Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth, known as the “Friendly City”, is the gateway to the Eastern Cape and a fun place for all the family. Historical sites include Donkin Street, where, in 1820, settlers from Britain made their home. To the west is the lush Tsitsikamma Forest, which means “place of abundant water”, while to the east are the Amatola Mountains, both areas are ideal for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking. In the interior is the arid Karoo, with its abundant game, while in contrast there is the Indian Ocean coastline, with the aptly named ‘Sunshine Coast’ and ‘Wild Coast’. Within the province lies the village of Qunu where Nelson Mandela was born and the University College of Fort Hare, Where he studied. The Eastern Cape is the traditional home of the Xhosa people. The province boasts a wealth of flora and fauna, including the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo), in a malaria free environment. Conservation areas include the Mountain Zebra National Park and the Addo Elephant National Park. The coastal waters are rich in marine life, with abundant dolphins and the occasional whale spotted from the beaches.

Karoo Heartland Route
Vast plains, majestic mountains and historic towns typiffy the Karoo Heartland. From Port Elizabeth set off for Uitenhage with its many fine historic buildings, from Settler to Victorian, as well as some levely parks and gardens. The house of writer Olive Schreiner can be visited in Cradock, where her book ‘The Story of an African Farm’ was based. The town is close to the Mountain Zebra National Park. The Karoo region has many trails for hikers, while canoeists can ply the Great Fish River. At the village of Nieu-Bethesda you can see the strange creations of artist Helen Martins at the Owl House and Camel Yard. Within striking distance from here is the Mountan Zebra National Park, refuge for several antelope species, small predators and 200 bird species as well as the distinctive mountain zebra. With its painstakingly restored buildings Graaf-Reinet, in the Karoo Nature Reserve, has retained much of the character of a 19th century rural town. Founded in 1786, its boasts over 300 national monuments, more than any other town in South Africa. Nearby is the Valley of Desolation, with its dramatic geological features.

Amatola Mountain Escape Route
The wooded mountains of the Amatola range stretches from Adelaide in the east to Stuuterheim in the west, the latter reflecting German settlement in this region. With its forests and battlefields, it is an area steeped in Xhosa culture and early ‘Settler’ history. The region is ideal for hiking, climbing and mountain-biking as well as fly-fishing and kayaking. From East London, drive to King William’s Town and then on to Alice. At the University of Fort Hare, many great African leaders studied, including Nelson Mandela. It is no notable today for its stunning African art collection. Lovers of the outdoor life will appreciate Cathcart, where trout fishing, hiking, riding and bird-watching are amongst the attractions. There is a special charm to the town of Hogsback, with its distinctly English character. The mystical atmosphere of this thickly forested area, with its cascading waterfalls and rich flora is enchating – especially in the Sout African spring – was the inspiration for J.R.R Tolkien’s book ‘The Hobbit’

The Friendly N6 Route
The N6 motorway is the backbone of this route from the capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein to the coastal city of East London. It passes through some notable towns like Aliwal North, famed for its hot springs and Anglo-Boer War Garden of Remembrance as well as Lady Grey, with its ‘Footsteps into the Past’ trail of historic places. Barkly East is known for its annual Trout Festival each March, while Rhodes is an artists’ colony named after the arch imperialist, Cecil Rhodes. During the South African winter, skiing takes place on the slopes of nearby Ben MacDhui. The longest known gallery of San rock paintings in South Africa may be viewed on the Denorbin farm between Barkly East and the quaint town of Elliot. Queenstown, on the Komani River between the Katberg and Stormberg mountains, is known for its magnificent displays of roses. The town, founded as a military outpost in 1853 is, unusually, set around a hexagonal centre and boats sevral museums and galleries. From here head for East London via Cathcart and Stutterheim.

Tsitsikamma Adventure Route
Starting from Port Elizabeth, explore this breathtaking stretch of The Garden Route, where mountains, indigenous forests, deep gorges, and lush vegetation skirt the rugged coastline of cliffs and sandy beaches. Here is an abundance of colourful flora – ancient yellowwood trees and magnificent fynbos plants – as well as birdlife. For the adventurous there is blackwater tubing down the Storms River and the world’s highest bungee jump (216 metres) from the Bloukrans Bridge. Hikers may wish to take up the challenge of the five-day Otter Trail, while mountain biking and diving are other options. Scenic drives in the nearby Langkloof Valley are spectacular. In the South African spring (August / October), the apple, apricot, plum and peach orchards are in blossom along the Fruit Route. The main centre for fruit processing is Joubertina. At the Klassies River, near Humansdorp, there is evidence of human habitation over 100,000 years ago.

Sunshine Coast and Frontier Country Route
The Sunshine Coast boats hundreds of kilometres of unspoilt beaches. Port Elizabeth –offering diverse leisure options from watersports to township tours, from vibrant nightlife to nature trails – is good base from which to explore the coastline and the interior. The Gamtoos Valley is a rugged, unspoilt area of indigenous forests and fynbos plants inhabited by 58 mammal species and 293 types of bird. The Sunday’s River Valley, a major fruit producing area, is also worth seeing. The Addo Elephant National Park, home to rhino, Cape buffalo and antelope as well as elephant, has undergone an exciting enlargement programme.
Explore Frontiere Country, where the early settlers clashed with the Xhosa people, a vibrant melting pot of history, with its battlefields and forts.

Fort Beaufort was once a military stronghold and is full of settler and Xhosa history. The Historical Museum, in a former officer’s mess has relics of frontier life while the Martello Tower and Military Museum contains reminders of the battles between the white settlers and the Xhosa.
A major attraction in Grahamstown is the 1820s Settlers’ National Monument and Memorial Museum, which houses relics – from toys to weapons – of the British settlers. The town is famous for its annual arts festival every July. Bathurst, on the road from Grahamstown to the coast looks like a quintessential English village, with its old pub and mill.
King William’s Town, founded as a mission station in 1825, is also steeped in settler history and boasts the fascinating Amothole Museum. Exhibits in the museum at East London, South Africa’s only river port, include shipwreck artefacts, a specimen of a coelacanth ‘prehistoric’ fish and the world’s only dodo egg.

Free State
The Free State lies at the heart of Aouth Africa – and the heart of visitors will be won over by the majesty of the scenery and the friendliness of the people. Hospitality is one of this province’s prized assets and a Free State farm holiday offers a unique opportunity to get to know the ‘locals’. There are also attractive holiday resorts on the banks of the Orange and Vaal rivers.
Here you can see fields of sunflowers and maize that strech as far as the eye can see. There’s the chance to marvel at some excellent examples of San rock art to be seen on farms in the province, particularly in the area around Fouriesburg.
The Free State is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor adventure. Hiking trails meander through lush valleys and gorges created by centuries of wind, water and fire. Numerous mountain streams offer excellent trout fishing, while the Vaal and Sterkfontein dams are great places for watersports. There are also great opportunities for horse-riding game viewing and bird-watching. The Free State’s numerous game and nature reserves have much to offer those seeking to escape from modern-day pressures. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the adjacent QwaQwa National Park are renowned for their dramatic scenery, with huge wind-sculpted sandstone rock formations inhabited by mammals such as eland, zebra, wildebeest and springbok as well as birds of prey. The Basotho Cultural Village is located in the QwaQwa National Park. A range of antelope species and other wildlife is also to be found at the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, where watersports, including waterskiing, watersurfing and paragliding can be enjoyed.

Bloemfontein – N1 Southern Route
Centrally located, Bloemfontein, the provincial capital known as the ‘City of Roses’, is the gateway to the whole of the Free State. Edenburg, south-west of Bloemfontein, boasts Town Hall that is a national monument while nearby is the Berliner Missionary Station, the oldest of its kind in the Free State. The typical Karoo houses of Philippolis have also been declared national monuments. Exhibits in the museum here depict Griqua history. The house and kraal of Adam Kok, the famous Griqua leader can also be visited, along with the gunpowder house and old jail.
In Springfontein, there are reminders of the Anglo-Boer War, including a concentration camp cemetery, as well as examples of 1,000 year-old San rock engravings. For bird-watcher there’s the chance to see some of the 130 species that hve been recorded here. Gariep Dam is an ideal location for recreation and watersports. Plains game as well as klipspringer and rare Cape Mountain Zebra can be seen in the Gariep Nature Reserve.
At Bethulie, the DH Steyn Bridge is the longest in the country. The Pellisier Missionary House Museum illustrates local history and the Anglo-Boer War. Near Bethulie lies the Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve, known for its hiking trails, which supports a wide variety of game and wildlife.

Dimond and Wine Route
This route runs between Bloemfontein and Kimberley. First stop is Jagersfontein, a mining town of yesteryear famous for its diamond finds. Original waterpumps can still be seen in the streets. The town’s fascinating history is documented in the Open Mine Museum. Fauresmith is noted for being one of only three towns in the world with a railway track running through its centre. An old steam train can be seen on the rails. The Randjiesveld hiking trail starts in Fauresmith. A coffeepot fountain reflects the name of Koffiefontein – an open-air museum and open mine are other features of this town. Jacobsdal lays claim to having built the first wine cellar outside Cape Province. Top wines are produced by the Landzicht winery. Both Magersfontein and Paardeberg (Anglo-Boer battlefields) are within easy reach of Jacobsdal. En-route to Paardeberg, be sure to see the British block house, built in 1900. Salt-pans stretch as far as the eye can see at Petrusburg, an agricultural centre. Emmaus, the centre point of South Africa, is 20km from the town.

Bloemfontein – Aliwal North Route
The south-eastern Free State is a region of mountains, adventure, San rock art and arts and crafts. South from Bloemfontein, travellers come to Reddersburg, with the well-known Mostershoek Battlefield nearby. Smithfield’s galleries make it the ‘art town’ of the southern Free State. The Caledonian Museum, portraying the history of the area, is worth a visit as are the Carmel and Bersheba mission stations.
San rock art is found on the surrounding hills. The popular Stokstert hiking trail is located in the Caledon River Conservancy nearby. The Dutch Reformed Church at Rouxville, a wool production centre, is a national monument. Some of the best examples of San rock art are to be found on outlying farms.

Bloemfontein – Transgariep Highlands Route
Just 75 km south-east of Bloemfontein lies Dewetsdorp, with its Anglo-Boer battle sites. On the banks of the Caledon River, is Wepener, a gateway to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Attractions include the Jammerbergdrif battlefield and Street Bridge, a national monument. Caledon Nature Reserve, home to varios game species and 200 types of birds, is a popular fishing venue. At the foot of 2,207m Aasvoëlberg escarpment, on the Lesotho border, is the town of Zastron. A nine metre hole in the escarpment, home to the only colony of Cape vultures in the southern Frees State, is known as the Eye of Zastron. The Eeufeeskloof Dam is a trout fisherman’s paradise. There are horse riding and hiking trails on various holiday farms.

The Highland Treasure Route
This route starts at Harrismith famous for its Wild Flower Gardens. Many historic sandstone buildings remain and a petrified tree estimated to be 250 million years old is to be found next to the Town Hall.
A short drive south from Harrismith is the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve. Eleven game species, including black wildebeest, reedbuck, oribi, mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok, inhabit the reserve as well as several types of bird, including black and martial eagles, secretary birds and the endangered bearded and Cape vultures. Windsurfing, sailing and angling are permitted on the dam itself, while other activities include paragliding and mountain biking.
Near Phuthaditha are the Golden Gate Highlands and the adjoining QwaQwa National Parks. Strange rock shelters are features of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, which is home to a variety of antelope species and other mammals like wildebeest, zebra and warthog. Birdlife includes black eagle, lammergeyer, jackal buzzard, blue crane and the secretary bird. The QwaQwa National Park also has a diversity of mammals and boats a rich variety of birds of prey, as well as various aquatic birds in the marshy areas. Guided horse rides are offered and there are two hiking trails. At the Park’s heart is the Basotho Cultural Village where the traditional Sotho way of life can be experienced through colourful rituals, song and dance.
Clarens is one of the most picturesque villages of the Free State. Encircled by towering, sandstone mountains, it is a haven for artists and anyone seeking peace and quiet. To the west is Fouriesburg, from where there are panoramic views of the Maluti Mountains. Nearby, at Meiringskloof – which boasts the largest rock overhang in Southern Africa – is the start of the longest hiking trail in the Free State.

Gauteng
The name Gauteng derives from the Sotho word meaning ‘Place of Gold’ – an apt title, as much of this province has come from this precious metal. The principal cities of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane (Pretoria) make Gauteng the commercial, industrial and administrative heart of South Africa and an important powerhouse for the whole of Southern Africa.
Gauteng is the main international gateway to South Africa as most overseas visitors land at Johannesburg International Airport. It’s a province that offers a fascinating blend of first-world known-how combined with African magic – with a whole range of opportunities from shopping, dining and entertainment to arts, culture and outdoor activities. Sandton the country’s most up-market shopping, dining and entertainment mecca, is the embodiment of vibrant modernity. The spirit of authentic South Africa can be felt in Soweto, with its lively entertainment precincts.
Witness the birthplace of humankind at the Cradle of Humankind at Sterkfontein now declared a World Heritage Site. Be dazzled by riches of the Cullinan Premier Diamond mine, where the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond was discovered in 1905.
Despite the urbanisation of Johannesburg, opportunities for getting back to nature abound in the surroundings areas. Game farms, dams, lakes, rivers, hiking trails and picnic spots are plentiful. The Sedibeng/Vaal River region is a particularly popular recreational area for watersports and fishing.
The City of Tshwane, about 50km (30 miles) north of Johannesburg, the country’s administrative capital, developed at a more sedate pace than Johannesburg, so it was built with an abundance of open spaces. There are more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

Gauteng Panorama Route
Starting point for this tour is MuseumAfrica, Johannesburg’s major historical and cultural museum, where fascinating exhibits take visitors on a journey through South Africa’s turbulent and eventful history. Then explore the Market Theatre Conplex, a former Indian produce market that includes the French Cultural Institute, the Foundation for Creative Arts, the Newtown Art Gallery, the Yard of Ale – a great stopover for refreshments – and the Gramadoelas and Movo’s Restaurants, which offer genuine South African cuisine.
In adjoining Newtown you will find the Newtown Cultural Precinct, a microcosm of South African arts, crafts and fashions. Newtown houses exhibitions, such as the Workers’ Museum as well as the Artists Proof Studios, a centre for Johannesburg-based artists and printers. The Nelson Mandela Bridge is the latest landmark here. Book a guided tour of Soweto, home to a truly rich and diverse sightseeing, culinary and entertainment scene. Visit Vilakazi Street unrivalled in the world as it boasts the residences of two Noble Peace Prize winners – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the former State President, Nelson Mandela. Ashort distance from here is the hector Petersen Memorial, erected in memory of the 14-year old boy, the first victim to be killed by apartheid forces sent to crush the student uprisings of 1976.
A stop at Freedom Square, Kliptown is likely to be included on the itinerary. It was here in 1955 that the people’s bill of rights, known as the Freedom Charter was declared.
South of Johannesburg is Gold Reef City, which was, until the 1970s, a working gold mine. It is now a re-creation of an old mining town, with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, a casino and entertainment.
Experience, first hand, the workings of the brutal apartheid machinery at The Apartheid Museum, less than 20 minutes’ drive from Johannesburg.
A 45-minute drive north-west from Johannesburg is the Terkfontein Valley, one of the richest deposits of the remains of hominids such as “Little Foot”, ancient ancestors of man, as well as of animals long extinct such as a sabre-toothed cat. The area has been declared a World Heritage Site. Nearby are the Kromdraai Wonder Caves, with their spectacular rhinestone pool, stalactities and stalagmites. In this area there is also a Rhino and Lion Park.
North from here, is the Lesedi Cultural Villiage, where visitors can experience at first hand the traditional lifestyles, art and culture of the Zulu, Pedi, Xhosa and Basotho people. Enjoy a traditional African-style feast and join in the singing and dancing.
Travel east to the City of Tshwane, where the imposing Union Buildings are one of the most famous landmarks. It was on these steps that Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.
Visit the home of Sammy Marks, founder of many industrials in the old republic of the Transvaal. Acontemporary and friend of President Paul Kruger, his home has been preserved exactly as it was the day he died.
Guided tours give visitors a unique insight into a bygone era including the Voortrekker Monument. A visit to Jan Smuts’ house is recommended, as is a stop off at the Centurion Lake shopping and recreational area.

The Freedom Trail
The province played a leading role in the freedom struggle. It started with the Soweto uprisings in the 1970’s, progressing to the Codesa (Congress for a Democratic SA) negotiations, leading to the signing of the new country’s democratic constitution is Sharpville and the inauguration of the first democratically elected president in Pretoria (Tshwane). This tour takes in Johannesburg, Soweto, the City of Tshwane and the township of Sharpeville – and traces the struggle for democracy in South Africa. To get the most out of a visit, the ttownships are best seen on a local guided tour. Drive to Sharpeville, the townships on the outskirts of Vanderbijlpark. Here is Sharpeville Police Station, where, in 1960, a total of 69 protestors who had gathered there were shot by the police – an incident that sparked international outrage and became a milestone in the struggle for democracy.
In downtown Johannesburg is the recently renovated Gandhi Square, commemorating the life of the Indian freedom fighter, who spent some times as a lawyer in South Africa and learned from first-hand experience the inequities of racial discrimination. Opposite the main court buildings are the former offices of Nelson Mandela and fellow activists Oliver Tambo, when they were lawyers fighting the cruel apartheid laws. Driving north through the business district of Braamfontein, you pass the University of Witswatersrand where segregation policies were resisted and Nelson Mandela studied.
Tshwane, is steeped in history. As you enter the city from the south, you pass a long, heavily fortified brown building on the left – the Central Prison – once containing South Africa’s infamous Death Row, now holding anumber of people who committed atrocities during the apartheid period. Church Square, with its statue of the president of the Boer Republic of Transvaal, Paul Kruger, is also the location for the Palace of Justice, where Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment at the famous ’Rivonia’ trail.
To the west of Tshwane Mamelodi township, a vibrant place known particularly for its jazz. It is possible to book a tour with a local guide, who will show visitors the sights, including Solomon Mahlangu Square, where there is a statue to commemorate the death of the young activist who was executed in the 1970s. Mamelodi Cemetery, where executed prisoners were buried, is another poignant place to visit.

Nightlife
Jazz has come alive. Every week tens of thousands flock to venues uncluding parks, jazz bars and restaurants, sheebens and community halls to enjoy an art form that was once considered old-fashioned. In Johannesburg you will find the Kippies Jazz International Club, named after the late saxophonist Kippie Morolong Moeketsi.
Situtated in the heart of the city’s entertainment mecca, the Market Theatre Precinct in Newtown, Kippies has hosted a huge number of international and local jazz artists. Kind of Blue Jazz Restaurant, situated at the Blackheath Pavilion, offers more upmarket entertainment with a mellow ambiance, good food and live jazz. Bejazzed at the Zone in Rosebank is the newest club. Take a trip to the Bluesroom in Village Walk.

KwaZulu-Natal
Blessed by a sunny, year-round climate, KwaZulu-Natal, known as the Kingdom of the Zulu, offers the traveller a diversity of attractions. Zulu, Indian and European influences create a cultural mosaic. Landscapes range from mountains and forests to waterlands while activities include deep-sea diving, white-water rafting, hiking, horse riding, trout fishing, golf and much more. Gateway to the province is Durban, famed for its wide, wide sandy beaches and superb surfing in the warm Indian Ocean. Go shopping in modern malls or in the Indian markets. The Grey Street Mosque is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The long coastline north and south of Durban boasts beautiful beaches, numerous family resorts and opportunities for playing golf and diving. KwaZulu-Natal’s game parks are internationally renowned. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is known for its rhino while the Greater Santawani Lucia Wetland Park, protects marine life as well as mammals, reptiles and birds. This has been declared a World Heritage Site, as has the scenically breathtaking uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.

The Game Reserves Route
Travel north from Durban along the N2 to Richards Bay for seaside activities. Carry on to the St Lucia Resort, spending a few days discovering the delights of the Lake Santawani Lucia estuary. Take a boat trip for close-ups of hippos and crocodiles. Travel inland to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, credited with saving the white rhino from extinction. Nearby is the Dumazulu cultural village. North from here is Mkuzi Reserve, a haven for bird-watchers. Continue nrth to Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay and the Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumo Game Reserve.
Head for Pongola, close to the Swaziland border and view the Pongolapoort Dam from the mountain pass. Then visit the Itala Game Reserve. Once the territory of the famous Zulu leader Shaka and his successors, today Itala provides sanctuary to rhino, elephant, crocodile, cheetah, leopard and more than 300 bird species. Travel westwards to Zululand’s northern gateway, Vryheid, meaning’liberty’, once capital of the Boer Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic).
Head south to Ulundi, a town rich in Zulu history, first established as a capital by King Cetshwayo in 1873.

The Midlands Meander
This is a well known, sign-posted arts and crafts route, only an hour’s drive from Durban. There are more than 100 places to visit on the Midlands Meander. The route starts in Hilton, a quaint village just north of Pietermaritzburg. Near here the Natal Railway Museum is a magnet for steam enthusiasts. Continue on to Howick and then 100 metre high Howick Falls. Pay a visit to the Midmar Dam, a hive of waterborne activities like sailing and boating. A 1,000-hectare game park is home to rhino and zebra, plus a wide range of antelope and waterfowl. North of the dam, at Lions River, is the Mandela Monument. It was here, in 1962, that Nelson Mandela was arrested and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Form here, head for the Dargle Valley. The area around Dargle, Fort Nottingham and Balgowan is known for fly-fishing. Between Balgowan and Nottingham, thirsty travellers will be pleased to discover a brewery. The route continues via Rosetta to Mooi River, ending at the farming hamlet of Hidcote.

South Coast and Drakensberg Route
Starting in Durban this route explores the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal, the interior and the Drakensberg Mountains.
The South Coast is dotted with attractive resorts, like Scottburgh, Margate, Ramsgate and Port Edward.
From Port Shepstone you can take the Banana Express, a narrow-gauge steam railway, along the coastal dunes and through banana and sugar cane plantation. The forested Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is nearby where you might see leopards, baboons, small antelope and birds such as kingfishers and eagles.
From here you head west to Kokstad then north to Himeville and the Drakensberg Mountains. Himeville is the gateway to the Sani Pass, which connects South Africa with the ‘Mountain Kingdom’ of Lesotho. Continuing on north-west from Himeville to the Loteni Nature Reserve and the Kamberg Nature Reserve, both are areas for trout fishing. Further along is the entrance to the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve – part of the uKhahlamba- Drakensberg Park – renowned especially for its 5,00 San (Bushmen) cave paintings. Highlights of the park, a World Heritage Site, include Cathedral Peak, the Amphitheatre, Montaux-Sources and the Tugela Falls.
From here you head south-east on you return journey. Stop off in Bergville, a restored pioneer settlement. You are now entering Eshayamoya Country, known for its craft shops and outdoor activities.
After a stop-off in Pietermaritzburg – where the City Hall, the largest redbrick building in the Southern Hemisphere, is a testament to the British colonial presence – return to Durban.

The Battelfields Route
Head for Estcort the southernmost point reached by the Boers in the Anglo-Boer War. Travel north to Colenso, where a British attempt to cross the Tugela River to relieve Ladysmith met with disaster at the Battle of Colenso, the first military action to be captured on moving film.
Near Ladysmith, the scene of the famous 118-day siege of the British garrison by Boer forces, is a hill known as Spionkop, where British soldiers were scythed down by Boer fire from the summit just above them.
From the town of Dundee other sites can be visited, including Talana Hill, scene of the first engagement of the Anglo-Boer War. Within striking distance of the town is the Anglo-Zulu battelfield of Isandlwana, scene of a great British defeat on January 22 1879. A few kilometres away is Rorke’s Drift, where the museum tells the story of how an outpost of 139 soldiers later resisted an attack by 4,000 Zulu impis.
North from here, at Vryheid, the Lukas Meyer Museum illustrates the two important Anglo-Zulu battles at Hlobane and Khambula.
From Vryheid set off for the site of the Battle of Blood River where, on December 16 1838 a force of 15,000 Zulus was repulsed by 464 Boer pioneers, an event marked by a circle of bronze wagons. Eshowe boasts several historical sites and has a magnificent museum at Fort Nonggai. From here, return to Durban.

Limpopo Province
The northern section of the Kruger National Park lies in Limpopo Province (previously known as Northern Province). The nearest airport is close to Phalaborwa, a place also known for its open-cast copper mine, the largest in Africa.
To the south, the Waterberg Mountain Range is an area rich in streams, springs, wetlands and prolific bird life. The vertical cliffs and impressive rock formations of the southern slopes of the Waterberg offer excellent mountaineering possibilities.
Head north and visitors come to the Soutpansberg Mountain, its imposing blue slopes cloaked with forests. At its foothills lies the picturesque town of Machado (Louis Trichardt), set in one of the loveliest region of the country.
The province is also home to culturally rich and diverse peoples. The Venda, who inhabit the eastern part of the Soutpansberg, are intensely superstitious, placing great store on rites and rituals. The North Sotho people live in communities throughout Northern Province. The famous Rain Queen, Modadji, still lives in this area. In the centre is the vibrant capital city of Polokwane (Pietersburg) – the industrial and commercial heart of the Great Limpopo.

The Ivory Route
This route starts near Orpen in the Manyeleti Game Reserve. It includes Letaba Ranch (north of Phalaborwa), Makuya park (near Pafuri), the Madimbo Corridor, Dongola-Vhembe Park, the Mokolo Dam, Makapan;s Caves and ends at Atherstone Nature Reserve (near Thabazimbi). The Limpopo Province Tourism Board operates semi-permanent tented camps and oversees central reservations from Polokwane.

The Limpopo Valley Route
From Tshwane (Pretoria), the route leads northwards to Belebela (Warmbaths) on the Great North Road (the N1) and then north-westwards via Vaalwater and through the Waterberg to Mokolo Dam. The canoe trip to the tented safari camp offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and serves as an excursion into local archaeology and history. The journey into the past continues the nest day on a guided walk in the Masebe Game Reserve. Visitors overnight in a traditional camp, which has an interpretative scale model of the region featuring its many archaeological sites.
As the traveller leaves the foothills of the Blouberg and heads into big game country, the focus shifts to the hunting history of South Africa. Small provisioning centres such as Vivo and Alldays are reminders of the continuing hunting tradition.
In the 18th century the area around the confluence of the Shashi and Limpopo rivers was an important big game hunting ground. The safari camp is in the core of the proposed Limpopo Valley National Park.

The Levubu Gorge Route
This route offers the opportunity to experience local cultures. From Tshwane head north to Polokwane, then eastwards down to the Kudu Valley to Duiwelskloof (Devil’s Kloof), the domain of the legendary Modjadji, or Rain Queen of the Balobedu people. As visitors walk through the cycad reserve they are intoduced to the cultural importance of this area for the local people and acquainted with aspects of the 20-year-old Rain Queen dynasty. Accommodation is in traditional Venda huts.
The trail continues to Fududzi Lake, sacred to the Venda people, and climbs into the mountains to a Venda Village, with panoramic views of the forest below. Discover more about Venda culture, as well as walking in the forest, swimming and picnicking waterfalls. A leisurely drive through rural Venda leads to Makuya Park, a true wilderness. The safari camp, on the Levubu River, look out on a huge hippo pool against a backdrop of great sandstone cliffs. Next morning, hugging the Levubu Gorge, the traveller crosses and alluvial plain studded with hundreds of baobab trees before arriving at the Mutale River and the descent to the safari camp, where natural attractions include an ancient, solitary, giant baobab and the Mutale Falls. From the Mutale camp the safari proceeds to Pafuri, the northernmost gate of the Kruger National Park, where there are several extension possibilities.

The Olifants Circle Route
From Polokwane the circuit heads eastwards through Chuniespoort in the Strydpoortberg Mountains. Travellers spend the night in the Sekhukhuni Camp, built in Pedi style, honouring the rebellious 19th century African king, who refused to bow to Boer dominance. En route to Big Five country travellers come to the Drakensberg Escarpment, with its sheer rock walls, pockets of indigenous forest, grass-covered slopes and vast plantations. It abounds with streams, waterfalls, crystal-clear ponds and porholes – and embraces one of the world’s largest canyons. From the top of the Escarpment, the route descends sharply to the 23,000 hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve, which has similarities with the Kruger National Park. After a stay in the tented safari camp, travellers set off for the Kruger National Park via the Orpen Gate for more game-spotting before leaving the park at Phalaborwa Gate. The trail runs westward to Letaba Ranch. The next stop is a camp built on tribal land in Shangaan style near the Balani salt pan, close to the Little Letaba River.
The homeward journey incorporates a visit to the Modjadji Cycad Reserve. The Modjadji cycad, which grows up to 13m, has been protected by several generation of Rain Queens.

Mpumalanga
Scenic beauty, majestic mountains and waterfalls, a wealth of fauna and flora, a kaleidoscope of cultures, imposing mountains, all make Mpumalanga a most sought after tourist destination. Attractions and activities include game viewing, bird watching, trout fishing, whitewater river rafting, hiking, paragliding, abseiling, 4x4 trails, hot air ballooning, cultural villages and historical sites. Mpumalanga is an all year round destination, with the climate and topography varying from cool highland grasslands, through the middleveld and escarpment to the subtropical lowveld. The province has recently been divided into seven tourism regions, each with its own unique features and an array of attractions.

The Rainbow Route
It starts in Secunda the centre of the petro-chemical industry where coal is converted to petrol. The picturesque dam at Bethal is a perfect stop-off point for waterspots, fishing and sailing. Near Ermelo visitors can admire the San paintings on the farm of Welgelegen. There are some 270 lakes and pans within a 20-km radius of Chrissiesmeer.
Amsterdam, initially called Roburnia in honour of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, was renamed by President Paul Kruger. Three large dams in the surrounding forestry area offer watersports options. A visit to the cheese and dairy farms of Piet Retief is a must.

Lanatus Cycad Route
On this route you will learn about the proud amaNdebele, known for the striking houses and clothing. Set off at Bronkhorstspruit heading for the most easterly wine estate in the country at Loopspruit. Just across the road is an amaNdebele cultural village where there’s an opportunity to be entertained with cultural dances and songs.
Onward to Marble Hall, where you should not miss a visit to the Cilabi Ostrich farm.
The Escom Village at Witbank provides an insight into the 11 different cultures in Sout Africa.

Trout Triangle Route
Belfast is the exit from the Lanatus Route and the gateway to the Trout Triangle Route. Dullstroom is a very well known trout fishing destination, with some 50 species of orchid. Daparting from Dullstroom visit the Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, the only home of all three species of crane and also the Birds of Prey Centre. See the Gustav Clingbiel Nature Reserve and Cultural Centre before heading up Long Tom Pass. Burgersfort, one of the northerly towns in Mpumalanga was established as a stronghold during the Sekhukhune war of 1876. Places of interest in Ohrigstadt include the Echo Caves, Ohrigstadt Nature Reserve and Dam. Machadodorp is well known for its hot springs. It was the capital of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republic during the Anglo-Boer war.
On Sundays a traditional steam train departs for Waterval Onder, winding through spectacular scenery.

The Panoramic Route
Central to this route is Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. You get the Panoramic Route from Lydenburg via Long Tom Pass, 2,149 metres above sea-level, travelling along the highest tarred road in South Africa. The Pass gets its name from the cannons used by the Boers against the British in 1990. From the crest of Mount Anderson look down 1,000 metres to South Africa’s most extensive man made forest and the town of Sabie which boats the largest sawmill in South Africa.
Visit the Sabie Forestry Museum and see the three spectacular waterfalls, Horse Shoe, Lone Creek, and Bridal Veil. Between Sabie and Graskop you pass MacMac Falls.
Pilgrim’s Rest is an old gold mining town frozen in time. Now a national museum, there’s an opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Graskop, situated on the magnificent Drakensberg Escarpment above Kowyn’s Pass, is the gateway to Blyde River Canyon where sites include, the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Lisbon and Berlin Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. Descend through the Abel Erasmus Pass to Blydepoort to enjoy a barge cruise on the dam.
Just before Acornhoek is the wildlife rehabilitation centre of Mholo Holo.
Hazyview is the springboard to the Kruger National Park and the world famous private reserve Sabi Sand. A visit to the Shangana Cultural Village is a ‘must’, with its day tours and evening festivities.

Capital City Route
Nelspruit, the centre of this route and capital of Mpumalanga, boasts the second largest botanical gardens in South Africa, containing a comprehensive collection of cycads. Nearby Sudwala Caves are well worth seeing. At the Swazi cultural village traditional songs and dances are perfotmed. One of the old gold mining town of Barberton is the Gold Stock Exchange building, dating back to 1887. The history of the early fold-rush is traced in the local museum. Close to Badplaas, known for its hot water springs, is the Songimvelo Reserve, where you can see four of the Big Five.
Heading back to Kaapmuiden you should stop at Matsulu arts and crafts centre. Visit the sugar mill or the crocodile farm at Malelane.

Northern Cape
The Orange River provides the lifeblood of this province, irrigating the lush green fields and vineyards. The province is noted for its San rock art, diamond diggings, and 4x4 safaris. One exciting recent development has been the establishment of the Kgalagadi (land of thirst) Transfrontier Park, in the north of the province. It combines South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park with Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park to form Southern Africa’s first cross-border reserve.
Other highlights of the Northern Cape include the Augrabies Falls National Park and Namaqualand, an arid region that is turned into a vast carpet of flowers following the Spring rains in August.

Kimberley stop-over
It is worth spending time in Kemberley, capital of the Northern Cape Province, before setting out on a tour of the region. In particular see the ‘Big Hole’, a city landmark which resulted from the diggings of early diamond prospectors and the adjacent Kimberley Mine Museum, boasting the world’s largest uncut diamond. The McGregor Museum, originally an hotel and healyh resort, highlights natural history, the Anglo-Boer War siege of Kimberley and world religions. Early 20th century photographs of the people of the area displayed in the Duggan Cronin Gallery.

Nature Route
Depart from Kimberley for Postmasburg, stopping off at the Vaalbos National Park close to the town of Barkly West. The park is inhabited by a large variety of birds and mammals, including black and white rhino. At postmasburg follow the signs to the Witsand Nature Reserve, with its striking white sand dunes.
Head for Upington, where visits to the Kalahari/Orange Museum and the wineries are recommended. Nearby is the Spitskop Nature Reserve.
Spend a day in the Augrabies Falls National Park. Here the Orange River spectacularly plunges nearly 56 metres into a narrow ravine.
To the west is Springbok, where there’s the option of taking the circular route of the remote and rugged Richtersveld National Park. From Springbok travellers can continue south through Namaqualand to Calvina and Cape Town.

The Namaqualand Route
This route is at its best in August/September, when a profusion of wild flowers bloom in this arid landscape following the spring rains.
Depart from Cape Town, passing through Citrusdal and Clanwilliam to Vanrhynsdorp.
Further north the recently proclaimed Namaqua National Park protects an astonishing variety of indigenous Namaqualand flowers. Return to the N7 and continue through Springbok. Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve before returning to the town and travelling north to take in Richtersveld National park. Go back to Springbok either returning to Cape Town or heading for Upington and Kimberley.
The Missionary Route

Depart from Kimberley westwards towards Griquatown, stopping enroute at Cambell to visit the historic Barlett Church 1831. At Griquatown visit the London Mission Society and the Mary Moffat Museum. Also here is the grave of Andries Waterboer, leader of the fiercely independent Griqua people who founded the short-lived Griqualand West colony. At Upington visitors can see early mission stations, wineries and the Spitskop Nature Reserve. East from Upington is Kathu, a small mining village close to the huge Sishen open-cast ore mine. From Kathu continue to Kuruman to see the Moffat Mission Station, set up in 1829 and the Eye, a fresh water spring. West of the town is the Kalahari Raptor Centre, a rehabilitation station and home to a growing colony of wild vultures.
Depart from Kuruman to Damiëlskuil, stopping off at the Wonderwerk Cave near Mount Carmel. Continue through Barkly West to the nearby German Lutherans mission station. Diamonds were found on the land and the ruins of Sol Plaatje’s house in the mission grounds can be seen.

The Anglo Boer War Battlefield Routes
The two biggest battlefields of the Anglo Boer War are within 40km of Kimberley, off the N12, are the battlefields of Belmont and Graspan. The first battlefield on the western front took place at Belmont where there are many memorials and sites to see.
At the confluence of the Modder and Riet rivers, a stone-cut blockhouse still guards the bridge and there is a replica of a Rice pattern blockhouse. British HQ at the time, the Crown and Royal Hotel, offers the visitor refreshments.
At Magersfontein are many memorials, notably to the Highland Brigade, the Black Watch, as well as the Scandinavian graves and memorial.
Back in Kimberley there’s the chance to see the Honoured Dead Memorial and the unique Long Cecil gun. Excursions offered include the ‘Battles and Bottles’ tour, during which the battle sites of Modder River, Jacobsdal and Magersfontein are visited. The scene of the 10-day battle of Paardeberg – the war’s longest and most costly battle – is on the route form Kimberley to Bloemfontein via Petrusburg. It’s a ‘must’ for military enthusiasts.