Small town charm

The Upper Karoo Route from Victoria West to Calvinia via Carnarvon offers the beautiful landscape of Northern Cape (strewn with daisies in spring), rare wildlife and a thriving, hospitable culture.

Cullinan near Pretoria in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, is a great destination for out-of-the-ordinary weddings at Jan Harmsgat se Agterplaas and prenuptial pampering at Zau Spa.

The Klein Karoo in Western Cape might be dry, but it offers unique plants, enthralling nature reserves, magnificent mountain vistas, its own wine route, ostrich farms and the world-famous Cango Caves.

Northern Cape’s Diamond Coast – from Port Nolloth to Alexander Bay – is perfect for romantic getaways featuring shipwrecks, glorious scenery and spring flowers… and sparkly gems!

The Royal Hotel in preserved Victorian gold-rush town Pilgrim’s Rest, once a Catholic church that was built hundreds of kilometres away, offers old-fashioned comfort and a heap of Mpumalanga history.

Ficksburg in Free State province is famed as South Africa’s cherry mecca – but the town offers many other experiences for visitors, from chocolates and asparagus to boat tours and beautiful buildings.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek produce some of South Africa’s best wine and boast several of the country’s best restaurants.

Drive the scenic Camdeboo route in the Eastern Cape Karoo and experience the small-town charm of Willowmore, Rietbron, Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet.

The Waterberg Meander in Limpopo is a celebration of culture in an area that includes national parks, wilderness areas, private game reserves and tribal areas.

A road trip from Smithfield to Philippolis offers visitors South African War history, friendly small towns, the Gariep Dam, ancient rock art and access to tigers.

Take a drive from Grahamstown to Port Elizabeth and explore the pubs, beaches, restaurants and seaside adventures that come with one of South Africa’s top coastal areas.

The Darling Wine Route comprises a few independent estates and is known for producing some of the country’s best sauvignon blanc, shiraz and pinotage wines.