The Amani Spa on Knysna’s Thesen Island is located in the Turbine Hotel, which was once a power station. Industrial yet trendy, the facility enjoys great views of the Knysna Lagoon, and echoes colours and scenes of the Knysna forests. This Garden Route facility presents a perfect, peaceful setting. more

The Mowana Spa in Fourways, Johannesburg, is a relatively new spa with an African feel. The spa is located in the gardens of the popular Indaba Hotel and offers a wellness experience with a difference. Using Mowana Spa Baobab Signature products, there are a range of special treatments and package deals on offer – all you need do is relax and let Africa work her magic. more

Fresh, the award-winning country restaurant on the Paul Cluver wine estate in Elgin, 70km from Cape Town, concentrates on organic ingredients, grown on the estate itself or on nearby farms. Enjoy the sociability of a meal prepared in an open kitchen, eaten at communal trestle tables. Who knows, you may make new friends! more

The Royal Natal Yacht Club is the perfect place to sip on a gin and tonic as you watch the yachts in the harbour. Once known as the Durban Regatta Club, this esteemed yacht club is recognised as one of the stalwarts of the Durban social scene. more

Through song, dance, the telling of stories and divination – and, possibly, a good game of pool at the after-hours shebeen – the Motseng Cultural Village at Sun City offers visitors a fascinating insight into the traditions and lifestyle of eight South African cultures. Add this to your Sun City bucket list when you’re there… more

From its roots as the home of the San, followed by the Zulus, the traders of old and the mainly-Norwegian colonialists who settled in the area and the hinterland of what is known today as KwaZulu-Natal, Port Shepstone’s modern identity is closely tied with beach holidays, romance and rich fishing grounds. more

The restaurant at Hartford House on a stud farm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is claimed as one of the country’s Top 10. Celebrated chef Jackie Cameron makes sure that whether you drop by for tea or a five-course dinner, the experience will be remembered. more

Since the late 1800s, the Durban July has been one of South Africa's most revered sporting events. These days it's a highlight for South Africans and overseas visitors, who flock to the Greyville Racecourse to witness what has become known as 'Africa's greatest horse-racing event'. more

Litha Ncokazi is a young man, but the legends he puts into his ceramic art are the millennia-old Xhosa cultural icons, told to him by his grandmother in his home village. Critics are already tipping Ncokazi as one of the leading young South African artists of his generation – and a man to invest in. more

Where hardened prisoners used to sit and make shoes, there is now a fashion school. Where once convicts had to take their meals in a courtyard, there is now a good restaurant. Project Gateway of Pietermaritzburg has turned city’s Old Prison into a cutting-edge venue for community benefit. more

Dinokeng is a destination that has it all. Just west of Pretoria, it has a large Big 5 game reserve, it has authentic experiences in townships, rich birdlife, quaint villages like Cullinan and plenty of accommodation. Now it has another asset – its great feel-good factor thanks to its responsible tourism credentials. more

There are very few people in the world who can say they have beaten swimming great Michael Phelps at his own game. Chad le Clos can. It was in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 Olympics in London that he beat his hero to claim the gold, surprising even himself, the country and his devoted father. Who can forget the emotional outburst from Bert le Clos on international television, which travelled virally around the world in a matter of minutes making the Le Clos family a household name? more

Finest Kind's cheese-making getaways are for those who want a little more from their holiday than the usual sightseeing or adventure excursions. You will be based at a working farm and learn traditional methods of making fresh yoghurt and a range of cheeses – making mozzarella along the Garden Route is a great way to spend your vacation. more

Addis in Cape is a delightful Ethiopian restaurant in Cape Town that serves exotically spiced gluten-free meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes. The décor is 100% authentic and complemented by the restaurant’s customary coffee ceremony and traditional food presentation. With its Ethiopia-born owners and chefs, you’re guaranteed a genuine East African dining experience. more