Constantia Kloof, Johannesburg

Lying just south of Allen's Nek in the crook of Christian de Wet Road to the west of Johannesburg, Constantia Kloof is a small and quiet suburb that lies in an indentation of Constantia Ridge, hence its name.

It's a pretty little suburb perched on the edge of Johannesburg close to two green belt escapes, the Kloofendal Nature Reserve and Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Kloofendal in particular is one of the better kept secrets of the city and seldom all that busy. Yet it provides an escape into an abundance of indigenous vegetation, a birdlife to match and a number of trails that crisscross the reserve. All of this is but a couple of blocks from the heart of the suburb, making it easily accessible and providing the neighbourhood with a particularly active bird life. There is also a little dam within Kloofendal with a bird hide, whilst little buck are frequently sighted.

The west of Johannesburg has undergone a great deal of development in recent years. It used to be that the journey along Hendrik Potgieter Road past Constantia Kloof towards Little Falls took one into the 'country' and the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens stood on the edge of town. Today Hendrik Potgieter is lined with townhouse complexes virtually all the way to the interesection with Paardekraal Road, where the road continues into the Magaliesberg. Muldersdrift, which literally used to be adrift from the rest of Johannesburg, is now adrift in more development than it bargained for. Despite this Constantia Kloof manages to maintain its distinctive quiet. It continues to sit on the borders of Roodepoort, largely unaffected.

Yet one is not short of things to do. Clear Water Mall is just up the road, Northgate Dome is within 10 kilometres, and a little further afield the Cradle of Humankind provides a fascinating outing.