Natural

Augrabies flat lizards

Even if you’re not into reptiles, you’ll find the Augrabies flat lizard quite fascinating. The advantage is they’re easy to see, and live in a startlingly beautiful place. more
Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg

Emmarentia Dam is where you can watch an open-air music concert, paddle around in a canoe, try your hand at sailing, or simply have a peaceful stroll along the banks. more
Thonga Beach Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal

Thonga Beach Lodge is close to Mabibi, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is a place that thrums with birdlife, marine life and fascinating mammals. more
Rocktail Beach Camp, KwaZulu-Natal

Set back from deserted golden beaches in a coastal forest, Rocktail Beach Camp has a well-deserved reputation as one of the South Africa’s loveliest beach escapes. more

More about Natural

Modderfontein Nature Reserve, Gauteng

The Modderfontein Nature Reserve – once the hub of a dynamite factory – is Gauteng’s second-largest private reserve with open grasslands, hills and small dams brimming with water birds. more

Great trees of South Africa

Discover the great trees of South Africa as you travel, from the mighty baobabs in the north, to the giant yellowwoods in the south. more

Leliefontein to Kleinzee – the 'shipwreck and daisies route'

Pack the picnic bag, haul out the roadmap and GPS, and hit the back roads of Namaqualand for a taste of local flavours and photogenic landscapes. more

Natural attractions in Gauteng

1Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind is an absolute must-see. The Maropeng Visitor’s centre will give you insight into the origins of mankind. Head down into the Sterkfontein caves for an enlightening experience as nature leads the way.

2Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

One of the great escapes from Johannesburg and Tshwane, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens are found in almost 300 hectares of landscaped and natural gardens – great for picnicking and bird-watching

3Rhino and Lion Park

This is a privately-owned reserve situated in the Cradle of Humankind and his home to over 600 head of game, and is definitely worth a visit

4Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Located to the South of Pretoria, this nature reserve and wetland is the province’s best kept secret. Here, you can see zebra, buffalo, rhino and hippo

5Tswaing Crater

Just 40 kilometres north of Pretoria you’ll find the Tswaing Crater – the site of where an asteroid left a massive impact crater some 200 000 years ago

6Melville Koppies

These rugged koppies close to the suburb of Melville have evidence of Stone Age village and iron-smelting works. The flora includes 80% of the species recorded on in Gauteng. Great for walks and hikes

7Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

This Nature Reserve south of Johannesburg covers 13 337 hectares of ridges, plains and kloofs – look out for supporting antelope, baboon, cheetah and hyena

8Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve

Located 22 kilometres from Pretoria, this area is rich in wildlife (zebra, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildebeest) and birdlife

9Dinokeng

Known as the ‘Place of Rivers’ one can also go on game drives in the Dinokeng tourism region. Plans are that one-day this area will be host to the Big Five

10Groenkloof Nature Reserve

one of the first-ever declared nature reserves in the old Transvaal, Groenkloof Nature Reserve is home to kudu, impala, blue wildebeest and ostrich. Guided hiking trails on offer