If you want to travel with the stars, drive on dusty back roads, visit an old-time country trading store, walk through a semi-desert with the waking sun, and go on a belly safari for a close-up of nature, then the upper Karoo in the Northern Cape is calling your name. more

If you want a route that offers riverine rabbits, spiritual skies, corbelled houses, the presence of space-listening telescopes, windmill landscapes and small towns that know little of stress, traffic and deadlines, then hit this 'upper Karoo route', which winds through the Northern Cape from Victoria West to Calvinia. more

The West Coast Fossil Park near Langebaan north of Cape Town has one of the world’s richest concentration of fossils dating back to the early Pliocene era 5 million years ago. Once sabre-toothed cats roamed this land, along with short-necked giraffes, four-tusked elephants and strange, three-toed horses. more

Known as Africa’s most famous jumper, Godfrey Khotso Mokoena has been taking the athletics world by storm in the past decade, culminating with a silver medal for the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But the Mokoena Magic still continues, and Godfrey has his sights set on new records all the time. more

Visit the area that once belonged to the original Griquas and famous missionaries that included Robert Moffat, John Campbell and David Livingstone, who later become one of the colonial era’s top explorers through Africa. Included on this route is the exotically named stop of Putsonderwater ('well without water'). more

One day he would steal a man’s horse, on another he would give money to a hard-pressed widow – or join in a posse in search of himself. That was Scotty Smith, a Kalahari crook with a great sense of humour and a love for the high road. more

BirdLife South Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving and protecting South Africa’s birds. Become a member online, read BirdLife’s own magazine, get the information and discover how you can help to protect the birds that are a crucial part of our world’s biodiversity. more

Mention that you are competing in the Fauresmith endurance ride and it automatically commands the highest respect in endurance horse-riding circles. The event sees camaraderie and sportsmanship inspire the riders over long, challenging distances over three consecutive days. more

Passing donkey carts on dirt roads, staying over in delightfully eccentric country hotels with amazing décor and legend, riding camels on the red sand dunes, and visiting one of South Africa’s favourite national parks are just some of the elements of a quirky Kalahari loop you can take between Upington and Askham. more

An outing to Phezulu Safari Park presents a handful of options for the first-time visitor to South Africa. From a game drive to a traditional Zulu village experience – and seeing some of the country's most fearsome reptiles – this is a great introduction to Africa. more

When you first take the N14 between Springbok and Upington, you might be overwhelmed by the wide-angle vastness of the landscape – but you'll also be fascinated by what you find in the little stops, meeting locals, visits to memorable national parks and the quirky, interesting hideaways along the road. more

Gay Johannesburg celebrates in public style during its annual Gay Pride March in September, but in the meantime its gay-friendly bars, café-culture, trendy restaurants and steam baths maintain the tempo year round. From township venues to dance spots, Jo'burg's gay rhythm never lets up its exciting beat. more

There are few places in the world where, in the space of a few days, you can visit a lighthouse, catch a break wave, bungee jump, slide through the forest on a canopy tour, and hike to your heart’s content. The Port Elizabeth to Nature’s Valley route allows you to do this. more

If you want to visit the coldest town in South Africa (which doubles as the ‘home of the rusk'), wander into the southern Drakensberg on a cave-art expedition, take to the ski slopes, or simply chill out in the mountains, then the Stormberg route is your kind of road trip. more