Despite its colourful reputation, Johannesburg has a wealth of attractions, and the vast majority of overseas visitors leave pleasantly surprised, especially if it is their first time to the city and they have had the time to explore it for a couple of days. Taking a guided tour of Johannesburg's highlights, which include The Museum Africa, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and the thought-provoking and excellent Apartheid Museum to name but a few, is an excellent way to see the major attractions of the city, and spending a day in the company of a recommended tour guide will also give a new perspective to the city which visitors otherwise would not be aware of.

Other sightseeing attractions include the Carlton Centre (or Top of Africa as it is more commonly known), which is the tallest building in the entire Southern Hemisphere, the Mai Mai Centre (Johannesburg's traditional medicine market) and the World of Beer. A tour of nearby Soweto will give an interesting insight into the country's largest town, home to over 3 million people. One of the highlights of a trip to Soweto is a visit to Nelson Mandela's former house, where he used to lived before his prison sentence. For the adreneline seekers, Gold Reef City is a must. There are around 30 rides in the Park, including some truly terrifying white-knuckle rides.

Protea Hotel Wanderers is a stylish hotel in the heart of Johannesburg’s popular suburb of Illovo. Ideally located, it offers easy access to a number of excellent shopping and dining alternatives. It consists of 229 modern, air-conditioned rooms with sound-proofed windows, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and en-suite bathrooms. Warm earthy tones, elegant decor and harmonious designs compliment the exceptional and intuitive service of this elegant city hotel.

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Address

Protea Hotel Wanderers,Corner Corlett Drive & Rudd Road, Illovo Johannesburg, Gauteng ZA Johannesburg Gauteng South Africa 2116, Illovo

The Lowveld area around the Kruger Park is beautiful, and there are several attractions worthy of a visit during your stay in the area. The small town of Hazyview is an ideal place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area.

The self-drive Lowveld Panarama Route includes highlights such as Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Lisbon Falls, the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

Other activities in the area include visiting the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which focuses on the conservation of rare, vunerable or endangered animals, enjoying a morning or afternoon tour at Moholoholo (a haven for the rehabilitation and care of abandoned or injured wildlife), visiting the Shangana Cultural Village, white water rafting, or taking an early morning balloon ride over the surrounding countryside.

The Kruger National Park itself is only an hours drive away, and is home to hundreds of species of wildlife and birds, including the Big 5.

Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel is set amongst trees in the heart of the colonial Perry's Bridge Trading Post. Here, you have a choice of restaurants to dine at in the evening, and Perry's Bridge Brewery offers an afro-chic ambience where you can enjoy the locally brewed lager. The Trading Post also boasts clothing boutiques, a deli and a curio shop, and guests can also experience a night of Shangaan dance and song at the neighbouring Shangaan River Club.

The 31 spacious rooms and 3 family suites offer relaxed, yet sophisticated accommodation in a beautiful indigenous garden setting. The colonially furnished air-conditioned rooms each feature satellite television, indoor and outdoor showers, mini-safes, tea/coffee making facilities, and a private patio with Lowveld views. Time spent at the swimming pool in this beautiful garden setting is bound to leave you feeling refreshed and revived.

Address

Perry's Bridge Hollow,Outside Hazyview Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, Hazyview

Directions

From Nelspruit/Mbombela: Take R40 North to White River/Witrivier (passing straight through Rocky Drift). In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself (with White River Toyota ahead of you on the left), turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next lights, turn right - with the playing fields on your left and, further on, an open park with a pond on your right. Cross over the next set of lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview, signposted to Phalaborwa (the R538 to Hazyview via the Numbi Gate is a slow, busy, potholed road and not recommended.) Continue on the R40 for about 45 km, where you will come to a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40 and follow the signs to Hazyview. Once you have passed the Total Filling Station on your left, 500m further on you will find Perry’s Bridge Hollow on your left hand side.

From KMIA Kruger Nelspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport in the direction of White River/Witrivier on the R538. Continue on this road for 12 km (there is a quick left and immediately right turn at the Plaston intersection – do not turn right to Kabokweni!) to the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40 (signposted Phalaborwa). After approx 45 km, at the T-junction, turn left, staying on the R40 and following signs to Hazyview. Once you have passed the Total Filling Station on your left, 500m further on you will find Perry’s Bridge Hollow on your left hand side.

From Hoedspruit / Eastgate Airport: Take the R40 southwards towards Hazyview, turning left at Klaserie to stay on the R40. Be especially cautious about speeding on this road. Pass through the towns of Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge and Marite, following signs to White River and Hazyview.  Perry’s Bridge Hollow will be on your right hand side.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take N12 or N4 Highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg’s O.R.Tambo Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12) and then follow N4 Highway through Belfast and Machadodorp. After the Machado Toll Plaza follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 towards Nelspruit (lunch at Old Joe’s Kaia is recommended). Turn left where you rejoin the main N4 at Montrose and continue towards Nelspruit/Mbombela. At Nelspruit/Mbombela, follow the Hazyview/White River R40 signs from the N4 and around two subsequent roundabouts until you meet the R40 alongside the Mercedes dealer. Turn left and follow instructions from Nelspruit/Mbombela above.

The prestigious Royal Villas nestle in the shadow of the Ezulwini mountains and welcomes you with 5* elegance to unspoilt Swaziland. Just 10 minutes from Mbabane, and 25 minutes from the Oshoek Border, the unique African setting and secure surroundings provide a luxurious and central base from which to explore Swaziland.

Guests can enjoy the true satisfaction of luxury dining in the exceptional restaurant. The resident Chef is highly trained and dedicates professional intent on bringing only the best culinary creations to your table.

Enjoy your meals besides a roaring fire in winter and outside on the terrace in summer.

There is a a swimming pool for guests enjoyment, and a pool bar and terrace. Tours of local area including adventure trips can be arranged, as well as golf and horse riding.

There are a total of 56 rooms found in 17 Villas, spread around a beautiful estate with stunning views.

The luxurious bedrooms all have air-conditioning, crisp linen and fresh flowers, and the spacious en-suite bathrooms promise complete relaxation in pristine surroundings.

Rooms are equipped with a fully stocked mini bar, DSTV and internet.

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Directions

From the Battlefields: Take the R33 to Vryheid and onto Piet Retief. Take the R543 to the Mahamba Border Post. Once in Swaziland, follow the road to Nhlangano and then to Manzini. When you reach Manzini, you will see signs for the Ezulwini Sun. Follow these signs, and the Royal Villas are just a bit further on off towards the right hand side.

See attached map for more details of when you reach Manzini.

You don't have to visit Kruger to experience wildlife, or see the Big 5 close to. Only 280 km north of Durban, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park covers 96,000 hectares and is renowned for its variety of bird and animal life.

There have been over 300 bird species recorded, and cheetah, wild dog, the Big 5 and many species of antelope and other plains game including giraffe and zebra inhabit the Park, offering the visitor a varied self-drive game viewing experience.

The Park is most famous for its population of white rhino, of which there are about 1,600, and it is practically impossible to visit the Park without seeing one - if this happens, then you are extremely unlucky!

The excellent road infrastructure means that self-driving is easy in a 2WD, or you can arrange to go on a guided game drive from the camps.  Viewing hides overlook waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.

Situated between the renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park is the Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris. Rich in natural ambience and with a distinctively African rhythm, Protea Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris treats guests to luxurious accommodation, tantalising cuisine, and a world-class service with friendly staff.

The hotel's en-suite rooms all offer satellite television, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.

Relax on the swimming pool terrace and soak up the cultural richness in the evenings, when Zulu dance shows are held beneath the magnificent Umkanyakude (Fever) tree.

Hluhluwe & Safaris offers a choice of 3, 6 or 9 hour open vehicle game drives through the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, home of the Big Five. Pre-bookings are required before your arrival date and each game drive needs a minimum of 4 people. Game drives are available either in the morning or in the afternoons. Packed lunches can also be requested for at an additional cost.

Address

Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris,104 Main Road, Hluhluwe, Kwa- Zulu Natal