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Drive from Pretoria along the N4 double highway to Belfast, then turn off for the town of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga province. The trip is about three hours plus. Dullstroom is an experience, to put it mildly. Your first stop has to be Harry’s Pancake bar. This place is famous (savoury or sweet, the pancakes are not to be missed – and the portions are convincing).
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Check into your accommodation and then take a leisurely walk through town. There are enough shops, coffee shops, art galleries and curiosities to keep you going for an hour or two.
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Make sure you have enough time to tackle up and enjoy some fly-fishing – Dullstroom is the fly-fishing capital of South Africa.
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Late afternoon head straight for the Duck & Trout, a barn-sized bar at the edge of town. It offers eccentric musicians, strange cocktails, pizzas, snacks and meals – whatever you want, it’s there. Walk your indulgences off when you head back to your accommodation.
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After some early morning fly-fishing - travel to the historic mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest via Lydenburg, Sabie and Graskop. Pilgrim’s Rest’s entire main street has been declared a heritage site and takes an afternoon to explore.
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Lunch at any of the many bars (one used to be a church!) or restaurants. If you like good wines, there’s a fine wine boutique on the main drag, and the owners are knowledgeable when it comes to South Africa’s best.
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Stay the night and book dinner at the famous Royal Hotel, otherwise, take your pick of the less formal venues. Afterwards it’s obligatory to stroll through Pilgrim’s famous graveyard, known for its nocturnal inhabitants of the translucent variety.
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In the morning head for Hazyview, shop for meat, drink, veggies and breakfast goodies to last you two days. Drive to Numbi Gate, your entrance to the famous Kruger National Park game reserve. Check into your accommodation, and lunch at the local restaurant - or try your hand at a real South African braai (barbeque).
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Late afternoon (from 3pm onwards) is the time to go on a game drive around this reserve – that is equivalent in size to the island of Taiwan. There is a certain rhythm to a stay in the bush. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to view animals, as they tend to hunker down during the heat of the day and drop from sight.
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Watering holes are a good bet in the winter months (which is when the FIFA 2010 World Cup is happening) as the animals are forced to congregate there for a drink. Just settle into the hide, keep your camera and binoculars ready and they will come.
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Stay at least two nights in Kruger. Go for a final game drive on your way out through Numbi Gate.
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The area around Sabie and White River in Mpumalanga is home to some of the finest scenic diversity in the country, thanks to an overload of waterfalls and sheer drops. As a result many fine country lodges and small hotels dot the area. There’s one for every pocket, taste and level of formality.
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Even if you prefer the informal, have at least a drink, coffee and cake or a meal at a country inn such as Cybele Forest Lodge. You will need to dress casual smart and honour the tranquil atmosphere, but the food is heavenly.
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Enjoy dinner and spend the night in an area overflowing with fresh trout, macadamia nuts, avocados, citrus fruits and venison.
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Head back to Pretoria after a hearty breakfast. Don’t forget to shop for African crafts along the way. Haggling is definitely permitted.