Geographically the smallest province, Gauteng is an urban playground of note, taking in the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

South Africa’s third-smallest province, KwaZulu-Natal has a wealth of scenic and cultural attractions.

Mpumalanga means ‘the land of the rising sun’ in the local siSwati and Zulu languages, a name it derives from lying on the eastern border of the country.

The Free State is essentially an agricultural province and its appeal lies in its scenic beauty, rural tranquillity and natural attractions.

The scenic splendour of the Western Cape has long been a drawcard in South Africa.

The Northern Cape is the largest of South Africa’s provinces but has the smallest population, making it one of the more remote areas of the country.

The North West province features premier wildlife destinations.

Limpopo has become a sought-after tourist destination for its big game, exceptional birding, untamed bush landscapes and an ancient African kingdom.

Amandelboom, the so-called coloured township of Williston, an isolated Northern Cape village in the Upper Karoo, has a brass band, traditional Nama Riel dancing, great Karoo hospitality, and corbelled houses nearby.

The Free State has many artistic towns, Ficksburg, Clarens, Verkykerskop, Rosendal, Parys, Smithfield, Zastron, to name a few, where the more creative amongst us have settled in and made a home.

Many of Limpopo’s rivers have their source in the mountains of the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, which is also dense in indigenous forest and offers accommodation.

Some of the best bars in South Africa can be found in the small towns of the Eastern Cape. Learn more about the history of these charming locations over a pint; get talking to the locals and listen to their stories; or tuck into a delicious, home-cooked meal. Whatever you decide to spend your time doing, a warm welcome is always on the cards.

With varying habitats along the way, you can expect to see a plethora of birdlife on the Free State birding route. The Free State is also one of the most scenic parts of South Africa, making it a must-see for birders and keen photographers.

The Franschhoek Wine Route offers an array of innovative food and wine pairings. The town of Franschhoek has a rich Gallic heritage dating back to 1688 and refers to itself as ‘South Africa’s gourmet capital’.

The West Coast Wine Route follows the N7 North and has a surprisingly large selection and quality of award winning wines to chose from. It includes boutique and garagiste producers, along with some of the largest wineries in the country.

Eastern Cape province is the heartland of South African English culture, as the site of the first mass settlement of British settlers around the city they called Grahamstown – now renamed Makhanda.