Die Kleipot restaurant is part of the Die Kleipot B&B situated in Colesberg in the Northern Cape province. For many, this little backwater would simply be a pitstop on the road to somewhere else, but if you take the time to stop here, you are in for a treat. You will get a real taste of South African country cooking in a very homely environment. Owned and run by Darren and Lindsay Stewart, this little restaurant makes the most of local produce. It is relaxed and unpretentious in the very sense of the word, and a welcome culinary surprise in the heart of the country. You might even wish to sample one or two of their more creative dishes such as springbok stroganoff or warthog belly...  more

Hotazel was once a farm where surveyors looked around and said it was ‘As hot as hell’ out here. It then became a small village after strong reserves of manganese were found here and a mining company set up shop. Today it stands out as having one of the oddest names for a town in South Africa. more

On weekends the Maloof Skate Plaza in Kimberley throbs with skateboarders of all ages, particularly youngsters who come to learn how to skateboard or to hone their skills at this world-class facility. Since opening in 2011, it has attracted increasing numbers of skate enthusiasts from around the world. more

After three days of driving through the villages of the Richtersveld and ending up at the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, you will have learned an incredible amount about the Nama people and the geographical setting they survive in, from intricate plant life to the traditional herding patterns called ‘transhumance’. 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

Some little towns in the mountains appear out of thick mist, other long-forgotten seaports give up their shipwrecks, while in the flower season everything takes on bright colours – that’s the essence of this Namaqua back-roads route, with a surprise and a local delight around every corner. more

When next you’re driving between the two major South African centres of Cape Town and Johannesburg, visit the historic halfway point: Colesberg. Its many attractions, which include a farm stay, a walking tour of the town and mountain bike trails, will keep the family entertained for at least a day or two. more

Those who have experienced the coastal section of the Caracal Eco Route say it is a firm rival experience to the legendary spring flowers that may pave your way (depending on the time of year). In or out of flower season, this 4x4 mountain-to-ocean route in Namaqualand is well worth doing if you enjoy adventure. more

Experience good fly-fishing for yellowfish in the rivers around Kimberley, which boast abundant, stable populations of indigenous largemouth and smallmouth species. Fly-fishing here will lure you back time and again as you absorb the evocative game-rich environment while casting for record catches. more

In 1871, a dramatic cloudburst caused a flood that shattered the little Northern Cape community of Victoria West, killing 60 residents. Few thought the town could survive such a tragedy, but today it is a welcoming Upper Karoo destination. more

Witsand Nature Reserve in the Northern Cape is an exceptional eco-destination featuring geological and climatic anomalies that cause the desert sand to ‘roar'. This natural attraction is one of the Green Kalahari’s best-kept secrets. The birding here is exceptional, and you'll see plenty of dryland wildlife. more

Whether you eat a smiley (roasted sheep’s head), participate in the local marathon or simply admire the kaleidoscope of wild flowers, a visit to the Calvinia Meat Festival offers unique epicurean opportunities and a small town experience second to none. more

The flamingos of Kimberley's Kamfers Dam offer a rare and lovely sight – thousands upon thousands of these pink birds stretching for as far as the eye can see. This area is 1 of only 4 breeding sites in Africa for lesser flamingos and is a must-see for any birder. more