The Eastern Cape town of Bedford is famous for its annual Garden Festival, but now has another floral attraction – a rosarium. Here the heritage and old roses, ancestors of our modern cultivars, have been preserved and are thriving in an arboretum of tall trees. more

Once the exciting heart of Johannesburg's nightlife, Yeoville today is a little frayed around the edges but remains exciting thanks to its cosmopolitan mix of African cultures where you can buy goods from all over Africa, and hear a Babel’s Tower of languages. more

Shepstone Gardens, a tranquil green haven in the heart of old Johannesburg, is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. If you’re planning a wedding, a party, a private function of any kind, or just want to get away from the bustle of city life, then choose these idyllic gardens. more

Gilroy is a microbrewery with a country pub/restaurant and beer garden attached in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. Presiding over the popular establishment is brew master, beer connoisseur and host par excellence, Ireland-born Liverpudlian Steve Gilroy. Sporting a bowtie, apron and pipe, the silver-haired raconteur is as unique as his award-winning lagers and ales. more

With massage treatments most in demand, the Sandton Sun Spa has explored massage methods the world over. Indonesian therapies are notably dominant, but a fusion of the world’s best are on offer at this sophisticated haven, where Eastern influences and indigenous African lore sit comfortably side by side. more

Even though the popular Mitchell’s Brewery opened in Knysna as far back 1983, almost a full decade would pass before the country's legions of hidden craft-beer brewers would emerge from their garages, open brew pubs and microbreweries, and invite the public to taste their artisan brews. more

On a seven-day road trip between East London and Port St Johns you will discover the soul of the Wild Coast, moving from cultural encounters to scenic experiences in a variety of backdrops, and from coastal forests to wide stretches of beach to isolated villages and seaside hamlets lost in time. more

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

Emmarentia Dam in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs offers an excellent retreat from the urban jungle that surrounds it, whether you are a watersports enthusiast, fishing fanatic or simply looking for some peace and tranquility. A large variety of avian life inhabits the area around the dam that borders the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. more

Glengarry Country Club, part of the Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort, is a great place for a bit of reflection in nature. Just be careful of the crafty water hazards, or reflection will suddenly have a literal meaning! Either way, you are sure to enjoy the remote setting. more

Overlooking the Constantia Valley and with views stretching as far as Muizenberg, Chart Farm offers visitors tranquility in the heart of suburbia. There aren't many public places today where you can pick your own roses, which is what has made Chart Farm so popular. 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

With the magnificent Gariep Dam as its centre spot, this road trip through the southern Free State takes you back in time to the days of early human habitation and the violent era of the South African War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War), and to quiet little villages that have hardly been touched by the hands of time. more