The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is situated in Mpumalanga and, with legendary viewing points such as God’s Window, offers some of the most spectacular views in South Africa. Activities range from hiking and swimming to scenic drives. Seek out the water-eroded Bourke’s Luck Potholes where prospectors searched for gold. more

Marievale Bird Sanctuary, not far from Johannesburg, is one of those places where you can quietly exhale, settle down in a bird hide, and be at peace with aquatic birds wading through the shallows before you. As a bonus, this Ramsar wetland sometimes yields wildly exotic vagrant bird species. more

The Modjadji Cycad Reserve holds the largest concentration of a single cycad species in the world. These majestic plants are some of the oldest and largest of their kind on the planet and are found in the realm of the legendary Rain Queen. more

Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve close to Pretoria is a wonderful natural haven where you can retreat for a spot of birding, angling or game-viewing. There’s also a relaxed hike you can take around the perimeter of the dam, offering some striking views. The wild animals are not too wild either. more

Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve offers an easy place to see game and do some excellent birding very close to Bloemfontein. And if you feel the urge to bring along a fishing rod, you could catch a kurper or yellowfish. Apart from gemsbok, eland, and black wildebeest, there are also lions. more

Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve, set on the leading edge of the Free State’s high escarpment, is a delicious place for birding – specifically for elusive grassland and wetland species. For good measure, there are also antelope, zebras and oxbow lakes full of hippos. Nearby is the pretty town of Memel. more

Rietvlei Nature Reserve is one of Tshwane's hidden treasures. Locals know it and love it. It’s a very popular place for picnics, bird watching, cycling and horse riding. This magical piece of grassland and thickly wooded savannah surrounds a large dam and you’d never guess you were close to the city. more

The Mpenjati Nature Reserve lies just 20km from the bustling holiday resort of Margate, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. This 60-hectare nature reserve is home to the shy, forest-dwelling blue, red and grey duikers, as well as numerous bird species and a host of vervet monkeys. more

Mkhambathi Nature Reserve (sometimes spelled Mkambati) is an exceptional nature reserve along the Wild Coast. It falls within the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, a botanically biodiverse hotspot. But that hardly conveys its wonders, including antelope-dappled grasslands, a waterfall into the sea, Cape vultures, and a beautiful coastline. more

The Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve, in the North West province, has the large Bloemhof Dam as its principle attraction. The extent of the dam within the reserve is around 13 000-hectares and, depending on the water levels, offers outstanding angling to complement the reserve’s bird and game viewing. more

Experience hunting in the Free State in the winter months and wildlife between two rivers during the rest of the year at Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve which is home to legendary South African game, including eland, black wildebeest, black and white rhino. more

Goegap Nature Reserve was named by the Namas for the reed-filled water spring here. The Nama were entirely dependent on the fountain water in this arid biodiversity hotspot near the town of Springbok, where semi-desert birds, animals and the wild flowers of Namaqualand flourish. more

There are few wild places close to towns where you can view animals and birds and explore the landscape by hiking, on horse trails or on mountain bikes. The 1 200-hectare Wolhuterskop Game and Nature Reserve offers this in the eastern Free State's grasslands. more

In the heart of the Great Fish River valley, sandwiched between 2 rivers and traversed by the mighty Great Fish itself, lies the Great Fish River Nature Reserve. A haven for wildlife of all shapes and sizes and home to several historical sites, this reserve near Grahamstown offers beauty and peace. more