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

BirdLife South Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving and protecting South Africa’s birds. Become a member online, read BirdLife’s own magazine, get the information and discover how you can help to protect the birds that are a crucial part of our world’s biodiversity. 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

Passing donkey carts on dirt roads, staying over in delightfully eccentric country hotels with amazing décor and legend, riding camels on the red sand dunes, and visiting one of South Africa’s favourite national parks are just some of the elements of a quirky Kalahari loop you can take between Upington and Askham. more

An outing to Phezulu Safari Park presents a handful of options for the first-time visitor to South Africa. From a game drive to a traditional Zulu village experience – and seeing some of the country's most fearsome reptiles – this is a great introduction to Africa. more

When you first take the N14 between Springbok and Upington, you might be overwhelmed by the wide-angle vastness of the landscape – but you'll also be fascinated by what you find in the little stops, meeting locals, visits to memorable national parks and the quirky, interesting hideaways along the road. more

Gay Johannesburg celebrates in public style during its annual Gay Pride March in September, but in the meantime its gay-friendly bars, café-culture, trendy restaurants and steam baths maintain the tempo year round. From township venues to dance spots, Jo'burg's gay rhythm never lets up its exciting beat. more

There are few places in the world where, in the space of a few days, you can visit a lighthouse, catch a break wave, bungee jump, slide through the forest on a canopy tour, and hike to your heart’s content. The Port Elizabeth to Nature’s Valley route allows you to do this. more

If you want to visit the coldest town in South Africa (which doubles as the ‘home of the rusk'), wander into the southern Drakensberg on a cave-art expedition, take to the ski slopes, or simply chill out in the mountains, then the Stormberg route is your kind of road trip. more

From the minute you leave Port Elizabeth to the moment you arrive in the dusty Karoo village of Nieu Bethesda, this journey is all about a farmstall food safari, a trip back into the Victorian-era frontier days, trout fishing and zebra spotting in the mountains, and the search for Harry Potter’s resting place. more

The Kruger National Park has accommodation to suit all budgets, from camping sites to luxury lodges, but if you’re looking for somewhere more remote and less busy than the big main camps, tuck yourself away in one of the Kruger Park’s bushveld camps. Game still abounds but there are fewer people. more

If you like back roads with their pleasant surprises around each corner, such as dusty little pubs in the middle of nowhere, friendly encounters with elephants, elegant guest houses and funky ‘theatrical’ hotels in the middle of the Karoo Heartland, then take the ‘back-roads route’ between Port Elizabeth and Graaff-Reinet. 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

Ever wanted to find a destination where very little happens, the air is clear and all is quiet? Then look no further than the little towns that line the N9 from Willowmore to Graaff-Reinet in the Great Karoo section of the Eastern Cape. more