The Cederberg Wilderness is one of the least trodden parts of South Africa – one of the many reasons it is so alluring as a hiking destination. Take the Gabriel Slackpacking Trail and stay in a series of tiny mountain villages with local families for an experience as authentic as the local rooibos tea. more

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board has protected the province’s bathing beaches from shark attacks for more than 40 years. The Sharks Board is also involved in vital shark research and educates the public about sharks and their behaviour. more

Thonga Beach Lodge is one of those places that simply must be on your bucket list if you are a diver or a snorkeller, or if you enjoy prolific birdlife and animals, especially turtles, elephants and whales. The lodge falls within South Africa’s first World Heritage Site – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 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

Rocktail Beach Camp has a legendary reputation as one of South Africa’s most idyllic coastal escapes. Expect glorious deserted beaches of golden sand, unforgettable turtle watching and some of the best diving in the world – all in a protected marine reserve and World Heritage Site. more

Fancy off-road driving on demanding 4x4 trails? Then take yourself off to Mpumalanga and test those driving skills. The Riverwild routes are challenging, but not dangerous, and you’ll be under the watchful eye of experienced local guides. All you need is a reliable vehicle, good nerves and a steady foot. more

The Jacana Collection offer a wide range of adventure hiking trails across all nine of South Africa's provinces. These include trails through a wide variety of natural attractions such as beaches, indigenous and exotic forests, mountains and semi-desert. more

Glider pilots worldwide know that South Africa has wonderful soaring weather, and it doesn’t get better than the 800km-plus flying area east of Bloemfontein in the Free State, all the way to Aliwal North, Victoria West and on to Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in the Northern Cape. more

From the warm Indian Ocean of the east coast to the cold Atlantic Ocean on the west, snorkellers are guaranteed hours of enjoyment as they discover the colourful and fascinating marine life endemic to the country's coastline. more

Poplar Grove and White Rocks are distinctly different hiking trails that take in the lush beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg Mountains. Waterfalls, forests, rock art and a series of suspension bridges add to the fun. more

On the beautiful farm Beatrix in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the eastern Free State, you can experience adventure on the Mosamane Hiking Trail or the cerebral lure of geocaching. The farm offers a 7.5km hiking trail, or you can head off with your GPS and test your aptitude for cryptic clues on a four-hour geocaching adventure. more

Birding in South Africa is most spectacular at Nylsvley Nature Reserve, which protects a significant portion of the country’s largest inland floodplain – totalling 16 000 hectares when water levels are highest during summer. Up to 80 000 birds can be found at Nylsvley at the same time. more

When you go tracking with the Kalahari Bushmen, you’ll find that they are deeply rooted in their ancient oral culture and in their symbiotic relationship with the animals, birds and plants of the Kalahari Desert. Stop, touch, taste, learn and listen – it’s an unforgettable experience. more

The Cederberg 100 Hiking Trail covers 100km, from the summit of Pakhuis Pass in the north to the Driehoek Resort in the central Cederberg. Along the way lie many uphills and downhills, welcome rock pools, waterfalls and a rare opportunity to sample Moravian hospitality within local communities. more