to South Africa, was the incredible culinary journey we experienced. The Gonana team didn’t just plan a flawless itinerary - they ensured our taste buds had an adventure of their... Read this review
Elisabeth Catalano, January 2025
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We went for 10 days to South Africa and they planned our whole trip. From hotels, Safari, domestic flights to rental cars and how to drive back from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town with overnight stays. Could never have done this amazing trip without their expertise and insights. One of our best travel experiences ever!
Robert Andersson
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Gonana Travel hjälpte oss att förbereda och planera vår första resa till Kapstaden och Sydafrika. Allt på högsta proffesionella nivå. Allt från hotell, restauranger och diverse utflykter. Finns inget att klaga på överhuvudtaget. Endast att 3 veckor gick alldeles för fort. Stort tack till er för att ni gjorde vår resa så minnesvärd.
Ola Johansson
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Great service and hospitality in world class! Jonas and his team is amazing and well worth when discovering and traveling through South Africa
Reine Walfridsson
Latest News
The Story of Pinotage: South Africa’s Signature Grape by Jonas Sandström
Tue April 15, 2025
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Philani: Transforming Lives in Khayelitsha, One Mother and Child at a Time
Tue March 18, 2025
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In the heart of Khayelitsha, one of South Africa’s largest townships, a quiet revolution has been taking place for over four decades. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of community-led healthcare. At the center of this movement is Philani, an extraordinary initiative founded by a Swedish doctor, Dr. Ingrid Le Roux, whose vision and dedication have changed the lives of thousands of mothers and children in South...
February 2025 Newsletter
Wed February 26, 2025
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They say that love makes the world go round – and if that’s true, then South Africa is at the very heart of it. With every golden sunrise, every wave kissing the shoreline, and every warm embrace from those who call this land 'home', there's reason we want you to return sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start planning your trip to South Africa for this coming September through...
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