The true beauty of South Africa can be found just a short drive from any of the major cities. Usually the preserve of city residents seeking weekend retreats, small towns within no more than a couple of hours Johannesburg or Cape Town are the perfect place to seek solitude and soak up the South African way of life.

Clarens, a pretty little town in the Free State that serves as the gateway to the dramatic mountains that make up the spine of the country, offers the perfect blend of cafe culture and natural surroundings to provide that perfect holiday feel. From here, a visit to the Golden Gate Highlands Park for a swim in the fresh mountain streams is an absolute must.

Fifty kilometres out of Cape Town lies the town of Paarl, named after the distinctive rock formations of the surrounding mountains, which glinted like pearls to the eyes of early European settlers. Like nearby wine-town Stellenbosch, Paarl too has it's share of vineyards - the collaborative Boland Kalder (Boland Celler in the UK) sits on the main thoroughfare, while the surrounding countryside is full of both major wine producers and independent gems.

On the slopes of Paarl mountain is Fairview, whose distinctive three tier goat tower fans will recognise from their familiar label. A producer of both wine and cheese, you can sample both in their main tasting rooms, but those with time to spare should instead choose the cheese board and wine list in the restaurant - be sure to get seats on the outside terrace, and while away an afternoon in gastronomic comfort.

Nearby Seidelberg boasts underground tasting rooms and full bodied red wines, which are best enjoyed outside on the green with a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside.

With the nearby town of Franschoek a foodie heaven, and far more winning wines than space here to list, Paarl is a great base from which to explore the delights of Cape wines. Close enough to Cape Town to visit, but far enough away to not feel like a tourist, it really is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside - just don't miss the sunsets - they truly are spectacular.

Zulu Battlefields
by Jeff Goodall

We have just returned from our firts trip to South Africa.My wife booked it as a 50th birthday treat for me . All I can say is Wow, I cannot wait to return . We visited Kruger and also the Zulu battlefields, very moving . All the hotels were very good and the food and drink superb and exceptional value, the staff were very friendly. We both loved it and we have been all over the world . Definately recommend South Africa.
Fly Fish Remote Rivers
by Simon Race

What a way to recharge the batteries... Far from the madding crowd. During cold UK winters and our closed season, crystal clear trout streams beckon in Kwazulu Natal & Lesotho. Round every corner one finds wonderful scenery and challenging adversaries...
Enduro Africa
by Simon Stokes

The wildest off-road motorbike ride through the most amazing parts of the most stunning country. The Transkei is Africa at it's most breath-taking...
Baviaans cloof
by graham swift

ive been to south africa 3 times on my last visit we thought about staying over in the bush and roughing it after a 3 hour drive into the heart of the Baviaans we reach the camp site to be met by the park rangers we swapped names and chatted when they asked if we wanted a free helicopter flight we were picked up and flown for over 2 hours all over the park flying over buffallo and baboons an experience money could not buy,and we have it all on video,all free go to south africa and sample the country for yourselves.
Field Guide course
by Mark Davies

If you want to go on Safari, but become part of the fauna instead of just watching from a 4x4, sign up for a ranger or guide course. For four weeks, you'll live under canvas, learn more than you'll believe you could ever know, earn a qualification and make lifelong friends. It's hard to know which more thrilling, finding a cobra under your tent or a fresh rhino footprint outside it!
Zulu Natel
by Carol Hutchings

I flew into J'Berg, picked up car and drove to Dakensbery Mountains, staying in inn for 3 nights. On to 100 Hills and many overnight stays in small delightful Inns, then on to Game Park, where I drove myself around. What a wonderful experience turning a corner and being confronted by a Rhino. 10 days of new experiences every day. Give it a go !!
wild coast
by Clifford Roythorne

One of the most beautiful place on earth. Take a walk well a 5 day hike from "Hole in the wall" to Port St Johns. You will walk on some of best unspoilt beaches in the world. Stop off on low tide by the famous shrk's breading pool and see hundereds of different sharks just swimming around. Wade across entries to untouched lagoons and walk some very long beaches. Sleep over night on the beach, in cove or outlet. The locals are friendly and helpful. You can plan your walk to stop off at hotels along the way if you want. But I do promise you one thing, you will never forget the walk.
The Garden Route
by Ian Jones

Drove from Capetown to Cape St Francis along the Garden Route. Visited Stellenbosch and toured the Winelands. Then through Lowry's Pass (fantastic views) to Hermanus and saw Whales in the Bay with their calfs. Then to scenic places like Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Knysna with its lagoon and Choo Choo train and stormy entrance between majestic headlands to the Indian Ocean. Then North to Oudtshoorn in the Karoo and visited the Kango Caves and its stunning Great Hall with thousands of stalagtites and stalagmites in awesome colours. Visited a Cheetah orphanage where we stroked fully grown cats that had been rescued as kittens and hand reared.
Off The Well-Travelled Route
by Kate Schwarz

A marvelous country for the history buff. There is the Cradle of Man, where the oldest skeleton was unearthed. Enquire at the Vriedadorp Museum about the SA man who has an amazing collection of artifacts and knowledge of the Zulu War. The Village of Rawsonville, close to Worcester is easily accessed through the Huguenot Tunnel from Cape Town. If you take the road, the scenery is breathtaking. The personable owners of the Monte Rosa B & B, showed us the delights of wineries, perhaps not as well known as some, but producing excellent wine at very reasonable prices.
Sabi - Sabi Game Park
by Leslie Cload

Wonderful experience at the Sabi- Sabi Game PARK where we went among the animals in the wild in a Land Rover - so near you could touch them and then on to Table Mountain where we saw what looked like Rabbits but which only live on Table Mountain, and looking out to Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was in Custody before he became President of South Africa, and then on to Stellenbosch for wonderful Vineries and Wines.